When leaving a religious community isn't a choice, ex-nun's organization seeks to help

Illustrative photo collage shows a hand reaching down to help another hand, and thin branches against a cracked wall. (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

After 20 years as a Discalced Carmelite in Spain, Hortensia López Almán felt abandoned after she was forced to leave. She went on to start Asociación Extramuros to accompany women and men in similar circumstances.

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Latest Columns

The faith of children in Mozambique teaches me tenderness

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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.

Pope Leo XIV blesses the faithful after celebrating Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Peace Day in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2026. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
Horizons

Vocational discernment calls for steadfast spirits in an age of upheaval

Participants hold peace signs as they gather before the District of Columbia's annual Martin Luther King Day parade Jan. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)

As we face a government of bullies, Martin Luther King still challenges us to love

Editors' Choice

Sr. Jomol Kreupasanam, a member of the Order of Sacred Virgins, poses for a photo with Bishop James Raphael Anaparambil (center) and Fr. Joseph Valiyaveettil (center right), founder of the Kreupasanam center in the Alleppey Diocese in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Also seen is formator Canossian Sr. Margaret Peter, during Sister Jomol's consecration to perpetual virginity on Nov. 21, 2025. (Kreupasanam Media Vision)

In Focus

Late vocations bring new hope to women's congregations in India

Late vocations are especially drawn to newer congregations, many founded through charismatic renewal movements and evangelization ministries.

News

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Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini of India, the congregation's superior general, visits a person affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. (Courtesy of Maria Ajantha)

Q&A with Sr. Maria Ajantha on the Sri Lanka cyclone

"Maybe God spared us [so that we could] reach out to the needy immediately after the disaster," Sr. Maria Ajantha said.

Illustrative photo collage shows a hand reaching down to help another hand, and thin branches against a cracked wall. (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

When leaving a religious community isn't a choice, ex-nun's organization seeks to help

After 20 years as a Discalced Carmelite in Spain, Hortensia López Almán felt abandoned after she was forced to leave. She went on to start Asociación Extramuros to accompany women and men in similar circumstances.

Federal agents knock on the door of a residence Jan. 28, 2026, in Blaine, Minn. (AP/Adam Gray)

'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 arrest and deportation.

Sainthood cause for Servant of God Thea Bowman moving forward, ceremony scheduled

The Jackson Diocese will formally close the first phase of Bowman's canonization process in February, marking the beginning of the Roman phase.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Sainthood cause for Servant of God Thea Bowman moving forward, ceremony scheduled

In Africa, religious sisters step in as climate crisis deepens for the poorest

Q&A with Sr. Carla Luisa Frey Bamberg, tackling human trafficking in Angola

Feature Series

Sister Advocacy at UN

Global Sisters Report is covering Catholic sisters' advocacy at the United Nations.
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LCWR 2025

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly will take place Aug. 12-15 in Atlanta. 
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Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women

"Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women" is a yearlong Global Sisters Report series on the ways Catholic sisters are responding to this global phenomenon.
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Religious Life

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The presentation of Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth is depicted in stained-glass windows at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport, N.Y. The feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated Feb. 2. (OSV News/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Find joy in being called to daily witness to God's presence

On the World Day for Consecrated Life and the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, we celebrate the men and women who are called to be of service in walking with others on this journey of transformation.

Illustrative photo collage shows a hand reaching down to help another hand, and thin branches against a cracked wall. (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

When leaving a religious community isn't a choice, ex-nun's organization seeks to help

After 20 years as a Discalced Carmelite in Spain, Hortensia López Almán felt abandoned after she was forced to leave. She went on to start Asociación Extramuros to accompany women and men in similar circumstances.

Sainthood cause for Servant of God Thea Bowman moving forward, ceremony scheduled

The Jackson Diocese will formally close the first phase of Bowman's canonization process in February, marking the beginning of the Roman phase.

A gravel road travels into Killarney National Park in Ireland. One of the sister panelists for The Life has resolved to relearn the Irish language in 2026, after many years living as a missionary outside of her native land. (Teresa Malcolm)

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?

Community News

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Lenten Webinar: "Poetry of the Paschal Mystery"

February 25 10:30 am to Noon Central
In his Lenten reflection, "Poetry of the Paschal Mystery: Death, Resurrection, and the Lenten Jou

DR CONGO: Close to 600 people receive healthy meals through Rise Against Hunger’s partnership with Salesian Missions

Feb. 2, 2026
Shipment provides meals to 5 programs.

IVORY COAST: Salesian pre-novitiate house renovated thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Jan. 28, 2026
Facilities support residential, educational and communal needs of aspirants.
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Ministry

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Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini of India, the congregation's superior general, visits a person affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. (Courtesy of Maria Ajantha)

Q&A with Sr. Maria Ajantha on the Sri Lanka cyclone

"Maybe God spared us [so that we could] reach out to the needy immediately after the disaster," Sr. Maria Ajantha said.

(Unsplash/Andrew Itaga)
Columns

'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?

Sr. Clarita Dolencio, 91, cares for guests in a shelter she fondly calls "the train" — a place within her convent in Quezon City that accommodates patients and their companions from distant provinces. (Oliver Samson)

Sisters in Philippines offer space and healing to sick patients far from home

"It was born out of necessity," Sr. Clarita Dolencio said. "People needed a place. So we opened the door."

Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, based in Juba, South Sudan, ministers in Uganda. Here she delivers a keynote address during the 2015 Catholic Media Conference in Buffalo, N.Y. (CNS/Bob Roller)
Columns

Sisters' ministry in Uganda inspires hope

The Sacred Heart Sisters at St. Monica Vocational Institute support returnees from the Lord's Resistance Army, school dropouts and those made vulnerable by other challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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.