LEWISTON – Dominican Sisters from France made their first venture into the United States 100 years ago when they arrived in Lewiston to minister to French-speaking immigrants from Quebec.

Their work and presence are intertwined with local history and landmarks, from the abandoned Dominican Block on the corner of Chestnut and Lincoln streets to the rejuvenated and thriving St. Dominic Regional High School in Auburn.

Lewiston is where 28 Dominican sisters set up a school and boarding home in 1904 within the Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Within a couple of decades, the number grew to 50 sisters, who were in charge of about 2,000 students attending Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School.

“We knew that we needed to do something to mark the centennial,” said Sister Monique Belanger, prioress of the entire United States province. “The most obvious place was to have a celebration here.”

Within the ornate sanctuary of the Saints Peter and Paul Church, Dominican sisters from across the United States and throughout the world gathered Sunday to be honored by the local parish and Bishop Richard Malone of the Portland Diocese.

Mass began with a grand procession of two icons commissioned especially for the occasion. The images of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena led Dominican sisters from six different states and seven countries.

The icons, created by Brother Claude Lane of Oregon, will find their new home in the still-active convent in Sabattus next to the original Ave Maria Academy, said Belanger. The convent is known for its Loaves and Fishes charitable program for local families.

The Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation, from provinces in Canada, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Japan and France came to celebrate their history and life’s work during Sunday’s Mass and banquet.

Belanger has spent months coordinating the event and hosting the sisters, who began arriving in Portland a week ago. Informal celebrations began immediately.

“We’ve been partying all week,” said Belanger, who lives in Lewiston and works full time for Holy Cross Church.

While the presence of Dominican Sisters in the United States goes back 100 years, the first convent was established in Prouille, France, in 1206 by Dominic Guzman of Spain.

Currently, there are 13 Dominican sisters living in Lewiston and a total of 25 in the United States. There haven’t been any new sisters recently, said Belanger.

“I see religious life taking on a new face in the 21st century,” said Belanger. “It will always be there to serve people’s needs, but maybe it will be in different forms. I remain optimistic.”

As provincial leader of the U.S. sisters, Belanger said she tries to make assignments compatible with the sisters’ interests, talents and personalities.

The Dominican Order, also known as the Order of Preachers, calls for the spreading of the Gospel and has organized dozens of different congregations throughout the world. Most church accounts list the number of Dominican sisters to be between 32,000 and 40,000. Within the Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation, there are about 500 sisters in 80 communities, grouped into 7 international provinces.