The Daughters of Mary and Joseph
A legacy of faith, compassion and service
The Daughters of Mary and Joseph (DMJ Sisters) are an international community of women religious whose mission is to make visible the merciful love of God. Their story began in Belgium on 6 March 1817, when Canon Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe, working alongside a lay woman, Colette de Brandt, founded the Congregation.
The first Sisters came from among the domestic staff of Alost College, where Canon van Crombrugghe was Headteacher. With a vision rooted in faith and a commitment to those most in need, they began by teaching poor girls lacemaking and providing them with a basic Catholic education in a small house in Alost. From the very beginning, their work reflected a belief in the dignity, potential and worth of every girl.
As the Congregation grew, women with teaching experience joined the Sisters. They became known as the Dames de Marie – a name reflecting the title traditionally given to female teachers in Belgium. New schools were established, including one in Malines, named Coloma in recognition of the donor of the property. These schools offered a broad and forward-looking education, particularly for girls from middle-class families, while always retaining a place for those experiencing poverty.
From Belgium to Croydon; the beginning of Coloma
In 1869, the first Daughters of Mary and Joseph arrived in England and established a school in Croydon, which became known as Coloma. Here, they were known as the Ladies of Mary. Their arrival marked the beginning of a story that continues to shape our school today.
Over time, the Congregation's work reached beyond England, with communities established in Africa, the United States and Ireland. What began with a small group of women committed to educating girls has grown into an international mission of faith, education and service.
A mission that continues today
Today, the Daughters of Mary and Joseph have communities in Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda in Africa; Belgium, England and Ireland in Europe; and California in the United States. Their work takes many forms, responding to the needs of the communities in which they live and serve. This includes their continuing connection with Coloma, where Sisters serve as members of the school's Governing Body.
The world in which the Sisters live and work continues to present both opportunities and challenges. Their mission remains rooted in responding to two urgent realities: spiritual thirst and the needs of those to whom society says there is no place.
This commitment to compassion, justice, dignity and service is part of the heritage we share at Coloma. The founding Sisters believed that education could open doors, transform lives and give girls the opportunity to fulfil their potential. That belief remains at the heart of our school.
We are proud of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph and the vision they began. Their legacy is not simply part of our history; it continues to inspire the values we live, the community we build and the young women we empower for the future.