St. Dominic’s Institute

“Did you hear about the school that started with a dream?” I ask, gesturing towards St. Dominic’s Institute. “Our story begins not in Tokyo, but in Oyster Bay, New York, with a man named Monsignor Charles J. Canivan.” I pause for effect, letting the group take in the modern facade of St. Dominic’s Institute here in Tokyo. “In the early 20th century, Father Canivan, pastor of Saint Dominic Church, had a vivid dream. The Blessed Lady appeared, holding a scroll proclaiming, ‘God wills that you build a religious school.'” I lower my voice slightly, adding a touch of mystique. “She envisioned a place where ‘science and culture and religion are taught.’ Inspired, he devoted his life to making this dream a reality for his parishioners.” I lead the group closer to the entrance. “The first piece of the puzzle, Saint Dominic Elementary School, opened in 1924 with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as teachers. Just four years later, in 1928, St. Dominic High School followed, a groundbreaking co-educational Catholic high school.” I smile. “Canivan’s dream was bigger than Oyster Bay. He wanted to draw students from all over, a bold idea at a time when Catholic secondary schools were scarce.” I look around at the group. “St. Dominic’s was more than just a school; it was known as ‘The Parish Gem.’ While the details of its journey from Oyster Bay to Tokyo remain a mystery to me,” I admit, “the spirit of Father Canivan’s dream, that blend of science, culture, and religion, seems to resonate within these walls. As we explore further, perhaps we’ll uncover more pieces of this intriguing puzzle.”