Daughters of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph

DAUGHTERS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND SAINT JOSEPH. – The founder of the Institute was Giacomo Heeren, parish priest of Oirschot, in Holland, who, around 1820, established an association of pious women for assisting poor sick people and for educating girls, especially orphans, deaf-mutes, or those at risk. On 7 July of the same year, the bishop of Bois-le-Duc canonically established the pious association, which, following its development, was subsequently approved by the Holy See on 7 Sept. 1850. In 1947 the Congregation had 34 houses and 690 sisters.