March 29, 2022

UPDATED: Dominican Nuns invite young women to ‘Come and See’

REGIONAL
Staff report

(Catholic Communications file photo)

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the age range: 18-35.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of the Mother of God, 1430 Riverdale St., West Springfield, invite women ages 18 to 35 to “Come and See,” a vocational information session on Saturday, April 2.

Women are invited to the 9:30 a.m. Mass at the monastery, which will be followed by coffee and donuts, a talk on contemplative life, and a question-and-answer session.

Founded in 1922 by Mother Mary Hyacinth of Jesus, the cloistered West Springfield community was an offshoot of the perpetual rosary branch of Dominican nuns in the United States. Chosen by Springfield Bishop Thomas M. O’Leary, foundress Mother Mary Hyacinth of Jesus came to Springfield from Catonsville, Maryland, on Sept. 8, responding to Bishop O’Leary’s call to “Come, come to Springfield in the name of God and Mary. This will be our gift to Our Lady on the feast of her birth.”

Eventually, the nuns at the local monastery would also establish perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as requested by Bishop O’Leary.

Perhaps best-known to local Catholics are the sisters’ annual Rosary Sunday Devotions, which, date back to the earliest days of the community’s foundation. The devotions include a homily by a guest priest, recitation of the rosary, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

For more information about the April 2 informational event, the sisters can be contacted at 413.736.3639.