Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul

Founded:    1633 by Vincent De Paul and Louise de Marillac

Purposes:    Serving the needs of the poor, running hospitals, nursing, running orphanages

Habit:  Distinctive white linen cornette, blue dress with apron pinned at top, white undershirt with long sleeves and white crossed "bib", distinctive bow in back of dress, rosary of dark brown wood connected by green string with image of the Miraculous Medal attached.

Interesting Notes:  Christian Dior volunteered to design the modified habit.  Mother Seton's organization in Emmittsburg eventually joined with the French Union and adopted their habit (as opposed to the black widow's outfit with bonnet).  Sisters do not take permanent vows, but only temporary vows which are renewed periodically.  This was designed so that they were allowed to work among the poor, rather than be cloistered.

Website:   http://www.dc-northeast.org, http://www.thedaughtersofcharity.org, http://www.vincenter.org/tree/dc/index.html