HARC Congregation Collection

Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters

The OLVM Collection contains the archives and records of Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters and their missions and ministries in the United States since their founding in 1922, and in Bolivia from 1967 to 2008.

📋 Finding Aid → Digital Collections ↓

1922–present Records spanning the full history of the congregation

304+ Issues of The Missionary Catechist digitized and available online

Ten Series Governance, History, Membership, and Visual Materials

About This Collection

Mission, Service & Faith

For over a century, Our Lady of Victory Missionary (OLVM) Sisters have promoted social justice across the U.S., dedicated to serving those in poverty and vulnerable communities. Their charism, described as "a Divine gift igniting men and women to serve in solidarity with God's people, especially the marginalized," guides their ministries in education, immigration reform, sustainability, and more. Advocacy is central, with the women pledging to make the Gospel visible through activism for nonviolence, racial justice, humane immigration policies, and caring for our common home.

"Always go to the poor first" was Father Sigstein’s motto. This guiding principle remains at the heart of all the OLVM Sisters’ ministries.

Active Ministries

Compassion for the poor is central to OLVM's mission. The OLVM Sisters focused on religious education and social services in the American Southwest, living among the communities they served, such as Watrous, New Mexico. Their practical clothing and community-focused approach provided insight into local needs, fostering innovative solutions. This shaped OLVM's core values: hospitality, justice, simplicity, and adaptability, with the vision of addressing modern needs with modern means.

Advocacy

OLVM Sisters are committed to supporting those experiencing oppression or marginalization. They work to 👉 promote justice, focusing on the poor, immigrants, and for women. 👉 Their advocacy includes equal rights, better working conditions, and fair treatment, along with many other issues.

Digital Collections Browse All 304 Issues →

Featured Publication

The Missionary Catechist

Published by Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters from December 1924 through October 1964. These monthly issues document the congregation's catechetical missions, service to impoverished communities, and the daily lives of the Missionary Catechists. 304 issues have been digitized and are available for browsing.

Vol. 9, No. 9 August 1933	Vol. 9, No. 7 June 1933	Vol. 9, No. 5 April 1933	Vol. 9, No. 4 March 1933	Vol. 9, No. 3 February 1933
Vol. 9, No. 2 January 1933	Vol. 9, No. 1 December 1932	Vol. 8, No. 9 August 1932	Vol. 8, No. 10 September 1932	Vol. 8, No. 1 December 1931

Browse All 304 Issues →

Artwork, and Artifacts Browse All Items →

Featured

Artistic Work of OLVM Sisters and Artifacts Representing Victory Noll

Non-textual materials including photographs, audiovisual recordings, artwork, and digital media documenting the congregation's history, activities, and members. Organized by format and subject.

Cosmic Consciousness Sr. Grace Marie, Watercolor	Religious Statue and Bottles Sr. Grace Marie, Watercolor	Pitcher Sr. Dorothy Louise, Watercolor	Fruit and Bottle Sr. Carmen	Barn and Pond Sr. G. Christ, Acrylic
Potted Flower Study Sr. Florence Garbacy, Watercolor	Sister with Children Mary M. Huges, Acrylic	Madonna and Child Sr. Grace Marie, Religious Painting	Convent Courtyard with Marion Statue Ruth Hoffman	Courtyard Scene Sr. Rose Ann McBride, Watercolor
Abstract Still Life with Pitcher Acrylic Sr. Dorothy Louise, 1984	Pelican Retreat, Acrylic Sr. Mary Joan Ginsternlum	The Etcher (Circular) Sr. Grace Marie	The Etcher (Framed) Sr. Grace Marie	Fort Benning Protest Vest Sr. Angeline Walczyk · Textile, 1999
Protest Vest (Digital Exhibit) Sr. Angeline Walczyk · Textile, 1999	Class of 1945–1946 Victory Noll Sisters · Photograph	Traveling Pump Organ Artifact	Sr. Mary Karl at the Organ Photograph	Stages of Becoming a Sister Dolls · Artifact