The Dominicanas de Santa Catarina de Sena are members of a female religious apostolic Congregation founded by Teresa de Saldanha (1837-1916) in the 19th century in Portugal, and incorporated into the Dominican Order, having St Catherine of Siena as their Protectress and model in the following of Jesus.

Teresa de Saldanha was the first woman Foundress, in Portugal, after the suppression of the Religious Orders in 1834. She felt impelled to do something for her country which was plunged in ignorance and error. In founding a religious Congregation, her primary aim was to regenerate Portugal. Circumstances, however, carried the Congregation to other countries.

The Dominican Sisters seek the Absolute of God, combining contemplation and action in an unceasing attention to the calls of God in the world. In order to achieve this, they integrate the fundamental elements of the Dominican charism: prayer, life in common, study and apostolate.

Their aim is to live and to express mercy in their actions, in the services they provide, and in their educational and social welfare foundations established for the benefit of children, young people and the elderly. They seek to expand and perpetuate the work of Teresa de Saldanha for the poor, the hungry and the ignorant.

Today, as yesterday, they endeavour: