Who They Are

For more than a century, Our Lady of Victory Missionary (OLVM) Sisters have promoted social justice across the United States. The congregation is dedicated to serving people living in poverty and those in vulnerable communities.

Their charism is described by the congregation as

A Divine gift igniting men and women to serve in solidarity with God’s people, especially those marginalized by society.

The OLVM Sisters have shared this gift through ministries in education, immigration reform, sustainability, and other areas of service. Advocacy remains a driving force for the congregation as it responds to changing social conditions. The women “pledge to make visible the Gospel through advocacy for nonviolence, racial justice, humane immigration policies, and care for our common home.”

Their Story

Compassion for the poor has always been central to the mission of OLVM. In the early 1900s, founder Father John Joseph Sigstein became aware of the pressing needs of impoverished communities while traveling throughout the American Southwest.

In response, he established the OLVM Sisters in Chicago in 1920. Unlike many other congregations, it provided religious education and social services from a non-institutional perspective.

Instead of working in hospitals or schools, the women often lived among the communities they served. For example, the first OLVM Sisters ministered in Watrous, New Mexico, where they taught and provided healthcare to underserved populations. They adapted to the harsh desert climate by wearing practical clothing instead of the traditional habit — a decision seen as quite radical at the time.

By living and working alongside often overlooked communities, the congregation gained a deep understanding of their challenges and needs. This innovative approach allowed the sisters to offer creative yet practical solutions.

These early missions shaped the OLVM Sisters’ core values: hospitality, justice, simplicity, and adaptability. As Father Sigstein often said, “Meet modern needs with modern means.”

As the congregation grew, OLVM catechists moved into rural communities and small towns across the country. They provided Catholic instruction to people who hadn’t traditionally been served by the Church, as well as leadership training. After Vatican II, they expanded their education ministries by opening Diocesan Religious Education offices around the United States.

The sisters also expanded their ministries to South America, spreading the Word of God to new communities. In the 1990s, for instance, they established CESU, a library in Brazil.

In 2022, the congregation adapted once again by shifting to a corporate leadership model. This lets them focus on acts of service under the leadership of Sister Jenny Howard, a Sister of Providence. The OLVM sisters continue to advance their mission through prayer and presence in solidarity with all people.

Contributions and Legacy

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

During the congregation’s early years, Father Sigstein created bands, or networks of people, to raise funds for the sisters. These supporters also donated food, clothing, and other items for the women to distribute within the communities they served. This collective action allowed them to provide much-needed assistance for families and children.

Education was another core focus of the sisters’ ministries. As part of their non-institutional philosophy, they never built a school or college. Instead, OLVM catechists traveled to rural communities to instruct the laity and develop future religious leaders. They trained local leaders to meet their communities’ specific needs, empowering them to continue the sisters’ mission.

The congregation has also devoted significant attention to immigration issues. Since their founding, the sisters have worked closely with migrant workers and other immigrants. They supported them with English as a Second Language classes and collaborated closely with organizations that helped newcomers transition to the United States.

Today, the sisters remain vocal advocates for immigration reform. They also continue their legacy through the Victory Noll Empowerment Grants, which support organizations serving impoverished and marginalized communities.