Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
EstablishedNovember 10, 1845; 178 years ago (November 10, 1845)
FoundersTheresa Maxis Duchemin, IHM
Louis Florent Gillet, CSsR
TypeCentralized Religious Institute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right (for Women)
PurposeCommitted to proclaiming the Gospel message in the spirit of Jesus the Redeemer
Location
  • 2300 Adams Ave, Scranton PA 610 West Elm Avenue, Monroe, Michigan. USA
Members (2017)
300
Superior General
Sr. Ellen Maroney, IHM
Post-nominal initials
IHM
AffiliationsRoman Catholic
Websitewww.ihmsisters.org

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.) is a Catholic religious institute of sisters, founded in 1845 by Fr. Louis Florent Gillet, CSsR, and Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin, a co-founder of the Oblate Sister of Providence.

Via their first Superior, Mother Duchemin, they were the first predominantly White order founded by a Black Catholic (though the order hid this fact for 160 years).[1]

Founded (and still headquartered) in Monroe, Michigan, the sisters originally began as teachers. They have since added ministries of: pastoral care in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care settings; parish ministry and outreach to poor communities and individuals in need; social services; working with those with AIDS; providing spiritual direction and retreats; advocacy efforts; programs and services for older adults in a variety of settings; and working to improve the environment.

The IHM is divided among three separate congregations. The Motherhouse currently houses more than 200 sisters, more than 100 of whom are aging and require supportive care.

  1. ^ Araujo-Hawkins, Dawn (2015-09-03). "Sharing a co-founder, IHM and Oblate sisters work on 20-year reconciliation". Global Sisters Report. Retrieved 2020-11-21.