The Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio, have always been women on a mission. Like other congregations of women religious in the United States, the Sisters of the Precious Blood have been integral members of the societies where they lived, worked, and prayed. They were often some of the first university-educated women in the country. They educated immigrants in the 1840s in the wilds of Northern Ohio – and they were immigrants themselves, coming mainly from Germany and Switzerland, leaving their homes for parts unknown, not knowing if they would ever see their families again. They were and continue to be teachers and educators, nurses and doctors, chaplains, housekeepers, weavers, painters, poets, advocates for justice and ecology, administrators, and so much more. 

Because there are too many photos and stories to include in one blog post, I grouped the Sisters’ ministries into four photos from their archives. Each photo represents an aspect of the Sisters’ ministry over time: prayer, teaching, healthcare, and domestic arts.

 In this photo, Sister Rosemary Laux prays in the Salem Heights Chapel in Dayton, Ohio, in 1994.

The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was the catalyst for Mother Maria Anna Brunner to begin the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and prayer has been central to their lives. Throughout their history, the Sisters have continued this tradition with nocturnal and perpetual adoration, writing prayer services, working as pastoral ministers and sacristans, and praying for thousands of requests from people worldwide.

The Sisters came to the United States in 1844 to minister to German immigrants. One of the first ways they did this was through teaching. The Sisters have taught in hundreds of elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States, Guatemala, and Chile. They also focused on their education by attending college and university courses, receiving Master’s degrees and Ph.D.’s, and keeping up with continuing education courses.

In this photo, Sister Mary Bernice Darby uses a map to teach her class at Bishop Leibold West, Miamisburg, Ohio, in 1974.

Since the beginning of the Congregation, the Sisters have cared for each other when they are ill. The Sisters answered the for trained healthcare professionals as the need increased. Throughout their history, they trained to become nurses, doctors, hospital chaplains, and volunteers in hospitals, elder care facilities, and infirmaries.  

In this photo, Sister Mildred Westendorf (Mary Venard) cares for a patient at Lourdes Hall, Dayton, Ohio, in the 1950s. 

The early Ohio pioneer Sisters established a tradition of working in domestic fields to sustain their convents. They cooked, worked in the fields, washed clothing, made clothing and shoes, and kept their convents clean. As the years went by, the Sisters began to work in schools, seminaries, elder care facilities, and clergy residences as housekeepers, cooks, dieticians, and more. They also received formal training through workshops and classes.

In this photo, Sister Mary Joanella Whaley slices meat in the kitchen at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1960s.

For more information on the Sisters’ past ministries and current efforts and to read their newsletter, visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram profile, or YouTube channel.

By Sarah Aisenbrey, Archivist, Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio