Timeline of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross

From Le Mans to Notre Dame — A Comprehensive History
Compiled from Congregational Records  ·  Revised March 2026

Contents

Founding & Early Expansion (1767–1857)

1767
1767
James Dujarie born (died 1838).
1799
1799
Basil Moreau born in Laigné-en-Belin, France.
1820
1820
Dujarie founds the Brothers of St. Joseph; among the first is Brother André Mottais.
1834
1834
Brother André Mottais' memo proposes establishing an institute consisting of Brothers of St. Joseph, priests, and lay associates.
1835
1835
Moreau founds the "Auxiliary Priests"; Dujarie hands over the administration of the Brothers of St. Joseph to Moreau.
1837
1837
Fundamental Act of Union: Moreau joins the Auxiliary Priests and Brothers of St. Joseph, forming the Association of Holy Cross.
1840
August 15, 1840
First five priests make vows; Holy Cross becomes a congregation. Three brothers sent to Algeria (all brothers withdrawn by 1873).
1841
August 4, 1841
First four Sisters receive a religious habit. Moreau founds the Holy Cross Sisters (Marianites) to join the Priests and Brothers as the third branch of Holy Cross.
1841
August 5, 1841
First Holy Cross missionaries leave for America — seven missionaries (6 brothers, 1 priest) sent to Indiana. They arrive in New York on September 13 and proceed to Vincennes.
1842
November 26, 1842
Father Sorin and Brothers arrive at Notre Dame. University of Notre Dame founded.
1843
May–July 1843
Sisters Calvary and Heart of Jesus make private profession. Four sisters receive obediences for Indiana, leave France on June 3, arrive New York July 11, continuing to Detroit and Notre Dame.
1844
1844
Brothers build 3-story college at University of Notre Dame. Saint Mary's College founded at Notre Dame. Brother André Mottais dies.
1844
1844–1884
Period of rapid expansion of schools across the U.S.: Indiana (13 cities), Illinois (5), Ohio (7), Iowa (3), Kentucky (2), New York (4), Pennsylvania (2), New Jersey (2), Texas (3), Michigan (2), Wisconsin (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), California (1). Many closed within five years.
1847
1847
Thirteen missionaries (1 priest, 1 seminarian, 8 brothers, 3 sisters) sent to Saint Laurent, Canada (near Montreal).
1849
1849
Father Moreau elected superior general for life. Sacred Heart Church consecrated at University of Notre Dame.
1851
1851–1852
Missionaries sent to Poland for schools and orphanage. Orphanage established in Rome. 8 missionaries (3 priests, 2 brothers, 3 sisters) sent to East Bengal.
1853
April 17, 1853
Eliza Gillespie receives the habit of Holy Cross and the name Sister Mary of St. Angela. She leaves at once to make her novitiate in France.
1855
August 9, 1855
Sisters leave Bertrand for the Rush property, one mile west of Notre Dame, which became Saint Mary's of the Immaculate Conception.
1857
1857
Rome approves the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Sisters are separated from Brothers and Priests. Father Moreau visits the North American foundations.

Civil War & Separation (1861–1873)

1861
October 1861
Sisters are called to Civil War nursing. Mother Angela confers with General Grant in Cairo.
1862
December 24, 1862
Two Sisters board the hospital ship Red Rover. Various Sisters serve continuously until the ship is decommissioned in November 1865.
1865
1865
Chapter creates French and North American provinces, later divided into United States and Canada provinces.
1866
1866
Moreau resigns as superior general after episodes of dissension and intrigue within the Congregation.
1868
1868
General Chapter elects Father Sorin as superior general. Transfers generalate to Paris. Orders mother house in Le Mans to be sold to pay community's debts.
1869
1869
Sisters of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame separate from the Marianites. Mother church (Notre Dame de Sainte Croix) is sold.
1873
1873
Father Moreau dies.

Autonomy & Growth (1879–1946)

1879
1879
Main Building at University of Notre Dame destroyed by fire.
1885
1885
St. Edward's University founded in Austin, Texas.
1887
March 4, 1887
Death of Mother Angela.
1889
1889
Temporary approbation of Indiana Constitutions. Election of Mother Augusta as first Superior General. Sisters of the Holy Cross and Sisters of Holy Cross become autonomous communities.
1893
October 31, 1893
Death of Father Sorin.
1896
May 12, 1896
Final approbation of Constitutions.
1898
1898
Service in Spanish-American War.
1902
1902
Holy Cross takes possession of Columbia University in Portland, OR; name changed to University of Portland in 1935.
1924
March 19, 1924
Ground is broken for Le Mans Hall, Saint Mary's.
1931
1931
Superior General James Donahue moves to reunite Congregation with founder. The Congregation acquires Notre Dame de Sainte Croix mother church.
1937
1937
The Mother Church in Le Mans is formally rededicated at the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation.
1943
1943
Missionaries sent to Chile.
1944
December 1944
Sisters Olivette and Caecilius interned in Philippines en route to Bengal. Rescued February 23, 1945.
1946
1946
General Chapter splits the Congregation into two autonomous Societies of Priests and Brothers. Provinces erected: Indiana, U.S. Brothers, Canadian Priests, Canadian Brothers. King's College founded in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Introduction of the cause of Father Moreau.

20th Century: Missions & Expansion (1947–1982)

1947
October 8, 1947
First four Sisters leave for Brazil.
1948
1948
Stonehill College founded in Easton, MA.
1949
October 4, 1949
Opening of Cardinal Cushing College, Brookline, Mass. (Closed June 1972).
1951
1951
Missionaries sent to Brazil. Eastern Province of Priests erected (1952).
1955
1955
The cause for beatification of Father Basil Moreau introduced in Rome.
1956
1956
Rebuilt Church of Loretto opens. U.S. Brothers' Province divided into Midwest, South-West, and Eastern provinces.
1957
1957–1963
Missionaries sent to Ghana (1957), Uganda (1958), Liberia (1962), Peru (1963). Districts of Chile and East Africa erected.
1958
May 4, 1958
Last group of Sisters leaves convent on campus of Notre Dame, where the community has served since 1842.
1966
1966–1967
Holy Cross Brothers Center constructed at Notre Dame. St. Joseph Oratory completed in Montreal (begun 1904). District of West Africa erected. Holy Cross Junior College opens at Notre Dame.
1967
July 1967
General Chapter: many changes following Vatican II. 1968: announcement of beginning of annual Moreau trips. 1969–75: Experimental functional regions.
1976
1976–1979
Founding of Holy Cross Shared Services (1976). Founding of Holy Cross Health System (1978). Founding of Holy Cross Associates Program (1979). District of Peru erected.
1982
1982
Brother André Bessette declared "Blessed."

Modern Era & HARC (1989–Present)

1989
1989
General Chapter decision to eliminate geographic regions in the Congregation.
1992
1992
Second renovation of motherhouse church.
2003
2003
Father Basil Moreau declared "Venerable." Provinces of South India, North-East India and Haiti erected.
2007
September 2007
Father Basil Anthony Moreau declared "Blessed" at the Beatification liturgy in Le Mans, France.
2010
2010
Canonization of Brother André Bessette (beatified 1982).
2020
May 20, 2020
Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc. become sponsors of The Heritage and Research Center (HARC) at Saint Mary's.
2024
July 26, 2024
Groundbreaking ceremony for the new HARC facility — a 12,000-square-foot collaborative archive for at least nine women's congregations.

Number of Entrants to Congregation (1841–2010)

Sisters of the Holy Cross — entrants counted in five-year segments from the founding through 2010. Peak period: 1956–1960 with 344 entrants; sharp decline post-Vatican II (1966–1970: 69 entrants).
Period Entrants Period Entrants Period Entrants
1841–1845 26 1886–1890 223 1931–1935 218
1846–1850 54 1891–1895 152 1936–1940 166
1851–1855 85 1896–1900 137 1941–1945 183
1856–1860 170 1901–1905 235 1946–1950 317
1861–1865 83 1906–1910 154 1951–1955 313
1866–1870 90 1911–1915 192 1956–1960 344
1871–1875 292 1916–1920 194 1961–1965 283
1876–1880 147 1921–1925 237 1966–1970 69
1881–1885 171 1926–1930 237 1971–1975 13
  1976–1980 32
  1981–1985 31
  1986–1990 32
  1991–1995 34
  1996–2000 43
  2001–2005 42
  2006–2010 50

Leadership Line (1889–2029)

Between 1869 and 1889, the Archbishop of Cincinnati was given powers of the Superior General by Rome, and therefore was the Sisters' official superior. The ordinary responsibilities of the office were delegated to Father Sorin. Mothers Angela and Augusta took charge of the daily running of the community. After the election of 1889, Mother Augusta was Superior General and Sorin exercised no more authority over them, but considerable influence.

