Little Sisters of the Lamb

The Little Sisters of the Lamb in Kansas City

The Lumen Christi Little Monastery in Kansas City, Kansas is the first U.S. foundation of the Little Sisters of the Lamb, established in May 2008 at the invitation of Archbishop Joseph Naumann. Officially titled 'Missionaries of the Holy Face and Mendicants of the Holy Trinity,' the sisters live as contemplatives among the poor in the inner city, in the footsteps of Saint Dominic and Saint Francis, going 'as lambs' into the neighborhood to beg their daily bread and to bring the Gospel. The monastery chapel was inaugurated on September 14, 2013 — the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross — and remains a place of peace and prayer open to all.

History and Founding

The Sisters first came to Kansas City in 2008 and moved into an old, dilapidated rectory in the inner city. Through the generosity of more than 4,000 donors, the simple Lumen Christi monastery was built and consecrated by Archbishop Naumann on September 14, 2013. A year later he celebrated the Mass of investiture of three postulants at the monastery. In November 2018 the Little Brothers of the Lamb completed their own 'Light of Mary, Mother of God' monastery a block away, forming the 'Village of the Lamb.' Most recently, on March 19, 2025 (the Feast of St. Joseph), Archbishop Naumann broke ground for the Saint Joseph House guest house — a $375,000 project where he intends to live in retirement as the village's first long-term guest.

• May 2008 — first U.S. foundation of the Little Sisters in inner-city Kansas City, Kansas
• Sept. 14, 2013 — Lumen Christi monastery chapel inaugurated on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
• 2014 — Mass of investiture of three postulants at Lumen Christi
• November 2018 — Little Brothers complete 'Light of Mary, Mother of God' monastery; 'Village of the Lamb' formed
• Fall 2024 — mission house opened in St. Joseph, Missouri at invitation of Bishop James Johnston
• March 19, 2025 — groundbreaking for Saint Joseph House guest house

Village of the Lamb and the Nativity Grotto

A block down the street from Lumen Christi stands the Little Brothers' 'Light of Mary, Mother of God' monastery (921 Homer Avenue), and together the two houses form the 'Village of the Lamb.' Next to the Little Brothers' monastery is the Nativity Grotto — a Marian shrine with an icon of Christ's Nativity that the community describes as 'a haven of peace, where Christmas is an eternal reality.' The grotto is open to all visitors for prayer, entrusting intentions to Mary, and pilgrimage.

• Little Sisters' monastery (Lumen Christi): 36 S. Boeke St.
• Little Brothers' monastery (Light of Mary, Mother of God): 921 Homer Avenue
• Nativity Grotto between the two monasteries
• Saint Joseph House (guest house, under construction as of 2025)

Neighborhood Outreach

As mendicants, the Sisters rely completely on Divine Providence for their daily needs and go door-to-door in the neighborhood to beg their daily bread. 'When you go to beg your daily bread in the neighborhood and knock on doors, to the world you seem to bring nothing to those homes. In reality you are bringing the love of Christ, the hope of Christ, the joy of Christ,' Archbishop Naumann has said of the community. The 'Village of the Lamb' hosts a Neighborhood Rosary Procession and a monthly 'Open Table' family-style lunch at the Little Brothers' monastery — typically at 11:30 AM on the third Saturday — for anyone who wishes to come.

• Daily mendicant begging rounds in the neighborhood
• Neighborhood Rosary Procession
• 'Open Table' monthly community lunch (3rd Saturday, ~11:30 AM)

Young Adults 18–35

The Little Sisters and Little Brothers host a Young Adults (18–35) ministry at the Village of the Lamb, gathering young people who wish to share in the community's prayer and inner-city mission. The group appears as a distinct heading on the Lumen Christi monastery page of the Community of the Lamb website.

How to Help and Contact

The Little Sisters welcome support for their mission, both spiritual and material. As mendicants they rely on Providence for daily life and for the construction of their monasteries. Checks may be made out and mailed to the sisters' monastery address, and the Community of the Lamb website hosts a 'Help the Little Sisters in the United States' page with further giving options.

• Mailing address: The Little Sisters of the Lamb, 36 South Boeke Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101, USA
• Phone: +1 (913) 621-1727
• Support page: communityofthelamb.org/help-the-little-sisters-in-the-united-states/