DAME DELLA CARITÀ. – A charitable association founded by s. Vincenzo de' Paoli (1581–1660) at Châtillon-les-Dombes (Bresse) in Aug. 1617. Its original name was Confraternita della Carità, and its members were called «servants of the poor sick» or «sisters of Charity»; this was changed to «D. della C.» when the association was also introduced into the cities (the first association in Paris, at the parish of the Most Holy Savior, in 1629). From assisting the poor sick in their homes—the most neglected in the 17th century—the D. extended their work to relieving every kind of misery, striving, through material aid, to bring spiritual and moral relief to the poor. By its foundation, the association is organized on a parish and diocesan basis; juridically, however, it depends on the superior general of the Congregazione della Missione, who is its general director. The national councils, which direct the association’s activities in the various countries, report to the central council.
Each association has its own president (prioress), a secretary, a treasurer, several councillors, and a certain number of visiting and contributing D. The work’s resources come from the members’ annual dues, collections, sales, and other initiatives. A youth section (Damine or Allieve della Carità or Luisine) welcomes «young women who wish to train themselves, through an apprenticeship in piety and industriousness, in organized charity according to the principles of the Gospel and the instructions of s. Vincenzo». The association has approximately 400,000 members spread across the five continents.