Joan Bartlett facts for kids

Joan Bartlett was a special British woman who helped many people find homes. She was born on August 1, 1911, in Lancashire, England. She became a Catholic and started a unique religious group called the Servite Secular Institute. She was also given important awards, like the O.B.E. and the D.S.G., for her amazing work. Joan passed away on September 9, 2002, in London.

Early Life and War Work

Joan Bartlett was born in 1911. When World War II started, she worked at the BBC. This was the British Broadcasting Corporation. At night, she was a leader for the Red Cross. The Red Cross helps people who are hurt or in need.

In 1941, Joan became a Roman Catholic. She also joined the Servite Order. This is a religious group. She became a "tertiary," which means she was a lay member of the order.

Helping Homeless People

Joan heard about many older people who lost their homes. This happened during The Blitz. The Blitz was when bombs fell on London during the war. She wanted to help them. So, she decided to open a home for these elderly people.

She had planned to become a nun with the Servite Sisters. But her religious advisor, a Servite priest, asked her to wait. He thought her work helping the homeless was very important.

Starting Servite Housing

To start her project, Joan needed money. The Servite Order lent her £8,000. The Air Raid Distress Fund of London gave her another £3,600. Other people also donated money.

With this help, she bought a building in London. In 1946, she opened it as the Hearth and Home Housing Association. It soon became known as Servite Housing. This group provided homes for people in need.

A New Way of Life

In 1947, the Catholic Church approved a new way for single people to live a religious life. It was called a "secular institute." Members could live in regular society. They did not have to live in a monastery or convent.

Joan felt this was the right path for her. She decided to live this special way. She started writing the rules for her own institute.

Growing the Institute

The first group of women who wanted to join Joan met in 1952. Slowly, the group grew. In the 1960s, they connected with women in Germany and Italy. These women also wanted to live a similar religious life.

In 1964, the Catholic Church in Westminster officially approved Joan's institute. It became a formal part of the Servite Order.

Papal Recognition

The institute continued to grow. It spread to other countries. In March 1979, Pope John Paul II officially recognized it. At this time, he gave Joan the title of Dame. This was part of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.

The rules for the institute were finally approved by the Pope in February 1994. Today, members of the institute live in many countries. These include Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Joan's Legacy

Joan Bartlett was known as a woman with great ideas. She was always thinking ahead. As housing needs changed, she found new and creative ways to help.

She stayed involved with Servite Housing until she died. Even after she retired as its director, she spent her time raising money for the organization. Her work helped many people have a safe place to live.