Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

Sr. Lucy Kanjira leads a peer group training on gender-based violence in Meru, Kenya. Kanjira told GSR that they called a meeting for teenage mothers in the area. "To our dismay, 118 teenage mothers turned up in the first meeting. At each subsequent meeting, we welcome over 50 new faces. The most recent meeting last month had 459 teenage mothers." (Courtesy of Doreen Mukami)

"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.

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Musical notes (Unsplash/tengyart)

Benedictine monasteries take me on a deep dive into the Psalms

One marvelous aspect of visiting Benedictine monasteries is seeing how each crafts its own unique version of the Liturgy of the Hours. An added adventure for Sr. Julie Ferraro has been helping update those books.

When memories disappear, friendships remain

A sculpture representing Moses' staff and the serpent is seen on Mount Nebo Oct. 9, 2017. at sunset in Jordan. Mount Nebo is the place where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land and died. (CNS/James Ramos, Texas Catholic Herald)

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: A divine paradox

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Sr. Maritze Torres explains the "triptica," a mural taking viewers through Trujillo's bloody past (on the right), to its present marked with struggles for justice (center), to its hopeful future, filled with abundance, education, good health and good fortune. (Tracy L. Barnett)

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Augustinian Sisters Regina, 86; Rita, 81; and Bernadette, 88, sit on a bench at their old convent in Goldenstein castle in Elsbethen, Austria, near Salzburg Sept. 12. They refuse to return to their retirement home. (OSV News/Reuters/Angelika Warmuth)

'Nuns on the run' case in Austria highlights plight of aging, dwindling religious

 The sisters said they had been sent to a care home against their will, and on Sept. 4 — with the help of a former student and a local locksmith — they returned to their quarters at the monastery.

Sr. Chioma Ahanihu takes notes March 27, 2025, in Mexico City at the start of a gathering for sisters involved in data collection. Ahanihu is director of the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. (GSR photo/Rhina Guidos)

Q&A with Sr. Chioma Ahanihu, whose past led her toward research of 'global migrant sisters'

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Jubilee of Consecrated Life celebrated in Paris shines light on communities shattered by abuse

Spread between iconic churches of the City of Lights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Eustache and St. Sulpice, over 800 religious men and women, and members of institutes of consecrated lay people, gathered in Paris Sept. 6-7, for a National Jubilee of Consecrated Life.
 

Sr. Lucy Kanjira leads a peer group training on gender-based violence in Meru, Kenya. Kanjira told GSR that they called a meeting for teenage mothers in the area. "To our dismay, 118 teenage mothers turned up in the first meeting. At each subsequent meeting, we welcome over 50 new faces. The most recent meeting last month had 459 teenage mothers." (Courtesy of Doreen Mukami)

Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.

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Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

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Psychologist Crystal Taylor-Dietz leads the workshop "Candidate Assessment Through the Lens of Inculturality" at St. Mary's University in San Antonio Sept. 6, 2025. (GSR photo/Helga Leija)

Cultural awareness matters in assessing candidates for religious life

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Jubilee of Consecrated Life celebrated in Paris shines light on communities shattered by abuse

Spread between iconic churches of the City of Lights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Eustache and St. Sulpice, over 800 religious men and women, and members of institutes of consecrated lay people, gathered in Paris Sept. 6-7, for a National Jubilee of Consecrated Life.
 

Beatification cause for Minnesota Benedictine sister opens

Religious sisters at the Youth2000 Summer Festival, held Aug. 7-10, 2025, in Kilmore, Ireland. (Courtesy of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore)
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In this Irish diocese, I see religious life alive and flourishing

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Ministry

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Sr. Lucy Kanjira leads a peer group training on gender-based violence in Meru, Kenya. Kanjira told GSR that they called a meeting for teenage mothers in the area. "To our dismay, 118 teenage mothers turned up in the first meeting. At each subsequent meeting, we welcome over 50 new faces. The most recent meeting last month had 459 teenage mothers." (Courtesy of Doreen Mukami)

Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.

Participants take part in a program training activity on teamwork during the Professional Development for Congregational Leaders program. Designed by African leaders for African leaders, the program recognizes the realities of religious leadership in Africa and offers women religious the skills to lead with faith, resilience and collaboration. (Courtesy of Catherine Cingii)
Columns

Growing the leader within: A journey of faith, courage and collaboration

As a woman religious and member of the Institute of the Holy Trinity Sisters, my leadership journey has been shaped by blessings and challenges.

Erie, Pennsylvania, nuns who stood up to claims of election fraud win national award

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Elias Tembo and his mother, Catherine Mwale are pictured with Sr. Christabel Kazembe. Tembo and Mwale are beneficiaries of the Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Women in Early Childhood Development. The project trains mothers on early childhood nutrition, including the importance of locally sourced foods and complementary feeding practices. (Derrick Silimina)

Zambian sisters provide mothers with education on early childhood development

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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.