WAA History

A Legacy Rooted in Faith, Creativity, and Courage

The story of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) in California and Mexico is one marked by both strengths and struggles in responding to the signs of the times, the challenges of being an international apostolic congregation, and the Church’s evolving understanding of mission. Inspired by the founding vision of Father Jean Gailhac and Mère St. Jean Cure-Pélissier in 19th-century France, the RSHM began in Béziers, serving the most vulnerable, prostituted women and orphans, and carried that same spirit of compassion and courage across oceans and generations.

• 1877: The First RSHM Foundation in the United States – In 1877, at the invitation of American philanthropist Sarah Worthington King Peter, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary crossed the Atlantic to establish their first foundation in the United States. Sarah Peter, a prominent Catholic convert and advocate for education and religious life, had encountered the RSHM during her travels in Europe and was deeply inspired by their commitment to education and social justice. Recognizing the need for Catholic education in the growing immigrant communities of New York, she invited the Institute to establish a presence in the Diocese of Brooklyn (which then included Long Island and eastern New York).

On March 15, 1877, Mother Basil Davis and six Irish sisters arrived in Sag Harbor, New York. They began teaching in the parochial school of St. Andrew’s Parish, offering instruction in both secular and religious subjects. The sisters quickly expanded their ministry to include a pay day school, a night school for working women, and catechetical instruction for youth and adults. This foundation laid the groundwork for the RSHM’s enduring legacy in Catholic education across the United States, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Eastern and Western American Provinces.

• 1922: The origins of Marymount education in the Western United States began with a letter in 1922 from Bishop John Cantwell of Los Angeles to Reverend Mother Joseph Butler, inviting the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary to establish a school in his rapidly growing diocese. With the encouragement of Jesuit Father Terence Shealy and approval from Mother St. Constance, Superior General of the Institute, Mother Butler and her assistant, Mother Gerard, visited California and agreed to found a school.

Los Angeles, California.

• 1923: First Marymount in the West, Twenty- Eighth Street – A property at 814 West 28th Street was acquired through a loan arranged by Bishop Cantwell. In June 1923, the first community arrived from Tarrytown and Europe, including Mother Cecilia Rafter as superior, Mother Benedict Murphy, Mother Monica Lyng, Sister Bernadette Murphy, Mother Gertrude Cain, Sister Kevin Russell, and Mother Catherine de Sienne Purcell. The school opened on September 24, 1923, with a modest enrollment of six students. Over time, Marymount School at 28th Street became known for its academic strength, spiritual formation, and growing student body.

• 1928: Marymount School accredited by the University of California – In 1928, just five years after its founding, Marymount School on 28th Street achieved a major academic milestone: formal accreditation by the University of California. This recognition affirmed the academic rigor and high standards of the school’s curriculum, particularly in subjects such as English, History, and the Sciences.

As the years passed, it was apparent that the population was definitely moving in a westerly direction and it became increasingly difficult for the pupils to make the long journey across the city. Aside from this changing condition, the estate which had served adequately for the beginning years was now too small to accommodate the number applying for admission. It was time to consider a new move. On the western outskirts of the city a site was found.

Guided by faith and zeal, the RSHM expanded in the west:

Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, construction was completed, and in 1931 Marymount relocated to Sunset Boulevard in Westwood. This move marked the beginning of a new era for Marymount education in California, positioning the RSHM as pioneers of Catholic education in the West, committed to forming women of faith, leadership, and academic excellence.

• 1931: Marymount School, Los Angeles – In response to the growing needs of Catholic education in Los Angeles, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary relocated their original school on 28th Street to a new property on Sunset Boulevard in Westwood in 1931. That year, the ground was blessed, and construction began with the dedication ceremony attended by Mother Butler and Mother Gerard. By September 1932, Marymount School, Los Angeles officially opened its doors in Westwood. The school offered a comprehensive curriculum that integrated the arts, languages, and culture with academic disciplines, reflecting the RSHM’s commitment to holistic education. Continuing the mission of the original foundation, the school served primarily upper-middle and upper-class families. It was organized into two divisions: an elementary school (grades 1–8) and a high school (grades 9–12), establishing Marymount Westwood as a prominent center for RSHM education in California.

