SERVE

SERVE. - Common designation for many female religious Congregations, followed by other determining titles.

I. H. OF THE POOR (Angers). - Founded in Angers in 1874 by Fr. Camille Leduc, a Benedictine of Solesmes. Purpose: to provide free home care to the poor, to run patronages for young women, dispensaries, etc. Decree of praise in 1887; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1912, definitive in 1928. In 1949 the religious numbered 304; motherhouse in Angers (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, A. 27).

II. H. OF THE HEART OF JESUS OF SAINT-QUENTIN (Metz). - Founded in Strasbourg in 1865 by Maria Oliva Ulrich, but later taking refuge in St-Quentin following the Prussian persecution (Kulturkampf). Purpose: Eucharistic reparation combined with charitable activities: assistance to the sick, management of female orphanages, boarding houses for young ladies. Decree of praise in 1903; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1910, definitive in 1931. They currently have 7 houses with 166 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, S. 10; M. Heimbucher, Die Orden u. Kongreg. der kath. Kirche, II, 3rd ed., Paderborn 1934, p. 430).

III. H. OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF THE ANNUNCIATION (Szombathely). - Formerly Daughters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul, established in 1915 in Szombathely (Hungary) and erected in 1924 as an autonomous congregation by Bishop János Mikes. Purpose: care of the sick in hospitals and management of domestic services in ecclesiastical institutions. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1924, definitive in 1942. In 1941 there were 19 houses with 202 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, S. 62).

IV. H. OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD (Tarnów). - Founded in 1850 in Podrzecze (diocese of Gniezno, Poland) by Edmund Bojanowski and transferred in 1882, due to the Prussian persecution, to Dębica (Tarnów). Purpose: assistance to the sick; care of children, and service in sacristies and churches. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1929, definitive in 1937. In 1949 there were 314 nuns in 82 houses (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, T. 40; M. Heimbucher, op. cit., II, pp. 537-38).

V. H. OF THE HOLY INFANCY OF JESUS (Würzburg). - Founded in 1895 in Oberzell (diocese of Würzburg) by Antonia Werr. Purpose: re-education of fallen or at-risk girls and other charitable works. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1936, definitive in 1948. There are currently 139 houses with 1096 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, V. 104; F. Schuck, Kloster Oberzell: Gründung u. Entwicklung der Kongreg. der Dienerinnen der hl. Kindheit Jesu, Würzburg 1932).

VI. H. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Steyl). - Founded in 1889 in Steyl (diocese of Roermond, Netherlands) by Fr. Arnold Janssen together with Mothers Maria Stollenwerk and Josepha Stenmanns. Purpose: to help propagate the faith in the missions, particularly those held by the Society of the Divine Word and later also in territories where the faith faces greater dangers. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1925, definitive in 1938; revision in 1950. The nuns currently number approx. 4000 (cf. anon., Ein Blick in die Missionskongregation der Dienerinnen des H. Geist, Mödling 1950).

VII. H. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PERPETUAL ADORATION (Roermond). - Founded in 1889 in Steyl (diocese of Roermond) by Fr. Arnold Janssen. Purpose: dedicated to the contemplative life, cooperating through a cloistered life and perpetual adoration with the apostolate of the missionaries, particularly of the two missionary Congregations founded by the same Fr. Janssen. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1933. In 1950 the nuns numbered 266 in 9 houses (cf. Arch. della Congr. dei Religiosi, R. 79; A. Freitag, Tabernakelschaft und Weltmission, Steyl 1921; M. Heimbucher, op. cit., II, p. 409).

VIII. H. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF MARY IMMACULATE (San Antonio, Texas). - Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1883 by Margaret Mary Hely, widow Murphy. Purpose: Christian education of youth with particular regard to the poorest classes and Black people; charitable works,

such as the care of the sick in hospitals and at home. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1930, definitive in 1938. There are 35 houses open in the United States with 165 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, A. 61).

IX. H. OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Versailles). - Founded in Paris in 1866 by Fr. Victor Braun. Purpose: assistance to the sick, especially the poor, including in their homes; education of orphans and at-risk young women. Decree of praise in 1899; temporary approval of the Constitution in 1917, definitive in 1934. There are 65 houses with 652 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, V. 50; M. Heimbucher, op. cit., II, pp. 545-46).

