The Life Panelists

The Life - Our sister panelists delved deep this month as they pondered this question: How has my image of God or Jesus changed throughout my spiritual life?

The Life - In honor of Earth Day on April 22, our sister panelists share what they and their congregations are doing in response to the climate crisis.

The Life – Darkness and despair can overjoy the hope, love and beauty that God creates, sisters say.

The Life - Panelists say that seeking healing and forgiveness requires humility and compassion. And it can lead to empowerment and liberation.

The Life - Some consider the vow of obedience the most difficult in religious life. Our sister panelists reflect on how they and their communities balance communal discernment with personal preferences.

The Life: "In December," one sister writes, "there is a magic that makes our hearts beat differently. We experience a joy not felt at any other time of the year, and it touches the most sensitive fibers of our being."

The Life: As a child, "waiting for Christmas was not irksome but a magical time filled with anticipation," one sister writes. " Waiting was possible because I trusted in God's promise of something wonderful."

The Life - Why do sisters stay in religious life? Our panelists reflect on how their initial choice to enter still resonates. "Even till now, every day and every hour, I receive a fresh call from God."

The Life - Why do you stay in religious life? What gives you hope? More responses from our panelists give insight into faith and the interconnections that weave the fabric of religious life.

"We are thriving in countries where we U.S. sisters began missions," one sister said. " … As for us Americans, although we are graying, we continue to impact society."

Sisters say they stay in religious life for many reasons: the community, the mission, the ministry, the connection to God. “Our stumbling attempts to remain faithful give me hope,” says one.

The Life - Meaningful and joyful community living does not happen automatically. Our panelists reflect on the work and the gifts of belonging to a community of women religious.

The Life - The scope of the panelists' suggestions was very wide when we asked them this question: What is a book you have read lately that is shaping your response in ministry or in religious life?

The Life - The panelists for The Life consider this question: Has your congregation or have you personally come face-to-face with your own internalized racist/caste superiority or internalized racist/caste oppression?

The Life - Catholic sisters serving on GSR's panel look back on their days in religious life to consider this question: How has your prayer life grown in religious life? What makes it grow?

The Life - Panelists share global insights as they answer this question ahead of Easter, celebrated this year on April 17: Does your congregation or your culture have any special customs around Holy Week and Easter?

The Life - We ask our sister panelists: What was the most surprising thing to you about religious life? Some of their answers will be very familiar to other women religious, and some may surprise you!

The Life - This month, our sister panelists participate in the upcoming World Day for Consecrated Life by reflecting on the unique scriptural basis of their personal commitment to religious life.

The Life - Sister panelists reflect on the gifts that women religious can bring to the synod on synodality and its journey to become a community that reaches beyond itself to those whose voices have not been heard.

The Life - GSR's newest sister panelists meditate on Advent — a balm for an overwrought soul — in light of the realities they encounter in their congregations, neighborhoods, regions, countries and the world.