On Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, we celebrated the 180th anniversary of the founding of the IHM Congregation. IHM Sisters, Associates and employees gathered in the Chapel for vespers, a beautiful service of evening prayer and thanksgiving. President Maxine Kollasch offered a reflection. From hymn-singing to the Magnificat, it was a moment to honor our founders and the spirit that continues to guide us today. Afterward, we shared light appetizers and conversation, a simple, joy-filled way to be together in gratitude.
Throughout these many decades, the IHM Sisters have steadfastly answered the call to educate, uplift and advocate for justice across generations and geographies. From humble beginnings along the River Raisin, the IHM Sisters expanded their mission throughout the U.S. and across the world. While known for their distinctive blue habits and their presence in countless classrooms, their story is not just one of education — it is one of evolving service rooted in faith. Guided by their mission to “work with others to build a culture of peace and right relationship among ourselves, with the Church and with the whole Earth community,” the Sisters have embraced ministries in social work, hospital chaplaincy, parish life and justice advocacy. Through the years, they have walked alongside refugees, offered pastoral care and provided counseling to those most in need.
Even as time moves forward, some activities, places, and values remain constant in the Sisters’ lives and ministries. The Archives recently shared glimpses of these enduring elements to celebrate this milestone.
180 years of … Classrooms
First grade at St. Mary School, Wayne, Michigan, Oct. 25, 1950
Sister Carolina Diez de Andino with students at the Universidad Politecnica in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, 2015
180 years of … Community
St. Teresa of Avila, patron of the IHMs, set the tone with her words, “In this house all must be friends. All must be held dear. All must be helped.”
Gathering brings celebration in front of the Motherhouse, 1967
Sisters (left to right) Margaret (Benedicta) Brennan, Dorothy (Mary Seton) Diederichs, Mary Ann (Marie Andrew) Untener, Anne (Ann Jerome) Crane, Jean (Incarnita) Burbo and Marge (Ann Gregory) McFarland, 2001
180 years of … Advocacy
: IHM Sisters are seated throughout the crowd for a demonstration at Navin Field in Detroit against a state amendment to close parochial schools, 1920
Sisters Mary Elaine Anderson, Rose Patrice Kuhn and Carmen Armenta Lara distribute backpacks with school supplies to immigrant children on the U.S.-Mexico border, 2025
180 years of … Spunk
IHM Sisters clearly enjoy a chance to ice skate and dance in modified habit on Lake Ontario, 1968.
Sisters Cyprian Maurer (left) and Margaret Mary (Mary Elmer) Gautherat, Maggie Valley, N.C., sometime after 1969.
Sister Sandra Schneiders finishes a 7½-mile run in San Francisco, 1997.
180 years of … Others
Sisters set the record for the most pints given – 96 – at a Red Cross blood drive in Monroe in 1958.
Sister Mary Agnes (John Michael) Ryan works a Habitat for Humanity build, 2002.
180 years of … Children
Sister Jean Ann Healy on the playground at Holy Redeemer School, 1964.
Sister Angela Therese Meram leads children through a Dramakinetics workshop at Fitzgerald Public School, Detroit, circa 1974.
Sister Martha (Martha Marie) Rabaut in Natal, South Africa, 1976.
180 years of … Construction
Workmen and their horse-drawn wagon built St. Mary’s College and Academy from the ground up, 1904.
IHM Leadership Council in hard hats during the renovation of the Motherhouse are Sisters Anne (Judith Mary) Crimmins, Paula (Marie Paula) Cooney, Janet (Ann Rita) Ryan, Barbara (Bernard Joseph) Weigand, Virginia Pfau, Fran (Peter Damien) Mlocek, Carolyn (William Mary) Campbell and Mary Katherine (Michael Andrew) Hamilton, 2002.
180 years of … Learning
Sister Ambrosia Fitzgerald’s University of Michigan student ID, 1931-32; she received her Ph.D in physics the following year.
Sister Lisandra Pedraza Burgos, the 80th IHM to earn a doctorate, received her Ph.D in education from The Ohio State University, 2006.
180 years of … Change
After more than 100 years in the long traditional habit, Sisters were allowed to choose a new style, 1968
Ownership of the IHM Motherhouse and campus is transferred to representatives of Saint Therese Communities; shown here is Craig Abbott, Saint Therese CEO, addressing the sisters in the Maxis Community room, 2023.
180 years of … High Expectations
Sister Gertrude Gerretsen was one of the Sisters who received a copy of the revised Rule and Constitution for the IHMs as published by Detroit Bishop Lefevere; he ordered 300 copies to be printed even though there were only 17 Sisters at the time, 1861.
Apparently, Bishop Lefevere would not have been surprised, then, to see this Eucharist Procession of Sisters, 1933.
180 years of … Formidable Women
From 1845 through today, 2,359 women have contributed to the establishment, longevity, and fruitfulness of this congregation. Each era provides challenges and opportunities, and Sisters tackle their own times together. Each person’s role or ministry supports the whole and is necessary and valued. This photo is notable for the length and breadth of leadership it represents. Through three terms as Mothers Superior – 36 years – they carried forward the most extensive building program in IHM history, expanded missions and established one of the largest farming operations in the county. This photo was taken in 1955. The three Superiors (left to right) with their years of leadership in parentheses, are Mothers Anna Marie Grix (1954-1966), Teresa McGivney (1942-1954) and Ruth Hankerd (1930-1942). With them is Sister Miriam Raymo. She served as congregational treasurer from 1924-1948, and oversaw the operation of St. Mary Farms and the building of the Motherhouse, St. Mary Academy, the Motherhouse Chapel and Marygrove College.
180 years of … Artists
Pink flowers by Mother Mary Joseph Walker, 19th century.
Sisters in chapel by Sister John Louise Leahy, 20th century.
The Holy Trinity by Nancy Lee (Philippine) Smith, 21st century.
180 years of … New Ground
Sister Mary Frederick Galbraith was principal of Our Lady of Lourdes in River Rouge, Mich., when community members urged her to run for public office; she was the first woman elected to the city council in River Rouge, 1972.
Sisters Julie Vieira (second from right) and Maxine Kollasch (second from left) created A Nun’s Life online ministry; here they interview Sisters Marie Gabriel Hungerman (left) and Joyce (Rose Anthony) Durosko (right), 2010.
180 years of … Faith
IHM co-founder Father Louis Gillet wrote toward the end of his life: “I began… without concerning myself too much about the future of that nascent work, leaving to God alone the care of blessing it….”
Confident in God’s provision, the Sisters dared to begin building a new 600,000-square-foot brick Motherhouse and Academy complex during the Great Depression in 1932.
Confident in God’s provision, the Sisters continue to pray for the rebirth of St. Mary Academy, 20 years after its closure, 2025.
In their 180th year, the IHM Sisters are sharing their gratitude with the many communities they continue to love and serve. May they stand as a beacon of hope, continuing to inspire new generations to build peace and right relationship—in classrooms, communities and across the Earth.