Henriette DeLille

Sisters of the Holy Family
New Orleans, Louisiana

Six weeks before President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the following obituary appeared in a New Orleans newspaper:

"Last Monday died one of these women whose obscure and retired life was nothing remarkable in the eyes of the world but is full of merit before God. . . . Without ever having heard speak of philanthropy, this poor maid had done more good than the great philanthropists with their systems so brilliant yet so vain.

"Worn out by work, she died at the age of 50 years after a long and painful illness borne with the most edifying resignation."

Henriette DeLille was born a to a well-to-do New Orleans family in 1813. While still a girl, she began visiting the sick and the aging of her race, slave and free.

Henriette was a light-skinned woman of color. Although the laws changed to offer her an opportunity to be listed as a white person, she refused to deny her heritage—even though her action caused numerous difficulties as she attempted to pursue life in a religious community.

Barred by law from joining a white religious community, Henriette sought to establish one for women of color. At first the bishop denied her request. Eventually he became convinced of her determination to serve God and neighbor.

Along with two other free women of color, Henriette DeLille, on November 21, 1842, founded the Sisters of the Holy Family, a religious community for women of color. The end of slavery was still more than 20 years away.

When Henriette and a second sister moved into a small rented convent, they took with them five elderly women from the neighborhood. The sisters did not charge for their services and subsisted by begging.

In addition to caring for the elderly and visiting ailing slaves in their quarters, the sisters held classes for free and slave children and adults. Many nights the sisters went to bed hungry. They were known to give their own meals to those poorer than they and to simply drink sweetened water.

At the time of Henriette DeLille's death on November 17, 1862, her sisters numbered 12. Henriette never wore a habit. It was not until 1872 that the right was granted to women religious of color.

The legacy of Henriette DeLille continues to this day. Lafon Nursing Home of the Holy Family is 153 years old, possibly the oldest nursing home in the United States. The Sisters of the Holy Family number 250.