Missionary workers throughout the world. especially the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, rejoice that the beatification of the foundress of that congregation, Yen. Anne-Marie Javouhey, has approached a Step nearer. At Castel Gandolfo on Corpus Christi Day, in the presence of the Pope, the decree was read proclaiming Mother Javouhee's heroic virtue. Besides the Sovereign Pontiff, there were present for this ceremony Cardinal Laurenti, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites; Cardinal Granito di 13elmonte; Mgr. Carinci, secretary of the Congregation of Rites, who read the decree; and Mgr. Natucci, Promotor of the Faith.
Anne-Marie Javouhey's congregation was established for the alleviation of miseries consequent on the French Revolution. The work extended to the foreign missions. The foundress devoted herself to the negro populations in parts of Africa, and to negroes employed in French Guiana. Work for lepers was included in an apostolate which earned for her the affectionate title of " Mother of the Blacks." The cause of her beatification was introduced in 1908.