Global Sisters Report

This month we asked sisters:

"How have your Lent practices changed since you were younger or in formation? Are there new traditions, surprises, or creative ways you've observed Lent over the years?"

Monday Starter: LCWR offers condolences after death of Rev. Jesse Jackson Plus, sisters throughout Americas attend leadership training, and US sisters call out Trump's racist videos against the Obamas and the inhumane treatment of immigrants.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious said it gives thanks for the life of civil rights champion Rev. Jesse Jackson who died Feb. 17.
www.globalsistersreport.org/monday-start...

The call that remains: Vocation, encounter and journey in consecrated life "I do not understand the call as a decision made once and for all, but as a relationship to be cultivated and renewed — a relationship that continues to unfold and transform me."

"I do not understand the call as a decision made once and for all, but as a relationship to be cultivated and renewed — a relationship that continues to unfold and transform me."
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/reli...

'Secular nun' in Pakistan offers skills training to women in need Sr. Rita Samson lives alone and runs New Life Ministry, a small vocational training center she founded in 2005 from her home in the outskirts of Lahore.

Sr. Rita Samson lives alone and runs New Life Ministry, a small vocational training center she founded in 2005 from her home in the outskirts of Lahore.
www.globalsistersreport.org/secular-nun-...

The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit on the island of Flores cofounded a shelter to provide women with refuge, counseling and legal support in a patriarchal society.

Nun says Passionist vocation a 'symphony' of many instruments creating 'one beautiful melody' From her role as mother superior of St. Joseph Monastery in Whitesville; to being summoned to serve as a temporary superior for the Passionist community in Lucca, Italy; to being elected the very firs...

As a musician, Sr. Catherine Marie Schuhmann likens the expressions of the female Passionist vocation to "a symphony orchestra — all these different instruments, all contributing to the one, beautiful, melody."
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

'We are new women': Abuse survivors in Indonesia find hope with Catholic sisters The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit on the island of Flores cofounded a shelter to provide women with refuge, counseling and legal support in a patriarchal society.

The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit on the island of Flores cofounded a shelter to provide women with refuge, counseling and legal support in a patriarchal society.
www.globalsistersreport.org/we-are-new-w...

Nigerian sisters hold back tide of HIV crisis amidst USAID cuts A "stop-work" directive issued suddenly by the U.S. government brought all USAID/PEPFAR-funded HIV programs to a halt in Nigeria. For clients at the Ancilla Catholic Hospital, run by the Handmaids of ...

A "stop-work" directive issued suddenly by the U.S. government brought all USAID/PEPFAR-funded HIV programs to a halt in Nigeria. For clients at the Ancilla Catholic Hospital, run by the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, the consequences were severe.
www.globalsistersreport.org/nigerian-sis...

As illegal mining spreads through abandoned shafts in South Africa, Catholic religious women risk their lives to rescue girls coerced into sex and early marriages in communities the state struggles to protect.

Pope Leo appoints Vincentian sister as new deputy of Vatican press office Pope Leo XIV has appointed Croatian Vincentian Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapic as the deputy director of the Holy See Press Office.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Croatian Vincentian Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapic as the deputy director of the Holy See Press Office.
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

Franciscan Central Archive to gather archives from 11 communities across US The archive project is charism-based and open to any Franciscan community, regardless of location or whether they are men or women.

The archive project is charism-based and open to any Franciscan community, regardless of location or whether they are men or women.
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

'With God's grace': A Kenyan sister carves out a niche for ministry in a South Georgia town An employee of the Glenmary Home Mission Sisters, Sr. Imelda Ngwitu is following the congregation's charism of growing the Catholic Church in rural areas.

An employee of the Glenmary Home Mission Sisters, Sr. Imelda Ngwitu is following the congregation's charism of growing the Catholic Church in rural areas.
www.globalsistersreport.org/gods-grace

"Soon, I will be sober for 50 years. I am able to achieve sobriety on a daily basis through my faith in God, and my heart is full of gratitude."
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/spir...

Monday Starter: Mercy sister receives lifetime achievement award Plus, women religious organizations pray against ICE; CELAM secretary general thanks consecrated life for their witness; and a fund to help sisters heat monasteries in Spain raises more than 100,000 e...

Plus, women religious organizations pray against ICE; CELAM secretary general thanks consecrated life for their witness; and a fund to help sisters heat monasteries in Spain raises more than 100,000 euros.
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

Catholic Church debates nuns' new access to Indian state's social security The Kerala government has decided to allow pensions for unmarried women over 50, including those in religious institutions. Some say the move sets an important precedent in India. Others dismiss it as...

A southwestern Indian state's decision to extend social security pensions to unmarried women above the age of 50, including those living in religious institutions, has sparked a debate in the church.
www.globalsistersreport.org/social-justi...

Catholic sister leads effort to deliver support and hope to inmates in Nigeria Sr. Anthonia Ibeh of the Medical Missionaries of Mary leads the work to offer free legal aid, social support, rehabilitation and spiritual care to inmates, many of whom are legally innocent and still ...

Sr. Anthonia Ibeh of the Medical Missionaries of Mary leads the work to offer free legal aid, social support, rehabilitation and spiritual care to inmates, many of whom are legally innocent and still awaiting trial.
www.globalsistersreport.org/ministry/cat...

