| Description | The archives of the Dominican Secular Institute of Orleans (English Group) include: the papers of the foundation of the group, including its founders; relationships with the ecclesiastical authorities, including the Holy See, bishops and other fraternal organisations; relationships with other secular institutes, including the World Conference of Secular Institutes and the National Conference of Secular Institutes; administrative papers, including meetings, constitutions and reports, and circulars; links with international branches; the personal papers of prominent members; formation papers, including retreats, seminars, lectures and study days; publicity papers; financial papers; and audio-visual material, including cassettes, photographs and DVDs. |
| Admin_History | The English Group of the Dominican Secular Institute has its origins in the establishment of an institute in Orleans by Jeanne Leplatre in 1891. In 1920, Pere Boulanger, the Dominican Provincial in France, assisted Leplatre in framing the first constitution. Three years later, under the guidance of Leplatre's successor, Marthe Malderet, it received the official approval of the bishop of Orleans. In 1941, it was affiliated to the Order of Preachers. It received the blessing of the Holy See seven years later. The English group of the Dominican Secular Institute of Orleans was founded by Antoinette (Amata) Roberts in 1937. Several of the Dominican Fathers helped the Dominican Little Company (as it was known) to draft a constitution, but canonical status was not forthcoming owing to lack of numbers. In 1961, the deaths of Amata Roberts and the spiritual director of the group, Fr Wyckeham-George, proved fatal to the continuation of the group in its current form but it was re-established five years later by Maureen Riley following its amalgamation with the Dominican Secular Institute of Orleans. |