In 1870, at the request of a Dominican tertiary, a small group of nuns left the monastery of Mauléon (in the Basque Country) for Arles in the hope of being able to restore the sanctuary of Notre Dame de Grâces in les Alyschamps. But after a few difficult years, this project had to be abandoned.

It is then that, from sister Marie-Dominique Vivien de Joubert, came this other project of a new foundation in Lourdes.

After much searching, the nuns were able to purchase a property on a hill above the river, at 600m from the grotto. There, they were able to build a large convent which is our residence since 1889.

It is here that, through Mary, our walk in love is driven. It is with her, through her, and in her that we go to Jesus with our plea for the world.

How can we not hear Dominic's cry: "My God, what will become of the sinners?" or Mary's message to Bernadette: "Pray for the sinners"?

To be a Dominican nun in Lourdes is to share the suffering and hope of the millions of pilgrims who come to the grotto to put their lives in the hands of the Mother of God.