Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph
(JMJ)
01 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2026
The life of Venerable Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart (Mary Glowrey, JMJ) radiated holiness long before the Church officially recognized her heroic virtues. According to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the fame of sanctity is the widespread conviction among the faithful that a person has lived a life of heroic virtue. Sr. Mary enjoyed this reputation not only after her death but throughout her lifetime. Those who lived, worked, and prayed with her consistently testified that they encountered in her a woman deeply united with God, whose charity, humility, simplicity, and selfless service reflected the love of Christ.
From her earliest years as a missionary in India, her superiors recognized the depth of her holiness. Mother Assumptia van Ray described her as “such a dear good soul” and wrote that the more they knew her, the more they loved and admired her. She observed that many patients expressed complete confidence in her, saying that if they received medicine from “her blessed hand,” they would surely be cured. This confidence arose not merely from her medical skill but from the holiness and compassion that people experienced in her presence.
Mother Assumptia later described Sr. Mary as “such a holy soul” who could do much for the salvation of souls and praised her as “a sweet, noble soul, who loves God in reality and consequently is a lover of souls.” These testimonies reveal that her missionary work was rooted in an intimate relationship with God and a sincere love for every person entrusted to her care.
Her holiness was equally evident to fellow missionaries and Church leaders. Fr. L. Carroll, CSsR, remarked that if there were more missionaries like Sr. Mary, “the prospect of faith in India would be much brighter.” Sr. Theodosia Gelens, who lived and worked closely with her for twenty-five years, simply described her as “a saintly Sister” whose life continually edified others. Significantly, in the nearly two-hundred-year history of the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph, Sr. Mary was the first and only sister requested to write her autobiography - an indication of the exceptional witness of her life.
Conclusion
The testimonies of those who knew Sr. Mary Glowrey personally present a remarkable and consistent picture of a woman wholly dedicated to God and to the service of His people. Her holiness was not an opinion formed after her death but a lived reality recognized by all who encountered her. Through her profound love for God, heroic charity toward the sick and the poor, deep humility, joyful simplicity, and fidelity to her religious vocation, she inspired confidence, admiration, and spiritual edification. The widespread esteem she enjoyed during her lifetime stands as compelling evidence of her authentic sanctity and laid the foundation for the enduring reputation for holiness that continues to inspire the faithful today.
Sr. Kochumary Chellakudam
Vice-postulator
Cause of Canonization of Venerable Mary Glowrey