Hospitality is a cherished tradition in many religious communities — the Benedictines, in particular, are known for their famous Rule’s instruction to “Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ.” Many orders offer some kind of guest housing, which you can book for travel and short-term visits at MonasteryStays.com.
But some orders take it a step further and offer long-term housing options for young people, typically young women, who live alongside the sisters. Some communities have offered this hospitality for many years as part of their order’s distinct charism.
Curious where around the world you can live with religious sisters? These religious orders operate residences for young women.
1Religious of Mary Immaculate (RMI)
The RMI sisters actually were founded with the special charism of offering housing to young women. St. Vicenta Maria López y Vicuña began the order in 1876 Madrid and, per their website, her goal from the start was to offer safe housing:
We were born from the needs of young girls who migrated from the countryside to the cities in search of work, and found themselves without a home or means of sustenance.
Today, we continue to welcome adolescents and young women in our Hostels, Social Centers, Day Centers, vocational schools and other apostolic platforms, guiding them in their personal growth process in all dimensions, so that they can find their own path in life and their place in society.
RMI sisters operate over 110 communities in 21 countries across four continents. They offer family-style residences in London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Washington, D.C., New York City and other cities.
2Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception (DMIC)
In New York City, generations of young professional women and students have found a safe home in St. Agnes Residence. Open to women of all faiths, St. Agnes Residence is home to about 100 women at any given time, and was featured in this article. (The order used to operate a residence in Boston too.)
3Daughters of Divine Charity
Franziska Lechner founded this religious order in 1868 with the vision to provide a temporary home for women who were students or working professionals.
St. Mary’s Residence in New York City is the fulfillment of that vision and has operated since 1913. The order also operates Leonora Hall, a women’s residence in Akron, Ohio, with the same mission.
There are certainly lots of other places around the world where you can stay with religious orders. Which ones have we missed?
