This month marks the 180th anniversary of the founding of the IHM Congregation. 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.
As they celebrate this milestone, the IHM Sisters remain unwavering in their commitment to love, service and transformation. Their legacy is one of courageous adaptability and spiritual depth — a testament to nearly two centuries of working with others to bring healing, justice and education to the world. This is a season of rejoicing and remembrance, a time to be grateful for past gifts and hopeful for a brighter future.
Even as time goes on, some activities, places and values remain consistent in the Sisters’ lives and ministries. From now until our Founders Day, Nov. 10, the Archives will feature a weekly look at some of those enduring elements.
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
180 years of … Others
180 years of … Children
180 years of … Construction
180 years of … Learning
180 years of … Change
180 years of … High Expectations
180 years of … Formidable Women
180 years of … Artists
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.