In 1840, knowing they would never return, eight Sisters left their motherhouse in Namur, Belgium, for a journey to the United States. They arrived in New York City on October 19. From there, the Sisters traveled through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. They had come on the invitation of Cincinnati’s Bishop to open a school in his diocese.
The first small group of Sisters formed a nucleus for the work of the Congregation in the United States. By 1890, more than 80 additional Sisters had arrived from Europe. They were joined by American women entering the community, and together, these Sisters took their mission of education for the poor wherever it was most needed. By 1901, there were nearly 1200 Sisters of Notre Dame in America, with foundations in place in California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.
Where you can currently find the Tri-Province Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in active ministries:
Education:
Trinity College, Washington D.C.
Academy of Notre Dame High School, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Maryvale Preparatory School, Brooklandville, Maryland
Sisters Academy of Baltimore, Maryland
Trinity School, Ellicott City, Maryland
Beyond the Classroom:
Pastoral Counseloring Saint Jerome Child Care Center
Parish and Migrant Ministry
Outreach Programs:
Asylee Women Empowerment
Murphy Justice and Peace Initiative
English as another language