In Portugal
The present Mother House of the Congregation is at São Domingos de Benfica, Lisbon. This building had been purchased by Teresa de Saldanha in order to establish there the house of formation and the generalate [of the Congregation]. She also opened a school in which generations of young girls have been educated.
In 1910, the Sisters were expelled from the house which was taken over by the Government.
In 1991, the Government made a small part of the house over to the Sisters for a limited period. It is here that the Superior General of the Congregation, Sr Maria Manuela dos Anjos, lives with the members of her Council, and it is also here that Mother Teresa de Saldanha's literary heritage is housed.
The Sisters also run the Crèche de S. José and the Madre Teresa de Saldanha Home for disturbed girls.
In addition, the Congregation now has twenty communities of Sisters in various parts of Portugal and the Islands. There are a great number of ways in which one can show solidarity and do good.
Braga - Instituto Monsenhor Airosa for young girls at risk.
Funchal - Fundação Cecília Zino, and Abrigo de Nossa Senhor de Fátima, residential home for children from problem families.
Guarda - Casa da Sagrada Família - residential home for children from problem families, and recreational activities.
Convento dos Cardais, [Lisbon], It was in this former Carmelite Convent in the Rua do Século that Mother Teresa de Saldanha established the Associação de Nossa Senhora Consoladora dos Aflitos (Association of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted) in 1877 for the reception of girls and women who were blind. It exists to this day and continues to care for blind and otherwise handicapped girls, as well as serving as a cultural centre.
Portimão – Casa de Nossa Senhora da Conceição - residential home for children from problem families.
North-east Azores - Northeast Casa do Trabalho: residential home for children from problem families.
The aim of these establishments is to provide a homely family atmosphere where the children and young people can experience affection, and feel themselves loved. They normally attend ordinary schools and, at home, learn to do most of the things that a woman must learn how to do if she is to fit into society.
The Sisters also provide crèches, kindergartens and sporting activities outside school hours, thereby enabling mothers to leave their children to be cared for during the day.
Avanca
Pinheiro da Bemposta
Estremoz – Home for old ladies and kindergarten.
The Congregation continues to be involved in teaching and education in schools and homes:
Coimbra – Colégio de São José
Leiria – Colégio de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
Lisbon - S. José Day School;
Sintra – Colégio de São José – Ramalhão
Aveiro – Santa Joana Home for University Students
Castro Daire in the diocese of Lamego
Lisbon - Bairro das Furnas
Parede - Sant'Ana Hospital
Fátima – Dominican Sisters' Residence
Braga - Sameiro, Casa das Estampas