Who They Are

For over 180 years, the Sisters of the Holy Cross have provided compassionate ministries to those in need. Today, around 200 sisters serve communities in the United States and seven other countries.

The congregation shares a deeply personal connection with the Heritage and Research Center (HARC), which is distinguished as a sponsored ministry. In 1844, the Sisters opened a small boarding academy in Bertrand, Michigan. Under the leadership of Mother Angela Gillespie, the school relocated to Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1855. It later became Saint Mary’s College, one of the first Catholic women’s colleges in the United States.

Throughout all their ministries, the sisters are guided by four core values: compassion, faith, prayer, and community. Their charism, or spiritual gift, is

Proclaiming God’s transforming love for all creation. Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern the needs of God’s people and our world, and respond as we are able.

Their Story

From its founding, education has been a central part of the Sisters of the Holy Cross’s mission. In 1841, Father Moreau founded the congregation in France. Two years later, he sent four women religious to Indiana to assist the Brothers of the Holy Cross in their work at the University of Notre Dame.

The Sisters soon turned their focus to educating young women and caring for orphans in nearby South Bend, Indiana. Only a year after their arrival, they opened Saint Mary’s Academy. It offered courses in advanced mathematics, modern languages, music, philosophy, and the arts.

During the Civil War, the sisters expanded their ministries to healthcare. They cared for the sick and wounded in Kentucky and Illinois. In 1867, they used their hands-on knowledge to open the congregation’s first hospital: Saint Mary’s Infirmary in Cairo, Illinois.

In the twentieth century, the sisters expanded their ministries globally. For example, they founded a mission in Bangladesh in 1927, which quickly established a school and medical clinic. In 1946, they established Colégio Santa Maria, a leading private school in São Paulo, Brazil. They also serve communities in Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, Uganda, and the United States.

In recent years, the sisters have turned their attention to conservation. They joined the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, where they champion sustainability and environmental stewardship. As part of this initiative, they developed Sisters Organizing and Advancing Recycling (SOAR) in Ghana. This plastic recycling program employs local residents, advancing economic equity and reducing pollution.

At every milestone, the congregation remains devoted to building communities of justice and love. They serve others with compassion and solidarity while working to address unequal economic and social systems.

Contributions and Legacy

The congregation aims to reduce poverty by empowering people in need through education and social services.

To that end, the sisters have established schools across the globe. For example, they founded Holy Cross College in Bangladesh to provide women with education in the humanities and business. They also operate schools in Brazil, Ghana, India, the United States, and other countries.

The sisters also teach practical skills that help people build better lives. In Peru, the Center for Women provides leadership training and social education. Similarly, the Bhadun (Arunalaya) Sewing Center in Bangladesh teaches women sewing and machine embroidery skills. These programs allow women to support themselves and their families.

Healthcare is another important area of ministry. The congregation has founded several hospitals and clinics in the United States, including Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. In Uganda, the Kyembogo Holy Cross Health Centre provides outpatient, maternity, and postnatal care.

The sisters also address the needs of the underserved with prison ministry programs, legal and financial assistance for immigrants, after-school programs, and other outreach initiatives.