From A Nun's Life podcasts - In this Random Nun Clip, we talk about the vows we make and some we don't but probably could.

Horzons - Blessed are they who mourn — or offer a shoulder to cry on. Because of my parents' age, going to funerals of grandparents, aunts, uncles and the occasional cousin was not uncommon in my young life. In a strange way, I looked forward to these times as a child, and I never knew this, but it was an unusual way to grow up.

I've had this little knife for almost 30 years. I've kept this knife for two main reasons: 1) to have it handy when I need those tools and 2) to serve as a symbol of efficiency, versatility and flexibility for me. Yes, I repeat: I want to be a Swiss Army knife in my life and ministry. 

Writing is an essential tool, the way sister theologians in Myanmar can share their thoughts and ideas with people around the world and ensure the diversity of theological thought. Here, six sisters who participated in the writing workshop share their stories.

If pastoral leaders want to be "prophetic disciples" who call others into a closer relationship with Christ, they must first experience Christ's presence in their own lives, Sr. Miriam James Heidland told more than 1,000 attendees of the Mid-Atlantic Congress Feb. 15 in Baltimore.

When my view of religious life was shaken to the core, a spectacle of dolphins I once witnessed totally altered my perspective and became a great spiritual teacher. 

For the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear the order's religious freedom claims in a legal challenge to a natural gas pipeline through their land in Pennsylvania came as no real surprise.

Notes from the Field - Although I still have a couple of months left with VIDES, I've had some major takeaways from this experience so far. I have also come to discover that first opinions are actually not everything. I had many expectations and visions of how this year of service would turn out.

NCR Connections: It is difficult to not see grand possibilities in this meeting of unlikely communities, ill-defined as the one might be. It is early in their meeting, but the nuns and "nones" seem to be embarking on an organic exploration of community, contemplation, spirituality.

Rome - The heads of Catholic religious orders around the world apologized to clergy abuse survivors Feb. 19, acknowledging in a rare joint statement that orders habitually denied accusations in the past and covered up for abusers.