BROTHERS and SISTERS OF CHARITY. Under these names, there exist in the Roman Catholic Church two widely ramified beneficent societies for the nursing of the poor and sick in hospitals, without distinction of faith, rank, or nation. The Order of the Brothers of Charity, or Compassionate Brothers, was established in 1540 at Seville, in Spain, by the Portuguese .foie de Dio (died 1550), who had served in Africa under Charles V. The funds for the purpose were obtained by begging. The primitive object of the society was the care of the sick and the reformation of women of immoral character; it was composed of lay numbers. under no rule. In the year 1572 the order received the Papal recognition. and was subjected to the rule of Saint Augustine. All the privileges of the men dicant Orders were conceded to it in the year 1621, and it was then divided into a Spanish congregation, with a major-gen•ral in Granada, and an Italian or extra-Spanish congregation, with a major-general in Rome. The political dis turbances of the Nineteenth Century abolished the Spanish as a separate province; the whole Order is now governed by a general who resides in Rome. It has at the present time over a thou sand members, who bind themselves, besides the usual three vows, by a fourth which requires them to devote their whole lives to the care of the sick and infirm. Their services to dis tressed humanity continue to be held in high estimation. There are, in the Roman Catho lic Church, several Orders of female celibates devoted to the care of sick and of children, who are called 'Sisters of Charity,' or, from their dress, 'Gray Sisters.' The best known aro the 'Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul.' They
were first called into existence in France in 1631, by Saint Vincent de Paul (born 1576), greatly assisted by the noble-hearted and self-devoted widow, Madame Louise (de Marillae) Le Gras. The Archbishop of Paris raised the society into an order 'The Daughters of Divine Love,' and its rule was confirmed by Pope Clement IX. in 1668. In 1765 it already numbered 224 con vents. The French Revolution sorely interrupted the abundant and benevolent labors of the Sisters of Charity by the suppression and proscription of their convents in France; but Napoleon restored the Order in 1807 by the convocation of a general chapter of the scattered sisters, under the presi dency of the Empress mother. and by the grant of the necessary funds; and there exist at present more than 300 associations in France, where, until lately, elementary education was in great part conducted by them. They attend the sick in all the great hospitals. The novitiate covers five years and the vows are renewed each 25th of March. These Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincedrt de Paul were introduced into the United States by Elizabeth Ann Seton. at Emmitsburg, Md., in 1809. At first the American Sisters' rule was a frank adaptation of the French. but they were independent; but since 1850 they have been united to the French body and come under the authority of the Mother General in Paris, who is herself subject to the Superior-General of the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission. They had in this country, in 1901, 3600 mem bers. See SISTERHOODS.