Our History

History of the Order

The first small community of contemplative women which originated under St. Dominic's guidance gathered together in response to his preaching of the Gospel. The first monastery of the Order was St. Mary's in Prouille, France, which is still occupied today by a community of Dominican Nuns. At the present time there are about 4,000 Dominican nuns in more than 240 monasteries throughout the world.

Our Monastery

The Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in the Archdiocese of Detroit was established as an act of thanksgiving to God on the seven hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the Monastery of Our Lady of Prouille by the BlessedFather St. Dominic. Mother Mary Emmanuel Noel, one of the four American foundresses, and six other nuns left the Monastery of St. Dominic, Newark, New Jersey, came to Detroit on Passion Sunday, April 1, 1906, to bring Dominican contemplative life to Detroit.

Our First 50 Years

The Beginnings

Seven Dominican nuns arrive in Detroit, laying the foundation for a new monastery rooted in Perpetual Adoration.
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The Journey Begins

Seven Dominican nuns from Newark, led by Mother Mary Emmanuel, arrived in Detroit in 1906 to establish a monastery centered on Perpetual Adoration. Welcomed by Father Van Antwerp and Bishop Foley, they settled in the Murphy Mansion, began their first communal prayers, and overcame logistical challenges with joy and dedication. Their early successes included the establishment of the enclosure and the inauguration of Adoration.
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Building and Growth

The nuns construct their first permanent home, expand their spiritual and community life, and endure early trials and blessings.
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Building and Growth

The nuns began construction on a permanent monastery on Oakland Avenue in 1908, supported by loans and small donations. Despite financial and architectural challenges, they completed the chapel in 1912. The community grew, and monastic life flourished through prayer, discipline, and new vocations. Notable were their liturgical traditions and the founding of a new house in Albany in 1915, which brought emotional and spiritual challenges.
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Solemn Vows

The community embraces Solemn Vows and new constitutions, deepening their commitment to enclosure and contemplative life.
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Solemn Vows

In 1930, the Detroit nuns made Solemn Vows, signifying a deeper bond with the Church and Papal enclosure. This milestone followed thorough preparation and spiritual renewal. The death of their beloved mentor, Monsignor Van Antwerp, shortly after, marked the end of an era. Meanwhile, a new set of Constitutions introduced by the Dominican Order stirred mixed reactions and adjustments in monastic practice, while reaffirming the centrality of contemplation and doctrinal study.
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The Thriving Thirties

New leadership fosters liturgical renewal, theological education, and spiritual deepening amid continued growth.
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The Thriving Thirties

Leadership transitioned to Mother Mary of the Infant Jesus, who emphasized humility, liturgical excellence, and education in theology. Infrastructure improvements included new quarters for extern sisters. Spiritual life deepened through improved Gregorian chant and the teachings of Fr. Hochard. The decade saw a growing, vibrant community actively integrating reforms and fostering deeper contemplation.
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Close of an Era

Rehearsed funeral rites give way to real farewells as a founding generation passes and a new chapter begins.
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Close of an Era

Anticipating the deaths of elderly sisters, the community rehearsed monastic funeral rites, enriching their understanding of liturgical traditions. The deaths of several devoted nuns between 1938–1939 marked the close of a generational chapter. New postulants and a Ladies Auxiliary brought renewed life and support to the monastery. The sisters balanced prayerful living with practical needs, always guided by their love for the Eucharistic Lord.
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New Generations

The Depression-era community thrives with faith, welcoming new vocations and officially recognizing Extern Sisters.
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New Generations

This period witnessed economic hardship during the Depression, prompting creative support efforts like food donations and modest wages for local laborers. Notably, Father Nolan of Rome made a memorable visit in 1934, affirming the community’s observance. The nuns also received blessings from Father Solanus. A defining event was the religious reception of several Outside Sisters, who became Extern Sisters—a new official recognition of their role. Spiritual and material challenges were met with joy and resourcefulness, supported by growing vocations and providential aid.
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Branching Out