1889–1919 · Mother M. Augusta through Mother M. Perpetua

Term Superior General Council
1889–1895 Mother M. Augusta (Anderson) Mother M. Genevieve (Conway), First Asst.; Mother M. Annunciata (McSheffery), Second Asst.; Mother M. Colette (Cunea), Stewardess; Mother M. Praxedes (Braddock), Mistress of Novices
1895–1900 Mother M. Annunciata (McSheffery)
Died in office		 Mother M. Perpetua (Wilson), First Asst.; Mother M. Pauline (O'Neill), Second Asst.; Mother M. Sabina (O'Shea), Stewardess; Mother M. Sienna (Murphy), Mistress of Novices
1900–1919 Mother M. Perpetua (Wilson)
Three six-year terms		 1901–07: Mother M. Aquina (Kirwan), First Asst.; Mother M. Pauline (O'Neill), Second Asst.
1907–13: Mother M. Aquina, First Asst.; Mother M. Barbara (Long), Mistress of Novices
1913–19: Mother M. Cyriaca (Keating), First Asst.

1919–1943 · Mother M. Aquina through Mother M. Vincentia

Term Superior General Council
1919–1925 Mother M. Aquina (Kirwan) Mother M. Bettina (Reale), Superior of Convent; Mother M. Francis Clare (Counihan), Mistress of Novices
1925–1931 Mother M. Francis Clare (Counihan) Mother M. Cecily (O'Riordan), First Asst.; Mother M. Aquina (Kirwan), General Secretary; Mother M. Bettina (Reale), Mistress of Novices
1931–1937 Mother M. Vincentia (Fannon) Mother M. Francis Clare, First Asst.; Mother Maria Incarnata (Quinlan), Second Asst.; Mother M. Irmina (Noonan), Gen. Secretary
1937–1943 Mother Maria Incarnata, First Asst.; Mother M. Godelieve (Ritter), Second Asst.; Mother M. Gertrude (Coen), Gen. Secretary

1943–1967 · Mother M. Rose Elizabeth & Mother Kathryn Marie

Term Superior General Council
1943–1949 Mother M. Rose Elizabeth (Havican) Mother M. Godelieve (Ritter), First Asst.; Mother M. Gertrude (Coen), Second Asst.
1949–1955 Mother M. Veronique (McKenny), First Asst.; Sr. M. Basil Anthony (O'Flynn), Gen. Secretary; Sr. M. Gerald (Hartney), Gen. Treasurer
1955–1961 Mother Kathryn Marie (Gibbons) Mother M. Veronique (McKenny), First Asst.; Sr. M. Basil Anthony (O'Flynn), Second Asst., Gen. Secretary
1961–1967 Mother M. Hilary (Farrelly), First Asst.; Mother M. Olivette (Whalen), Second Councilor; Sr. M. Davida (McKenna), Gen. Secretary

1967–1989 · Post-Vatican II Leadership

Term President / Superior General Council
1967–1973 Mother M. Olivette (Whalen) Sr. Olivia Marie (Hutcheson), First Asst.; Sr. Dolora Marie (Walker), Gen. Secretary
1973–1979 Sister Kathleen Ann Nelligan Sr. Olivia Marie, First Asst.; Sr. M. Francis Bernard (O'Connor); Sr. M. Rose Anne (Schultz), Gen. Secretary
1979–1984 Sister Olivia Marie (Hutcheson) Sr. Mary Jane Honan, First Asst.; Sr. Aline Marie (Steuer); Sr. Maryanne O'Neill, Gen. Secretary
1984–1989 Sister M. Francis Bernard (O'Connor) Sr. Raymond Mary (Sullivan), First Asst.; Sr. Kathryn Callahan; Sr. Jeanette Fettig, Gen. Treasurer; Sr. Judith Marie Hallock, Gen. Secretary

