Anne-Marie Martel (11 August 1644 – 15 January 1673) was a French Roman Catholic woman who gave religious instruction to poor women and children in Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire.
She attracted other women who formed a teaching congregation, which was officially recognized by the church after her death and is now the Congrégation des Sœurs de l’Enfant-Jésus.
The king and the Parlement of Paris were taking care to preserve the independence of the Gallican Church, and the country was swept by a wave of religious feeling.
[2] Anne-Marie Martel was joined by other women, including the lace makers, who taught and gave religious instruction in Le Puy and surrounding communities.
[3] The Congrégation des Sœurs de l’Enfant-Jésus is present in France, Belgium, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Canada, Burkina Faso and Vietnam.