Today, Marymount High School, Los Angeles remains a vital member of the Global Network of RSHM Schools, committed to forming students in the RSHM values of justice, internationality, compassion, faith, and zeal, always seeking “That all may have life, life to the full.”

Though the Westwood campus spanned only seven and a half acres, hardly sufficient for expansion; it could not contain the growing hopes of its students. Many, deeply inspired by their experience and the guidance of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, longed to continue their education within the same nurturing and faith-filled environment.

• 1933: Marymount College, Westwood – On September 24, 1933, just two years after relocating to Westwood, Marymount Junior College opened modestly, with one of the convent bedrooms repurposed as a classroom. Growth was gradual, as the college faced competition from two nearby Catholic institutions. Nonetheless, the sisters persevered in their educational mission, and on July 7, 1948, Marymount was officially granted its charter as a four-year college.

Montecito, Central California.

The influence of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary soon extended beyond the city of Los Angeles. Approximately one hundred miles to the north lies Montecito, a small, primarily residential community. At the time, anti-Catholic sentiment was prevalent in the region, and although the Catholic population was small, the bishop was eager to establish a Catholic presence. In response to his request, the RSHM agreed to found a new mission in Montecito, helping to introduce and strengthen Catholic influence in the area.

• 1938: Marymount School, Montecito – In June 1938, Reverend Mother Cecilia Rafter led the foundation of Marymount in Montecito, a region celebrated for its natural beauty and artistic sensibilities. A remodeled home was prepared to serve as both convent and school, and on September 8, 1938, the new Marymount was officially dedicated. Classes began soon after with 17 students enrolled from grades 4 through 11, many of whom were from non-Catholic backgrounds. True to the RSHM spirit, the school nurtured each student to grow into the person God was calling them to be, honoring diversity and fostering respect for other faith traditions. However, after four years, it became clear that the Montecito location would not be sustainable for the long-term vision of the school.

Studio City, San Fernando Valley – Greater Los Angeles Area.

To the north of the sprawling city of Los Angeles lies the expansive San Fernando Valley, which in 1941 was characterized by wide open spaces, ranch homes, orchards, farmland, and small, scattered towns. Absent were the towering skyscrapers, dense business districts, and tangled freeways that would later define urban life; instead, the Valley retained a quiet, pastoral beauty. At that time, Catholic schools were scarce, and in response to a growing need for Catholic education in this peaceful and undeveloped region, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary were invited to found a school, one that would become a cornerstone of their educational mission in Southern California.

• 1941: Corvallis High School, Studio City – In response to Archbishop John Cantwell’s vision for Catholic education in the San Fernando Valley, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary were invited to establish the region’s first Catholic girls’ high school. In 1941, they purchased property on Laurel Canyon Boulevard and named the school Corvallis, meaning “heart of the valley.” The school opened that September with 24 students, taught by sisters who commuted daily from Marymount Westwood.

The pioneering faculty included Mother Aquinas Brown, who served as the founding principal, alongside Mother de Sales Connor, Mother Gregory Naddy, and Mother Philip Hickey. Together, they created a nurturing academic and spiritual environment, rooted in the RSHM charism of faith, zeal, and compassion. By September 1943, Corvallis was fully accredited, enrollment had grown to 70 students, and the school celebrated its first graduating class of 14 young women. In 1947, a convent was established on-site, allowing the sisters to live closer to the growing community they faithfully served.

In 1981, following the departure of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school formerly known as Corvallis High School was leased to a lay Board of Directors and reopened under the new name Our Lady of Corvallis, continuing its mission of Catholic education under lay leadership.

Santa Barbara, Central California.

• 1941: Marymount School, Santa Barbara – The year 1941 was a turning point in the history of Marymount School, Santa Barbara, with the acquisition of the Mission Ridge Road property, an expansive site that would become the school’s permanent home. Originally founded in 1938 in Montecito under the leadership of Reverend Mother Cecilia Rafter, along with founding sisters Mother Aidan Keating, Mother Evangelist McGuckin, Madame Brendan Keaney, and Sister Bernadette Murphy, the school had quickly outgrown its first location.

