FIGLIE DEL CUORE DI MARIA (Paris). — After the suppression of the religious orders in France, the Jesuit Fr. Picot de la Clorivière in 1790 conceived the idea of forming a society of women which, without living in community or wearing religious dress, might in some way take the place of the suppressed congregations. The new Institute was called that of the «F. del C. di M.», with the aim of constantly seeking their own sanctification through the sanctification and perfection of their neighbour. Some associates lived in community, others in their own homes.
The Institute spread in France, England, and Italy and, notwithstanding its distinctive character, the Holy See granted it several approvals, first under Leone XII, on 19 July 1825, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, and subsequently under Pio IX by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars of 29 Apr. 1853. The constitutions were approved by Leone XIII on 8 June 1890.
They currently have 138 houses with 3,799 members.