Saint Marie-Adolphine

Life story

Anna Catharina Dierkx was born on 8 March 1866 in the Netherlands. Her mother died while she was young, and she and her siblings were taken in by poor neighbours. As she grew up she packed coffee to help support her adoptive family, then worked as a household servant nearby and later in Antwerp.

In 1893 she joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and took the name Marie-Adolphine. Her sisters remembered her for her obedience and her willingness to take on the humblest tasks. She was one of the seven sisters who reached Taiyuan-fu, capital of Shanxi, on 4 May 1899, where they ran a dispensary and an orphanage.

When the Boxer movement reached Shanxi the sisters chose to stay. On 5 July 1900 they were imprisoned with religious brothers, seminarians and lay people, and on 9 July they were beheaded. Marie-Adolphine was 34. Pope Pius XII beatified her with her sisters on 24 November 1946, and Pope John Paul II canonized her on 1 October 2000 among the Martyr Saints of China.

Works and witness

• Joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at Antwerp in 1893
• Reached Taiyuan with six sisters on 4 May 1899
• Served in the orphanage and was known for taking on the humblest tasks
• Beheaded at Taiyuan on 9 July 1900
• Canonized on 1 October 2000

Saints from the same country

Saint Peter Canisius, Saint Titus Brandsma, Saint Willibrord, Blessed Peter Donders

References

• Encyclopedia.com, “Dierkx, Anne Catherine, St.” (New Catholic Encyclopedia) – born 8 March 1866, adopted by poor neighbours, packed coffee, joined the FMM at Antwerp in 1893, 'compliant and willing to undertake the most menial chores'
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, “Canonisation of the 7 FMM martyrs in China” (fmm.org) – arrival 4 May 1899, age 34, 9 July 1900
• Holy See, list of the Martyrs of China canonized 1 October 2000 (vatican.va)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.