Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM), commonly known as Sisters of De Jacht…

(formerly Missionary Canonesses of St. Augustine)

The mission of the ICM Sisters is “to make God’s love visible through service to the poor, the sick, and the uneducated — wherever in the world they may be.”

Although the congregation was founded by a woman, Mother Marie-Louise De Meester, several CICM Missionaries of Scheut (Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) assisted during its early years.
Among them was Fr. Constant Van Crombrugghe, CICM, who helped locate and establish the house “De Jacht”, which later became the Belgian motherhouse in Heverlee.
He is mentioned in the congregation’s archives as an advisor and liaison between CICM and ICM in the founding years — facilitating contacts, overseeing construction, furnishing the house, and accompanying the first novices.

In ICM historical records (such as Mother Marie-Louise De Meester: Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the internal chronicles of De Jacht), his name appears alongside that of Fr. Florent Mortier, CICM, who, as Superior General of the Scheut Missionaries (from 1909), helped formalize collaboration between the two congregations.
Another Scheut missionary, Fr. Verlinden, CICM, also assisted in the establishment of the mission house in Heverlee.

Early plans for collaboration in the Philippines (around 1910) were arranged through Fr. Mortier, who invited Mother Marie-Louise De Meester — with the approval of Pope Pius X — to send a small team to the Philippines (Tagudin and Manila) to work with the Scheut missionaries.
The formal institutional affiliation between CICM and ICM came much later, in 1963, when the congregation officially adopted the name Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).

In practice, CICM and ICM also worked together in the Belgian Congo, especially in parishes, schools, and healthcare missions.
Their activities were usually guided by diocesan and apostolic vicariate directives or colonial educational regulations (such as the 1929 school code), which both congregations followed — often by mutual agreement and cooperation.

Foundation and Early History

The congregation was founded by Mother Marie-Louise De Meester, originally a Canoness of St. Augustine, born in Roeselare, Belgium (1857–1928).
The foundation took place in 1897 in Mulagumoodu, South India, under the initial name Missionary Canonesses of St. Augustine (changed to ICM in 1963).

Formation and missionary coordination were based in Heverlee (“De Jacht”), the Belgian motherhouse — used for recruitment, training, and support for overseas communities.
A formal novitiate opened there in 1908.
In the 1950s, an additional convent was built in Kessel-Lo, next to the Fathers’ house, though not primarily for the novitiate.

Mission and Charism

The ICM Sisters embody the Gospel “in action” through education, health care, and social and pastoral service among those most in need — especially orphans, women, and the poor — guided by their commitment to a global missionary call wherever the need is greatest.

Their motto and spirituality express love made visible, grounded in compassion, service, and presence.

First Mission and Expansion

The first mission was in India:
Mother Marie-Louise De Meester herself, together with her companion Dame Marie Ursule (a novice), arrived in Mulagumoodu on 7 November 1897 to direct an orphanage and school.

Subsequent expansion included:

• South India (e.g. Nagercoil, Kanyakumari)
• Philippines (from 1910; St. Theresa’s College, 1915)
• China and Hong Kong
• United States
• Belgian Congo (20th century)

In 1963, the congregation formally aligned with the CICM Fathers (Scheut Missionaries) and adopted its current name: Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).

Worldwide Presence

Over the decades, the ICM Sisters established over 100 convents and communities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas — including Belgium, India, the Philippines, China/Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, Congo (DRC), Burundi, Cameroon, Brazil, Guatemala, South Africa, Italy, and Mongolia.

Today, the congregation remains international, with active communities focused on education, health care, social justice, migration and outreach to the marginalized.
ICM Sisters are currently present in Belgium, India, the Philippines, DRC/Burundi/Cameroon, Brazil, Guatemala, Hong Kong/Taiwan, Italy, Mongolia, and the United States.
Their European regional house continues to be located in Heverlee, Belgium.