The Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri The Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri (SMI) are a Catholic religious congregation of women founded in Nyeri, Kenya in 1918. Their establishment came at a time when the Church in Kenya sought to form an indigenous congregation of African sisters who could serve the local Church and society.The congregation is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception.:
They were founded by Rt. Rev. Filippo Perlo, I.M.C. (a Consolata missionary Bishop) together with three Kenyan pioneer sisters: Sr. Filippina Njeri,Sr. Julia Muthoni, and Sr. Josepha Wambui.
Birth: Filippo Perlo was born in Turin, Italy, in 1873. Religious Order: He was a member of the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C. –Istituto Missioni Consolata),a congregation founded in 1901 by Blessed Giuseppe Allamano in Turin.First Missions in Kenya: In 1902, the first Consolata missionaries arrived in Kenya. Perlo was among the early members who dedicated their lives to evangelization in East Africa.Consecrated Bishop: At just 34 years old, in 1907, he was consecrated as the first Vicar Apostolic of Nyeri, which covered a vast area of Kenya.Seeing the need for an indigenous women’s congregation, Perlo encouraged and guided the foundation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri in 1918, together with three Kenyan pioneers: Sr. Filippina Njeri, Sr. Julia Muthoni, and Sr. Josepha Wambui. His vision was that African sisters would be best placed to evangelize, educate, and serve their own people, bringing the Gospel in a culturally rooted way.
Seeing the need for an indigenous women’s congregation, Perlo encouraged and guided the foundation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri in 1918, together with three Kenyan pioneers: Sr. Filippina Njeri, Sr. Julia Muthoni, and Sr. Josepha Wambui.
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Our Global Presence
From very humble beginnings over a century ago, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri have grown like a mustard seed, guided by the charism of “Passion and Compassion for Souls.” Today, our congregation serves across three continents Africa, America, and Europe witnessing Christ through education, healthcare, pastoral work, and the service of God’s people.
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate embrace the Spirit’s gift of passion and compassion first awakened in our Founders at a time when women were devalued. We are called daily to live, safeguard, and deepen this gift through the unique charisms God has placed in each of us. With purity of heart, we seek to bring healing to a wounded world, especially where indifference causes suffering.
Our Lady Mary Immaculate is our Patron and guiding light. Under her protection, we draw strength and inspiration to live faithfully our mission of service and compassion in the Church and society.
Following the example of our Founders, we are called to cultivate a deep longing for God, offering ourselves wholly to Him and renouncing all for the love of Christ. In communion with Mary Immaculate, we embrace a life of intercession, attentive to the voice of our Divine Spouse and the needs of His people. Our fidelity to this vocation is sustained by a life centered on the Eucharist and the Word of God, expressed in constant praise through the Divine Office and meditation on His mysteries in the Holy Rosary.
