Our History
Our History
The Order in France
Foundation 1818
The Order in Canada
Foundation 1897
The Order in England
Foundation 1903
The Order in Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda
Pioneering work since the late 1970s
Trailblazing
Right from the very beginning, the Daughters of Providence have set out to change the lives of the poor, the lonely, and those sidelined by society. Determined women have travelled far and wide across the globe to bring the Catholic message of love to places that were often inhospitable or even hostile, under very difficult circumstances.
France
In brief
The Venerable Jean de la Mennais founded the Daughters of Providence of St Brieuc (Les Filles de la Providence) in 1818 in response to the chaos after the French Revolution, when there was no schooling available for the poor in Brittany.
Canada
In brief
Six French sisters travelled by boat across the Atlantic in 1897 to start work in Saskatchewan, a part of Canada that at the time was very remote.
England
In brief
The first three French sisters came to Tottenham in London in 1903. Soon after that, the sisters opened schools in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, in Rye in East Sussex, Sompting in West Sussex and Woking in Surrey.
Uganda
In brief
Missionary efforts by the Sisters have influenced developments in the Ivory Coast, and have led to the foundation of an order known as the Daughters of Providence of Nebbi.
