MISSIONARY CANONESSES OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. - The Congregation was founded in 1897 by Mother Maria Luisa de Meester (d. 10 Oct. 1928) at Heverlé (Belgium) for foreign missions. In June 1911 it obtained the decree of praise, and on 1 Oct. 1926 the definitive approval of its Constitutions.
The essential purpose of the Congregation is apostolic work through primary and higher education of children and young people in the missions. Immediately after its foundation (Oct. 1897), Mother Maria Luisa and a companion began their activity by taking charge of the orphanage at Mulagamudu in Travancore (India). The main fields of apostolate for the Congregation are India, China, West and Central Africa, Central America, and the Philippines.
BIBL.: anon., Ecreverde Moeder Marie-Louise de Meester, Stichter van de Congregatie der Missiezuvers van den H. Augustinus, Rousselaere n.d.; M. Heimbucher, Die Orden und Kongregationen der katholischen Kirche, I, 3rd ed., Paderborn 1933, p. 468.