This year marks the centennial anniversary of the presence of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady (ODN) in the United States. To commemorate this historic year, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School in Temecula, which was founded in October 1993 by ODN sisters, kicked off their celebration with a Mass on Feb. 4.
The Mass was followed by a fun and meaningful history lesson from Sister Kathy Schneider, ODN, who retold the incredible story of how the sisters arrived in Douglas, Arizona in 1926.
“For us sisters, this is a very special year,” Sister Ernestine Velarde, ODN, President of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School, said in an introduction video. “We are celebrating 100 years since the first Sisters of the Company of Mary came to the United States. In 2026, we have the opportunity to celebrate a 100-year anniversary. What a privilege. How often do we get to do that?”
Since 1607, beginning in Bordeaux, France, the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady have been educating and forming young people around the world with faith, love, and purpose.
In 1650, the Order expanded to Barcelona and established the first school for girls in Spain. In 1754, the Sisters courageously crossed the Atlantic to found the first educational institution for girls in the “New World,” (present-day Mexico). Soon the Order expanded throughout other countries in Latin America.
In 1926, the Mexican government intensified its persecution of religious communities. As a result, the Company of Mary sent many of the sisters to the U.S. In July of 1926 they made their way to Arizona. With courage and great apostolic passion, they sought a way to continue their mission in these new lands. Their mission began as an act of courage, planting seeds that continue to flourish today.
The celebration will continue at Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School with a speaker series throughout the year, including Sr. Schneider who spoke on Feb. 26, Father Allan Deck, SJ, who will speak on March 26, and Father Robert Spitzer who will speak on April 30. There will also be a “100 Years & A Fiesta to Remember” 18+ event on May 14 at the school.
“Let us live a year of joy, gratitude, and hope,” Sr. Velarde said. “God calls us to live out the prayer of St. Jeanne. Each of us can share in the 1,000 lives that she prayed for. This year, let’s celebrate doing 100 acts and more of kindness, 100 acts and more of generosity, 100 acts and more of living according to what Jesus has taught us and accompanied by our Mother Mary.”