The Origin

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo was founded on September 27, 1684, by Fr. Adrien Bresy, the parish priest of Wez-Velvain in the Diocese of Tournai, Belgium. In an era devastated by the turmoil of 17th-century warfare, the region faced a harrowing aftermath of poverty, famine, and widespread illiteracy. To address these needs and provide a high-quality primary education for girl children, Fr. Bresy sought the help of five dedicated young women: Marie-Catherine Warquain (25), Elisabeth Therese Lepe (25), Marie-Marguerite Delrue (24), and Marie-Barbe Delrue (22) from Wez. Together, they opened a school that became the heartbeat of the community. Inspired by their devotion and the noble nature of their enterprise, Fr. Bresy was moved to constitute these first teachers into a religious congregation, establishing a legacy of faith and service.