Religious Of The Sacred Heart Of Mary

What Religious Of The Sacred Heart Of Mary does

The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) is an international Catholic women's religious congregation founded on February 24, 1849 in Béziers, France, by Father Jean Gailhac and co-foundress Mother St. Jean (Appollonie Pelissier). It operates as a non-profit institute of pontifical right, governed by a General Superior / Institute Leader and an Institute Leadership Council, with regional Area Leaders; the Western American Area is headquartered in Montebello, California, and led since September 1, 2025 by Sister Mary Genino. The congregation expanded internationally starting in the 1870s to Ireland, Portugal, England, and the United States, and today operates in 13 countries across Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique), Latin America (Mexico, Honduras, Brazil), Western Europe (France, Portugal, Italy, UK), and the United States.

RSHM's offerings are not commercial products but mission-driven ministries organized along four pillars: education (a global Marymount Schools network spanning preschool through higher education, anchored historically by the 1973 merger of Marymount College and Loyola University that created Loyola Marymount University); social services (most notably the South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project co-founded after the 1992 LA Civil Unrest, and long-running partnership with A Place Called Home); pastoral and spiritual ministry (parish service, prison ministry, elderly care, spiritual direction, formation); and justice advocacy (immigrant rights via CHIRLA, anti-trafficking via CAST, economic justice via CLUE, and broader advocacy through the RSHM NGO at the United Nations and via the Leadership Conference of Women Religious). Notable operational transitions include the consolidation of Sacred Heart of Mary High School with Cantwell in 1991 to form Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary, and the divestiture of direct operation of Marymount Cuernavaca (1990) and Marymount High School Los Angeles (2007) to lay boards, with RSHM retaining institutional sponsorship.

The organization does not operate as a commercial enterprise and does not report revenue. Its economic model relies on donations, charitable contributions, and volunteer labor from vowed members; services are delivered without charge to beneficiaries. Distribution of mission occurs through direct ministry presence, schools, parishes, and partner NGOs rather than commercial channels. RSHM maintains an active communications footprint via its website, RSHM Podcast, YouTube channel (RSHMCHANNEL), the quarterly RSHM Soundings publication, and engagement in LCWR assemblies and Global Network of RSHM Schools conferences.

Name

Religious Of The Sacred Heart Of Mary

Legal name

Religious Of The Sacred Heart Of Mary

Website

https://rshm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RSHM is an international Catholic women's religious congregation founded in 1849, operating schools, social services, pastoral ministries, and justice advocacy programs across 13 countries, with the Western American Area headquartered in Montebello, California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Social Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Catholic education services
• Religious congregation
• Social service ministry
• Pastoral care services
• Faith-based advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Montebello

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RSHM is an international Catholic women's religious congregation operating in 13 countries. Its core offerings include Catholic education through the Marymount Schools network, pastoral and spiritual care services, social service programs (such as South Central LAMP for immigrant women and A Place Called Home for youth), and justice and immigration advocacy. Services are delivered without charge to beneficiaries and funded by donations and charitable contributions.