1989–2029 · Modern Presidents

Term President Key Council Members
1989–1994 Sister Catherine O'Brien
(aka Sister M. Thomas More)		 Sr. Mary Ellen Vaughan, First Asst.; Sr. Ann Donnelly, Councilor for Ministry
1994–1999 Sr. Aline Marie (Steuer), First Asst.; Sr. M. Genevra (Rolf), Gen. Secretary; Sr. Joan Marie Steadman
1999–2004 Sister Aline Marie (Steuer) Sr. Joan Marie Steadman, First Councilor; Sr. M. Veronique, Gen. Secretary
2004–2009 Sister Joy O'Grady Sr. Ruth Marie Nickerson, First Councilor; Sr. Mary Louise Full, Gen. Secretary
2009–2014 Sister Joan Marie Steadman Sr. Mary Louise Full, First Councilor; Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, Gen. Secretary
2014–2019 Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower) Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, First Councilor; Sr. Brenda Cousins, Gen. Secretary; Sr. Suzanne Brennan, Gen. Treasurer
2019–2024 Sr. Pushpa Teresa Gomes, First Councilor; Sr. Catherine Osimo, Gen. Secretary; Sr. Suzanne Brennan
2024–2029 Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner Sr. Esther Adjoa Entsiwah, First Councilor; Sr. Verónica Fajardo, Gen. Secretary; Sr. Taposi (Gomes), Gen. Treasurer; Sr. Violet Rodrigues

Provincial & Regional Leadership

Provinces (1931–1969)

Province Years Provincial Superior
Midwestern 1931–1936 Mother M. Cecily (O'Riordan)
1936–1939 Mother M. Lucretia (Kearns)
1939–1943 Mother M. Verda (Dorsch)
1943–1951 Mother M. Una (Garity)
1951–1955 Mother Kathryn Marie (Gibbons)
1955–1969 Mother Mary Clare (O'Brien); Mother M. Verda Clare (Doran)
Eastern 1931–1939 Mother M. Bettina (Reale)
1939–1943 Mother M. Rose Elizabeth (Havican)
1943–1951 Mother M. Constantine (Ryan)
1951–1963 Mother Margaret Marie (Doyle); Mother M. Constantine (Ryan)
1963–1969 Mother M. Loretto (Conway)
Western 1931–1939 Mother M. Claudia (Quinn)
1939–1945 Mother M. Veronique (McKenny)
1945–1951 Mother Mary Agnes (Mahoney)
1951–1963 Mother M. Hilary (Farrelly); Mother Virginia Marie (McHugh)
1963–1969 Mother M. Mauricita (Conway)

Area Coordinators (1994–2005 & 2005–Present)

Area Years Coordinator
Area of Africa 2005–2019 Sr. Mary Alice Bowler; Sr. Margaret Mary Nimo; Sr. Esther Adjoa Entsiwah
2019– Sr. Theresia Mbugua; Sr. Martina Dery (2024–)
Area of Asia 2005–2019 Sr. Philomena Quiah; Sr. Violet Rodrigues; Sr. Pushpa Teresa Gomes
2019– Sr. Violet Rodrigues; Sr. Pushpa Teresa Gomes (2024–)
Area of North America 2005–2019 Sr. Judith Hallock; Sr. Ruth Marie Nickerson; Sr. Joy O'Grady
2019– Sr. Joan Marie Steadman; Sr. Brenda Cousins (2024–)
Area of South America 2005–2019 Sr. Patricia Dieringer; Sr. Aline Marie (Steuer); Sr. Michael Mary (Nolan)
2019– Sr. Diane Cundiff; Sr. Elita Esmaria de Oliveira (2024–)

Changes in Congregation Governance Structure (1841–Present)

1841
1841–1930
Central Governance
1931
1931–1969
Provinces (Geographic): Eastern, Midwestern, Western
1969
1969–1975
Regions (Geographic-Ministry): College; East Elementary I, II & Secondary; Health Services; Midwest Elementary & Secondary; Moreau (Retirement); West Elementary I, II & Secondary; Apostolate in Developing Countries; Formation Program
1975
1975–1989
Reconfigured Regions (Geographic): Apostolate Abroad, Eastern, Midwestern, Moreau (Retirement), Southern (Vice-Region 1975–79), Western
1989
1989–1994
Return to Central Governance
1994
1994–2005
Areas (Numbered): I (USA West), II (USA Midwest), III (USA South/Mexico), IV (USA East), V (Retirement Houses), VI (South America), VII (Africa/Mideast), VIII (Asia)
2005
2005–c. 2015
Areas (Continental): Angela Area (Retirement Houses at Saint Mary's), Area of Africa (Ghana & Uganda), Area of Asia (Bangladesh & India), Area of North America (United States & Mexico), Area of South America (Brazil & Peru)
2015
c. Fall 2015–Present
Angela Area merged into Area of North America — United States, Mexico, and former Retirement Houses at Saint Mary's consolidated under one area.