OSPITALIERE OF SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA. — In 1661 the Augustinian Angelo Le Proust founded in Lamballe (diocese of Quimper) a pious association of ladies who undertook the duty of visiting the sick at home and in hospitals.
The Association soon became a religious institute under the Augustinian Rule and received the decree of praise on 27 July 1860, the decree of approval of the Institute on 26 July 1873, and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1924; the definitive one is dated 21 May 1935. The sisters engage in the care of the sick and also maintain an orphanage for girls and rehabilitation homes for fallen or endangered women. The motherhouse is in Paris. In 1949 the sisters numbered 750, with 25 novices, distributed in 43 houses.
OSPITALIERE TEACHERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF SAINT FRANCIS, known as FRANCESCAE OF CALAIS. — The Institute resulted from the union of several houses of the Third Order of Saint Francis existing since the 14th century in the diocese of Arras, effected through the work of the local bishop in 1853.
It received the decree of praise on 5 June 1867 and the definitive approval of the Institute and temporary approval of the Constitutions on 10 March 1873. On 16 March 1892 it obtained definitive approval of the Constitutions, which were adapted to the CIC in 1930. The Sisters engage in the Christian education and instruction of girls and in the care of the sick, including home care, in Europe and in the missions. In 1950 there were 942 sisters with 60 novices and 78 houses.
BIBL. Arch. S. Congr. of Religious, A. 19. Agostino Pugliese