FIGLIE DELLA CROCE (Saint-Brieuc). - The origin of this Congregation goes back to St. Francesco di Sales, who in 1619 arranged in Paris with madame Marie l'Huillier de Villeneuve for the establishment of an association having as its specific purpose the education of young women by means of boarding schools, hostels, retreat work, catechisms, etc. He himself drafted the first constitutions, which are preserved at Guingamp. However, the Congregation acquired juridical standing only in 1642, with the assistance also of St. Vincenzo de' Paoli. Despite many difficulties, the work spread to several dioceses, especially to St-Brieuc, where, after the Revolution,
it had its central house. On 22 Nov. 1853, the Holy See granted the decree of praise, and the constitutions, approved at first by mons. Sainllant, received definitive apostolic approval on 15 Jan. 1935.
In 1948 the Institute had 9 houses and 220 professed members.