Sisters-fdc.org.uk Daughters of Divine Charity international Catholic congregation
Title
Daughters of Divine Charity
Description
The Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity was founded by Mother Franciska Lechner in 1868 in Vienna, Austria. She became aware of the situation of poor country girls who came to the large cities of Europe to find employment. They were often exposed to physical and moral dangers and she felt impelled to provide them with shelter and the protection of a sound grounding in their Christian Faith. This vision grew into residences for women in large cities, schools, and small country classrooms in dozens of countries in the world. Care for women included retired servants who often had no place to go to. As a result homes for the elderly were founded so they could find a quiet religious atmosphere in their retirement.
In 1968, the Congregation, in response to the mandate of the Second Vatican Council, held its special Chapter of Renewal and Adaptation according to the teachings of that Council. Common reflection on the title of the Congregation led to the adoption of a new emblem symbolizing the Blessed Trinity, the origin of the divine love which the Sisters want to make visible in their convent communities and the world by, in the words Mother Franciska, "Doing good, giving joy, making happy and leading to the Kingdom of Heaven".
