Hearing the doorbell ring at the Convent of St. Birgitta is no surprise for the Bridgettine sisters.
The consecrated religious, who reside in the convent located adjacent to Columbus Holy Family Church in the city’s west side, welcome families, friends and strangers on a regular basis.
When not in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the sisters are often in the kitchen making a hot cup of tea, arranging a plate of cookies and lending an ear to their guests.
The semi-cloistered order’s primary charisms are prayer and hospitality for Christian unity. The community follows the Rule of Saint Augustine, living a simple lifestyle with five prayer times daily.
The Order of the Most Holy Saviour (OSsS) was founded by St. Bridget of Sweden in 1370. The religious community was re-established centuries later in 1911 by St. Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad.
The order has 58 convents worldwide with its motherhouse in Rome. Convents typically include guest houses, an extension of the sisters’ charism of hospitality.
Fundraising efforts are helping achieve the community’s goal to build a guest house at the Columbus convent. The sisters anticipate serving individuals whose loved ones are treated at local hospitals.
A multimillion-dollar renovation was planned and divided into two phases. Phase one was completed in December 2025.
Chris Meyers of Meyers + Associates architecture in Columbus is leading the renovation design.
“We already have all the architectural plans,” said Jody White, a volunteer at the Bridgettine convent who is helping lead “faith-raising” and fundraising efforts. Meyers “designed all of the architectural plans,” she said, which was “a huge gift – tremendous gift.”
The Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare parishioner was introduced to the Bridgettines years ago by Father Stash Dailey, who previously served as vicar for religious in the diocese. The priest is now pastor at Worthington St. Michael the Archangel Church.
“When I met with Father Stash, after our conversation, I just fell in love with Mother Eunice, and really, the order and their charisms,” White recalled.
“We were walking to the car together, all three of us, and I said, ‘Did you know my middle name was Bridget and my confirmation name was Elizabeth?’ – the two foundresses of the order. So I feel privileged … to walk with the sisters.”
Phase one of renovations, costing approximately $2 million, included upkeep and maintenance to the existing convent: roofing, electric, a 10-bedroom expansion, a community room and additional bathrooms.
“We experienced so much grace day in and day out,” Mother Eunice, OSsS, the superior of the Columbus convent, said of initial renovations. “It was a very noisy time everywhere, but we did not stop anything.
“We made the spiritual part very strong, starting a basic foundation on the spiritual. Then we started to work on the building. This came from many hands, many minds and many generous hearts.”
Money raised also funded an outdoor walkway, garden and bell tower at the convent.
An image of the Crown of the Five Holy Wounds, part of the Bridgettine habit, is featured on the bell tower floor. The Bridgettines wear a crown of white cloth with five red jewels, representing the Five Wounds of Christ.
Plaques with images of the Seven Sorrows of Mary line the walls of the bell tower. The tower will eventually extend into a new chapel and guest house.
“The sisters here really feel that Mother Elizabeth (Hesselblad) is calling them to have a guest house that will house loved ones whose family members are in the local hospitals,” White said.
“There’s a lot of facilities … places that people can stay. I think the people in Columbus take it for granted that they can go home.”
A new chapel and guest house are set for phase two of renovations, estimated to cost between $6 million and $7 million.
The chapel, which will be located off of the bell tower, has been designed to accommodate 70 people. The guest house will offer six suites, each including a private bath and two full beds.
“The sisters, they’re not going to physically care for them,” White said of guests, “but they will welcome in the families. There’ll be a fee to stay there to help support the sisters, but less expensive than a hotel.”
The convent will “have the chapel with Jesus to be Adored for these families who need our Lord the most,” White noted. Guests will “have the sisters’ hospitality of breakfast and dinner” and “do not have to be Catholic.”
She said the Bridgettine community hopes to raise about $1 million before beginning phase two of renovations. They anticipate breaking ground at the end of 2026.
Renovations to the Bridgettine Sisters’ Columbus convent are largely funded by benefactors. The order is financially independent from the diocese.
“That’s definitely, I think, important for a lot of people to know because the diocese has their own fundraising, but this is completely independent,” White said.
Fundraising campaigns are currently in motion.
The sisters partnered with The Catholic Foundation to offer a donor-advised fund for ease of giving.
Individuals can sponsor a brick for $250 for the convent’s outdoor walkway, now open for the public to visit and spend time in prayer. Bricks can honor a family member or loved one.
The 14 Stations of the Cross in bronze will be installed along the walkway. The faithful can sponsor a station for $10,000 each.
Mother Eunice, who is a native of India, compared renovations “to the Exodus (story in the Old Testament). A new foundation, it will not be everything ready and just sit back and enjoy, no.
“It’s a kind of constant struggle, battles for the financial things, the building, too,” she added. “For me personally, I think it was a building up of our spiritual life as well as the project.”
“Even in the midst of a capital campaign, the sisters are building the Kingdom of God here on earth all for the glory of God and the salvation of souls,” White affirmed.
The first two Bridgettine sisters arrived in Columbus in October 2018. Six now reside at the convent. Three of the sisters – two from the Philippines and another from India – are currently overseas renewing their visas.
The Bridgettines receive a stipend from weekly meals they cook for the homeless. The sisters prepare 250 hot meals a couple days per week, which are picked up by Holy Family Soup Kitchen.
Renovations to the convent’s outdoor space include the Sacred Heart Garden and a fountain. Land on the property remains open in anticipation of a new chapel and guest house.
“We’ve made such progress, but I see the back area, and I’m like, ‘It’s time to build that chapel,’” White said, “but then, I’m like, ‘OK, Jody, the Lord’s working in souls in the middle of the mess.’”
The Bridgettines welcome individuals to the convent at various times of day for prayer, Mass, Adoration and retreats.
Adoration is offered three days a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daily Mass is held at the convent at 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 a.m. the remaining weekdays.
Women’s retreats are offered monthly, and men’s retreats take place quarterly.
“So many people benefit from the spiritual grace,” Mother Eunice noted. “They have a home away from home: they can come here and freely speak to the Lord.
“Sometimes they need to be assisted by listening to their day-to-day issues. Not everyone, but a few people need someone to listen to them, advise them.”
“This town is growing very much in faith. It’s a joy to see the young people, how they answer,” Sister Fabiola, OSsS added. “Most of the people we find here … are students, especially students who are in the university, who come here.”
The sisters rent out Madonna Hall, an event space used for retreats at the convent, and the sun room, which includes a dining area. The spaces can be used for showers, meetings and retreats.
A community room on the lower level includes a full bathroom. The space is designed to accommodate women for a come-and-see at the convent, providing a place to stay overnight.
The basement is under construction and will be renovated into St. Joseph’s Hall. Two bathrooms are currently being installed. The area will be a smaller version of Madonna Hall upstairs.
The Bridgettine Sisters plan to host two Lenten retreats at their convent this year.
The first, “Renewed in the Seasons of Lent and Easter,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. with a talk from Father Michael Hartge, diocesan vicar general and Moderator of the Curia.
The second, “Mysteries Unfold in the Easter Triduum,” is set for Thursday, March 12 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. with Father Michael Donovan, O. de M. (Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy), pastor at Holy Family Church, speaking.
Those interested should RSVP to BridgettineSisters1@gmail.com. A $10 offering is suggested.
To learn more or support the sisters, visit www.Bridgettines.com.