MISSIONARIES OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD. - In 1910 Msgr. A. Bahlmann, prelate of Santarem (Brazil), called some Conceptionist sisters to his prelature to work in the missionary field. After a trial period of twelve years, on 4 Oct. 1922 they were constituted as a diocesan institute, which received the decree of praise on 30 Apr. 1929 together with temporary approval of the Constitutions, followed by definitive approval on 1 Apr. 1941.
The Institute is devoted to charity, especially in mission territories, to the instruction and education of youth, to the care of the sick, and to the direction of houses for spiritual exercises. The general house was first transferred to Buffalo and then to Patterson. The sisters constitute a single class and take simple vows, but the nuns existing at the time of the foundation were granted the privilege of continuing their solemn vows.
In 1947 the sisters numbered 409, the novices 24, distributed among 33 houses.