Many Religious Communities Holding Open House This Sunday

A National Open House Day with Religious will be held this Sunday, Feb. 8, in conjunction with the Year of Consecrated Life.

The Year of Consecrated Life, declared by Pope Francis, is being celebrated worldwide to honor the gift and treasure of religious men and women. It continues until Feb. 2, 2016.

“We are excited to highlight this unique opportunity to participate in the Year of Consecrated Life,” said Sister Marie Bernadette Thompson, O.P., the council coordinator of Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.

“Religious houses around the country will be opening their doors for everyone to come and meet their ‘brothers and sisters.’ We welcome all families, parishioners and those who are not part of our Church, and all of our friends and neighbors,” she added.

For several hours Feb. 8, local convents in the archdiocese will open their doors and offer tours to the community. Religious sisters and brothers will answer questions about customs, traditions and religious life itself. 

Here are some of the religious communities holding open house Feb. 8:

Dominican Sisters of Hope: Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center, 299 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, 2-4 p.m. The day includes prayer, contemplation, sharing and a panel discussion about consecrated life. Information: Sister Mary Ann Clausson, O.P., (914) 941-4420, mclausson@ophope.org.

Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima: 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, 1:30-4 p.m.  Bring questions about religious life, vocations, customs and traditions, history. Join in praying the Rosary and Liturgy of the Hours at 4 p.m., a plenary indulgence may be gained provided the prescribed conditions are fulfilled. Information: (914) 769-0114.

Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal: Convent of San Damiano, 1661 Haight Ave., the Bronx, 1-4 p.m., (718) 829-9466; Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent, 3527 Bainbridge Ave., the Bronx, 1-4 p.m., (718) 547-9840; Our Lady Queen of Angels Convent, 232 E. 113 St., Manhattan, 1-4 p.m. (212) 831-3334. All three convents will offer tours, visits with the sisters and opportunities to pray.

Sisters of Life: Annunciation Motherhouse, 38 Montebello Road, Suffern; Visitation Convent, 320 E. 66th St., Manhattan; Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent, 450 W. 51st St., Manhattan; St. Frances de Chantal Covent, 198 Hollywood Ave., the Bronx, all 2-5 p.m. Families are welcome. At 4:30 p.m. the Sisters will celebrate Evening Prayer. www.sistersoflife.org

Spiritual Family of the Work: Mother Julia House, 414 E. 14th St., Manhattan. Includes presentation on the order’s history, vocation stories and Holy Hour with Evening Prayers. 3-7 p.m. (212) 677-5690, ny@theworkfso.org.

LaSalle Brothers: LaSalle Academy, 44 E. 2nd St., day includes a presentation on the history of the order and fellowship. Noon-4 p.m. bredfsc@aol.com

Oblates to the Blessed Trinity: St. Aloysius Novitiate, 306 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction, 1-4 p.m., Includes sharing and a slide show. (646) 226-5671, ext. 10, and Blessed Trinity Convent, 1453 Astor Ave., the Bronx, Sunday, Feb. 15, 1-4 p.m., including stories and slideshow.