The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Founded in 1804 under the leadership of St. Julie Billiart, the Sisters have worked in a variety of ministries around the world, from educating the poor to teaching lessons of sustainable living in third world countries.
St Julie Billiart
St. Julie Billiart was the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
St. Julie was born in 1751 in Cuvilly, France, the fifth of seven children. She had a calling to teach and was noted to be particularly interested in the teaching of religious lessons. Julie made her First Communion at the age of nine, well before the usual age. Julie’s religious connection with God continued to grow throughout her life. Julie experienced a nervous condition in which she was said to be paralyzed for over twenty years and then one day was cured in 1804. With her re-instated health, Julie continued to proclaim “How good the good God is.”
During her illness, Julie had a vision to begin a program for Christian education for young girls. Julie began living a religious life on February 2, 1803, which is also known as the birthday of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Julie, the Foundress, and Françoise, the Co-Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur professed their final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 1805.
Julie is noted for her perseverance and extreme versatility as she was forced to make several adaptations throughout the era of the French Revolution, where she found herself in hiding and forced to relocate on multiple occasions, more often with no belongings to start over.
Julie Billiart died on April 8,1816. Co-Foundress and friend, Françoise Blin de Bourdon assumed the position of Mother General of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at that time.
Julie Billiart was canonized in 1969 and the work of her Congregation continues through the good work of our Sisters throughout the world.
Françoise Blin de Bourdon
Françoise Blin de Bourdon was the co-foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Learn more
Françoise Blin de Bourdon, also known to Sisters as Mother St. Joseph, was the co-founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She is also known as the Congregation’s first donor; as she provided the financial support which was needed early on as the Sisters and their missions expanded.
Françoise and Julie professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience
as Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur on February 2, 1804, a day also known
as the birthday of the congregation.
Following the death of Julie Billiart in 1816, Françoise was the second superior general of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Françoise Blin de Bourdon, also known to Sisters as Mother St. Joseph, was the co-founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She is also known as the Congregation’s first donor; as she provided the financial support which was needed early on as the Sisters and their missions expanded.
Françoise and Julie professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience
as Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur on February 2, 1804, a day also known
as the birthday of the congregation.
Following the death of Julie Billiart in 1816, Françoise was the second superior general of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Françoise is also known for her writing of spirituality and the biography of St. Julie. The early days of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are beautifully documented in Françoise’s book titled “Memoirs.”