Recognizing the potential for growth, the RSHM secured the Santa Barbara property, which offered greater space for classrooms, residential facilities, and outdoor activities. The formal relocation in 1945 allowed Marymount to flourish as both a day and boarding school rooted in Catholic values, academic excellence, and internationality. In 1948, the opening of Cor Maria dormitory, named in honor of the Sacred Heart of Mary, enabled the school to welcome 65 boarding students, extending its reach to young women from across California and beyond. Further establishing Marymount Santa Barbara as a center of academic excellence and spiritual formation.

Montebello, Greater Los Angeles Area.

• 1942: Sacred Heart of Mary High School, Montebello – Responding to Archbishop Cantwell’s urgent appeal, the RSHM established a Catholic high school for girls in East Los Angeles, an underserved area with a rapidly growing Catholic population. On June 1, 1942, they acquired land and relocated a former dormitory building from the nearby Oneata Academy onto the property, converting it into temporary classrooms. These humble beginnings marked the start of a new mission. The founding community of sisters included Madame Emmanuel Gallagher, Madame Aloysius Murray, Madame Monica Corrigan, and Madame Dorothy Wayland, who commuted daily from Marymount Westwood, 20 miles each way to teach and build the school community with zeal and compassion. Despite the challenges, enrollment grew steadily, and by 1956, a new school building was constructed, providing a permanent home for 450 students.

In 1991, Sacred Heart of Mary, consolidated with Cantwell High School (named after the Archbishop), a nearby Catholic boys’ school founded by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1946. The newly formed coeducational Catholic secondary school, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School (CSHM), continues the legacy of both communities, rooted in Catholic education and service. Today, CSHM is a proud member of the RSHM Global Network of Schools, connecting it to institutions around the world that share a commitment to justice, compassion, and the vision “that all may have life, and have it to the full.”

• 1945: St. Alphonsus School, East Los Angeles – With the Sacred Heart of Mary High School established in Montebello, Fr. O’Dowd who had been instrumental in this foundation turned his attention to the need for an elementary school. The two other parochial schools in the district were inadequate to take care of the thousands of children in this heavily populated area. So the newly-erected school, was staffed by the RSHM and opened to admit 800 children. This school became the largest elementary school in the Archdiocese, reaching a peak of eleven hundred in the early ’50’s, the largest elementary school in the Archdiocese.

• 1945: Sacred Heart of Mary Convent, Montebello – In 1945, the RSHM established the Sacred Heart of Mary Convent in Montebello, California, to provide a permanent residence for the sisters who had been commuting daily from Westwood to teach at Sacred Heart of Mary High School since 1942. The first community included Rev. Mother de Sales Connor, Mother Emmanuel Gallagher, Mother Philomena McDaid, Mother Mercedes Cunningham, and others. The convent became a vibrant hub for RSHM educational and pastoral ministry in East Los Angeles, serving a rapidly growing Catholic population and anchoring the RSHM presence in the region for decades. The convent not only supported the high school but also housed sisters ministering at nearby St. Alphonsus School and parish.

• 1947: Opening of Corvallis Convent – In 1947 the Corvallis Convent opened in Studio City to support the growing needs of Corvallis High School, which had been founded in 1941. Until then, sisters had commuted daily from Marymount Westwood to teach at the school. The new convent provided a permanent residence for the sisters, Rev. Mother Cecilia Rafter, Mother Aidan Keating, Mother Bernard Thornton, Mother Philip Hickey, Mother Gabriel McCauley, and Mother Johanna Renehan; fostering a deeper sense of community and stability. This development marked a significant step in strengthening the RSHM’s educational mission in the San Fernando Valley, reinforcing their commitment to justice, compassion, and spiritual formation through Catholic education.

Brentwood, Greater Los Angeles Area.

By the 1940s, the Marymount campus in Westwood had grown into a bustling center of education, housing three distinct institutions: an elementary school for children ages six to thirteen, a high school for adolescents, and a junior college that awarded the Associate in Arts Degree to students completing a two-year post secondary program. However, the rapid expansion brought challenges. The campus was limited in both space and facilities, and accrediting bodies increasingly viewed the co-location of elementary and college-level programs as problematic. It became clear to the RSHM leadership that a new site was urgently needed to support the continued growth and academic credibility of Marymount’s mission.