X. H. OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Vienna). - The same as the H. of the S. Heart of Jesus of Versailles, which, introduced in 1883 by the same founder to Vienna, formed an independent province in 1893, approved by the Holy See in 1896. Decree of praise in 1900; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1926, definitive in 1934. There are currently 54 houses with 1079 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, V. 51; M. Heimbucher, op. cit., II, p. 546).

XI. H. OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS OF RAGUSA (Siracusa). - Founded in Ragusa in 1889 by Maria Schininà of Arezzo. Purpose: practice of spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Decree and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1936, definitive in 1946. There are 27 houses with 261 nuns (cf. Arch. della Congr. dei Religiosi, S. 68).

XII. H. OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS AND OF THE POOR (Angelopolis, or Puebla de Los Angeles, Mexico). - Founded in 1885 in the diocese of León (Mexico) by Fr. José Yermo y Parres. Purpose: care of the sick and education of girls, particularly orphans. Decree of praise in 1907; temporary approval of the Constitution in 1910, definitive in 1925. There are 38 houses with 451 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, A. 36).

XIII. H. OF THE SACRED HEART OF MARY (Versailles). - Founded in Paris in 1860 by Fr. Delaplace of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Purpose: Christian education of youth, with particular regard to the poor class; assistance to the elderly and the poor. Forced in 1902 to leave France, they settled in North America. Decree of praise in 1902; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1914, definitive in 1932. There are presently 73 houses with 944 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, P. 54).

XIV. H. OF THE S. HEART OF MARY THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN (Montpellier). - Founded in Béziers (diocese of Montpellier) in 1848 by Fr. Pierre Gailhac. Purpose: assistance to female youth, management of orphanages, homes for converted young women, houses of perseverance, and boarding schools. For repentant young women desiring to embrace the religious life, the Institute of the Oblates of the Blessed Virgin Mary with annual vows was founded. Decree of praise in 1873; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1889; definitive in 1925. There are currently 59 houses with 1282 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congr. dei Religiosi, M. 30).

XV. SERVANTS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (Caracas)

Founded in 1881 in Caracas by the priest G. B. Castro. Purpose: they attend to the contemplative life and perpetual adoration; they also prepare children for First Communion and make sacred vestments. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1930, definitive in 1931. At present there are 11 houses with 145 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, C. 66).

XVI. SERVANTS OF JESUS (Warsaw)

Founded in Warsaw in 1884 by the Capuchin Onorato Cozmiński; aggregated to the Third Order of Capuchins, they wear secular dress. Purpose: material and moral protection of domestic service workers. Decree of praise in 1907; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1908; definitive in 1924. In 1939 there were 14 houses with 295 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, V. 62).

XVII. SERVANTS OF JESUS OF CHARITY (Vitoria)

Founded in 1871 in Bilbao by Sister Giuseppa Maria del S. Cuore di Gesù Sanchez. Purpose: assistance to the sick in hospitals and at home, and care of abandoned children in orphanages. Decree of praise in 1880; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1927, definitive in 1937. There are 55 houses with 1,108 nuns.

XVIII. SERVANTS OF JESUS AND MARY (Ottawa)

Founded in Masson (Diocese of Ottawa) in 1894 by the priest Alexis Louis Mangin and Eleonora Potvin. Of the two classes into which they are divided, choir sisters and auxiliary sisters, the latter are subdivided into "internal" and "external". Purpose: perpetual adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1936, definitive in 1949. Currently there are 4 houses with 162 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, O. 11; S. H. Barabé, Une pierre d'angle, mère Marie Zita de Jésus, fondatrice des Servantes de Jésus-Marie, Hull-Ottawa 1945).

XIX. AUGUSTINIAN SERVANTS OF JESUS AND MARY (Rome)

Founded in Frosinone in 1827 by Teresa Spinelli and affiliated with the Third Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine. Purpose: education of female youth in boarding schools, day schools, orphanages, boarding houses, and cooperation with parish priests for catechism and Catholic Action. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1902, definitive in 1936. At present there are 21 houses with 200 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, V. 55; anon., La Congreg. delle Suore Agostiniane S. di Gesù e Maria, Rome 1950).

