Corpus Christi Monastery, founded in 1891, is the oldest monastery in the United States ofnuns of theDominican Order. It is an offshoot ofNotre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery, the first monastery of nuns founded byDominic de Guzman, founder and namesake of the Order, in France in 1206. Dominic saw these first women as partners in the "Holy Preaching" of thefriars he soon founded, offering them support by their prayers and sacrifices.
Mother Mary of Jesus (born Julia Crooks in New York City), having entered the Order inOullins, France, founded the Monastery of St. Dominic inNewark, New Jersey, in 1880. Nine years later, she and five other nuns moved to theMorrisania area ofNew York City (which would soon become the southern portion ofthe Bronx), at the invitation ofArchbishopMichael Augustine Corrigan, who requested the presence of acontemplative community which would have the special purpose of praying for theseminarians andpriests of theArchdiocese of New York.[1] The land was purchased at Lafayette Avenue and Baretto Street,[2] and by the time Corpus Christi Monastery was built, there were twenty nuns.
40°48′56″N73°53′25″W / 40.81566°N 73.89035°W /40.81566; -73.89035
