The Marist Sisters recognise Jeanne-Marie Chavoin (Mother Saint Joseph) as their Foundress and Jean-Claude Colin as their Founder.
The first three Marist Sisters lived in dire poverty, but nevertheless, perceiving their joy and their sanctity, many young women of the town asked to join them.
The first foundation of the Marist Sisters outside France began in Spitalfields, a socially and spiritually deprived area in the East End of London, in 1858.
Five Sisters formed the pioneer community and although their main work was teaching, faithful to the founding charism, they soon involved themselves "where the needs were greatest".
[2] These countries include Australia,[3] Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Senegal, The Gambia, The Philippines, United States and Venezuela serving the many needs of people.