Notre Dame de Namur Sisters Alice Gertrude Keating, Loretto Julia Carroll, and Marie Julienne Walsh pictured c. 1965. A Somerville native, Sister Loretto Julia Carroll was the first American to serve as Mother General of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Submitted by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
In November 1849, amidst a nation still grappling with its identity and a city rife with anti-Catholic sentiments, three Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur clandestinely arrived in Boston from Cincinnati, Ohio. Their objective was to manage the parish school in the West End, marking the beginning of a pioneering journey that would shape education and community service in New England for generations to come.
Their ensuing journey will be celebrated at 4pm, Saturday September 14, at the St. Patrick Parish in Lowell, with a Liturgy of Celebration to commemorate the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s 175 years of an Enduring Legacy of Goodness in New England.
Originating from Namur, Belgium, the Sisters harbored concerns about venturing into a nation barely 80 years independent, fearing its ability to safeguard foreign women. However, propelled by the vision of their foundress, Julie Billiart, they embarked on a mission to share their charism and educate those in need.
Their historic venture began in 1840 when eight Belgian Sisters arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, intending to establish a school. Five years later, a visiting Bishop implored them to extend their educational mission to Boston, a burgeoning hub of immigrant influx.
The Sisters’ arrival in Boston in 1849 was not without adversity.
Students at St. Patrick School in Lowell, Massachusetts, celebrate International Day.
Mindful of the prevailing anti-Catholic sentiments, they traveled incognito, only to have their habits stolen upon arrival. Undeterred by these early setbacks, the Sisters’ efforts soon gained attention, leading to school requests in nearby cities.
In 1852, they opened St. Patrick’s School in Lowell.
They soon realized that many children could not attend school due to the need for them to tend to their younger siblings while their parents worked. In response, the Sisters pioneered childcare services to address the needs of working-class families. This initiative marked perhaps the earliest childcare center in the U.S.
Further expansion followed swiftly, with schools established in Roxbury, Salem, Lawrence, East Boston and South Boston. By 1867, they expanded to Chicopee, Worcester and Springfield.
Recognizing child labor as a prevalent issue, the Sisters established Night Schools and an Industrial School in Boston. By 1891, their influence extended beyond Massachusetts with the opening of St. Teresa’s in Providence, Rhode Island, marking the beginning of a broader expansion. Their presence burgeoned throughout Connecticut, and they assumed leadership roles in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. By 1900, there were 32 Notre Dame schools in New England, and by the mid-20th century, another 15 schools opened in Massachusetts, and Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Connecticut and Rhode Island staffed 24 of them.
With the labor of teaching hundreds of children, many Sisters needed rest and medical care.
In 1900, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur opened Notre Dame du Lac in Worcester as a peaceful sanctuary of caring, renewal, and healthy living. In recognition of growing needs, Notre Dame Health Care (NDHC) was created in 1990 and began serving the general community in 1993 through the opening of the award-winning skilled nursing facility. NDHC is a place of welcome that delivers high-quality care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—with dignity and respect.vIn addition, the Julie Billiart Residential Care Center in Ipswich (2006), home to 35 Sisters and Julie House in Windsor (1994) serve as retirement homes for Sisters. The Sisters redefine what ‘retirement’ means through ongoing enrichment activities, prayer circles, and social justice projects.
True to the founding Mission of St. Julie, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s commitment to share their charism remains steadfast. Over 175 years, they traversed every diocese in New England, enriching communities with their educational legacy.
Today, they remain the longest-serving religious congregation of women in the Archdiocese of Boston, their deep roots epitomized by academic institutions and social service endeavors throughout New England. Countless Sisters still serve in parishes, schools, and service agencies throughout New England, tending to the deep roots and flourishing examples of God’s goodness planted long ago.
Through resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have left an indelible mark on generations of students and communities, ensuring an enduring legacy of goodness that continues to inspire.
Along with the September 14 celebration at St. Patrick Parish, the Sisters will be honored October 16th at the Marriott in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information on that event, visit www.snddeneastwest.org/175NE.
