A Shared History Across Ten Congregations
The Heritage and Research Center preserves the archival collections of ten congregations of Catholic women religious across the Midwest and beyond.
For generations, these congregations have served their communities through ministries in education, healthcare, and social services. While they share a common faith tradition, each congregation has its own identity and charism. From creating ecclesiastical art to founding international schools, they've carried out a wide range of service.
HARC's collections document the stories of these distinct ministries and the women behind them. They include a rich array of materials, including documents, diaries, photographs, scrapbooks, and more.
Together, these collections offer a powerful record of leadership, service, and faith in action.
Preserving a Legacy of Faith and Service
Catholic women religious have shaped communities around the world through their leadership, caregiving, and advocacy. HARC's collections preserve the histories of ten congregations whose ministries and service have made a lasting impact.
Meet the Congregations
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
Founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1833, the sister moved to Dubuque, IA in 1843. The core values are freedom, charity, education and justice, and are “lived by the sisters and those with whom they work as they respond to critical human situations especially among women and the poor.”
Sisters of the Holy Cross
Founded in Le Mans, France in 1841, the sisters came to Notre Dame, IN in 1843. The core values are compassion, faith, prayer and community. The mission is “proclaiming God’s transforming love for all creation. Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern the needs of God’s people and our world, and respond as we are able.”
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA)
Founded in Barton, WI in 1858, the sisters moved to Fond du Lac, WI in 1870. The congregation “participate[s] in the mission of Christ by joyful service in the Church, always aware that we, too, are among the needy and are enriched by those we serve.”
Servants of Mary (The Servite Sisters)
Founded in Florence, Italy in 1233, the sisters came to Ladysmith, WI in 1912. The mission is “to be, like Mary, a compassionate presence in people's lives” with the hope “all may know the presence and love of God and live in harmony with creation.”
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (CPPS)
Founded in Steinerberg, Switzerland in 1845, the sisters came to O’Fallon, MO in 1875. The mission, “rooted in the Eucharist and personal prayer [is to] continue the mission of Jesus by striving to be, and to experience, Christ’s redeeming presence as we affirm and empower one another and those we serve, especially the poor.”
Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (OLVM)
Founded in Chicago in 1922, the sisters moved to Huntington, IN in 1924. The core values are hospitality, justice, simplicity and adaptability and the “charism is a Divine gift igniting men and women to serve in solidarity with God’s people, especially those marginalized by society.”
Sisters of St. Casimir
Founded in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania in 1907, the sisters moved to Chicago in 1911. The core values are spirituality, community, mission, and stewardship and the mission is to “journey toward the Gospel vision of a peaceful, loving, and just world.”
Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross
Founded in 1868 in Bay Settlement (now Green Bay), Wisconsin, the constitution and by-laws were approved in 1881. The mission is to “compassionately respond to the needs of our times through prayer, presence and hospitality.”
Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross
Founded in Ingenbohl, Switzerland in 1856, the sisters came to Dickinson ND in 1912 and in 1923 they established the provincial house and novitiate in Merrill, WI. As a Franciscan community of sisters seeking ongoing conversion of heart, the sisters embrace the mystery of the cross as they live gospel values. Faithful to the spirit of their founders, sisters respond to the needs of the time with mercy and compassion while creating possibilities for the future.
Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Sisters)
Founded in 1888 in Tivoli, Italy, the sisters came to Milwaukee, WI in 1895. The mission “is to make known the goodness and kindness of Jesus, Savior of the world, and to foster an awareness of a loving God among peoples in whatever place and by whatever means the Spirit of God inspires.”
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
Founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1833, the sister moved to Dubuque, IA in 1843. The core values are freedom, charity, education and justice, and are “lived by the sisters and those with whom they work as they respond to critical human situations especially among women and the poor.”
Sisters of the Holy Cross
Founded in Le Mans, France in 1841, the sisters came to Notre Dame, IN in 1843. The core values are compassion, faith, prayer and community. The mission is “proclaiming God’s transforming love for all creation. Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern the needs of God’s people and our world, and respond as we are able.”
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA)
Founded in Barton, WI in 1858, the sisters moved to Fond du Lac, WI in 1870. The congregation “participate[s] in the mission of Christ by joyful service in the Church, always aware that we, too, are among the needy and are enriched by those we serve.”
Servants of Mary (The Servite Sisters)
Founded in Florence, Italy in 1233, the sisters came to Ladysmith, WI in 1912. The mission is “to be, like Mary, a compassionate presence in people's lives” with the hope “all may know the presence and love of God and live in harmony with creation.”
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (CPPS)
Founded in Steinerberg, Switzerland in 1845, the sisters came to O’Fallon, MO in 1875. The mission, “rooted in the Eucharist and personal prayer [is to] continue the mission of Jesus by striving to be, and to experience, Christ’s redeeming presence as we affirm and empower one another and those we serve, especially the poor.”
Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (OLVM)
Founded in Chicago in 1922, the sisters moved to Huntington, IN in 1924. The core values are hospitality, justice, simplicity and adaptability and the “charism is a Divine gift igniting men and women to serve in solidarity with God’s people, especially those marginalized by society.”
Sisters of St. Casimir
Founded in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania in 1907, the sisters moved to Chicago in 1911. The core values are spirituality, community, mission, and stewardship and the mission is to “journey toward the Gospel vision of a peaceful, loving, and just world.”
Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross
Founded in 1868 in Bay Settlement (now Green Bay), Wisconsin, the constitution and by-laws were approved in 1881. The mission is to “compassionately respond to the needs of our times through prayer, presence and hospitality.”
Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross
Founded in Ingenbohl, Switzerland in 1856, the sisters came to Dickinson ND in 1912 and in 1923 they established the provincial house and novitiate in Merrill, WI. As a Franciscan community of sisters seeking ongoing conversion of heart, the sisters embrace the mystery of the cross as they live gospel values. Faithful to the spirit of their founders, sisters respond to the needs of the time with mercy and compassion while creating possibilities for the future.
Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Sisters)
Founded in 1888 in Tivoli, Italy, the sisters came to Milwaukee, WI in 1895. The mission “is to make known the goodness and kindness of Jesus, Savior of the world, and to foster an awareness of a loving God among peoples in whatever place and by whatever means the Spirit of God inspires.”
Begin Your Research
Step into the past with HARC's collections of documents, photographs, diaries, and more. These records uncover the often-unseen histories and impact of women religious from the ten congregations. You'll also learn more about the communities they served in the United States, Argentina, India, Nicaragua, and many other places around the world.
Access the Digital Collections
Jump right in and explore digitized documents from your home.
Research the Collection
Visit us in person on the campus of Saint Mary's College to access archival materials and primary sources. Our archivists are ready to support you and help you find the right sources for your project.