XX. SERVANTS OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (Toulouse)

Founded in 1875 in Toulouse by Onésime Quibert. Purpose: to promote Eucharistic worship and reparation. In addition to the two classes of choir sisters and coadjutrix sisters, a third class is aggregated: the "auxiliaries", with optional private vows, who remain in the world and seek to carry out the institute's goal. Decree of praise in 1876; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1936; there are now 15 houses with 135 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, T. 20).

XXI. SERVANTS OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST (Buenos Aires)

Founded in Buenos Aires in 1871 by Maria Benedetta Arias. Purpose: to propagate devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the practice of frequent Communion in schools and in the care of the sick. Decree of praise in 1911; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1928, definitive in 1943. There are now 17 houses with 186 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, B. 78).

XXII. SERVANTS OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST (Guadalajara)

Founded in Guadalajara (Mexico) in 1904 by the priest Silviano Carrillo, later Bishop of Sinaloa. Purpose: Eucharistic adoration and education of youth. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1933, definitive in 1940. Presently there are 27 houses with 309 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, G. 44).

XXIII. SERVANTS OF MARY, MINISTERS OF THE SICK (Rome)

Founded in Madrid in 1851 by Bl. Maria Soledad Torres Acosta. Purpose: care of the sick in hospitals and at home, and exceptionally colleges and asylums for the education of youth. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1867, definitive in 1876. There are 102 houses with 2,162 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, T. 52; E. Federici, La b. Maria della Solitudine Torres Acosta, Rome 1950).

XXIV. SERVANTS OF MARY OF OUR LADY OF REFUGE (Bayonne)

Founded in 1836 in Anglet (Diocese of Bayonne) by Louis-Édouard Cestac. Purpose: education and instruction of female youth in colleges, workshops, youth centers, rehabilitation homes, and assistance to the sick. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1870, definitive in 1911, revision in 1923. There are now 94 houses with 644 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, B. 36).

XXV. SERVANTS OF MARY OR MANTELLATE (Westminster)

Founded in 1844 in the Diocese of Langres under the direction of Msgr. Parisis and aggregated to the Third Order of the Servites. Purpose: special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and education of female youth in colleges and schools, etc. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitution in 1864, definitive in 1892, revision in 1924. Currently there are 31 houses with 400 religious (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, N. 22).

XXVI. SERVANTS OF MARY REPARATRIX (Adria)

Founded in Vidor (Diocese of Vittorio Veneto) by some sister members of the Third Order of the Servites and moved shortly thereafter to Adria. Purpose: devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, instruction and education of girls in asylums, schools, orphanages, and assistance to the sick and elderly in hospitals, hospices, and at home. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1931, definitive in 1941. There are now 75 houses with 438 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, A. 62).

XXVII. SERVANTS OF MARY MOST HOLY OF SORROWS (Florence)

Founded in Florence by Sister Maria Veronica della Croce. Purpose: education and instruction of female youth, especially the poor, with schools, boarding schools, workrooms, asylums, oratories; assistance in seminaries, shelters, hospitals; direction of women's workshops. Decree of praise in 1913; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1924. There are now 171 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, F. 18).

XXVIII. SERVANTS OF ST. JOSEPH (Salamanca). - Founded in 1874 in Salamanca by the priest Gioachino Hluchy Ganica, later Archbishop of Seville and Cardinal. Purpose: exercise of works of charity and instruction and education of girls; making of sacred vestments, embroidery, and ladies' needlework; boarding houses for ladies and young women. Decree of praise in 1901; temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1930, definitive in 1942. There are now 36 houses with over 300 nuns (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, S. 21).

XXIX. SERVANTS OR VICTIMS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Namur)

Founded in 1857 in the Diocese of Grenoble by Mother Veronica of the Heart of Jesus, in secular life Catherine Lioger. Purpose: expiation and reparation through a life of contemplation and penance; and external works of zeal: catechism classes, needlework for poor churches and for the poor of the parishes; retreat work. Decree of praise and temporary approval of the Constitutions in 1908, definitive in 1931. There are now approx. 120 religious (cf. Arch. della S. Congreg. dei Religiosi, G. 8).

Candido Bona - Agostino Pugliese