Meet Sr. Debra Sciano, new president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Sr. Debra Sciano throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game June 17. Sciano, who will become president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Aug. 1, is such a big baseball fan she keeps score during games on a paper scorecard. (Courtesy of Kathy Sciano Lamb)

Sciano said she expects the organization to continue emphasizing collaboration among congregations, church organizations and lay partners, an approach shaped by Pope Francis' emphasis on synodality.

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The Indian flag is backlit by the sun, with a blue sky in the background, in a close-up, outdoor photograph. (Unsplash/Aniyora J)

What India can teach us amid an energy crisis

The resourcefulness of ordinary people has much to teach us. How could we apply it to consecrated life in today's India? How do we live through the energy crisis in the spirit of the Gospel?

"Christ Healing the Blindman," a ca. 1725–30 American oil painting by Gerardus Duyckinck (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Slowly, I have matured in faith

"Peter's walk on water" (1879) by Theodor Eckardt (Artvee)

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The silent presence of God

Editors' Choice

Sister prays.

In Focus

Formation lessons continue unfolding in sisters' lives

"God meets us in different ways at different times and what once seemed ordinary can become extraordinary when embraced with sincerity," writes one sister.

News

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Sr. Nina Krapić, deputy director of the Holy See Press Office, right, speaks to Sr. Jane Wakahiu, associate vice president of the Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Both were speakers at the SIGNIS World Congress, Aug. 1-8 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Courtesy of Sr. Rocio Garcia)

Assembly speakers discuss key role of nuns in an unstable media environment

At SIGNIS World Congress, held in Kigali, Rwanda, participants gathered to uphold Catholic values in media and reflect on the role religious can play in a world of AI-generated images, information and untruths.

Thousands in Denver venerate St. Margaret Mary Alacoque relics

Thousands of Catholics from across Northern Colorado gathered Aug. 2 at Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to venerate first-class relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and seek her intercession. 

In the 1990s, genealogist and researcher Sunny Jane Morton spent an 18-month mission in East Los Angeles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Courtesy of Sunny Jane Morton)

Q&A with Sunny Jane Morton, genealogist and researcher of US Catholic nuns

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an expert in conducting research using denominational records, Sunny Jane Morton has recently published the book Searching for Sisters.

Sr. Debra Sciano throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game June 17. Sciano, who will become president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Aug. 1, is such a big baseball fan she keeps score during games on a paper scorecard. (Courtesy of Kathy Sciano Lamb)

Meet Sr. Debra Sciano, new president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Sciano said she expects the organization to continue emphasizing collaboration among congregations, church organizations and lay partners, an approach shaped by Pope Francis' emphasis on synodality.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

New book explores life of Sr. Sandra Smithson, pioneering Black Catholic nun in Tennessee

LCWR assembly marks 70 years with Pope Leo XIV message and focus on synodality

German nun's legacy continues transforming the lives of disabled Indonesians

Feature Series

LCWR 2026

The Leadership Council of Women Religious, or LCWR, will meet Aug. 11-14 in Orlando, Florida, with the theme, "Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call" as the organization celebrates its 70th anniversary.
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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.
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Sister Advocacy at UN

Global Sisters Report is covering Catholic sisters' advocacy at the United Nations.
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Religious Life

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Thousands in Denver venerate St. Margaret Mary Alacoque relics

Thousands of Catholics from across Northern Colorado gathered Aug. 2 at Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to venerate first-class relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and seek her intercession. 

Columns

The gift of interculturality enriches missionary life

"Diversity is not an obstacle to mission or community life. It is a privileged place where God teaches us how to build community," writes Flying in V Formation about embracing cultural differences.

Scrabble tiles spell "friend."

Sisters share how unexpected friendships reveal God's love

Unexpected friendships, writes one panelist, "have expanded my heart, strengthened my faith and reminded me that the Gospel comes alive whenever we cross boundaries with love."

Catholic sisters in Kenya shape a sustainable future at AOSK 2026 general meeting

As the association prioritizes long-term sustainability, sisters reflected on strengthening the prophetic voice of Catholic sisters, formation for mission in the 21st century and synodal leadership.

Community News

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ZAMBIA: Children’s Home in Makululu has donor funding for feeding program thanks to Salesian Missions

August 11, 2026
Program impacts youth who are vulnerable, at risk. 

Leading a Call to Catholic Sisters to Unite in Prayer to Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki Victims

August 6, 2026
What began two years ago as a small gathering of faith-filled voices has become a powerful annual

ZAMBIA: Don Bosco Makululu further develops farm with donor funding from Salesian Missions

August 10, 2026
Farm provides food to youth, income for Children’s Home. 
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Ministry

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Sr. Cicilia Indrayani of the Daughters of Charity teaches women how to sew and prepares them for the garment industry in the region. (Courtesy of the Daughters of Charity)

Monjas indonesias ayudan a las familias migrantes a salir de la pobreza

En Java Oriental, Indonesia, las hermanas Cicilia Susi Indrayani y Gracia Suparti, de las Hijas de la Caridad, acompañan a familias de trabajadores migrantes para ayudarlas a salir de la pobreza. A través de talleres de costura, elaboración de chips de plátano y medicina herbal, y pequeños préstamos, buscan que las familias generen ingresos propios. "Cada familia que sale de la pobreza es una historia de éxito", dice una de las religiosas.
 

Nuns coordinate to rebuild hope after double earthquake in Venezuela

Religious sisters are working with Venezuela's religious conference, Caritas and others to provide food, supplies and support.

Sister Danielle Lussier, left, and Sister Theresa Aletheia pose for a portrait on the front porch of their home on April 27, 2026, in Mt. Sterling, Ky

These Catholic sisters want to start a new order with a difficult mission: Helping clergy abuse survivors

Sister Theresa Aletheia and Sister Danielle Lussier are the only community of religious sisters in the Catholic Church fully dedicated to serving abuse victims.

Sr. Tasiana Eni Susilawati facilitates social mapping on the livelihoods of women and children in the coastal community of Teluk Nipah, Indonesia, in July 2025. The session, conducted with the Good Shepherd program team in Batam and the MDO Indonesia team, gathered data on the community's economic realities and challenges. (Maria Anggelina)
Columns

In Indonesia, Good Shepherd Sisters accompany children across an archipelago

Good Shepherd Sisters have ministered in Indonesia since 1927. One of their most unique ministries is in Batam City, an archipelago of 329 large and small islands in the Riau Islands Province.

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.