HOSPITAL SISTERS OF ST THOMAS OF VILLANOVA. — In 1661 the Augustinian Angelo Le Proust founded at Lamballe (diocese of Quimper) a pious association of ladies who undertook to visit the sick in their homes and in hospitals.
The Association soon became a religious institute under the Augustinian Rule and received the decree of praise on 27 July 1860, that of approval of the Institute on 26 July 1873, and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1924:
the definitive approval dates from 21 May 1935. The sisters care for the sick and also run orphanages for girls and rehabilitation homes for fallen or endangered women. The motherhouse is in Paris. In 1949 there were 750 sisters and 25 novices, distributed among 1943 houses.
BIBL.: Archives of the S. Congregation of Religious, P. 9.