DOMINICAN SISTERS
OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Mother Maria Rose Columba Bialecka was born on August 23, 1838 in eastern Poland.  Endowed with many natural and supernatural gifts she followed the dictate of her heart and at the age of 19 entered the novitiate of Dominican Sisters in Nancy, France to receive her religious formation.  Shortly after making her first religious vows she returned to Poland to lay the foundation for the Congregation of Dominican Sisters in Poland

        Aware of her countrymen many needs, especially their poverty and illiteracy she began her mission of charity by organizing the network of parochial schools where youngsters as well as adults could learn how to read and write, and come to a better knowledge of their faith.

        She reached out with her hand and heart to the poorest of society, and to the sick and dying and made a special effort to provide them with material help and sacramental assistance of the Church, so they could feel restored in their dignity and die reconciled to God.

        In 1861 she opened the very first Dominican Convent on Polish soil, and before she died in 1887, her young congregation has grown in number so much, that four more convents were established.  Her spiritual daughters carry on the mission entrusted to them by their Foundress and spread their ministry of Christian education, care of the sick and elderly and assistance to the poor throughout the world.

        The daily schedule of Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception includes: Divine Office, meditation, Mass, Holy Hour of Eucharistic adoration with sacramental benediction, rosary, spiritual reading, recreation, and apostolic work through various ministries like: teaching, retreats, care of the sick and elderly, preparation of sacred liturgy, etc.

Locations:

        Convents of Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in North America can be found in: Justice, Il (Provincial House); Milwaukee, WI; Mountain Home, AR,  Calgary, Alberta – Canada.   The Congregation of Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception has its convents and mission houses in Poland, Italy, Cameroon, Russia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia.

Eligibility:

        Requirements for entering the congregation: the age of 18-35, high school diploma; good physical, mental and emotional health, pastor’s or spiritual director’s letter of recommendation.