Blessed Mary of the Passion, born Hélène de Chappotin in 1839 in Nantes, is the foundress of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

From a very young age, she felt a deep desire to dedicate her life to God. After several stages of discernment in religious life, she was sent on mission to India, in the Maduré region. There, she encountered the difficult realities of missionary life and the immense needs of local populations, particularly marginalized young Indian widows.

This experience led her to understand the importance of forming religious sisters specifically prepared for mission work, capable of adapting to the cultures and realities of the countries to which they are sent.

It was in this context that she founded, on January 6, 1877, the congregation of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, called to be present throughout the world in service of the Gospel and the most vulnerable.

Mary of the Passion died in Sanremo on November 15, 1904.
She was beatified on October 20, 2002, by Pope John Paul II.