St. Dominic Cemetery
The stones before you mark the graves of those who dedicated their lives to God. This is the final resting place of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville as well as some of their chaplains. The first sister to be buried here was Sister Walburga Meninger who died in 1878. Previously, our Dominican sisters had been buried at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery on Montrose Avenue, Brooklyn. In subsequent years, their remains were brought here. Not all the Amityville Dominican sisters are buried in this soil. If you look to the left, you will see a shrine to St. Dominic which memorializes the Amityville Dominican Sisters who lived, served, and were buried in their Province in Puerto Rico. The mission was established in 1910 and continues today. St. Dominic Cemetery has been listed as a National Historic Site.
REFLECTION: “I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me.” – Joyce Johnson Rouse
Located at the heart of St. Dominic’s cemetery is the grave of our Foundress Mother Josepha Witzlhofer who died in 1854. Her body, along with five others, were brought here in 1896. At the heart of the cemetery is the vault. In the vault next to Mother Josepha are buried other beloved prioresses including, Emilia Barth (who died in 1895), Catherine Herbert (1944), Augustine Fleck (1927), Caritas Harth (1966), Anselma Ruth (1957) and Bernadette de Lourdes Belz (1985). In the vault next to Mother Josepha are buried our prioresses including Emilia Barth (1895), Catherine Herbert (1944), Augustine Fleck (1927), Caritas Harth (1966), Anselma Ruth (1957), and Bernadette de Lourdes Belz (1985). Prioress Frances Maureen is buried next to the vault, because she wanted to be buried with her fellow sisters. There are Stations of the Cross in the back of the cemetery near New Highway. Just behind St. Dominic's Chapel, there is a statue of St. Joseph – Patron Saint of the Universal Church – which stands watch over our departed sisters in their eternal rest.
As we gaze upon these cemetery stones, each representing the lives of one of our dear sisters, let us contemplate the good deeds of those who came before us. Let us thank those who helped us in little ways and in large ways, to make our lives better.
Scroll down on this page for a video about St. Dominic’s Cemetery.
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