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Become a Sister

Exploring a vocation with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur begins with a desire to learn—about religious life, about who we are as a community and about God’s purpose for your life.

Become a sister hero 2 Sister Nancy O'Shea at the Nuns on the Bus Event

1804 Saint Julie Stained Glass

“I realize more than ever the need there is for strong, generous, courageous souls who fear nothing, except displeasing the good God.”
– St. Julie Billiart, L 47

Begin the Journey of a Lifetime

We look forward to connecting with you.

This page is a starting point, a guide to the resources and information that can help you discover your vocation.

Sabrina Harper 042026

Sabrina Harper, Vocations Promoter

As you explore, we invite you to bring your questions and reflections to prayer, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Remember, discernment is a journey that unfolds over time, and we are here to walk it with you.

If you’d like to talk or need guidance, please reach out to Sabrina Harper, Vocations Promoter at Vocations@ewsndden.org

 

 

 

 

Prayer for Vocations

LORD of the Harvest,

BLESS young people with the gift of courage to respond to your call. Open their hearts to great ideals, to great things.

INSPIRE all of your disciples to mutual love and giving— for vocations blossom in the good soil of faithful people.

INSTILL those in religious life, parish ministries and families with the confidence and grace to invite others to embrace the bold and noble path of a life consecrated to you.

UNITE us to Jesus through prayer and sacrament, so that we may cooperate with you in building your reign of mercy and truth, of justice and peace.

Amen. 

– Pope Francis

Who are the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur?

We are members of a religious order founded in 1804 by three women, St. Julie Billiart, Françoise Blin de Bourdon and Catherine Duchâtel. Our mission statement reads, “Sisters of Notre Dame, women with hearts as wide as the world, make known God’s goodness and love of the poor through a Gospel way of life, community and prayer. Continuing a strong educational tradition, we take our stand with poor people, especially women and children, in the most abandoned places. Each of us commits her one and only life to work with others to

“Create Justice and Peace for All.”

Each of us commits her one and only life to work with others to create justice and peace for all.

  • Our prayer may include formal prayers such as the liturgy of the hours and the liturgy of the Eucharist, scripture reflection, meditation and spiritual reading. Shared prayer and faith are balanced with private and public prayer.
  • Sisters commit to this way of life by observing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
  • We are ordinary women, but together, we do extraordinary things.

St. Julie, the woman who launched this congregation in 1804, said it this way: “Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are women who have hearts as wide as the world.”
Our hearts stretch to embrace the people of Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Congo, Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua, Japan, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain and the United States.

Much like academic titles (PhD, MA, etc.) the SNDdeN after a Sister’s name indicates that they are a vowed Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Our daily schedule depends on our local community and its individual members. Some Sisters are involved in full-time ministry, while other Sisters who are no longer in active ministry or engaged in study have a more flexible schedule. Regardless of where our Sisters live and minister, our day concludes with evening prayer and time in community.

Following Vatican II, religious Sisters were encouraged to be more present to the world and to wear clothes suitable for the ministry and time in which they served. With this invitation, Sisters prayed, reflected and discussed how to live and do this ministry. This time of reflection solidified their zeal to make known God’s goodness and love of the poor through a Gospel way of life, community and prayer. This new focus led Sisters to let go of their traditional habit and follow in Jesus’s footsteps, who did not require his disciples to wear a uniform. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur wear a special cross as a sign of their consecrated life.

Typically, religious congregations differ in their emphasis on prayer and community life. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur live an active and open apostolic life in the tradition of St. Julie, whose unique experience of prayer and action enabled her to find God’s presence everywhere, especially among those living in poverty. In contemplative congregations, members live together in a single building and their primary ministry is prayer. Most members of monastic congregations also live and work together in one building, though they serve in various ministries. They gather frequently for prayer, usually several times a day.

Our strength as Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur is found in our deep union with God and our common aim to express that God is good. We are encouraged to use our diverse and unique talents as we go throughout the world, proclaiming God’s loving care for all people. We are committed to standing with people experiencing poverty, especially women and children, celebrating the gifts of many cultures, educating for justice, and building community with all those with whom we live and work. We minister as teachers, counselors, social workers, religious education directors, health care workers, lawyers, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, community organizers, and in many other capacities, as directed by the Spirit, community needs, and our own talents.

Sisters have about the same amount of leisure time as most other adults. Some enjoy sports and athletic activities, while others enjoy the arts, some enjoy gardening, and others enjoy pets. We also spend our free time playing games, watching television and movies, reading, working out, and visiting friends or family. This variety of activities is encouraged; we always remain true to our vows and commitment to Gospel values.

If you feel God is calling you, do not be afraid – be attentive and pray for God’s guidance. God will open the way if this is his will. Each life’s journey is unique. Here are some basic prerequisites for discerning with us:

  • Have a love of God, a deep prayer life and the desire to learn and serve
  • Be an active Catholic or in formation to become a Catholic
  • Be in good health in body, mind and spirit
  • Be between the ages of 20-50
  • Be a legal U.S. citizen or have legal status to live and/or work in the U.S.
  • Have a minimum of two years of college/university or equivalent work experience beyond high school and the ability to study
  • Have no canonical or legal impediments to entrance

Are You Called to Religious Life? These videos offer a glimpse into what led two of our Sisters to answer the Call:

video thumbnail - Are you called to a religious vocation?

Sister Bárbara Gutiérrez, SNDdeN - Vocations Video

Sister Bárbara Gutiérrez, SNDdeN discusses her call to religious life and what drew her to a vocation as a vowed Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

video thumbnail - World Day of Prayer for Vocations Sister Liane Delsuc, SNDdeN

World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Sister Liane Delsuc, SNDdeN

On the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Sister Liane Delsuc, SNDdeN discusses how the story of St. Julie Billiart inspired her to pursue her vocation as a vowed Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Curious about religious life with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur?

Contact Vocations Promoter Sabrina Harper by filling out this form.

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Approved - July JourneyJourney with St. Julie is an opportunity to explore religious life and the charism of our founder.


The next virtual meeting is on Sunday, July 12, 2026.


Register here to receive the Zoom link.


Please contact Vocations Promoter Sabrina Harper at vocations@ewsndden.org with any questions.

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Approved - July JourneyJourney with St. Julie is an opportunity to explore religious life and the charism of our founder.


The next virtual meeting is on Sunday, July 12, 2026.


Register here to receive the Zoom link.


Please contact Vocations Promoter Sabrina Harper at vocations@ewsndden.org with any questions.

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Upcoming Events

Jul 12, 2026 5:30 p.m. PT | 8:30 p.m. ET
Journey with St. Julie (Virtual)

Journey with St. Julie is an opportunity to explore religious life and the charism of our founder. The next virtual meeting is on Sunday, July 12.

More Information