The faith of children in Mozambique teaches me tenderness I seek a living God — not only in the solitude of prayer, but also in my encounters with others, especially with children: the smallest, the most vulnerable, transparent, sensitive and innocent.

I seek a living God — not only in the solitude of prayer, but also in my encounters with others, especially with children: the smallest, the most vulnerable, transparent, sensitive and innocent.
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/spir...

'It's terrifying': Dominicans in Minneapolis on the front lines of ICE surge Sinsinawa Dominicans are bringing food to immigrants, providing legal aid, giving rides to Latino teachers afraid to go to work, and helping pay bills for those staying in their homes for fear of arre...

Sinsinawa Dominicans are bringing food to immigrants, providing legal aid, giving rides to Latino teachers afraid to go to work, and helping pay bills for those staying in their homes for fear of arrest and deportation.
www.globalsistersreport.org/migration/it...

Vocational discernment calls for steadfast spirits in an age of upheaval Horizons - In an age of utter upheaval, with militarized presence on city streets and dehumanizing public policy, the petition for a clean heart and renewed spirit feels like a plea we could all make.

Horizons - In an age of utter upheaval, with militarized presence on city streets and dehumanizing public policy, the petition for a clean heart and renewed spirit feels like a plea we could all make.
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/spir...

In Africa, religious sisters step in as climate crisis deepens for the poorest As religious sisters and others respond on the front lines, communities across Africa bear the cost of global delays on climate action.

As religious sisters and others respond on the front lines, communities across Africa bear the cost of global delays on climate action.
www.globalsistersreport.org/environment/...

As we face a government of bullies, Martin Luther King still challenges us to love It seems more important than ever to remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, experience his spirit, and give witness to the values that reflect the possibility of who we are and what kind of world we...

It seems more important than ever to remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, experience his spirit, and give witness to the values that reflect the possibility of who we are and what kind of world we can render.
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/soci...

'Una Caro': Why is the Vatican still getting Africa wrong on marriage? A recent Vatican document on marriage revives troubling assumptions about Africa and polygamy. Sr. Leonida Katunge asks: Why is Africa once again being defined without Africa at the table?

A recent Vatican document on marriage revives troubling assumptions about Africa and polygamy. Sr. Leonida Katunge asks: Why is Africa once again being defined without Africa at the table?
www.globalsistersreport.org/opinion/una-...

On a day of Holocaust remembrance, honoring Edith Stein Born and raised Jewish, Edith Stein converted to Catholicism in 1922, later becoming a Discalced Carmelite nun who was arrested by the Gestapo and perished in Auschwitz in 1942.

Jan. 27 marks the United Nations International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust — an annual event that, as the world body describes it, "dignifies the victims and survivors of the Holocaust."
www.globalsistersreport.org/day-holocaus...

Monday Starter: Network launches institute to help people politically organize Plus, Religious Formation Conference hosts workshops on navigating grief in communal spaces; sisters provide free online meditation series; Indian sisters and priests given travel safety advisory afte...

Plus, Religious Formation Conference hosts workshops on navigating grief in communal spaces; sisters provide free online meditation series; Indian sisters and priests given travel safety advisory after train mishap.
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

New Year's resolutions — even failed resolutions — can be heartfelt new beginnings The Life - As 2026 gets underway, our sister panelists tell us: What has been your resolution for this new year? How are you doing with it? Are you keeping it or laughing at it?

This month we asked our sister panelists: What has been your resolution for this new year? How are you doing with it? Are you keeping it or laughing at it?
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

The most powerful and just weapon on earth isn't what you think Nonviolence is often dismissed as naïve, yet evidence shows it frequently produces more durable change than coercion.

Nonviolence is often dismissed as naïve, yet evidence shows it frequently produces more durable change than coercion.
www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/most...

Ohio nuns lament downfall of their former nursing home under new owners A congregation of Catholic women religious is lamenting the downfall of an acclaimed nursing home it once operated, after severe neglect and endangerment of residents by the current owners prompted Oh...

A congregation of Catholic women religious is lamenting the downfall of an acclaimed nursing home it once operated, after severe neglect and endangerment of residents by the current owners prompted Ohio state officials to intervene.
www.globalsistersreport.org/news/ohio-nu...

Remembering former NCR Rome correspondent, Crux founder John L. Allen Jr. The longtime journalist, who died Jan. 22 at age 61, had a front-row seat to the waning years of Pope John Paul II's pontificate and the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

The longtime journalist, who died Jan. 22 at age 61, had a front-row seat to the waning years of Pope John Paul II's pontificate and the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
www.ncronline.org/opinion/gues...

In challenging times, religious in Latin America call for more committed faith The document, titled "Be Born Again," is a guide to help the leading organization representing religious life in Latin America and the Caribbean discern and take action.

The Confederation of Latin American Religious says consecrated life in the region must listen to the call of the spirit, seek new paths, and leave behind past ecclesial models in order to "be born again" and give hope in times of darkness.
www.globalsistersreport.org/religious-li...

Presentation Sisters in Zambia enhance public health with clean water The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary's efforts in sinking wells and installing water pumps have been instrumental in improving access to clean water and raising living standards ...

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary's efforts in sinking wells and installing water pumps have been instrumental in improving access to clean water and raising living standards in Mongu district.
www.globalsistersreport.org/environment/...