INSTITUTE OF MARIA TERESA. - The Ladies of Maria Teresa, called Servants of Jesus Christ, were founded at Bordeaux in 1815 by Maria Brochet de la Rochetière, assisted by the priest L'Espiaut. When their number increased, they spread to Lyons, Limoges, and Nîmes. Their Constitutions, inspired by Augustine, were approved by the Holy See on 16 Jan. 1835; but on 31 March 1843 the house of Limoges was separated from the others and established independently under the jurisdiction of the diocesan Ordinary. In 1929 the Constitutions were brought into conformity with the Code.
The purpose of the I. of M. T. is the sound education of girls and especially the free instruction of poor girls and of other adults ignorant in matters of religion. It also receives wayward girls into special shelters in order to lead them back to God, and engages in manual work to assist the needy.
In 1950 the sisters numbered 123, distributed among 9 houses.
BBL.: Arch. S. Congregazione dei Religiosi, L. 14.