Born in the Belle Époque (1901), Yvonne Beauvais would live through both World Wars and be decorated by the French, British, and United States governments for her heroic conduct during the Nazi occupation of France. Having consecrated her life to Jesus in a secret "pact" at the age of nine, she lived a life of heroism and generosity marked by extraordinary spiritual favors: she bore the stigmata, bled from the wounds of the scourging, underwent a spiritual betrothal and marriage (with a miraculous wedding ring), and on occasion flowers would mysteriously appear around her.
Yvonne entered the Augustinian order of Hospitaller (or Nursing) nuns, which revitalized her community. She drew up plans and oversaw rebuilding of the hospital and grounds, was made Mistress of Novices, and upon her full profession to the Order was unanimously elected Superior. At the same time that she was caring for the wounded of the occupying German army, she sheltered and treated wounded members of the Resistance and downed American and British airmen. Other Augustinian houses of Hospitallers in France, England, and South Africa looked to her and her community for inspiration and practical assistance.
Yvonne also navigated a host of ecclesiastical hurdles in order to gain Church approval for a federation of the houses of her Order.She was received in private audience by Pope Pius XII and was unanimously elected the first Superior General of the new federation. In this capacity she undertook journeys not only throughout France but also overseas. It was while preparing for one such journey (to Africa) in February 1951 that she died of cerebral hemorrhage, just four months shy of her half-century. Since then, Mother Yvonne-Aimée's renown has never ceased to grow, especially in the French-speaking world, largely thanks to the books and television appearances of René Laurentin. Now the details of her extraordinary life and extraordinary love are made known for the first time in English to readers of this full biography.
