Founded in Rouen, France in 1666, the Sisters of the Infant Jesus is a Catholic religious institute dedicated to the education of underprivileged children. Also known as the Congregation of the Holy Infant Jesus, the Infant Jesus Sisters, or the Dames of Saint-Maur, the Congregation was founded by Nicolas Barré, a Minim friar and Catholic priest. In current times, the Infant Jesus Sisters have a presence throughout the world, where they take part in social projects and operate schools. At the time that Barré began his work, France was experiencing the after-effeccts of the Franco-Spanish War and a devastating plague. While promoting a paish mission in the village of Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Barré noted the poverty and suffering of the local population. As a way of enabling parents to attend the mission, Barré asked two young women to help tend to their children. There were very few schools for boys, and hardly any for girls, and most primary school teachers were poorly educated, and had little religious education. In 1662, roughly half the children in Rouen died of famine, and many were homeless and surviving as beggars; some had turned to prostitution. They began offering daily classes to young girls, and soon other young women joined in the work. Two other schools were opened. Barré would visit the classes often, drawing upon his rigorous education under the Jesuits to guide the young women in how to teach and deal with the children and their parents. Within a few years, the women in charge of these school began to live in a community under a Superior. That was the beginning of the religious congregation that was originally known as the Charitable Teachers of the Infant Jesus, although its members were not bound by religious vows or confined to a cloister. Around 1677, Barré acquired a house on the Rue Saint Maur in Paris, which was to become the motherhouse of the institute. A Convent was established there, and the Sisters were known as the Dames of St. Maur.
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Founded in the 1660s by Nicolas Barré, the Sisters formed into a Community in 1666. Biographical information about the Congregation’s founder and other significant people who have been involved in the work is offered, along with a history of the Infant Jesus Sisters, its community life, and its spread to other parts of the world. Its worldwide locations are posted, and its projects, gatherings, and contacts are posted.
https://infantjesussisters.org/
Infant Jesus Sisters, Ireland and England
Known in Ireland for many years as the Drishane Nuns, the Catholic religious institute was founded in France in 1662. In Drishane, the foundation trained English-speaking Sisters for mission work abroad. Before long, there was a succession of Sisters leaving Drishane to offer their services in Asia, England, the United States, Africa, and South America. An overview of its work, and several educational articles are posted.
http://www.ijs.ie/
Infant Jesus Sisters, Singapore
Founded in France in 1662, the Sisters of the Infant Jesus were established in Singapore in 1854. Its schools, youth mission, overseas missions, and other ministries are highlighted here, along with the history and a profile of the Catholic religious institute. The Sisters’ lives of spirituality, prayer and contemplation are described, and an overview of its scheduled retreats and other resources are included.
http://www.chij-sisters.org/
The Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Zimbabwe operate an SJI Motherhouse, where the Sisters live in community, as well as Regina Mundi Catholic School, and Bethlehem Chicken Farm. Its work in Zimbabwe is highlighted, including a gallery of photographs, and newsletter, and a map showing the location of its facilities and schools. A mailing address for donations is also featured.
http://www.sjisisters.org/
