Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate
The Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate (SOLI) is a contemplative-active community of religious women dedicated to serving the Church through a life deeply rooted in Eucharistic and Marian spirituality. Founded on August 1, 1977, by Father William Lloyd Ryan and Mother Mary Josephine Mulligan in the Diocese of Hamilton, Ontario, the community was established with a mission to faithfully live out the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience while courageously teaching the full truth of the Catholic Faith.
Our Charism and Community Life
Guided by the Rule of St. Augustine, the Sisters balance a profound interior life of prayer with active exterior works of mercy. The community strives for personal holiness in imitation of Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother, drawing strength from daily Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a shared life of prayer. The Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate place their life and works under the loving patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, moving forward with core virtues of fidelity, courage, humility, and simplicity.
Core Apostolates
The Sisters answer the structural and spiritual needs of the Church through two main apostolates:
- The Education of Youth: Focusing heavily on catechizing children, teenagers, and adults to renew a rich, living knowledge of Catholic teachings.
- Care of the Elderly and Deprived: Offering a prayerful presence, compassionate listening, and acts of mercy to uphold the dignity of seniors reflecting Christ’s compassionate heart.
Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Peterborough
At the invitation of Most Reverend Bishop McGrattan, the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate expanded their mission to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough, establishing the Our Lady of the Angels Convent. In addition to providing valuable assistance at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, the Sisters fulfill a vital teaching apostolate at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School.
Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School is an independent, co-educational K–12 institution in Peterborough that specializes in a traditional classical liberal arts and science education. Operating in full fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, the school partners directly with parents to build a strong community bound by faith, virtue formation, and academic excellence.
The SOLI Sisters serve on the faculty and administration as full-time teachers. Through their visible witness, daily instruction, and leadership, the Sisters help integrate a rich Catholic prayer life—including daily Holy Mass, the Angelus, and regular catechesis—into the hearts of the students. Working alongside diocesan clergy, the Sisters cultivate an environment where young “saints and scholars” can preserve their innocence, grow in virtue, and joyfully discover their God-given vocations. The ministry of the SOLI Sisters also encompasses work in the Archives at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. There, Sister fields many requests for documents and artifacts under the direction of the Office of Spiritual Affairs while also coordinating the Volunteer Screening Process.