• 1948: Marymount Junior School, Brentwood – In 1948, the Marymount Junior School relocated from Westwood to 12001 Sunset Boulevard in the scenic neighborhood of Brentwood. The new location offered ample space for children to play, dance, perform, and swim, supporting a well-rounded educational experience. The RSHM who taught at the school continued to reside at the Westwood campus, forming one unified community with the faculties of the high school and Junior College. With a strong academic program serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school flourished for decades. After 70 years of excellence in education, Marymount Junior School, Los Angeles closed its doors in June 1993.

1948: Marymount College Granted a Charter – On July 7, 1948, Marymount College in Westwood, Los Angeles, was officially granted a charter to become a four-year institution of higher education. This milestone marked a significant expansion of the RSHM’s educational mission in California, building on their strong foundation in secondary and junior college education. With the charter, Marymount College began conferring bachelor’s degrees, positioning itself among leading Catholic institutions for women.

Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley – Greater Los Angeles Area.

• 1949: St. Francis de Sales Parochial School, Sherman Oaks – In the heart of the San Fernando Valley, just a short distance from Studio City, lies the growing city of Sherman Oaks. Following the strong reputation established by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary at Corvallis High School, the pastor of the newly formed St. Francis de Sales Parish requested that the RSHM staff his parish’s new elementary school. The demand for Catholic education was so high that parents registered their children shortly after birth to ensure future placement.

The school opened in 1949 with a dedicated founding RSHM faculty: Mother M. Wilfred Stewart, Sister Rose Marie O’Connell, Sister Fibronie Cooney, and Sister Gabriel Hayes. Their presence established a vibrant learning environment rooted in academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to the local community. The RSHM brought to St. Francis de Sales their enduring values of justice, faith, zeal, collaboration, and compassion, creating a nurturing and formative environment that reflected the RSHM’s global vision and commitment to “That all may have life, life to the full.”

Palos Verdes Peninsula, Greater Los Angeles Area.

About twenty-five miles southwest of Marymount Westwood lies the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a sweeping stretch of land overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In the 1950s, this region remained largely undeveloped, scattered homes, no business centers, and notably, no Catholic school. Yet its natural beauty and proximity to Los Angeles signaled great potential for growth. As families increasingly moved westward, the Peninsula was poised to become a thriving residential community.

By then, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary had earned a strong reputation for excellence in Catholic education. Seeing this as an opportunity to expand their mission, a benefactor approached the RSHM with an offer: twenty-one acres of prime land at a remarkably low cost, encouraging the sisters to establish a new foundation. Recognizing the spiritual and educational need in this promising area, the Archbishop strongly supported the endeavor. With vision and courage, the RSHM accepted the invitation, laying the groundwork for what would become Marymount Palos Verdes.

• 1951: Marymount School, Palos Verdes – Groundbreaking took place on March 17, 1951, and was blessed by Bishop Timothy Manning in the presence of distinguished guests including Rev. Mother M. Gerard (Superior General), Rev. Mother Baptiste (Assistant General), Rev. Mother Gertrude Cain, and Mother Cecilia Rafter, who was appointed the founding superior. The first community also included Mother Françoise O’Hare, Mother Leonard Cullo, Mother Donald Guarino, Sister Attracta O’Brien, Mother Rose de Lima O’Connell, and Mother Kieran McHugh. The school opened its doors in September 1952, welcoming fifty pioneering students in grades one through ten. The vision was ambitious: to create a combined high school and junior school that mirrored the RSHM’s hallmark blend of academic excellence, spiritual formation, and global awareness. In June 1956, Marymount Palos Verdes celebrated its first high school graduates, a class of fifteen young women prepared to carry the RSHM charism into the world. Enrollment rapidly grew. By the fall of 1956, 136 students were enrolled in the high school and 237 in the junior school, prompting successive expansions of campus facilities. The beautiful coastal setting, coupled with a reputation for rigorous education and moral formation, attracted families from across the South Bay. Over time, Marymount Palos Verdes would become not just a school but a vibrant educational community that formed hearts and minds in the RSHM tradition.

North Hollywood, San Fernando Valley – Greater Los Angeles Area.

• 1952: St. Patrick’s Parochial School, North Hollywood – In 1952, as the San Fernando Valley experienced rapid suburban growth, a new parish St. Patrick’s in North Hollywood, was established less than ten miles from Corvallis High School. Despite a shortage of personnel, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary agreed to staff the new elementary school, responding to the Church’s pressing call for Catholic education in the area. St. Patrick’s School opened its doors to a largely middle-class population, including former ranch owners and skilled workers. As the neighborhood evolved over the following decades, the school’s student body shifted to reflect the area’s growing working-class and lower-middle-class demographics. Throughout these changes, the RSHM remained steadfast in their mission, providing a solid Catholic education and serving as a spiritual and educational anchor in the community.

