Sisters of Charity

an order of unmarried women in the Roman Catholic church. The first congregation was established at Chatillon, France, by St. Vincent de Paul, in 1629. Under authority of the church its houses are to be found all over the world. The sisters are devoted to the care of foundling and destitute children, aged persons, and sick people. They support a large number of hospitals and are noted as nurses. The sisters of charity are well known for their kindly acts and unselfishness, and are regarded with respect. A number of smaller orders have been founded under the same name and have branches in America. An American order of sisters of charity was founded in Maryland in 1804, but the public understands little of the distinction between different congregations of the name. The tendency of late has been to unite the several orders.