In a world filled with noise, movement, and endless choices, we offer something beautifully different: a life centered on silence, truth, and the radiant presence of God.

We are a community of Dominican contemplative nuns, women who have given our lives completely to prayer, study, and the joyful search for God. Our days unfold in a rhythm shaped by the Holy Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration, Sacred study, and the quiet work that sustains our monastery. Everything we do flows from one desire—to be wholly available to God for the sake of the world.

The Monastery of Mary the Queen was originally founded in Elmira, New York in 1944. Since 2014, through the generosity of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, we lived at their property at 1237 West Monroe Street until the fall of 2022. We are now actively living at the new Monastery. This translocation was a leap of faith towards actively fulfilling our dream of creating a new synergy with our Dominican family, the diocese of Springfield and the entire church.

To facilitate our Dominican contemplative life within the diocese of Springfield, Illinois we purchased 38 acres of greenfield land in Girard, Illinois. The 21,000 square foot Monastery is located on the west side of flat pasture land for ease of construction and to preserve the more beautiful characteristics of the property. The monastery continues to support the contemplative life and its connection to the natural environment.