Originally, the teachers of both St. Francis de Sales and St. Patrick’s schools formed one community with the faculty at Corvallis High School and resided in the convent in Studio City. Eventually the pastors built convents, one in 1965 for the teachers in St. Francis de Sales, the second in 1966 for those in St. Patrick’s. Both became separate communities.

The RSHM built a trilogy of foundations in the San Fernando Valley, where they fostered an environment where students could grow not only academically, but also spiritually and socially, shaping well-rounded individuals prepared to contribute meaningfully to the world. Their presence in the schools was more than administrative or instructional; it was a steady, nurturing force that imbued daily life with warmth, encouragement, and a living example of faith in action. Through their commitment and quiet constancy, the sisters created communities where young people felt seen, guided, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

San Jose, Santa Clara Valley – Northern California.

During the following decade, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary expanded their mission into Northern California, marking a significant extension of their apostolate into the Archdiocese of San Francisco. South of the metropolis, approximately thirty miles, lies the fertile Santa Clara Valley, home to the growing city of San Jose. It was here, in this dynamic and rapidly developing region, that the first northern foundation was established, laying the groundwork for a lasting RSHM presence in the heart of Silicon Valley.

• 1955: St. Martin’s of Tours, Parochial School and Convent, San Jose – St. Martin of Tours was the first RSHM foundation in Northern California, established in response to the population boom in Santa Clara Valley. Under the leadership of Rev. Mother Wilfred Stewart, the school opened on September 12, 1955 with four teaching sisters and a lay instructor. Despite temporary housing and modest beginnings, the school quickly became known for its academic excellence, spiritual formation, and sense of community. St. Martin’s was the anchor for RSHM educational ministry in the region and the launchpad for later expansions. The school began with 250 students and grew over the next few years, adding a class each year. 

Santa Barbara, Central California.

• 1956: First Novitiate in the West, opens in Santa Barbara – The Novitiate of the RSHM in Santa Barbara, California, was established in 1956 at 945 Tremonto Road. It served as the formative house for young women entering the congregation in the Western American Area (WAA). Under the guidance of Mother M. Celine Cripps, the novitiate provided spiritual formation, community life, and academic training rooted in the RSHM charism of “knowing and making God known and loved.” A chapel and new residential wing were added in 1967 to support the growing number of novices. The novitiate played a key role in the life of the province, nurturing vocations during a period of vibrant expansion across California and Mexico. The final novitiate group completed their formation in Santa Barbara in 1969, after which novitiate formation was reorganized. The Tremonto Road property later housed other ministries, including a Prayer Center and the WAA Retirement Community. The Santa Barbara Novitiate remains a significant chapter in the history of the RSHM’s presence and mission in the Western United States.

Cupertino, Santa Clara Valley – Northern California.

• 1956: St. Joseph of Cupertino School, Cupertino – Born from persistent requests by local clergy, St. Joseph of Cupertino School opened its doors on September 10, 1956. Mother Philip Joyce was appointed principal, assisted by a small but devoted staff. The sisters commuted from the Hedding Street residence in San Jose until 1966, when a convent was completed on-site. Known for its family spirit and dedication to holistic education, the school flourished alongside the region’s rapid suburban growth. It became a vibrant symbol of the RSHM commitment to forming children in faith and academic rigor. The vast majority of pupils came from the middle class and professional groups: doctors, lawyers, dentists, teachers.

International expansion into Mexico.

Internationality is also a gift from RSHM origins… Marymount celebrates diversity, fosters cultural sensitivity, religious understanding, and a global perspective.

In 1957, a valuable piece of property in Cuernavaca, Mexico, a beautiful city located just an hour by car from Mexico City, was offered to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, on the condition that a school would be established on the site. At the time, a number of alumnae from RSHM institutions in both the Eastern and Western United States were living in Mexico City. They expressed a strong desire for a school where their children could continue their education under the guidance of the same Religious who had shaped their own formation, without the need for their daughters to travel abroad.

