About Us

About Us

We are an international group of Catholic women Religious serving in 16 countries. We desire to centre ourselves in God, who is constantly creating and recreating all that lives. We are called to widen the space of our tent, to walk humbly with others and be women of hope  ...read more about our thrust and direction for the next six years.

 

IJ Vision

Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, we seek to be present to people, respecting the dignity of all beings and the identity of each and every one.  ...read more  

Our IJ Founder - Blessed Nicolas Barre

Nicholas Barre was born on 21st October 1621 in Amiens, France. He was educated by the Jesuits and was an outstanding student. A brilliant future was assured but Nicolas wanted to be a priest  ...read more

Nicolas Barre - A lay person's perspective  ...read more

Listen to the  Hymn to Fr Nicolas Barre  in French and English,   Lyrics:  French,  English

Fr Barre's feast is on 21st October. Pray the Novena to prepare for his feast.

Our Foundress of the IJ Mission in Singapore - Mother Mathilde

Meet Mother Mathilde, a woman gripped by a sense of mission.  Her deep faith, courage, fortitude never deserted her in her struggle to bring her dream of education for women in Singapore and Malaysia into being  ... read more

There is another book on the life of Mother Mathilde under Publications in the Resources page.

 

Our Institute History - 

Origins and life of the Institute in France 1662 - 1852

Our story begins in 17th century France with a young priest, Nicolas Barre, and two young women, Francoise Duval and Margueritte Lestocq. Moved with compassion for those living in great deprivation and who knew little about God, he sought ways of guiding them towards meaning and direction in their lives.   ... read more

Our History continues from 1852...

Our  story  in Singapore starts with Fr Beurel's request to the IJ Superior General, Mother de Faudoas to start a girls' school in Singapore. The first five French sisters set sail For Singapore but landed in Penang. Mother Mathilde with some  sisters then came to Singapore. 

Long after the introduction of the Gospel at St Francis Xavier's visit to Japan in 1549, the persecution of Christians, the ban of all foreigners, another wave of persecution, did the sisters eventually arrive n Japan in 1872.

Two attempts to begin a mission  in Thailand saw an aborted expedition from France (to include some IJ sisters) to Siam. Another mission from 18885 to 1907 was short-lived, due to choler outbreaks and decreasing numbers of pupils. Eventually in 1957, the IJ sisters from Ipoh, Malaya started the present Thai community  

Our Communities

In Singapore, our Sisters live in 8 communities in different parts of the island  ... read more

IJ Partners

We have Lay Partners working with us in the IJ Board of Management of our 11 CHIJ schools, and the Management Committee of the IJ Homes and Children Centres as well as our missions abroad.

IJ Fraternity

The members of the IJ Fraternity commit themselves to deepen their understanding of the Spirituality of Blessed Nicholas Barre which is the inspiration of the Infant Jesus Mission in all its expressions. They celebrate the spirit that has brought them together, has sustained them and informs them in the way they work and live to promote the Kingdom of God. They meet monthly to study the IJ spirit and pray together. Here is one of their reflections - Attentive to the Spirit

The IJ Fraternity Retreat was held in November 2011.  

The next meeting is on  3 Mar 2012.