“We are a new breed of contemplatives. Our monasteries are the busy streets of cities, our convents are rural roads and our bells are the poor, knocking at our doors.” - Catherine Doherty

All that we do springs from our life of prayer; indeed our call is to “become a prayer” so that we may “be” before the Face of God as we walk with those we serve. In order to do this we need, “the prayer of silence, contemplation and repose in the Heart of Christ.”

Woven into our charism is Catherine’s Eastern Rite roots and her call to pray for unity between East and West. These roots are reflected by the use of icons in our chapel, the praying of certain Byzantine prayers (our Trinitarian spirituality) and the concept of Poustinia (a special place of prayer and silence that we offer).

We also have a liturgical schedule; a daily rhythm of liturgy of the hours, adoration, and other prayers. Our chapel is open to all. Anyone is welcome to join us at prayer or simply to visit and pray quietly before the Blessed Sacrament.

Catherine learned from an early age that Christ is in every person you touch. We not only open our homes to Christ in others but our hearts as well. We do this by a listening ear, a meal shared, laughter around the table, weeping with those who weep, receiving and loving all who call. We also host various groups and activities for married couples and single men and women. 

On Catherine’s simple wooden cross on her grave are the words “She loved the poor.” Love of the poor, assuaging the pain of Christ in them is a  work of all of our houses, principally by friendship. Here in DC we extend the hand of friendship whenever we can whether through a sandwich or a smile. We volunteer at one of the more established places of support.