Since 1870 the Sisters of St. Dominic have given unselfish and faithful charitable service to the sick. In 1893 there was a small pox epidemic in Brooklyn. The number of patients was so great that the Brooklyn Hospital for Contagious Diseases was unable to cope with this crisis throughout New York City. They appealed to the staff of St. Catherine’s Hospital for assistance.

Twenty sisters generously volunteered. Four sisters were sent to Brooklyn Hospital. Conditions were deplorable! The supply of beds was insufficient to accommodate the large number of patients. They huddled on mattresses which were on the floors of the corridors. With their natural love for order and cleanliness, the sisters set to work, not only to sanitize the place, but also to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the epidemic. The patients called the sisters “the Angels in White”.

Their generosity was blessed. Many people were converted to the faith that produced such “angels”, and they became devout Catholics. The sisters remained until all traces of the epidemic had vanished. In 1898 they returned to their ministry at St. Catherine’s Hospital.