Sisters of Notre Dame

History & origins

The Guide to the Catholic Church in Korea records 1 October 1850 as the founding date of the Sisters of Notre Dame to which the present Korean province belongs, and 7 July 1967 as the date of entry into Korea. The Korean mission began with three missionary sisters sent from Germany and with Korean sisters who completed their initial formation in Europe that same year. The invitation and support of Bishop John Choi Jae-seon, then bishop of Busan, formed an important background to this beginning.

After the first period of settlement, the Korean community expanded its work of formation and education. A novitiate was established in 1973, opening a more systematic period of formation for Korean candidates, and in 1975 the sisters assumed responsibility for Parkmun Girls’ Middle and High Schools in Incheon. Even earlier, from 1968 to 1971, they provided educational programs for young urban workers, extending their educational charism beyond formal schools to social needs.

A development directly connected with Gyesan-dong began after 1987, when the sisters established an educational center there to provide vocational training and support for young people with disabilities. In 1998 the institution was reorganized in response to changing needs and became the Notre Dame Welfare Center. The present provincial motherhouse and related works in Gyesan-dong can thus be understood within a history that expanded from the early educational mission in Korea into social welfare and a broader range of spiritual and educational apostolates.