On April 7, 1923, filled with confidence and courage, nine Sisters of Notre Dame left the Motherhouse in Mülhausen, Germany, to establish the Notre Dame mission in Brazil. A vast mission field was opening up in Brazil, while the growing power of National-Socialism closed Catholic schools in Germany. As a result, additional groups of sisters came to Brazil in the following years. A total of 178 sisters arrived in Brazil as missionaries. Currently, the Sisters of Notre Dame of the Passo Fundo Province, minister in the states of Acre, Maranhão, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, São Paulo and the Federal District, Brasilia. In 1993, the Sisters started a mission in Mozambique, Africa.
At present, the Sisters of Notre Dame of the Holy Cross Province, share the charism of God’s goodness and provident care in a vast apostolic field that includes 5 archdioceses and 9 dioceses, responding to the different demands according to the geographical, socio-economic, cultural and religious areas.