1866 – 2016: Sisters of the Visitation of Mary at Monte Maria and Richmond Hill

Honoring 150 years of prayer, study and work for the city.

In August of 1866, seven Visitation Sisters from Baltimore, Maryland came to Richmond, Virginia at the request of Bishop John McGill to pray for the diocese (Catholic Diocese of Richmond, VA) and its priests. The Sisters opened an academy for girls to support themselves.

In 1894, Mrs. Thomas Ryan donated funds to build the Chapel, which is still in active use today. In 1922, Mother Mary Magdalene of Monte Maria received an inheritance which afforded the building of the dormitory, which also remains in active use today.

However, in 1927 the community voted unanimously to close Monte Maria Academy in order to live a more contemplative life. Baking altar breads then became their main source of income. In 1956, the addition of two letterpresses became an additional source of livelihood. The Sisters established a reputation for fine quality printing of holy cards and pamphlets.

For more than 120 years the Monastery was on Richmond’s Church Hill. A book published to commemorate the 100th anniversary described it as the “Sentinel on the Hill.” Even after the Sisters relocated their community in 1987 to another little hill in Rockville, Virginia (35 miles from the original Monte Maria Academy of Richmond), it has not ceased to be that sentinel.

Through their contemplative life, lived in a community of charity, the Sisters continue their “watching and waiting for the Lord.” Their silent testimony is a beautiful, specific way of extending the Kingdom of God, and of sharing in the evangelization of the world.