DAME CATECHISTICHE. – They arose in Puerto Rico in 1870 through the efforts of Miss Dolores Rodriguez Sopeña y Ortega, who later moved to Madrid and associated with the work several ladies and young women who organized centers of catechetical apostolate called “the doctrines,” approved by the archbishop of Toledo in 1901. They received the definitive approval of the Holy See in 1942.
The institute, which consists of catechists for teaching and assistants for domestic work, now has 400 religious in 26 houses.
BIBL.: A. Stradelli, Le DD. CC., Rome 1918, p. 42.