VERGINI DI GESU E MARIA. – Founded in the diocese of St-Claude in France in 1844 by the parish priest Giuseppe Brun.
Although living a contemplative life, the sisters carry out apostolic works, such as catechetical instruction for young people and the direction of boarding schools and workshops for women workers. The decree of praise dates from 1867; approval of the Institute with simple vows and provisional approval of the Constitutions from 1874; definitive approval was granted in 1879. They number 365 sisters in 52 houses. The mother house is in Paris (Arch. d. S. Congr. d. Relig., P. 30). Vincenzo Cusumano