Foundation Day – October 1

In 1850 two teachers at St. Lambert School in Coesfeld, Germany, professed vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They exchanged their baptismal names Hilligonde Wolbring and Elizabeth Kühling to their religious names Sister Maria Aloysia and Sister Maria Ignatia, respectively. And the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld, Germany was born. You are reading this 174 years later. Next year will be the 175^th anniversary of our founding, so stay tuned to see how we celebrate then. Every year we honor our foundresses and express our gratitude to God and one another in several ways. Because our founding sisters shared their lunches with poor students, we do some form of sharing food. In our schools we share ice cream sandwiches, and in our convent homes we have a special meal. The liturgy of the hours in our congregational Notre Dame Prays office book includes antiphons from our foundresses’ letters and novice instructions. The prayers praise and thank our “good and provident God.” Join us in our gratitude. If you see a Sister of Notre Dame on October 1, wish her a “Happy Foundation Day!”