Founder
Father Nicholas Barre was born in Amiens, France on 21 October 1621. At the age of 19, he joined the Religious Order of the Minims of St Francis of Paola. He became a renowned preacher and educator.
17th Century France was in dire need of education. The poor were neglected, exploited and illiterate. Father Barre responded to their plight. In 1662, he gathered a group of young women to educate the poor, especially the girls, in free schools which he established. This marked the beginning of the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus and the I.J. Convent Schools.
Father Barre died in France on 31 May 1686 and was beatified on 7 March 1999.
Read more about this topic: CHIJ Katong Convent
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