Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA) is a community of Roman Catholic Women Religious who through their lives and ministries, reflect God’s love and compassion to the people of Africa and the United States of America. Our founder, Monsignor Gerald Grondin, a Maryknoll Missioner, canonically erected the Congregation on July 29th, 1955. Monsignor Grondin gave us the Maryknoll Sisters as our mentors and advisers; a duty which was carried on by Sister Rosemarie Dagg, MM., as the Novice Mistress.The Maryknoll Sisters remained with us, until 1969, when our first Mother General, Sr. Maria Consolata John, assisted by Consultors, also elected from our membership.The IHSA accompany and minister to the people of Tanzania in the areas of faith formation, community development, children (disabled, homeless, trafficked, orphans, disadvantaged) , victims of human trafficking, women, education, and health care. We invite you to learn more about our community and join our efforts to bring the Good News of God’s love to the people of Tanzania and the United States of America. The Motherhouse and Generalate are in Musoma, Tanzania, East Africa; on the Eastern shore of Lake Victoria.
Our charism is Conversion. The charism of the IHSA is to help in the Conversion of Africa. The character and special spirit given to us by our founder and carried on and developed in our traditions is to be missionaries; intending in all that we do – spiritual and active works, to be missionary witnesses to all people according to the saying of our Master: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Mt. 5:16.Currently, our Sisters work to fulfill this charism by serving in Tanzanian in the dioceses of Musoma, Shinyanga, Singida, Geita, Mwanza, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam. In the United States, the IHSA are in the Catholic Diocese of Monterey, California.
