Called to let go: Catholic sisters describe moments of Pentecost

"The Pentecost," an 18th-century Spanish painting by Antonio González Velázquez (Artvee)

This month Global Sisters Report invited panelists to reflect on the question: When have you had an Ascension or Pentecost "moment" when you had to stop clinging and let go? How did the Holy Spirit show up for you?

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"The Pentecost," an 18th-century Spanish painting by Antonio González Velázquez (Artvee)

Called to let go: Catholic sisters describe moments of Pentecost

This month Global Sisters Report invited panelists to reflect on the question: When have you had an Ascension or Pentecost "moment" when you had to stop clinging and let go? How did the Holy Spirit show up for you?

Catholic sisters are among the crowd gathering at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine of Namugongo in Kampala, Uganda's capital, to honor the 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican martyrs killed between 1885 and 1887. Martyrs Day, June 3, is a national holiday in Uganda and a major spiritual event across Africa. (GSR photo/Gerald Matembu)

Sisters join thousands on pilgrimage across East Africa to honor Uganda's martyrs

"It's a sacrifice — just like the one Jesus made for us," said Sr. Stella Aketch "The Ugandan martyrs also gave their lives for their faith. Walking like this is my way of honoring their courage."

Oblate Sr. Marcia Hall prays during Mass in the chapel of the mother house of the Oblate Sisters of Providence near Baltimore Feb. 9, 2022. (OSV News/Chaz Muth)

Sr. Marcia Hall elected superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, nation's oldest Black Catholic order

The New Jersey native and former university administrator has been a member of the Oblates, the nation's oldest Black Catholic order, since 1998.

From left, Srs. Sandy Schmid, Emily Meehan, Kristina DeNeve and Pat Quinn relax in their small community's shared space in the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis. Not shown is Sr. Jo Ann Simanella. Schmid, DeNeve and Quinn are St. Joseph sisters; Meehan and Simanelle are members of the Congregation of Divine Providence. (GSR/Dan Stockman)

At this Missouri motherhouse, sisters from 4 congregations coexist

As congregations across the United States look to liquidate unused facilities or find a new way to put them to use, intercongregational living is happening more and more often.

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"The Pentecost," an 18th-century Spanish painting by Antonio González Velázquez (Artvee)

Called to let go: Catholic sisters describe moments of Pentecost

This month Global Sisters Report invited panelists to reflect on the question: When have you had an Ascension or Pentecost "moment" when you had to stop clinging and let go? How did the Holy Spirit show up for you?

From left: Bon Secours Srs. Pat Dowling, Elaine Davia and Nancy Glynn stand beside an ad reading, "Put the Guns Down. Let Peace Begin with Us," inside a Baltimore city bus. The ad campaign runs through June on the outside and inside of city buses, and on Baltimore's subway. (Courtesy of Sisters of Bon Secours)

Monday Starter: 8 congregations launch 'Put the Guns Down' campaign in Baltimore

Also, two pilgrimages will lead to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, as part of the shrine's yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the canonization of Seton.

Oblate Sr. Marcia Hall prays during Mass in the chapel of the mother house of the Oblate Sisters of Providence near Baltimore Feb. 9, 2022. (OSV News/Chaz Muth)

Sr. Marcia Hall elected superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, nation's oldest Black Catholic order

The New Jersey native and former university administrator has been a member of the Oblates, the nation's oldest Black Catholic order, since 1998.

From left, Srs. Sandy Schmid, Emily Meehan, Kristina DeNeve and Pat Quinn relax in their small community's shared space in the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis. Not shown is Sr. Jo Ann Simanella. Schmid, DeNeve and Quinn are St. Joseph sisters; Meehan and Simanelle are members of the Congregation of Divine Providence. (GSR/Dan Stockman)

At this Missouri motherhouse, sisters from 4 congregations coexist

As congregations across the United States look to liquidate unused facilities or find a new way to put them to use, intercongregational living is happening more and more often.

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Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago addresses migrants at the Migrant Ministry's first location at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church in Oak Park, Illinois, in a December 2023 photo. Program organizer Celine Woznica is pictured at the right. (Courtesy of Migrant Ministry)
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Sr. Felister Maria Kwamboka, who belongs to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Asumbi, plays with children at the nursery school that is part of the Baragoi Catholic Mission in Samburu County, northern Kenya. The school provides a safe space for children from all the tribes in Baragoi to learn and play. (Lourine Oluoch)

In Kenyan town of divided tribes, sisters serve all at Baragoi Catholic Mission

At the mission, "no one cares whether they are from the Turkana or Samburu community," says Sr. Felister Maria Kwamboka. "We remind them every day that all children belong to Jesus, and he sent angels to protect us."

Pope Francis meets migrants during his visit to the Mavrovouni camp for refugees and migrants on the island of Lesbos, Greece, Dec. 5, 2021. (CNS/Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane)

Sisters want next pope to carry on Francis' humanity, focus on most vulnerable

Many on the margins felt like Pope Francis was the last world leader defending them. Now, with a conclave ahead, sisters in social ministries say they hope the next pope shares Francis' preference for the poor.

GSR in the Classroom

Youth in a classroom raising their hands to answer questions

The project shines light on the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious around the world.

Each lesson connects articles about sisters or columns written by sisters to the good news found in scripture and church teaching. Action ideas and compelling prayer bring new learning alive. Teacher guides provide vital context and engaging activities to launch group discussions.