Welcome to Our Dominican Contemplative Life

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.

Brief History

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.

young nuns in the garden

Come and See

Discernment Weekend for Young Women

If you are a young woman who feels a stirring in your heart…
a longing for deeper meaning…
a desire to give your life to something eternal…
you may be hearing the gentle whisper of a vocation.

Here, you will find a place where:

  • Prayer becomes the heartbeat of your day
  • Study opens your mind to the beauty of truth
  • Community becomes a home where you are known and loved
  • Silence becomes a doorway into God’s tenderness
  • Your life becomes a hidden wellspring of grace for the Church

The Dominican contemplative life is not an escape from the world—it is a way of loving it more fiercely, from the heart of God.

We invite you to explore, to linger, to listen.

And if something within you awakens as you read these words, we welcome you to reach out to us. Your journey of discernment is sacred to us, and you will not have to walk it alone.

Come and see.

Register to join us at the monastery October 23rd through 25th.

April 20, 2026
Welcoming Postulant Chyrissa

On April 20, the feast of our Dominican Saint Agnes of Montepulciano, we joyfully welcomed Chyrissa into our community to begin her formation as a Dominican Nun. Surrounded by friends and family who traveled from Maryland and Ohio to celebrate with her, Chyrissa’s entrance was a beautiful witness to the love and support surrounding her as she begins this new chapter of her vocation.

July 20, 2026
A New Chapter of Leadership

Beginning July 20, we joyfully welcomed Sister Mary Stephen as Vicaress of the Master of the Order and newly-professed Sister Cecilia Marie as Sub-Vicaress. As they begin their new roles, we give heartfelt thanks to Sister Anna Marie, of the Exaltation of the Cross, Pierre, OP, for nine years of devoted leadership and service as Prioress. Her wisdom and dedication helped shape the beautiful monastery and community we enjoy today in Girard. We celebrate her years of faithful service and ask your prayers for our new leaders as they begin this important work.

Mass Schedule

Keep up to date on any scheduling changes.

Visit Our Calendar >

Follow our Journey

Read about the building of the Monastery and other happenings on our blog page.

Visit Our Blog >

Community

Behind the enclosure is a community of women who pray, study, work, and laugh together. Get to know the sisters who make up the heart of our monastery.

Meet the Nuns >

Contact Us

The Dominican family offers two paths for women to follow Christ in the spirt of St. Dominic. Both in the hidden life of prayer (Contemplative nuns) and the active apostolate (Dominican sisters).

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