The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic religious congregation established in 1775 in Ireland. The U.S. headquarters are based in New Windsor, New York, with activity throughout several states in the United States.

The order has endorsed environmentalist activism and supports liberal expansionist immigration policies.

Background

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic religious congregation. The order of nuns was founded in Ireland in 1775 by Nano Nagle and was originally named the Society of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. ¹

In September 1874, Mother Joseph Hickey led a group of 12 Presentation sisters from Ireland to New York City to teach the families of poor Irish immigrants. A decade later they established the Sisters of the Presentation of Staten Island. In 1886, Mother Magdalen Keating brought members of the Staten Island group to Fitchburg, Massachusetts for a congregation serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. In 1921, the sisters moved from Staten Island to Newburgh, New York. In 1997, the Fitchburg and Newburgh congregations merged. ²

The U.S. chapter is based in New Windsor, New York, but has nuns working in educational and social services in California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C. ³

The Presentation Sisters in North Dakota planned to set up new residences in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls at a cost of about $5 million. The Presentation Sisters has had a presence in Aberdeen since 1886. The previous covenant can house more than 100 nuns, but only 27 sisters live there. The new facilities will be built for efficiency with 16 rooms in the Aberdeen facility and 20 rooms in the Sioux Falls. ⁴

Social Activism

The group of nuns are part of the International Presentation Association, which has non-government organization status at the United Nations, and provides consultation to the U.N. Economic and Social Council. ⁵

The group’s “Earth Justice” goal states people are called to “Listen and respond to the cry of Earth urging us to bring forth a sustainable society.” The congregation says it cares for the Earth by studying Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change and sharing it with elected leaders at the national, state and local level to “foster dialogue about sustainability.” ⁶

The congregation also advocates for liberal expansionist immigration reform legislation that would provide a “pathway to citizenship” for illegal immigrants in the United States. It says its support is “based on Gospel values, Catholic social teaching, and principles set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.” The group also seeks solutions for those seeking to come to the United States fleeing their homelands because of violence, as well as helping people who are detained in the United States for violating immigration laws. ⁷

1. Who We Are. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/
2. Who We Are. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/
3. Who We Are. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/
4. Staff. “Presentation Sisters Plan $5 Million Residences in Two Cities.” Associated Press. January 22, 2019. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://brookingsregister.com/article/presentation-sisters-plan-5-million-residences-in-two-cities
5. Earth and Justice Matters. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/justice
6. Earth and Justice Matters. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/justice
7. Earth and Justice Matters. Accessed December 22, 2019. https://www.sistersofthepresentation.org/justice