About Us:
How We Began

For eight hundred years, the Dominicans or Order of Preachers (laity, sisters, brothers, priests and contemplative nuns) have proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, are part of this worldwide order founded by Dominic de Guzman in Europe in 1216, Devoted to prayer, study, and the preaching of the Gospel, St. Dominic was intensely involved in the issues of his times, and had a particular sensitivity to the poor.

Sister Mary Ann Sammon, a young immigrant inspired by the life of St. Dominic, walked the streets of New York City, gathering orphaned and homeless children. She brought them to her cloistered Dominican convent in New York City. The number of children needing care continued to grow. Eventually, Sister Mary Ann was sent to establish a home for these children. She began a new congregation of active Dominican Sisters in Blauvelt, New York.

The skyline of New York may have changed, but the needs remain the same. Today, Blauvelt Dominican Sisters and Associates are committed to continuing Mary Ann Sammon's compassionate presence and ministry to people who are poor and on the margins of society. While maintaining our commitment to social services, the Blauvelt Dominican Sisters are also teachers, pastoral workers, chaplains, and health care professionals. We serve in schools, parishes, hospitals, community-based agencies and homeless shelters. Whether our service is the preaching and teaching of St. Dominic, the caring for needy children, works of compassion, our mission of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues.