Our History

Our name is attributed to Mary Potter, foundress of the Sisters of Little Company of Mary. Her story is a truly amazing one. She answered the Lord’s call to care for those in need, overcoming great odds to establish a congregation of Sisters who dedicate themselves to her vision to this day. Mary Potter is not only responsible for our mission — to make visible the healing presence of Jesus through the Catholic health ministry — she is the reason for our very existence and the origination of our rich history.

Born on November 22, 1847, in Bermondsey, England, Mary Potter was the youngest of five children, and the only girl, born to William and Mary Anne Potter. She was raised according to Catholic beliefs and attended a small, private Catholic boarding school. After graduation she became engaged, but soon realized her true calling was a life of prayer and good works, dedicated to Jesus. She ended the engagement.

After battles with sickness and many setbacks, Mary was finally able to establish her new religious congregation in 1877. Mary and her companions chose an old stocking factory, just outside Nottingham, England, as the location to found the Little Company of Mary. The community was dedicated to the Maternal Heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and named for the “little company of followers” who remained with her at the foot of the Cross on Calvary.

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