Upon their arrival on October 31, 1840, Bishop Purcell offered them a beautiful and extensive property some miles from the city. They refused politely, stating that they would never find the poor outside the city. Within a few weeks, the Sisters were able to procure property at Sixth and Sycamore Streets, in the heart of Cincinnati. In January they opened their first school with three divisions: boarding, day and free (poor) schools.

During this period the parish schools were beginning in America. These schools were to be the basis of the future works of the Congregation. By 1848 nine parishes in Cincinnati each had its own small school.

A priest-friend of Bishop Purcell visited the Sisters of Notre Dame, a few years after their arrival, and was very impressed by their educational methods. He invited them to Boston in 1849 to establish a school for young girls in his poor parish because "no one speaks for girls." It was obvious to Father John McElroy, SJ, that the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur would fulfill his hope.

This tradition of educating girls was carried to many cities in the mid-West and along the East Coast — Dayton, Toledo, Columbus, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC. — providing free education for thousands of immigrant children. The tradition of establishing academies and boarding schools also thrived. The culmination of these successes was the establishment of Trinity College in Washington, DC in 1897.

In 1914 the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur extended their educational mission to include the teaching of boys. Sisters became known as outstanding "boy teachers" in the days when boys and girls were taught separately in school.

In the 1960's the Second Vatican Council urged religious to return to the founding vision of their congregations. Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur saw this vision as a greater emphasis on responding to the needs of the poor. They did this by seeking ministries which addressed these needs, whether in schools or in other works.

Traditionally, the Sisters had always met the needs of people outside the classroom. In early Cincinnati, they opened lending libraries, began night classes and a school for the deaf. In 1936, they started a day nursery for the children of working mothers. In many different ways, the Sisters carried out the mandate of their foundress, St. Julie Billiart, who said, "Teach them what they need for life." The Sisters continue this tradition today.

Julie Billiart envisioned a Congregation beyond the confines of a single diocese. This vision became a reality when the first Sisters came to Cincinnati. The tradition continued as pioneer Sisters went as missionaries to China, Arizona and Brazil.

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur reflect on their rich heritage. With courage and confidence, they seek to rely on the good God to lead them into a future committed to their founding vision and the needs of God’s people.

The reality of this founding vision calls for a corporate mission focusing on materially poor women and children. In the spirit of Julie Billiart, the vision also reminds us: "In all that you do proclaim that God is indeed very good."