Mariam Baouardy

Mariam Baouardy, also known by her religious name Mary of Jesus Crucified, was a Palestinian Discalced Carmelite nun and a Melkite Greek Catholic. Born on January 5, 1846, in the Galilean village of Hurfeish, she was the 13th child of parents from Damascus. Her early life was marked by tragedy; she was orphaned at the age of three and separated from her brother, raised by relatives in I'billin. Despite a comfortable upbringing, she developed a strong spirit of religious fervor from a young age.

Early Life and Spiritual Calling

When Mariam was thirteen, she was engaged to be married according to tradition. However, the night before her wedding, she experienced a profound religious vision, feeling called to dedicate her life to God. Her refusal led to severe mistreatment from her uncle. Later, a young male servant who learned of her sadness attempted to woo her himself and, upon rejection, attacked her, slitting her throat. She recounted a miraculous healing by a "nun dressed in blue" and later found work as a domestic servant. Her voice was permanently affected by the wound, which measured nearly four inches wide.

Journey to Religious Life and Mystical Experiences

Mariam Baouardy's path led her to Jerusalem, where she felt inspired to make a vow of perpetual virginity. She traveled through various cities, working as a maid and experiencing periods of blindness and severe falls, from which she recovered. In 1863, she moved to Marseille, France, and felt called to religious life. After being accepted as a postulant by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, she received the stigmata of Christ. Though initially rejected by the community for full admission, she was invited by Mother Veronica of the Passion to join the Discalced Carmelite monastery at Pau in 1867. There, she received the habit and the name Mary of Jesus Crucified.

Service and Canonization

In 1870, Baouardy was part of the first group of Carmelite Apostolic Sisters sent to Mangalore, India, serving for two years before returning to Pau, where she made her solemn vows in 1871. She later helped found a new monastery in Bethlehem in 1875. Throughout her life, she experienced frequent periods of religious ecstasy. In April 1878, she played a role in identifying the Biblical Emmaus through a private revelation. Mariam Baouardy died on August 26, 1878, in Bethlehem from cancer. Her spiritual writings were approved in 1924, and she was declared Venerable in 1981. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 13, 1983, and canonized by Pope Francis on May 17, 2015, becoming the second Greek Catholic saint.