Catholic Sisters Week honors all women religious!

The Constitutions of the Sisters of Loretto “direct us to praise and minister in Jesus name. Grounded by our roots, enlightened by the Gospel and the Council, we are free to work for a future in which the poor and suffering, the hungry in body and spirit, will know God’s saving love present in them.”  (#9, Charism, I Am the Way)

This year the annual celebration of Catholic Sisters Week took place March 8–14, but we’re extending the celebration through this week. It was created to honor women religious and bring greater focus to the lives of women who stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community and offer hope. 

Pope Francis reminds us, “That we as women religious must live in a prophetic way that comes from a deep encounter and relationship with God.” The pope believes that “we are in a new time, living through an epochal change.” He is right. But it is not without cost. There are fewer of us, communities have fewer Sisters, fewer missions and less money. That is our new reality. We are called to look at our life and our community to find partners in mission. It is a transformative time to delve deeply into our charism and be women of the Gospel. Creating new life is often messy, but it is a call for God’s grace. We ask for your prayers.

This week Loretto’s Facebook page continues to feature “Ask a Nun Anything!,” where women religious tell what they think on a variety of topics, serious and otherwise. (Content by Communicators for St. Louis Sisters). 

Did you catch some of our videos featuring Sister Fran Raia, CPPS, Barbara Jean Franklin, ASC, or Sister Marge Clifford, DC?  Make sure to follow @St. Louis Catholic Sisters on Facebook or Instagram to see all of our videos this Catholic Sisters Week, featuring sisters from Sisters of Loretto, Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Daughters of Charity, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ursuline Sisters Central Province, School Sisters of Notre Dame-Central Pacific Province, Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Sisters of the Good Shepherd and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

At the end of this week we’re also doing a shout out to some of Loretto’s many “wisdom women” in recognition of National Women’s History Month.