The Life Panelists

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.

The Life - In a "journey with sisters from all over the world," the 2020-21 panel formed community as they shared their diverse lives as women religious with readers and with each other.

The Life - This month, sister panelists look at vowed life from other perspectives. They speculate about the purpose of vows, how the concept of a vow might be broadened, and what new vows might be needed today.

The Life - Social media "has allowed us to be radically relational" with people worldwide, but it comes with dangers of addiction and physical disconnection. Our panelists look at religious life in the virtual world.

The Life - Sister panelists describe how the modern idea of chastity contrasts with the old "renunciation" emphasis, explain how chastity reflects their congregational charism, and consider the gifts chastity brings.

Who pushes you to succeed? Sisters talk about how they answered various calls to grow, with the help of other sisters who shared opportunities — or God's plan — or were there at key vocation points. In retrospect, these mentorship moments have made all the difference.

The Life - Caring for our common home includes an eco farm in the Philippines, biodiversity in New Zealand, gardening for the cycle of life, a one-minute act to make a difference, and a religious community founded to heal and protect the planet's life systems

The Life - As we enter Holy Week, the sisters reflect on the promise of everlasting life. During this time, this past year, of great individual and collective loss, how does one maintain faith?

The Life - Sister panelists consider how religious formation that emphasizes developing oneself incorporates Jesus' words, "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

The Life - The panelists this month have lived in Ireland, India, Kenya, Pakistan, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the United States and have plenty of examples of ministering among those who are not Christians.

The Life - With the comfort of evergreens, children's laughter, bayanihan and good memories — grief and fear giving way to trust — what could 2021 bring?

The Life - A procession to the humble stable, works of mercy, celebrations with families, seeking unclouded vision, waiting through the darkness — 10 sisters from around the world share their Advent and Christmas reflections.

The Life - Women religious are in a particular position to be near those on the margins on society. They even are surprised at the turns their own lives sometimes take.

The Life - This month, the sisters describe an instance when they have revisited a past experiences and seen in them how God's loving designs were made known.

The Life - Panelists reflect on how community stances evolve in chapters and general assemblies and how practical applications flow from them, whether that's with vows, social justice, or spirituality and charism.

The Life - For May, the 2019-20 panelists were invited to submit a short reflection on COVID-19 and its effect on them, on their congregation, their country, or on the world.

The Life - In honor of the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, celebrated April 22, 1970, our panelists shared many of the strategies and concrete steps their congregations are using to promote sustainability, preserve a healthy environment and combat climate change