MISSIONARIES OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD. — In 1910, Msgr. A. Bahnmann, prelate of Santarém (Brazil), invited some Conceptionist sisters to his prelature to work in the missionary field. After a twelve-year trial, on 4 Oct. 1922 they were established as a diocesan institute, which received the decree of praise on 30 Apr. 1929, along with temporary approval of the Constitutions, followed by definitive approval on 1 Apr. 1941.
The Institute serves charity, especially in missionary territories, through the instruction and education of youth, the care of the sick, and the direction of houses of spiritual exercises. The generalate was first transferred to Buffalo and then to Paterson. The sisters form a single class and take simple vows, though the nuns who existed at the time of the foundation retained the privilege of continuing their solemn vows.
In 1947, the sisters numbered 409, with 24 novices, distributed across 33 houses.