NOAILLES, PIERRE-BIENVENU. - Founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, born there on 27 Oct. 1793, died there on 8 Feb. 1861.
Converted at the age of twenty from an irreligious life, he embraced the ecclesiastical career and, having become vicar of his city, sought to meet the many needs of his flock by founding several particular Congregations: for the education of girls, for orphans, countrywomen, chimney sweeps, for the assistance of the sick at home, and for souls leading a contemplative life, all of them comprised under the designation Sisters of the Holy Family; and, in order to ensure them firm and stable direction, he entrusted them in perpetuity to the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Dear to Gregory XVI and Pius IX, he succeeded during his lifetime in founding 124 houses, which he supported and encouraged, bringing them to abundant flourishing. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1944.