In October 1957, Sister Audrey (Renée) Rushton and Sister Margaret Mary Allen were sent to Cuernavaca to begin laying the groundwork. They were soon joined by Reverend Mother Dolorita Mooney, Madame Consilia D’Avila, Sister Madonna Diaz, and Sister Guadalupe Armenta. The sisters initially lived in a small house, and within days of their arrival, eighteen mothers came to register their daughters. By December 1957, the sisters had secured a house overlooking the city.

• 1958: Marymount School, Cuernavaca, Mexico – In February 1958, classes began with 35 students and four faculty. The following year, a hacienda on Rancho Tetela was acquired, ten acres of land with a well and reservoir. This became the permanent site for Marymount Cuernavaca. A new wing was added for classrooms and boarding facilities, allowing the school to grow steadily in enrollment and reputation. Initially, it was a primary school for both boys and girls. Marymount Cuernavaca became known for its strong academic foundation and commitment to cultural sensitivity, faith formation, and global awareness. The boarding program closed in the late 1980s, and the school became coeducational in 1993. In 2007, the Chapultepec Campus opened to serve nursery through elementary students.

Today, Marymount Cuernavaca remains a vital member of the Global Network of RSHM Schools, committed to forming students in the RSHM values of justice, internationality, compassion, faith, and zeal, always seeking “That all may have life, life to the full.”

San Jose, Santa Clara Valley – Northern California.

With the growth of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the rapid development of the Santa Clara Valley a high school became a necessity so that the education of the children from the numerous elementary schools in San Jose and the surrounding cities might be continued under catholic auspices

• 1959: Mother Butler Memorial High School, San Jose – Named in honor of RSHM leader Mother Joseph Butler, the school opened its doors in September 1959 as the first Catholic girls’ high school staffed by the RSHM in San Jose. The 25-acre property, once a working orchard, was purchased in 1958 and developed with the support of community leaders, including Fr. William Butler, and other local benefactors. The RSHM constructed a modern facility to meet the educational and spiritual needs of young women in the region.

Led first by Rev. Mother Wilfred Stewart, who had previously been principal of St. Martin of Tours School, the new high school quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence. The founding faculty included Sr. Gretta (Principal), Sr. Eileen Touhy (Librarian), Sr. Theresa Cunningham (Business), and Sr. Laura Siebert (English and Latin), along with lay staff in French, Spanish, music, and physical education. In 1961, Rev. Mother Francoise O’Hare became principal and superior, strengthening the school’s academic reputation, extracurricular offerings, and parent engagement. Under her leadership, the school gained accolades in the arts, language, and forensics, and became a hub of community involvement through the Mother Butler Guild and Gailhac Men’s Club. Despite its success, changing demographics and financial constraints, MBM closed in 1972 with students continuing at Archbishop Mitty and St. Lawrence High Schools.

• 1959: California Area becomes a Province – The RSHM formally established the California area as a distinct Province within the Institute. The new California Province was officially named on August 22, 1959, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This milestone reflected the significant growth of RSHM ministries in the western United States, particularly in Catholic education. The first Provincial Council was led by Reverend Mother Gertrude Cain, with councilors Reverend Mother Emmanuel Gallagher, Mother M. Gregory Naddy, and Mother M. Carmelita Elliott. The Provincial residence (Provincialate) was initially located at Marymount, Westwood, and later moved to Palos Verdes Estates in 1960. This structural shift marked a new chapter of local governance and expansion for the RSHM mission in the West.

Metropolitan Los Angeles.

• 1959: Christ The King Parochial School, Los Angeles – The last school to be opened in Los Angeles was a parochial school in the parish of Christ the King, within commuting distance of Marymount, Westwood for RSHM Sisters staffing the school. The Cardinal could find no Sisters to staff this new school and he appealed urgently to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. When the school building was ready in 1958, the RSHM sisters, under the direction of Mother Adrian, taught the initial classes alongside one lay teacher. In 1959, the school opened with the school only had five grades and an enrollment of 116 students. The RSHM ensured the school had a strong foundation.

Palos Verdes Peninsula, Greater Los Angeles Area.

