Institute of the Divine Compassion
Sisters of Divine Charity
Founded at Besançon, in 1799, by a Vincentian Sister, and
modelled on the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul. The
motherhouse, originally at Naples, is now in Rome, and there are many
filial establishments in Italy, in Malta, and Gozzo. The sisters have
charge of educational institutions, orphanages, hospitals, and insane
asylums.
F.M. RUDGE
Institute of the Divine Compassion
Institute of the Divine Compassion
Founded in the City of New York, USA, by the Rt. Rev. Thomas
Stanislaus Preston. On 8 September 1869, Father Preston began a
semi-weekly gathering of the poor and abject children of the street in
one of the most wretched quarters of the city; after this came the
opening of a house for the reformation of young girls not yet hardened
in vice, and the preservation of children and older girls from the
moral danger in which they lived. The founded called it the House of
the Holy Family and became its spiritual director. The work was
fostered by many prominent Catholic ladies of New York, under the name
of The Association for Befriending Children and Young Girls. Foremost
among these ladies was Mrs. Mary C.D. Starr (in religion Mother
Veronica; d. 9 Aug., 1904), who became the president of the association
and devoted all her time and energies to this work of charity under the
direction of Father Preston. Seeing the necessity of a religious
community which should be trained to this work and perpetuate it,
Father Preston compiled a rule of life for those who desired to devote
their lives to it. The first draft was written 5 September, 1873, and
was observed in its elemental form until 1886, when it was elaborated
and obtained the informal approbation of the Archbishop of New York.
The constitutions, which are an enlargement of the rule, and represent
the norm of living in the institute, were written gradually, as it
developed, and reached their completion in 1899. On the 29th of
September, 1990, both rule and constitutions received the express
canonical aprobation of Archbishop Corrigan of New York. The object of
the institute is (1) the reformation of erring girls; and (2) the
training, religious, mental, and industrial of girls in moral danger
from ignorance, indolence, or waywardness, or dangerous influences. The
institute is composed of two classes, choir sisters and little (or lay)
sisters. In addition to the House of the Holy Family the sisters are in
charge of a training home in New York City. The institute comprises
about 40 sisters in charge of 215 girls.
Institute of the Divine Compassion
Daughters of Divine Charity
Founded at Vienna, 21 November, 1868, by Franziska Lechner (d. 1894)
on the Rule of St. Augustine, and approved by the Holy See in 1884 and
definitively confirmed 22 July, 1891. The purpose of the congregation
is to furnish girls without positions, shelter, care and the means of
obtaining a position, without compensation, likewise to care for
servants no longer able to work. The sisters are also engaged in
schools, orphan asylums, and kindergartens. The motherhouse and
novitiate are at Vienna; the congregation has 36 filial houses, 766
sisters, and 59 postulants.
F.M. RUDGE