Advocates for women deacons look to Latin America for hope

A woman is depicted at prayer in an ancient Christian mosaic seen in the Vatican's Pio Cristiano Museum. (Wikimedia Commons/Miguel Hermoso Cuesta)

Though not an official status, in South America "women's diaconate already exists as a daily service and as a baptismal vocation," said Fr. José Luís Loyola, president of CLAR.

Most Recent

Latest Columns

The Grotto of the Annunciation, beneath the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, pictured in December 2015, is believed to be the site where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus. The grotto contains first-century stone dwellings and draws pilgrims from around the world. (Mary Rose Kocab)

Mary's yes at the Annunciation invites all to recognize that God is with us

"Across history, God continues to invite people to bring the Word into the world — to say yes to something larger than themselves," writes Sr. Mary Rose Kocab. 

Back of crucifix silhouetted against sky

The stubborn hope of resurrection

Jesus the Good Shepherd, carved in wood (Unsplash/Karl Raynund Catabas)

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lent in a wounded church

Editors' Choice

Sr. Marie Nguyen Thi Minh Hoa checks the reishi mushrooms in the growing house she and Sr. Agathe Tran Thi Mong Huyen operate at their St. Paul de Chartres convent in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This mushroom variety needs six months to grow before harvest. (Courtesy of Marie Nguyen Thi Minh Hoa)

In Focus

Vietnamese sisters grow organic mushrooms to serve community and fund scholarships

They use no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Waste is reused. Damaged mushrooms are dried and ground into seasoning powder.

News

View all News
Sr. Esther Njoka, a member of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary in Kenya, talks about her mission Nov. 15, 2025, in Puerto Padre, Cuba. Njoka said serving a mission is a dream come true, even with some of the challenges, such as food and gas shortages and a small number of practicing Catholics on the island. (GSR photo/Rhina Guidos)

Q&A with Kenyan Sr. Esther Njoka, on missionary life in Cuba

With few vocations to consecrated life in Cuba, the church relies on missionaries like Njoka to help with catechesis and to take the Gospel to places where there's a reluctance to embrace religious beliefs. 

A woman is depicted at prayer in an ancient Christian mosaic seen in the Vatican's Pio Cristiano Museum. (Wikimedia Commons/Miguel Hermoso Cuesta)

Advocates for women deacons look to Latin America for hope

Though not an official status, in South America "women's diaconate already exists as a daily service and as a baptismal vocation," said Fr. José Luís Loyola, president of CLAR.

Sr. Mary Grace, a postulant of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, and staff make cayenne pepper capsules at the Medicine at Your Door Step production unit in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. (Lourine Oluoch)

Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Kenya minister in herbal medicine

"Even if we step outside this room, there will be medicine right outside the door," says Sr. Lioba Kibor, director of Medicine at Your Door Step, a project of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Kenya.

Collage with hands reaching to the sky, light shining through a window, and a brick wall (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

At Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery goes beyond abstinence from drugs. Structure, faith, therapy and skills training prepare clients for life beyond the center's gates.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Catholic sisters open PeaceRoom platform for global donors to fund missions

Dominican says she was 'unbaptized, agnostic' when she heard the call to join church, convent

Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

Feature Series

Theologians' Corner

Welcome to Theologians' Corner, where each week a different woman theologian from around the world offers a fresh reflection on the Sunday readings. Because these reflections come from diverse voices and rich perspectives, they invite readers to see the Gospel in new and deeper ways.
READ ALL ARTICLES

Sister Advocacy at UN

Global Sisters Report is covering Catholic sisters' advocacy at the United Nations.
READ ALL ARTICLES

LCWR 2025

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly will take place Aug. 12-15 in Atlanta. 
READ ALL ARTICLES
View all Feature Series

Religious Life

View all in Religious Life
The PeaceRoom platform, run by Sisters Rising Worldwide, features a world map; each country that has sister projects has a tag to click on, which then shows all the work sisters are doing, including photos. (GSR screenshot)

Catholic sisters open PeaceRoom platform for global donors to fund missions

Sisters Rising Worldwide has opened its PeaceRoom platform to the public, allowing donors to connect directly with sister-led missions around the world.

The PeaceRoom platform, run by Sisters Rising Worldwide, features a world map; each country that has sister projects has a tag to click on, which then shows all the work sisters are doing, including photos. (GSR screenshot)

Catholic sisters open PeaceRoom platform for global donors to fund missions

Sisters Rising Worldwide has opened its PeaceRoom platform to the public, allowing donors to connect directly with sister-led missions around the world.

Ukrainian youth participate on Feb. 8 in a national dance during a vechornytsi social gathering in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. (Courtesy of Anhelina Yaroshenko)
Columns

Sisters in Ukraine's war zone support those around them with presence and prayers

"The consecrated sons and daughters in Ukraine have not abandoned her in these difficult times," writes Sr. Yeremiya Steblyna. "Their presence is proof of God's faithfulness."

Catholic Sisters Week is observed March 8-14, this year with the theme "Hope & Heart." (Courtesy of Communicators for Women Religious)

For Catholic Sisters Week, US sisters spotlight stories of their ministries

Catholic Sisters Week, which runs March 8-14 starting on International Women's Day, shares the stories of U.S. Catholic sisters to bring greater visibility to the vocation.

Community News

View all community news

ZAMBIA: Village constructs new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

March 24, 2026
Church brings deep sense of pride to community. 

BETHLEHEM: Salesian Missions supports Salesian Bakery in providing free bread to vulnerable people

March 23, 2026
Bakery is historical institution in Bethlehem. 

HOPE 2027 - Ubuntu: Wholeness and Transformation

January 12 - 17, 2027
The program planning committee for HOPE 2027, a
SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS

Ministry

View all in Ministry
Women meet at the Tabana Bedouin camp near Al-Azariyeh, in the West Bank, for a "Threads of Peace" embroidery workshop on Feb. 28, 2026, as part of the Comboni sisters' accompaniment of Bedouin communities living with daily uncertainty. Sr. Cecilia Sierra is pictured, white veil, center. The image is obscured to protect identity. (Courtesy of Sr. Cecilia Sierra)
Columns

In West Bank, families we accompany teach us to stay present, even amid sirens

"Through this daily life, we learn resilience, hospitality, and faith persevering in the face of the uncertain. The families we accompany teach us to remain present, even when the future is unclear."

Collage with hands reaching to the sky, light shining through a window, and a brick wall (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

At Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery goes beyond abstinence from drugs. Structure, faith, therapy and skills training prepare clients for life beyond the center's gates.

Srs. Mercy Lal, right, and Cecilia Joseph, left, pose with a group of trainees at their sewing center in Lahore, Pakistan. (Kamran Chaudry)

Pakistani sisters restore hope one stitch at a time

"This center is about restoring hope where opportunity has been denied, giving marginalized women the means to shape their own future with confidence and faith," said Fr. Asif Sardar, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lahore.

Green and black-and-white illustration graphic with photos of a van, pills and the back of a young man's head (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo; vehicle photo by John Chukwu)

Catholic sisters confront Nigeria's rising drug crisis

At the Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ lead an unconventional frontline response to drug addiction among young Nigerians.

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.