This is the story of the Sisters of Bon Secours in the United States, an international religious congregation founded for care of the sick, whose motherhouse is in Paris, France.

A brief account of the aim, origin, and early history of the congregation is recorded in order to give a composite picture of the sisters-their life and their mission-and thus place in its proper perspective the story of the congregation in the United States-a story of "kindly care," including the part played by friends and benefactors who have helped the sisters all through the years. The narrative moves from France to the United States in 1881 and chronicles the history of Bon Secours' first foundation in Baltimore, Maryland. A short account of nursing in the United States in those days, and of prevailing socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, is given to put the health care ministry of the Sisters of Bon Secours in its proper light. In this book the reader follows the sisters as they branch out from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. and to Detroit, Michigan, and to various foundations in other states: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida and Virginia. Then one sees how for over seven decades the institutional work of the sisters has continuously expanded.

It is recorded how in the early days the sisters endured many privations and inconveniences and worked long hours especially during epidemics of communicable diseases, foremost among them typhoid fever, and how several of the sisters themselves fell victim to the disease. In the wake of World War 1, we learn how they rendered invaluable service during the pandemic influenza of 1918-1919, and later during the economic depression of the 1930s when they willingly shared their community resources with the depression poor, at the price of great personal and institutional sacrifice. During the succeeding years we see that the apostolic work of the sisters kept abreast of modern medical practice and was extended to meet new needs as they arose. In more recent years a description is given of the sisters reaching out again into the community in response to the call of the poor, to unmet health careneeds in society, and to the urgent demands of social justice. It is described how they have changed with the times but have remained faithful to their original charism, and the cherished virtues which characterize Bon Secours: simplicity, availability, compassion, generosity, joy and courage.

I have endeavored to trace the lives of the Sisters of Bon Secours in the United States and recount their ministry of health care, as well as to interpret the transition from home nursing to institutional nursing, and in more recent times to outreach programs as well. I have told how their work has placed them among people of all levels in society bringing to them concerned caring and healing, without distinction or discrimination and above all the consoling message of God's love.

An account has been given of the painful years of "aggiornamento"-renewal and adaptation which followed in the wake of Vatican Council II-and of the latest developments in the life of the province and in the spiritual and apostolic life of the sisters. A description has been given of the new emphasis placed on the importance of carrying out the mission of Bon Secours in today's world in response to changing conditions and needs.

I have probed the lives and the works of the sisters who have gone before us in the United States province-an edifying experience, and I have touched the lives of the sisters still in our midst in a very special way, and this, too, has been spiritually enriching and rewarding. The data comprising this history has been gathered from published and unpublished materials; the sisters have been generous in sharing their lived experiences and other information with me. But the legacy that has been passed on can never be fully appreciated because much valuable material pertaining to the personal labors and experiences of the sisters was never recorded-except in the Book of Life.

The pioneer sisters sowed the seed; their successors nourished it and brought it to fruition, and the sisters of today move forward in faith to meet their commitment and the challenge of the future in the spirit of Bon Secours and in accord with the healing ministry of Christ.