History of the Sisters
of Notre Dame in Peru
“You are not meant to be confined to a single diocese; No, Mother Julia, your vocation is to go to the whole world.” Prophetic words spoken by Maurice-Jean de Brooglie, Bishop of Ghent, to Mother Julia in 1809. “The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind excessively fine.”
In 1969, the year of St. Julia’s canonization, a Sister of Notre Dame, Sr. Marie Julie Álvarez, was invited to go to Negritos in the North of Peru (Piura). In August 1970, she started to realize her dream for Peru. Three SNDdeNs from the British Province arrived in Lima on their way to Negritos: Sisters Julia Álvarez, Teresa Hartley and Marie Thompson. Their first ministry was to help with catechesis in the parish and later to teach religion in the schools. Meanwhile, the parish priest of Cristo Rey, Fr. Martin O’ Grady, wasted no time and showed the sisters the needs that existed in the archdiocese of Piura, which allowed the sisters to continue with the mission.
In 1974 two sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, along with four sisters from San José de la Apparición with whom we lived in Negritos, arrived in Tambogrande, to the San Andrés parish. The needs were many and there were no structures in place to reach out to the population of the rural district, currently comprised of more than 180 hamlets.
In 1978, Sisters Mary Kilpatrick and Agnes Szraga began working in Lima with the Fe y Alegria #34 School and in Tambogrande with health care and pastoral care.
We collaborate with the Ministry of Health and the local parish providing services in physical and mental health as well as accompaniment in the faith for individuals and families.
On December 12, 1981 we were recognized as a region, approved by the General Government. Sisters from other countries continue to come to support the Mission in Peru. In 2021, the SNDdeNs serving in Peru from other Provinces returned to their Provinces of origin. In 2022, the Congregational Leadership Team of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur designated Peru as a Community Organized for Mission (COfM).
Sister Juana Rivera in her Ministries as a Technical Nurse in the Tambogrande post and in the pastoral preparation of pastoral agents of catechesis in families in the rural area.
Sister Juana Jaqueline in her Ministry as a Primary Education teacher at the Fe y Alegría 34 school and in her support of ANODAN youth (Notre Dame Adolescents)
Sister Iris in her support of the Fe y Alegría 34 School, providing support to young people and teachers.