Birthdays of Our Founding Sisters

January 9 is the birthday of our foundress, Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring. The very next day, January 10, is the birthday of our co-foundress, Sister Maria Ignatia Kühling, six years the senior of Sister Maria Aloysia. In God’s plan they became teachers in the same school. They both perceived the needs of children beyond formal education; the students first needed food, shelter, a stable family life. In the process of educating and caring, they discerned another call—to that of religious life. In 1850 on October 1 Hillegonda Wolbring and Lisette Kühling became the first Sisters of Notre Dame. Through times of trial and suffering with the help of each other, our two founding sisters gave direction to the congregation that now covers the globe. They passed on the charism of trust in God’s provident goodness. For nearly 175 years the Sisters have carried the torch. May our loved Congregation continue the spirit, trusting that “The dear God has always taken care and will certainly continue to do so” (Letter of Sister Maria Aloysia, 1881).