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, wished to meet the manifold needs of his flock by founding several particular congregations: for the education of girls, for orphans, peasant girls, chimney sweeps, for home care of the sick, for souls devoted to the contemplative life, uniting them all under the name of Sisters of the Holy Family; and to ensure them firm and stable direction, he entrusted them in perpetuity to the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Beloved by Gregory XVI and Pius IX, he succeeded in founding during his lifetime 124 houses, which he sustained and animated, bringing them to abundant flourishing. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1944.