Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary
Encyclopedia
The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary is a Roman Catholic religious order
founded in Ghent
, Belgium
on November 4, 1803 by Father Peter Joseph Triest, the parish priest
of Lovendegem
that time. Father Peter recruited a group of young women, from which the co-foundress Mother Placida van der Gauwen came from. Mother Placida later became the first superior of the congregation.
The Congregation has its main apostolate on helping the needy and the sick.
From this Congregation came Sister Marie Louise Habets, the nun
portrayed as Sister Luke / Gabrielle Van der Mal in the book of Kathryn Hulme
entitled The Nun's Story
. Her character was played by Audrey Hepburn
as the main character on the book's film adaptation.
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
founded in Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on November 4, 1803 by Father Peter Joseph Triest, the parish priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of Lovendegem
Lovendegem
Lovendegem is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Lovendegem proper and Vinderhoute. On January 1, 2006 Lovendegem had a total population of 9,358...
that time. Father Peter recruited a group of young women, from which the co-foundress Mother Placida van der Gauwen came from. Mother Placida later became the first superior of the congregation.
The Congregation has its main apostolate on helping the needy and the sick.
From this Congregation came Sister Marie Louise Habets, the nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
portrayed as Sister Luke / Gabrielle Van der Mal in the book of Kathryn Hulme
Kathryn Hulme
Kathryn Hulme was an American author and memoirist most noted for her novel The Nun's Story. The book is often, mistakenly, understood to be semi-biographical.-Writing:...
entitled The Nun's Story
The Nun's Story
The Nun's Story is the title of a 1956 novel by Kathryn Hulme. The book was a Book of the Month selection and reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list....
. Her character was played by Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
as the main character on the book's film adaptation.