Institute of the Holy Family
Founded in 1820 by the Abbe Pierre Noailles at Bordeaux under the name of Sisters of Loreto. The Institute consists of different congregations, each with its distinctive work, garb, and particular rules, but all under a common constitution and directed by the Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, assisted by a Directress General. The seven distinct branches of the association are:
Sisters of the Holy Family proper, or Solitary Sisters, devoted to contemplation
Sisters of Saint Joseph, in charge of orphanages
Sisters of Loreto, conducting private day schools and boarding schools
Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, educational and nursing
Sisters of Hope, care of the sick
Field Sisters, maintaining agricultural orphanages
Sisters of Saint Martha, the lay sisters of the above congregations
The Institute has over 200 houses, in France, England , Italy , Spain, Ceylon, India, South Africa, Canada, the United States, and South America. The mother-house is at Bordeaux.