Jean-Martin Moye was an 18th-century French Catholic priest and missionary who dedicated his life to religious service. Born in 1730 in Cutting, he studied at the College of Pont-à-Mousson before being ordained in 1754. After serving as a vicar in Metz, he established the Sisters of Divine Providence to provide education in rural areas. Following periods of ecclesiastical suspension, he joined the Foreign Missions Society of Paris and traveled to China in 1771, where he spent a decade working as a missionary.
Life and work
Moye renounced his family inheritance to focus on his spiritual calling. He founded a community of sisters to send volunteer teachers to remote villages. Although he faced criticism and was suspended by his bishop on two occasions, he continued his devotion. In 1771, he departed for Sichuan, where he served the missions for ten years until his death in Trier in 1793.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognizes him as a blessed individual. He is remembered for his missionary efforts in China and his commitment to rural education. His feast day is celebrated on May 4, marking the anniversary of his death.