Ladies of Charity

LADIES OF CHARITY. - A charitable association, founded by St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) at Châtillon-les-Dombes (Bresse) in August 1617. The original name was Confraternity of Charity and the members were called "servants of the poor sick" or "sisters of Charity," which changed to "D. of C." when the association was also introduced into cities (the first association in Paris, parish of the Most Holy Savior, 1629). From assistance to the poor sick at home, the most abandoned in the 17th century, the Dames have extended their work to relieving every kind of misery, endeavoring to arrive, through material aid, at the spiritual and moral relief of the poor. By foundation the association has a parochial and diocesan basis; but juridically it depends on the superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, who is its director general. The central council oversees the national councils, which direct the association's activity in the various countries.

Each association has its own president (prioress), a secretary, a treasurer, councilors and a certain number of visiting and contributing Dames. The resources of the work come from the annual dues of the members, from collections, sales and other initiatives. A youth section (Little Ladies or Students of Charity or Luisines) welcomes "young women who wish to train themselves, through an apprenticeship of piety and industriousness, for charity organized according to the principles of the Gospel and the instructions of St. Vincent." The association has about 400,000 members scattered across the five continents.

Annibale Bugnini