What Do Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Do?

During the early history of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, St. Julie Billiart, our foundress, knew God was calling the Congregation beyond France to a worldwide Mission. Her fidelity to that divine inspiration resulted in disapproval from the Bishop of the Diocese of Amiens, France, who expelled her from the diocese. Invited to another diocese by the Bishop of Namur, St. Julie was able to expand her vision beyond Belgium to a global Mission.

Since the early nineteenth century, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have been on the move! We live and work among people of different cultures on five continents, in places as varied as Liverpool and Lima, Belmont and Boston, Hiroshima and Harare. What an experience of the many facets of God's goodness and boundless creativity!

Click on the map below to view how the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur participate in a worldwide mission to spread the goodness of God beyond the boundaries of nation, state and tribe — placing a special emphasis on education, especially of poor women and children, and ministering where others may not choose to go.

North America South America Europe Asia Africa

Ministries and Impact

Sister Thérèse DelGenio, SNDdeN

For almost two years, I have had the privilege and joy to minister at the Center for Respite Care. This remarkable place accepts homeless people being discharged from the hospital but with no place to recuperate. Here is how a few of them came to our facility.

Sister Nancy Wellmeier, SNDdeN at Su Casa Hispanic Center

Nancy Wellmeier’s eyes light up when she recounts how her mother loved to provide...

An international gathering of students realized a hallmark expression of Notre Dame de Namur learning communities: Infusing classroom experience with global perspectives and integrating classroom learning with civic and cultural interactions.

Carrying the Torch

August 7, 2023

Education everywhere was in chaos. If not complete chaos, managed chaos. Teachers kne...

On Saturday, July 22, 2023, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur welcomed to Cincinnati, Ohio, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangalore, India.

Get to know the Sisters through Book Nook and other news:

The Bishop Korir Memorial Secondary School for Differently Abled in the Rift Valley of Kenya, in part supported through generous donors of the Ohio Province, is three-quarters through its first year of operation. Though still a fledging institution, the school is offering hope to children who are deaf and, in most cases, impoverished and who, before the school’s opening, had few paths before them.

Divine inspiration flows freely through the fingertips of today’s Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, conveying a creative charism first established by foundress St. Julie.

Mount Notre Dame Health Center

September 27, 2023

Recently, Norma and Armando Contreras, good friends of Maria Celia Molina and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, came to Cincinnati from Phoenix for two reasons: to visit and to attend the Cincinnati premiere performance of the opera Knock in which their son has a lead role.

A Visit from Arizona

September 22, 2023

Recently, Norma and Armando Contreras, good friends of Maria Celia Molina and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, came to Cincinnati from Phoenix for two reasons: to visit and to attend the Cincinnati premiere performance of the opera Knock in which their son has a lead role.

Sister Gerry Bolzan's Visit

September 7, 2023

Gerry Bolzan's recent time at Mount Notre Dame during her home visit provided a won...

"Ask a Sister" is a forum where anyone can ask our Sisters about "everything you want to know about religious life but are afraid to ask."

With you, we change lives

With the support of generous friends like you, we are able to continue our mission of educating and taking a stand with those in poverty— especially women and children.

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