Significant Events in the History of Women Religious in the United States

Karen Kennelly, CSJ compiled the following list of significant events in the history of women religious in the United States. This information may be helpful to LCWR regions in planning events or preparing materials for publicity on the LCWR anniversary year.

1727 – 1830

1727 Ursuline Nuns of the Congregation of Paris (OSU) come to New Orleans. First foundation in present-day United States (1803 Louisiana Purchase)

1790 Discalced Carmelite Nuns (OCD) come to Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland, first foundation in what was then the United States

1799 Visitation Nuns (VHM) founded in Georgetown, now Washington, D.C., by Teresa Lalor

1809 Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (SC) founded in Emmitsburg, Maryland, by Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton

1812 Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL) founded in St. Charles, Kentucky, by Mary Rhodes and Fr. Charles Nerinckx

1812 Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) founded in Nazareth, Kentucky, by Catherine Spalding

1818 Congregation of Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) founded in St. Louis, Missouri, by Rose Philippine Duschene

1829 Oblate Sisters of Providence (OSP) founded in Baltimore, Maryland, by Mary Elizabeth Lange. First African American community.

1830 - 1900

1833 Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) founded in Philadelphia by Mary Frances Clarke and others.

1834 Burning of Ursuline Convent in Charlestown, Massachussetts.

1836 Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) founded in Carondelet, now St. Louis, Missouri, by Febronie and Delphine Fontbonne and others.

1840 Sisters of Providence (SP) founded in St.-Mary-of-the-Woods, Terre Haute, Indiana, by M. Theodore Guérin.

1840 Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, by M. Louise de Gonzague and others.

1841 Sisters of the Holy Family (SSF) founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Henriette Delille. Second African American community.

1843 Sisters of Mercy (RSM) founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by M. Mary Francis Xavier Warde

1847 School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) founded in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, by Caroline Friess and others.

1847 Dominican Sisters (OP) founded in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, by Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli

1852 Benedictine Nuns (OSB) founded in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, by Benedicta Riepp and others

1862 – 1865 Sister-nurses in Civil War

1889 Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) brought to the United States by M. Francis Xavier Cabrini.

1891 Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indian and Colored People (SBS) founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Katherine Drexel.

1898 Sister-nurses in Spanish American War

Note: the timeline for both Nineteenth and Twentieth Century could be completed by members in the various LCWR Regions. This would be more inclusive of congregations and would fill in the picture of expansion to Southern and Western parts of the U.S. There are many outstanding women leaders involved—M. John Baptist Russell, M. Austin Carroll, M. Joseph Pariseau to name only a few.

1900 to Present

1912 Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic (MM) founded in Ossining, New York, by Mary Josephine Rogers. First missionary congregation of women in the U.S.

1925 Medical Mission Sisters (SCMM) founded in Washington, D.C. by Anna Marie Dengal.

Note: major wars and landmark court decisions affecting Civil Rights, Women’s Rights could be used along with founding dates for organizations including CMSW/LCWR, NETWORK, NCAN, etc. Dates could mark major accomplishments by women such as Helen Prejean (publication of Dead Man Walking, for example).

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

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