Jean-Martin Moye was born on January 27, 1730 at Cutting in Lorraine. Ordained priest in 1754, Jean-Martin undertook the vocation of the Chinese missions.
In 1762, Jean-Martin founded the Sisters of Providence of Portieux — dedicated to the free education of poor rural children in the Lorraine highlands.
In 1771, Jean-Martin travelled to China as missionary of the Foreign Missions of Paris — undertaking the Sichuan mission for 12 years (1771–1783). Jean-Martin famously established the Christian Virgins of China — the Chinese Catholic consecrated-women tradition.
During the French Revolution, Jean-Martin fled France in 1791 — going into exile at Trier where he died on May 4, 1793.