Product overview

Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) is an international congregation of Catholic women religious serving in 13 countries. Rather than a technology product company, RSHM operates a portfolio of educational institutions (including the Marymount Schools network), social service programs (South Central LAMP, A Place Called Home), and religious ministries (pastoral care, immigration advocacy, youth development). The organization primarily functions as an educational and charitable institution rather than a technology products provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marymount Schools Network A global network of Catholic schools operated by RSHM sisters, providing educational services from elementary through high school. The network emphasizes academic excellence, faith formation, and global consciousness.
• South Central LAMP (Los Angeles Ministry Project) A community program addressing the integral development and empowerment of immigrant women and their children in South Central Los Angeles, providing educational support and resources.
• A Place Called Home (APCH)
• Ministry and Pastoral Services
• Justice and Immigration Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Marymount High School Cuernavaca serves over 500 students and continues to thrive under lay leadership
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC LAMP was co-founded by RSHM following the 1992 Civil Unrest in Los Angeles. The program addresses integral development and empowerment of immigrant women and their children. Diana Pinto serves as Executive Director. SC LAMP received the Community Spotlight Award at LMU's inauguration week for significant contributions to the South Los Angeles community.
• A Place Called Home (APCH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPCH was established by Debrah Constance and provides a safe environment for children and teenagers with activities supporting their giftedness. RSHM met Ms. Constance while wandering South Central Los Angeles and this partnership has endured for decades, reflecting RSHM's commitment to care for women and children.
• Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM collaborates with CAST, an organization working to abolish slavery and trafficking, joining those who share RSHM values and commitment to bringing life with dignity to all.
• Catholic Relief ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM partners with Catholic Relief Services as part of its global commitment to justice and service, contributing to works related to LA Archdiocesan Catholic Charities.
• Religious Institutes Impact FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM collaborates with Religious Institutes Impact Fund as part of its efforts to address the needs of those on the periphery of society, especially trafficked, abused, neglected, and unhoused women and children.
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM affiliates with CHIRLA to advocate for the human rights of immigrant peoples and pathway to citizenship, teaching ESL and citizenship classes and intervening on behalf of persons navigating bureaucratic systems.
• Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM participates with CLUE in advocacy for economic justice. Sisters attend events such as the Giants of Justice Awards celebrating faith-based organizations working for economic justice.
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM maintains deep ties with LMU through the Marymount Institute for Ministry, Spirituality, and Culture. The 1973 merger of Loyola University and Marymount College created LMU, combining the Jesuit, RSHM, and CSJ traditions. RSHM sisters serve in various capacities and Mary Genino formally missioned President Poon.
• Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM participates in LCWR assemblies including the 2025 'Hope Unbroken: Journeying in God's Promise' assembly with over 850 participants. LCWR delivered Declaration of Commitment to all members of U.S. Congress.
• United Nations (RSHM NGO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM maintains active participation at the United Nations through its RSHM NGO, engaging globally with needs of the marginalized and promoting justice and peace at the international level.
• Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM collaborates with Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange in LMU's founding and ongoing operations. CSJs initiated the 'Catholic Sisters in California Stand with Immigrants' statement which RSHM signed.
• Nuestros Pequeños HermanosmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSHM connected with Fr. William Wasson's orphanage in Acolman, Mexico and subsequently staffed and cared for children from infancy to young adult years. RSHM also worked with the Honduras orphanage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Largest faith-based social services network in the United States, providing immigration, refugee, and social services that overlap with RSHM's mission. Operates at significantly larger scale across broader geography.

Others

• Leadership Conference of Women Religious: Association of leaders of Catholic women's religious congregations in the United States. RSHM is an active member and partner, providing collective advocacy platform and peer coordination across similar organizations.
• Marymount Schools (Global Network): Network of Catholic schools bearing the Marymount name operating across multiple countries under RSHM sponsorship. Direct operational extension of RSHM's educational ministry with comparable mission and student demographics.

Direct peers

• Sisters of Charity: International Catholic women's congregation with focus on education, social services, and healthcare for marginalized populations. Comparable organizational structure, scale, and mission alignment with RSHM.
• Maryknoll Sisters: Catholic women's religious congregation focused on global mission work, social justice, and pastoral ministries. Operates in similar international footprint with comparable education and advocacy programs.
• Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ): International Catholic women's religious congregation with shared Sacred Heart tradition and similar charism. Operates schools and social ministries globally with comparable structure and mission focus, making them the closest direct peer to RSHM.
• Sisters of Mercy: International Catholic women's religious congregation focused on education, healthcare, and social justice ministries. Comparable scale, mission structure, and operational scope to RSHM with similar geographic distribution.
• Ursuline Sisters: One of the oldest Catholic women's religious congregations with strong education and social service focus. Operates schools and advocacy programs globally with similar mission structure to RSHM.
• Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange: Regional Catholic women's congregation with co-founder role in Loyola Marymount University alongside RSHM. Operates similar ministries in education and social justice in the same Southern California geography, with direct partnership history.

Regional players

• Loyola Marymount University: Catholic university co-founded by RSHM through the 1973 merger. While now an independent institution, it serves as a primary platform for RSHM's higher education mission and shares governance through board service and the Marymount Institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/RSHMCHANNEL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/religious-of-the-sacred-heart-of-mary-california-province

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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