"La vida religiosa no tiene fronteras — religious life has no borders."

Grace on the Margins - The young women and children who suffered at Ireland's Catholic institutions also deserve an act of contrition by the pope, hierarchy, clergy and women religious.

While the form it takes is different for each of us, our shared call to discipleship means that whether we like it or not, each of us is a living sign pointing to the reign of God.

See for Yourself - Our China time was replete with things to see in several cities, but we still had time for a quick visit to souvenir shops.

"Science has discovered some of the secrets of nature, but we do not yet know the secret of our own lives. We have mapped the genome and measured the planets, but we are ignorant about our own interior universe."

Women religious exist to seek justice as the light of Christ in a world of darkness, Sr. Anita Baird told those gathered for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly Aug. 10 as she received their 2018 Outstanding Leadership Award. "As the first African-American to receive this leadership award, you honor not only me, but every African-American woman religious as you bear witness to the fact that black religious life matters," she said. "It took until 1979 until the bishops finally acknowledged racism as a sin," Baird told GSR. "You've got to address systems and processes and policies." 

GSR Today - The Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded in between periods of war in Sudan. The diocesan congregation ministers to those in need through communities in Uganda and South Sudan. The threat of danger is a constant, but so is the sisters' faith in God.

As I celebrate my 60th year as a sister, I watch what seems a breaking of what was: convent living, common habit, rote prayers at fixed times, predictable ministry as nurse or teacher, and a sheltered, comfortable future.

"To act is what allows for hope and the possibility of growing in compassion, mercy and forgiveness."

In both the novel The Secret Life of Bees and the story of Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, Mary had a role in inspiring hope among African Americans. On the feast of the Assumption I wonder about her power among the margins.