The first black U.S. sisters ensured that future generations would know what it meant to be authentically black and Catholic.The 400 black women religious in the United States today can be found in both the historically black congregations and in the predominantly white congregations from which they were previously banned. However, they make up less than 1 percent of the nation's vowed women religious, which perhaps explains, in part, why people are often surprised to learn they exist.

When you bring it all together, you realize water is at the heart of all of it."

I believe that a oneness exists between the sufferings of creation and the sufferings of Christ.

Notes from the Field - I joined Dominican Volunteers USA not because it was a Catholic volunteer program, but because I identified with their mission and admired the great work they did. When my service year started and I came out to New York, the sisters I met here were of similar minds to the people I knew at the Dominican University Ministry Center, in that they were just as progressive about the issues I cared about and were open to learning.

"Black people, in ages past, have traditional ways of teaching the children to rejoice in grief, in adversity, in oppression, in slavery. It's that kind of joy that helps a person keep going in faith."

"Through the internet, movies and television, they see a very different reality, an image of Europe that is not real. They see that women have more freedom in Europe, and nobody believes there is also a lot of poverty."

Although no placards or public speeches were made, Nigerian sisters kept the counsel of St. Francis of Assisi to "preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words" in the first consolidated public prayer gesture for their country. 

"We do not come to blooming alone. Who are your companions in the bloomtime of Lent?"

From Where I Stand - Since no one else is doing anything about stemming U.S. gun violence, the young people have taken it upon themselves. They lay the responsibility directly at the feet of the politicians who define themselves as the guardians of the democracy.

A religious sister who is the longtime chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team credited the pregame prayer and the players' solid teamwork for the Ramblers' thrilling, last-second 64-62 win over the University of Miami in the NCAA Tournament on March 15.