 On the Feast of the Purification, February 2, 1804, they solemnly consecrated themselves to the new Institute.The first 10 branch houses, established before 1816, were all in present day Belgium and in 1809 the headquarters were moved to Namur.In 1816 Julie Billiart died, and her position as head of the Sisters of Notre Dame was taken over by Blin de Bourdon, or Sr. St. Joseph, as she was known among the Sisters.