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
In April, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Rebecca Trujillo and Nancy Wellmeier, along wi...
Last year, Sister Rita Sturwold, SNDdeN recorded a reflection for Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry. Her reflection is featured as part of "Season of Joy: Reflections for 50 Days of Easter.
Sister Dr. Linda Soucek, SNDdeN recently sent us her update, as she finished her Spiritual Direction Certification Courses at the Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinebeck, NY.
Before finishing her internship at the Congregational Mission Office in Ipswich, MA, Sister Kumiko Azuma, SNDdeN spent a week in Ohio. In Japan, Sister Kumiko teaches at Notre Dame Seishin Schools in Okayama.
Today, she is Sister Carmen. In years past, she was Officer Silva. Not many women make the transition from police officer to religious life, but Sister Carmen Silva did. “I certainly never saw myself in religious life,” Sister Carmen says. “I was happy where I was. I thought of religious life as teaching and nursing. It wasn’t until I saw that it was all about service to others, that I began to think about joining.”
On February 15, 2023, F.L.I.G.H.T. (Faith Leaders in God’s Hands Today), a select group of seniors at Chaminade Julienne High School, and their moderators visited Mount Notre Dame. Archivist Kim Dalgarn welcomed them to the Museum.
Get to know the Sisters through Book Nook and other news:
This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we would love to highlight Sister Benedicta Chang, SNDdeN. Sister Benedicta Chang, SNDdeN spent more than 40 years as an art teacher, from Charleston, SC, Villanova, PA, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD.
Sister Marilyn Kerber, SNDdeN recommends Paschal Paradox: Reflections on a Life of Spiritual Evolution by Diarmuid O'Murchu.
Looking for a retreat resource? I recommend two books. The first is "Awakening Love: An Ignatian Retreat with The Song of Songs" by Gregory Cleveland, OMV. This is a refreshing approach to the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.
Sister Ann Fanella, SNDdeN enjoys novels by Adriana Trigiani. The books are replet...
Sister Anne McDonald, SNDdeN (left) has had an interest in the Civil War Era for some time and is a great lover of General Ulysses Grant. It is Grant who led Sister Anne to General William Sherman. Thus, she is reading Fierce Patriot: The Tangled Lies of William Tecumseh Sherman by Robert L. O'Connell. Sherman's family loved him as did his soldiers, many of whom called him Uncle Billy or Crazy Uncle Billy. The Southerners, on the other hand, considered him the devil incarnate. Sister Anne thinks you may enjoy reading this book
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.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.