MISSIONARIES OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA (WHITE SISTERS). - Mons. Lavigerie, Archbishop of Algiers, founded this Congregation, just as he had founded that of the Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers). On 8 Sept. 1869 he received several young women who had come from France to devote themselves to the work of educating orphan girls, victims of the famine of 1867. At first the founder wished the sisters to devote themselves to agricultural work, even heavy labour. In 1874 the Institute merged with that of the Sisters of the Assumption, becoming autonomous in 1879. The White Sisters then numbered about forty.
After a period of crisis, during which the founder considered dissolving the Congregation, the strength of character and humility of Mother Maria Salome, Superior General, overcame every obstacle. Besides the sanctification of the sisters through community life, the purpose of the Congregation was the exercise of charity, religious instruction, care of the sick in hospitals, but above all cooperation in the missions of Africa. Vocations came in great numbers. The motherhouse was established at S. Carlo di Birmandreis, in Algeria. Vast missionary fields opened up from Kabylia to the Sahara, from Tunisia to French Sudan, to Tanganyika, Rwanda, Urundi, Uganda, and the Congo—in all the African missions served by the White Fathers. Houses were established in France, Belgium, Holland, Canada, and elsewhere. In 1948, the White Sisters numbered approximately 1,500, distributed among more than 160 residences.