The Daughters of
Mary of the Immaculate Conception
The official name of the Sisters is The Congregation of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception. They were formerly referred to as the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and are popularly known as the “Blue Sisters.”
The Congregation was founded in 1904 in New Britain, Connecticut, by Reverend Lucyan Bojnowski, pastor of Sacred Heart Church. He established the order in response to the needs of the growing Polish immigrant community, particularly to care for orphaned children.
When Father Bojnowski asked for volunteers from his parish, six women from the Sodality of Mary came forward. They were later joined by two more women, forming the original group that would become the present Congregation.
On August 15, 1904, Most Reverend Michael Tierney, Bishop of Hartford, blessed the building that Father Bojnowski had purchased to house the orphans. That day marked the beginning of community life for the original eight Sisters.
By 1948, when the Congregation established Sancta Maria Hospital in Cambridge, the order had grown to include 180 members, who were actively serving in over 18 missions throughout the Middle Atlantic and New England states.
The Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception have served in a wide range of apostolates, including:
- Education: Teaching youth at various academic levels and providing religious instruction in both urban and rural catechetical centers.
- Childcare and elder care: Operating an orphanage, a home for the aged, and running youth camps.
- Support services: Managing hostels for students and working women, directing parochial schools, and caring for parish sanctuaries and sacristies.
- Healthcare: Providing in-home nursing care during times of illness or emergencies.
Prayer of Unity
and Oneness
Loving God,
we thank you
for bringing all of us together
to be Sancta Maria.
May we,
as one,
serve people as Jesus did
with love, compassion and care.
May we remain
united and one in spirit
as we journey together
towards the future
with hope and joy.
May we bear good fruit.
Fruit that will last.
Amen
The Beginnings of Sancta Maria Hospital:
1946
- The Daughters of Mary arrived in the Archdiocese of Boston at the invitation of Cardinal Richard Cushing, Archbishop of Boston.
- They began their ministry by staffing Our Lady’s Guild House in Boston.
- The Sisters expressed to the Cardinal their desire to open a hospital in Boston if an opportunity arose.
November 18, 1947
- Negotiations began to acquire Charlesgate Hospital, a 100-bed facility located on the Cambridge side of the Charles River.
January 6, 1948
- The property transfer was completed at the Archbishop’s Residence.
- The Sancta Maria Hospital Corporation was formally established.
- Cardinal Cushing celebrated the first Mass at the Convent, formerly the nurses’ residence.
January 6, 1948
- The property transfer was completed at the Archbishop’s Residence.
- The Sancta Maria Hospital Corporation was formally established.
- Cardinal Cushing celebrated the first Mass at the Convent, formerly the nurses’ residence.
Sancta Maria Hospital – Memorial Drive Era:
October 7, 1948
- After significant renovations, Charlesgate Hospital was officially renamed Sancta Maria Hospital.
- The hospital was blessed and dedicated by Cardinal Cushing on the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
October 24, 1948
- Sancta Maria Hospital at 350 Memorial Drive opened its doors and admitted its first patients.
- The facility operated with a capacity of 65 beds.
May 29, 1949
- The hospital received an Award of Merit in the 3rd Annual Food Service Contest sponsored by Institutions Magazine.
July 1949
- Provisional approval granted by the American College of Surgeons.
The early success of the hospital was made possible through the leadership of:
- Mother Mary Serafina (Founding Leader)
- Sister Mary Honorata (Administrator)
- Sister Mary Cornelia (Director of the Hospital)
Sancta Maria Hospital – Memorial Drive Era:
October 7, 1948
- After significant renovations, Charlesgate Hospital was officially renamed Sancta Maria Hospital.
- The hospital was blessed and dedicated by Cardinal Cushing on the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
October 24, 1948
- Sancta Maria Hospital at 350 Memorial Drive opened its doors and admitted its first patients.
- The facility operated with a capacity of 65 beds.
May 29, 1949
- The hospital received an Award of Merit in the 3rd Annual Food Service Contest sponsored by Institutions Magazine.
July 1949
- Provisional approval granted by the American College of Surgeons.
The early success of the hospital was made possible through the leadership of:
- Mother Mary Serafina (Founding Leader)
- Sister Mary Honorata (Administrator)
- Sister Mary Cornelia (Director of the Hospital)
