Blessed Eugenia Smet

The Society of Helpers, formerly known as the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls, is a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women founded in Paris, France, in 1856, with the objective of assisting the souls in Purgatory through their service to the needy of the world. The Sisters use the postnominal initials of "A.P." (French: Auxiliatrices des âmes du purgatoire) in Europe, or, alternately, "H.H.S" in English-speaking countries. Eugénie Smet (1825–1871), also known as Mary of Providence, was a French religious sister who founded the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls in 1856. Her feast day is 7 February. Eugénie was born in Lille on 25 March 1825, the daughter of Henri Édouard Joseph and Marie Pauline Joseph Taverne Smet. Her father was a trader from Lille. From 1836 to 1843 she was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lille, where she demonstrated a particular devotion to the Guardian Angels. In November 1853, she discovered her mission in the Church. In 1855, the Curé d'Ars confirmed her in her mission. She went to Paris on 19 January 1856 (the society dates its foundation from this day); three days later, Eugénie Smet obtained permission of Archbishop Sibour to establish her congregation in Paris. The community she had gathered round her took possession of No. 16, Rue de la Barouillère, on 1 July 1856. On 27 December 1857, Eugénie Smet and five of her first companions made her first religious vows. A Jesuit was appointed chaplain, and the Rule of Ignatius of Loyola was adapted. The congregation was dedicated to Our Lady of Providence. Sr. Mary of Providence died on 7 February 1871, of breast cancer, at the age of 45. She is buried in the Montparnasse cemetery. She was beatified in Rome on May 26, 1957, by Pope Pius XII. Her feast is kept on February 7, the anniversary of her death. Lady Georgiana Fullerton wrote a biography of Eugénie Smet, Mere Marie de la Providence.