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History of the Congregation

History of the Congregation

Background: Post-Revolutionary France

After the French Revolution, France was marked by significant socio-political upheaval. During the Revolution, the Church in France was persecuted. Priests were asked to submit their priesthood under oath to the French revolutionaries. Those who refused were imprisoned, executed, or exiled. Some managed to flee to other countries like Spain or England. Our founder, Fr. Sigisbert de Rupt, who was Principal of the Royal College of Saintes, refused to take the oath and went to Spain. Congregations disappeared as sisters were killed or sent to prison. These sisters had been devoted to the education of girls, which became neglected. After the Revolution, many young people were left without education. Only the rich could afford to pay a tutor for themselves. The poor drifted towards delinquency, involving themselves in crime and corruption.

Founders

Founder- Fr. Sigisbert de Rupt
1744-1819
Foundress- Mother Elizabeth Vassal
1795-1883
It is in this context that Fr. de Rupt returned in 1802 after ten years of exile in Spain. In December 1807, he was appointed as the parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Peter, which was in ruins. His assistant was Fr. Bonnerot, who later became the ecclesiastical superior of the Congregation after our founder's death. Trusting in God’s Providence, he did all he could to rebuild the Cathedral and bring the people back to faith. He was also a teacher who saw the plight of the poor and was moved by compassion for them. Moved by the Spirit of Love, he responded to the cry of young people, thus becoming an instrument of God’s Providence. As an educator, he understood that ignorance was the main cause of immorality. As a priest, he wished to give them life and direction through the teachings of the Gospel. He decided to start a Congregation for the “education of the youth and instruction of the poor.” For this, he asked for the collaboration of Elizabeth Vassal, a young parishioner who had come to settle in Saintes. She was a trained teacher and had a great love for children. She, too, was moved by compassion for the children and felt God’s call to dedicate herself to God by responding to Fr. de Rupt's request. On September 29, 1817, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence was founded in Saintes by Fr. Sigisbert de Rupt and Mother Elizabeth Vassal. Their mission focused on the education of youth and the empowerment of the poor. The official founding date coincides with Mother Elizabeth accepting the charge of a small parish school proposed by Fr. Sigisbert de Rupt. The Congregation was named “Our Lady of Providence” and placed under her protection, with St. Michael the Archangel as its chief patron.

Death of the Founder

Fr. Sigisbert de Rupt did not see the development of the Congregation or the complete restoration of the Cathedral as he died on January 19th 1819, at the age of 75. His death was a great loss for the fledgling Congregation.

Early Years and Mission

The initial years of the Congregation were challenging, characterized by limited resources and the social upheaval of post-Revolutionary France. Despite these difficulties, the sisters remained dedicated to their mission. They established schools to educate young girls who had no access to formal education and set up healthcare services, orphanages, and various social assistance programs. Faith formation for children and adults was a priority, delivered through catechism classes and active involvement in the pastoral concerns of the diocese.

Expansion and Growth

The Sisters of Our Lady of Providence gained a reputation for their dedication, leading to the expansion of their work beyond Saintes. They founded new schools, orphanages, and healthcare centers across France. Their educational initiatives were particularly noted for emphasizing moral and religious instruction alongside practical skills.

Spiritual and Moral Education

The Sisters' educational approach combined academic subjects with vocational training, aiming to equip girls with the knowledge and skills necessary for self-sufficiency and active participation in society. Their holistic educational philosophy aimed to instill values such as integrity, compassion, and social responsibility, reflecting their broader spiritual mission.

Approbation

As a religious Congregation on March 29, 1958, the Congregation received final approbation from Rome as a Congregation of Pontifical Right.

Global Outreach

The Congregation's mission expanded globally. Following the secularization laws in France in 1904, which forced many schools to close, the Congregation moved to Spain, establishing communities in the Basque Country and other parts of Spain. In 1938, just before World War II, the Congregation established a community and school in Alton, England. Despite the challenges, the sisters persevered, trusting in God’s Providence, responding to the Church's call, the Congregation expanded to South America (Peru in 1963) to the remote mountain Region of San Juan del Oro, to Africa (Chad) in 1966, caring for polio-affected children and their rehabilitation. The Congregation started its first community in Kerala, India, in 1978, in Varanasi in 1981, gradually establishing communities in different states of India. In India the sisters, through their ministries, live out the charism and spirituality of the Congregation, rooted in education, healthcare, compassionate service, pastoral care, and faith formation. Later on the congregation expanded to Colombia in 1992. The Generalate of the Congregation shifted to India in 2010 after two centuries in Saintes, France, when the first Indian General was elected. The Provincialate in India is located in Varanasi. They continued to provide education, care for the poor, and faith formation.

Lay Collaboration

We are happy to share with lay persons the Charism and Spirituality of our Congregation. This helps to understand their faith more fully and live their Christian life in the family or work place with the support of a religious community. They are helped in their life of prayer and mission by participating in our prayer and mission in whenever they can. We share the same spirit and share joys and sorrows as well as encourage one another to live our faith and commitment with more enthusiasm and solidarity with others. We have these groups in France, Colombia, Peru

Current Status

At present, the Congregation has communities in France, Spain, England, Peru, Colombia, and India. The sisters, faithful to their charism, live a life close to the people, valuing simplicity, community togetherness, and joyful self-giving in service to the young and the poor. They also network with religious congregations, dioceses, and lay collaborators.