• 1960: Marymount College moves to Palos Verdes – In response to the growing enrollment and evolving needs of higher education, Marymount College relocated in 1960 from its original site in Westwood, Los Angeles, to a newly developed campus in Palos Verdes Estates, California. Nestled on 6717 West Palos Verdes Drive South, the new 25-acre site offered expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and ample space for academic and residential facilities. The move marked a pivotal moment in the RSHM’s expanding educational vision in Southern California.

The transition was overseen by Reverend Mother Gertrude Cain, Provincial Superior, and carried out with the leadership and support of key RSHM figures including Mother Francoise O’Hare and Mother Bonaventure Murray. The Westwood property remained home to Marymount High School and continued to serve as a residence for sisters ministering in the Los Angeles area.

This relocation laid the foundation for future collaborations in Catholic higher education and reflected the enduring zeal, faith, and risk-taking spirit that characterized the RSHM’s commitment to forming women “that all may have life, and have it to the full.”

San Jose, Santa Clara Valley – Northern California.

• 1964: Queen of Apostles Parochial School, San Jose – Established to meet the needs of a growing West San Jose parish, Queen of Apostles opened on September 8, 1964 with Mother Brenda Fielding as founding principal. Sister Assumpta Killarney and a lay teacher rounded out the founding faculty. The school offered a forward-thinking, community-based model of Catholic education, continuing the RSHM tradition of forming students to “know and love God and make God known and loved.” It reflected the adaptability and vitality of the sisters during a time of rapid urban development and cultural change.

Westchester, Greater Los Angeles Area.

In 1968, Marymount College Affiliates with Loyola University and Relocates to Westchester. – Marymount College entered into an affiliation with Loyola University in Los Angeles, marking a historic collaboration between two Catholic institutions. As part of this new partnership, Marymount College relocated from Palos Verdes Estates to Loyola’s Westchester campus. Although both schools retained separate boards of trustees and administrations initially, this move laid the groundwork for deeper integration. The transition allowed Marymount to expand its academic offerings and student resources while continuing its mission to provide quality Catholic education, especially for women.

• 1973: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles – Marymount College officially merged with Loyola University to form Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a landmark collaboration in Catholic higher education. This unification was the result of visionary leadership and sustained dialogue among the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), the Society of Jesus, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Key figures who helped guide the process included Sr. Raymunde McKay, RSHM, President of Marymount College at the time; Fr. Donald Merrifield, SJ, President of Loyola University; and Mother Felix Montgomery, CSJ. Their commitment to shared governance, academic innovation, and inclusive Catholic identity shaped LMU into a thriving institution serving the diverse population of Los Angeles and beyond.

As societal changes unfolded — the Second Vatican Council, the social justice movements of the 1960s, and declining religious vocations — the RSHM embraced transformation. They began new ministries, partnering with local communities:

• 1966–1978: Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in Mexico and Honduras – The Sisters working in Marymount School in Cuernavaca met Fr. William Wasson, founder of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, an orphanage in Acolman, Mexico. The sisters provided loving care, education, and spiritual formation to the children. In the early 1970s, this ministry extended to Honduras, where several RSHM sisters continued supporting NPH’s expanding mission. Although the sisters withdrew from these locations by 1978, their years of service left a lasting imprint of compassion and dedication in the lives of hundreds of children across both countries.
• 1977: Established a rural mission in Ahoskie, North Carolina. A call from the Institute to establish a new community in a part of the world where the “Church was not present and the people were materially poor,” the Western American Province sent sisters to the rural Southeast, to Ahoskie, North Carolina. Listening to the people and hearing their concerns and needs, the sisters responded.
• 1992: In response to civil unrest, co-founded the South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SCLAMP), empowering immigrant Latina mothers and children, an initiative that continues today under lay leadership.

Their story continues with new chapters. Although they are no longer a young community in California and Mexico, their apostolic zeal shines brighter than ever. They minister in a variety of ways to those who need their gifts, talents, and extensive experience, and they are continually seeking innovative answers to new questions.

Their depth of faith has enabled them to let go, hand over, and give birth to a new mission impulse. Their emphasis on collaboration identifies them as a community of women that has effectively adapted to continuing change. They recall on their resiliency and tenacity as they continue to reveal the tenderness of God by responding to marginalized people and the cries of the earth, so fostering the fullness of life for all.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “Everything proves instructive, and, when viewed as a whole, our history and legacy continue to serve as a summons to conversion. As we share our story, we praise and thank God for all these good gifts.