Detroit sends forth a new foundation to Texas, while the home monastery regroups with renewed leadership and mission.
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Branching Out

In 1945, the Detroit monastery sent 18 nuns to establish a new Dominican cloister in Lufkin, Texas, under Mother Mary Imelda. This created a leadership gap in Detroit, filled by a returning Mother Mary of Jesus. Archbishop Mooney personally oversaw the prioress election and delivered a fatherly address encouraging fidelity to the Rule and mutual charity. Despite the challenges, both Detroit and the new Texas foundation flourished, demonstrating resilience and a recommitment to Dominican ideals.
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Papal Eyes on the Cloister

Papal support affirms the cloistered vocation and inspires a renewed focus on prayer, fidelity, and community life.
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Papal Eyes on the Cloister

Pope Pius XII strongly supported contemplative women, especially through his landmark 1950 document Sponsa Christi and subsequent addresses. These emphasized the dignity, discipline, and purpose of cloistered life, affirming the Dominican nuns’ vocation. Locally, Mother Mary of Jesus consecrated the monastery to St. Joseph in 1947 to pray for vocations—a gesture that brought numerous new candidates. External events like church reforms, papal encouragement, and missionary visits fortified the spiritual and communal life of the monastery.
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Golden Anniversary

Fifty years of prayer and perseverance are joyfully celebrated under the leadership of a humble and visionary Prioress.
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Golden Anniversary

The 1950s opened with a reflective celebration of the monastery’s 50th anniversary. Mother Mary Agnes Bradish, a gifted and humble leader, spearheaded preparations. A former postulant with a theatrical flair, she infused the anniversary with reverence and grace. The narrative focuses on her background, contributions, and vision for the community. Personal stories and liturgical traditions offered continuity, while the sisters embraced the challenges and joys of a growing and aging community
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The Eventful Fifties

Mid-century life pulses with liturgical devotion, nocturnal prayer, and unity with the suffering Church.
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The Eventful Fifties

This decade was rich in liturgical devotion and community prayer, especially during night adoration and the recitation of the Martyrology. Sister Mary, reflecting during midnight offices, drew spiritual strength from the past and present martyrs. The nuns also remembered those suffering for the faith in modern times. These contemplative experiences connected them deeply to the universal Church. The community continued to celebrate its spiritual mission despite practical hardships and the passing of earlier generations.
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Adventures in the Monastery

Memorable stories, holy humor, and unshaken purpose mark the monastery’s first half-century of grace.
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Adventures in the Monastery

Within its first half-century of existence, the monastery experienced both humorous and serious episodes—from failed laundry cart experiments to late-night intruders. Despite worldly interruptions, the nuns maintained their contemplative focus. Community legends like Mr. Ryan (a loyal handyman) were remembered fondly. Their joys, trials, and unwavering prayer anchored the monastery in God’s grace. The chapter closes with anticipation for the next 50 years of praise, adoration, and service to the Church.
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1906-1907

1906-1907

1908-1924

1925–1930

1931–1933

1934–1938

1939-1944

1945–1946

1946-1950

1951–1953

1954-1956

1957–1960

Extended History

Learn about the monastery's early years in detail with our extended 50 year history PDF. This extended history contains information, stories, and anecdotes from the monastery's beginning in 1905 and the decades leading up to 1960.
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Monastic Milestones

Learn about the history of the monastery's first 100 years in our Monastic Milestones PDF. This comprehensive history celebrates 100 years of cloistered Dominican life and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Acrchdiosece of Detroit.
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About Us
We are a community of cloistered Dominican nuns located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. We live a contemplative life of prayer and study.
Vocations
If you are feeling called to religious life within our community, please reach out via our vocations inquiry form on the vocations page.
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Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament

Cloistered Dominican Nuns

29575 Middlebelt Road

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

Phone: 248-626-8253
Email: info@opnuns-fh.org
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