SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (DAMES OF THE SACRED HEART [ROME]). — Founded at Amiens at the beginning of the 18th century, the motherhouse was soon established in Paris, where it remains today. Its foundress and first superior general was Saint Madeleine-Sophie Barat.
Approved by Leo XII on 22 December 1826 by the bull *In Supremo*, the Constitutions were slightly modified on 23 May 1851 and, having been harmonized with the Code, were definitively approved in 1926. The purpose of the institution is to educate young ladies of good standing and to promote free elementary education among the common people. The sisters also engage in retreats for laypeople and other works of spiritual and material charity. At present, there are 6,519 sisters in 192 houses.