FRANCISCAN ANGELINE SISTERS. - A religious congregation founded by Sister Chiara Ottavia Ricci (1834–1900) and Father Innocenzo Gamalero, O.F.M. (1837–1917) at Castelspina (Alessandria). Since 1898 the motherhouse has been in Turin. In 1894 the institute was approved by the Holy See, and its new constitutions were definitively confirmed in 1938. The sisters, numbering 209 at present, engage in teaching and various charitable works (youth education, orphanages, etc.) in 30 houses.
BIBL.: Acta O. F. M., 38 (1919), p. 93; F. Maccono, L'Istituto delle suore F. A. e i suoi fondatori, Casale Monferrato 1941. Cesario van Hulst