REGULAR CANONESSES. – Alongside the Regular Canons, a female branch of Regular Canonesses soon formed. In this regard, the rule entitled *De institutione monialium*, promulgated at the imperial Chapter of Louis the Pious in 816, is of particular interest. The institution of female branches also occurred from the 11th century onward for the Camaldolese, Cistercians, and other orders. The nuns, called Regular Canonesses, initially had their residence, separated by a dividing wall, next to that of the Canons. They followed the rule, customs, and manner of dress of the Canons, adapted for them. They were governed by a superior with the title of abbess or prioress.
As for jurisdiction, spiritual direction, and administration, they were dependent on the prelate of the Canons or the abbot general in the case of the Premonstratensians. These Regular Canonesses shared the fate of the Canons, and many were secularized, particularly during the Protestant Reformation. Others returned to their original observance under the jurisdiction of the various male congregations, such as the Regular Canonesses of Windesheim, the Lateran Canonesses, and others. They were suppressed during the Napoleonic era; after the restoration, a certain number of houses still exist in Italy, Spain, England, and Belgium.
I. REGULAR CANONESSES MISSIONARIES OF ST AUGUSTINE OF LOUVAIN
The Congregation was founded in 1897 by Mother M. L. de Meester; in 1911 it received the *decretum laudis*, and in 1926 its constitutions were approved. The nuns dedicate themselves to missionary apostolate through the education and primary and higher instruction of children and young people; they have their motherhouse in Belgium and work in many territories of Africa, India, China, the Philippine Islands, and America.Saverio Paventi