A Sign from God

As subtle as a whisper or as strong as the wind, a sign from God helps lead the way, pointing our lives to a certain person, place or destination. For our founder, Sister Mary Ann Sammon, a certain sign from God became all of those things. It also became a symbol of her life's calling.

The story began when Sister Mary Ann and Mother Hyacinth were looking for property to build an orphanage. The two Sisters were on their way back to New York City when they saw a "For Sale" sign in front of the Eustace property on Western Highway. The pair decided to stop and inquire about it, and when they did, the most amazing thing happened. Inside the Eustace home, both Sisters were startled to see a large oil painting of their founder, St. Dominic, hanging in the parlor. The painting, a Grellet original, depicts Saint Dominic raising a dead child to life (a real-life miracle which took place at Saint Sixtus in Rome). Sister Mary Ann reportedly said to her superior, "Mother, here we shall be!" The rest is history.

Soon after their visit, the house and sixteen acres of accompanying land were purchased and the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Eustace, gave the Dominican Sisters the Grellet painting. Today, the precious portrait of Saint Dominic is treasured by the Sisters and hangs in the foyer of the motherhouse in Blauvelt...a sacred reminder to all of the "Signadou" (sign of God) given to Mother Mary Ann at the onset of her ministry.