Josephine Leroux
Joséphine Leroux, born Anne-Josepha Leroux, was a French Poor Clare nun executed during the French Revolution. She is recognized for her commitment to religious life despite the suppressions of the revolution, and was beatified for her martyrdom. Leroux died by guillotine along with several other nuns in 1794.
Key Facts
- ›She was born Anne-Josepha Leroux in Cambrai, France, on 23 January 1747.
- ›At twenty-two years old, she entered the Poor Clare monastery in Valenciennes, taking the religious name Joséphine.
- ›During the French Revolution, she fled to Mons, Hainaut, with her sister Marie, who was an Ursuline nun.
- ›Following the Austrian occupation of Mons, she returned to Valenciennes in 1793 and resumed religious life at the Ursuline convent.
- ›She and several other nuns were arrested in 1794 for returning without permission and running a religious school.
- ›Joséphine Leroux was guillotined on 23 October 1794, along with her sister and other nuns.
About Josephine Leroux
Joséphine Leroux
Joséphine Leroux, born Anne-Josepha Leroux, was a French Poor Clare nun who became a martyr during the French Revolution. She was born in Cambrai, France, on 23 January 1747. At the age of twenty-two, she entered the Poor Clare monastery in Valenciennes, adopting the religious name Joséphine.
Life and Historical Context
During the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, monasteries and convents were suppressed. Joséphine, along with her sister Marie, who was an Ursuline nun, fled to Mons, Hainaut. Following a brief period of peace after Austrian forces took the city, Joséphine returned to Valenciennes in 1793. As her original Poor Clare monastery had been destroyed, she and her sister resumed their religious life together at the Ursuline convent.
In 1794, the revolutionary army retook Valenciennes. Joséphine Leroux and several other nuns were arrested. They were accused of being emigres who had returned without authorization and of operating a religious school. These actions led to their condemnation for high treason.
Martyrdom and Veneration
On 23 October 1794, Joséphine Leroux, her sister, two other Ursuline nuns, and two Bridgettine nuns were executed by guillotine. Accounts suggest the nuns faced their execution while singing the Litany of Loretto. Joséphine Leroux was later beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, recognizing her as one of the martyrs of the French Revolution.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Joséphine Leroux born?
Joséphine Leroux was born Anne-Josepha Leroux in Cambrai, France, on 23 January 1747. She later took the religious name Joséphine.
What religious order did Joséphine Leroux belong to?
Joséphine Leroux was a member of the Poor Clare order. She entered their monastery in Valenciennes at the age of twenty-two.
Why was Joséphine Leroux executed?
She was arrested and condemned for high treason during the French Revolution. The grounds for her arrest included being an emigre who had returned without permission and was running a religious school.
How did Joséphine Leroux die?
Joséphine Leroux was guillotined on 23 October 1794 in Valenciennes, along with her sister Marie and several other nuns. Historical accounts note they went to their deaths singing.
When was Joséphine Leroux beatified?
Joséphine Leroux was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. This recognized her as a martyr for the faith.
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