Our Foundress: Saint Julie Billiart
The story of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur begins with Julie Billiart. Raised in a poor but devout Catholic family, Julie showed an extraordinary spiritual awareness from an early age. This deep faith would become the foundation for a global religious congregation of Catholic Sisters devoted to proclaiming the goodness of God.
Saint Julie Billiart and the Global Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Early History
As a young woman, Julie worked tirelessly to support her struggling family through sewing, farming and selling goods, all while teaching children and fellow workers about God’s love. At age 22, a mysterious illness left her paralyzed and confined to bed for over two decades. Despite her physical suffering, Julie’s faith only deepened. She dedicated herself entirely to prayer, spiritual guidance and the vision of forming a community of women religious who would serve the poor, educate the young and share the Gospel in word and action.
The Beginning of a Spiritual Partnership
During the chaos of the French Revolution, Julie’s faith and reputation for holiness made her a target. She lived in hiding, once escaping pursuers by hiding under a hay cart. It was during this time that she met Françoise Blin de Bourdon, a woman of noble birth whose life had also been turned upside down by the Revolution. Despite their different backgrounds, the two women formed a profound spiritual partnership grounded in shared values of humility, justice and love for the marginalized.
On February 12, 1804, Julie and Françoise made their vows as the first Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, committing their lives to Catholic mission work, serving the poor and educating girls—especially those overlooked by society. Their first schools offered free education to girls from impoverished backgrounds while also welcoming children from wealthier families whose tuition helped support the mission.
Despite challenges, including ecclesial resistance and relocation from Amiens to Namur, Belgium, Julie and Françoise remained committed to serving where the need was greatest. They built a congregation grounded in faith, simplicity and justice. By the time of Julie’s death in 1816, the community was thriving and ready to grow.
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Expansion Across the World
In the decades that followed, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur expanded beyond Europe, answering calls to serve in the United States and around the world. The first request to go across the ocean came when Bishop Purcell asked the Sisters of Notre Dame to go to his diocese in Ohio, and in 1840, five Sisters came to Cincinnati. In 1849, three Sisters of Notre Dame traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio, by rail and coach to Boston, Massachusetts, to take over the church school at St. Mary’s in the North End of Boston. In 1843, Father De Smet, a Jesuit missionary, requested the assistance of Sisters to support his mission in Oregon. In 1851, the Sisters began serving in California.
From opening schools in Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, California and Hawaii, as well as in many other states, to responding to mission requests in Africa, Latin America and Asia, the Sisters became known for their compassionate presence, educational leadership and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
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Canonization of St. Julie Billiart
On June 22, 1969, the Church recognized the Sainthood of Julie Billiart, Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, in a liturgical celebration of her Canonization at the Vatican in Rome. Pope Paul VI declared to all the world Julie’s holiness of life and her legacy of making known God’s goodness given to our apostolic religious Congregation and to others who claim her as Foundress in our Mission. Sisters, Associates, Mission Volunteers, alumnae/alumni, administrators, faculty, students and staff in all our schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, clinics, centers, parishes and social agencies celebrate Julie’s Sainthood.
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Legacy of St. Julie
St. Julie was a woman of the modern era who took courage through action in confronting through the ministry of education the inequalities of her time. She recognized the need for fundamental human rights, including the right to life, liberty and equality of persons, as proclaimed in the aftermath of the French Revolution. She demonstrates the power and presence of a loving and caring God in her person and in the women who have followed her as Sisters. Julie sent her Sisters to reach out to people “in the most abandoned places” to give them tools for life, to change lives, dismantle unjust systems and to alleviate poverty through education. St. Julie’s charism is expressed in her words: “Oh! How good is the good God.” She speaks through her Sisters to another generation in the 21st century!
- July 12, 1751 Birth and Baptism of Marie Rose Julie Billiart
- February 2, 1804 Vows of Julie Billiart, Françoise Blin de Bourdon and Catherine Duchâtel as the first Sisters of Notre Dame
- April 8, 1816 The death of Julie Billiart
- May 13, 1906 Beatification of Julie Billiart. Official liturgical feast day.
- June 22, 1969 Canonization of St. Julie Billiart
A Congregation Spreading God’s Goodness
Today, over 1,000 Sisters serve in 16 countries across five continents, working in Catholic education, social justice ministries, environmental advocacy, faith formation, health care and community development. Their work is guided by the charism of Saint Julie Billiart, who taught that “we are sent to make known God’s goodness” wherever we are needed.
We invite you to discover the legacy and ongoing impact of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Explore stories of faith in action, encounter the women who have carried Saint Julie’s mission forward for more than 200 years, and see how her vision continues to inspire hope, transform lives and proclaim the love of a good God around the world.