Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus

After seven years the four foundresses entered upon community life 2 February 1844, under the rule and direction of Clare Fey (born 11 April 1815; died 8 May 1894).

In 1845 Cardinal Geissel of Cologne approved the rules and obtained recognition from the Holy See, whilst the Prussian Government also authorized the foundation.

The growth was rapid, and in quick succession houses were opened at Bonn, Derendorf, Düsseldorf, Neuss, Cologne, Coblenz, Landstuhl, Luxembourg, Stolberg, and Vienna.

For the latter, designs were furnished by Pugin at the instance of Mrs. Edgar, an English resident of Aachen, and the embroidery of the sisters became famed throughout Germany and the neighbouring countries.

The influence of the empress delayed the expulsion of the congregation during the Kulturkampf until 1875, when steps were taken to close the houses in Prussia; but not until 1878 was the motherhouse at Aachen transferred to Simpelveld, a few miles over the Dutch frontier.