The Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, Niort

The decree of the Sacred Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life accepts the merger of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception with the Ursuline Sisters of Jesus.

The congregation was founded in Niort by François-Donatien Pécot, Fils de Marie Immaculée, from Chavagnes-en-Paillers (85).

Since 1847, Father Pécot had been on mission in Niort, in the Port district, part of the Saint André parish. Struck by the ignorance of the working classes, he decided to open a free school for poor children. For him, at the time, this was one of the most appropriate ways to serve the mission he was discovering in the neighborhood.

A disciple of Father Baudouin, he often quotes this phrase: "the children asked for bread and there was no one to give it to them".

The Sainte Thérèse school opened its doors in Niort, rue Saint Gelais, on October 15 1849, the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila, thanks to 4 local girls: Eulalie Piet, Catherine Martineau, Marie Guionnet and Apollonie Monsel. Gathered under the name of "Dames de la Providence", these 4 young women wished to consecrate themselves to God in religious life. Father Pécot writes a rule and prepares them.

In Rome, promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. In Niort, at the same time, foundation of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception.

Over time, the congregation grew in France, Belgium (from 1902 to 1978), Madagascar from 1952, and Cameroon in 1999.

November 12, 2003, with Rome's recognition of the "Chemin de vie" federation with the Ursulines de Jésus congregation. July 2, 2016, in Chavagnes, celebration of the alliance between our two congregations.

Famille de l'Incarnation. Reference text.