Small Sisters of the Worker
They were founded in Grenoble in 1880 by the Jesuit Fr. Sambin, with the approval of Bishop Mons. Favre.
The purpose of the institution was the sanctification and moralization of the working-class family through the practice of social activities, such as managing clothing rooms, pharmacies, and economical kitchens in workshops and factories, concern for the moral protection of young people and women in large industrial complexes, the organization of associations for Christian mothers, workshops for young girls, etc. The work met with the sympathy of many Catholic industrialists and quickly established itself in several industrial centers, such as Grenoble, St-Chamond, Roanne, Lisieux, etc.
On 23 September 1892, Leo XIII granted the decree of praise, but the religious persecution in France in 1901 nearly annihilated the work, dispersing its members. Some went to Belgium in the diocese of Bruges, where the institution recovered and began a new and secure development, later returning to France and spreading to other parts of the world. At present, it has 4 houses, with 55 sisters, and its mother house is in Lille.
Small Sisters of Jesus of the Third Order of St Francis
The Institute originated around 1850 in St-Loup (diocese of Lyon).
It was the fruit of Christian charity of some working women, who, moved by compassion for poor orphaned girls, began to gather them in the paternal home of one or another. Feeling drawn to religious life, the young working women thought of founding a pious association whose purpose would be to help all needy, sick, or abnormal youth. They presented their plans to Cardinal De Bonald, Archbishop of Lyon, who approved the idea and assigned them as their spiritual director Canon Allibert. On 10 December 1856, the first two sisters received the religious habit. On 17 June 1931, definitive approval of the Congregation was granted, and on 8 June 1942, that of the Constitutions. At present, there are 193 sisters distributed in 13 houses.
Giulio Mandelli
Small Dominican Sisters of the Child Jesus
Religious congregation founded in St-Nicolas-de-Beaune (diocese of Dijon, France) by the parish priest Victor Chocarne and the pious lady de Bilc.
Initially, it was a small group of ladies dedicated to works of charity, who in 1877 constituted themselves as an association of Dominican Tertiaries. In 1879, the Association was erected as a religious congregation under diocesan law, and in 1880 it was officially recognized as belonging to the Third Order of St Dominic. In 1898, the generalate was transferred to Orléans. On 7 July 1908, the decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions were granted by the Holy See. Final approval was granted in 1927.
The sisters, dedicated to the free care of poor sick people at home, number over 200 in 6 houses.