RIPARATRICI. – Female religious institutes whose principal purpose is reparation.
I. R. DEL S. CUORE DI GESÙ. - Founded in Lima in 1896 by Teresa del S. Cuore.
The Institute seeks to oppose the pernicious work of the sects, especially Freemasonry, through reparation (adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) and the apostolate (teaching, care of the sick, retreats). It adopted the Rule of St. Francis for Religious, approved by Leo X in 1521, with the modifications and additions of Leo XIII of May 1888. Pius X granted the decree of praise on 11 February 1910, and Pius XII granted definitive approval of the Constitutions on 25 October 1943. At present there are 100 sisters in 10 houses.
On 16 July 1906, the Holy See granted the decree of praise; on 10 July 1914, temporary approval of the Constitutions; and on 30 July 1928, definitive approval. It is divided into two classes: choir sisters and lay sisters, and devotes itself to the education of young girls and the care of orphans and elderly women; it promotes courses of spiritual exercises for women. Today it numbers 300 sisters in 50 houses.
III. R. DEI SS. CUORI DI GESÙ E MARIA, called « Suore della Riparazione ». — An institute founded in Milan on 2 October 1859 by Fr. Carlo Salerio of the Seminary of S. Calogero (now the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions) and by Carolina Orsenigo, its first superior general.
At first the sisters bore the title « Pie Signore R. », which the Holy See changed to the present one by decree of 17 July 1927. The decree of praise was granted on 28 May 1895, and definitive approval on 4 July 1906. The Constitutions, however, were approved « ad septemium » on 17 July 1923 and definitively on 21 November 1933. At present the institute devotes itself to education, undertakes the rehabilitation of endangered youth, and contributes to the dignity of churches by making sacred vestments. Since 1896 it has also carried out its activity in mission lands. In 1951 it numbered 700 sisters in 40 houses.