St Gabriel's Retreat House

General information

The All Saints Sisters of the Poor was one of the first Anglican sisterhoods founded in England. In 1851 at All Saints Church, Margaret Street, London, the Reverend Mother Harriet Brownlow Byron began what became known as a "mixed life," combining a contemplative prayer life with active apostolates in service to the poor.

The Community flourished and in 1872, at the request of the Reverend Joseph Richey, Rector of Mount Calvery Church in Baltimore, three Sisters came to Maryland to found the first American branch. The Sisters worked with children, offered religious education, and welcomed guests to share their prayer and silence. As needs have changed, so have the apostolates; but prayer has continued to be the center of the Sisters' life.

In 2009, on the Feast of St. Gregory the Great, then Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien received us into the Roman Catholic Church. On the Feast of All Saints 2011, Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien officially established the All Saints Sisters of the Poor as a priory sui juris of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

We endeavor to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit regarding the future direction of our life and work.