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Pope Benedict XVI advanced the sainthood cause of Mother Henriette Delille, a freeborn woman of African descent in New Orleans, who lived most of her life before the Civil War. Henriette was of mixed racial ancestry. Her light complexion would have allowed her to "pass for white." Even against her familiy's urging, she remained faithfully within the African community.
Mother Henriette founded the Sisters of the Holy Family, a congregation of black Sisters who cared for the poor and disadvantaged, and taught slaves and free blacks. This was during the time when Louisiana law forbade such a practice and put Henriette and her Sisters in danger.
The Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans presently number approximately 200 members. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed their Mother House and many of their other institutions. The storm took away their ministries and their income.
Sister Mary Jo Nelson, OLVM, responded to their appeal for help with on-the-scene care and with valuable resource and supportive ability.
A Vatican decree signed in March, 2010, declared that Mother Henriette had lived a life of "heroic virtues." If her cause advances she could become the first African-American saint.
Our Lady of Victory Missonary Sisters is an American Missionary Congregation founded in 1922 — serving the poor and oppressed in a personal, non-institutional way
+ Proclaiming the Gospel + Working for Justice + Empowering the Laity
Henriette was of mixed racial ancestry. Her light complexion would have allowed her to "pass for white." Even against her familiy's urging, she remained faithfully within the African community. 
