In Vietnam, secular institutes draw women from all walks of life. Due to the lifestyle's flexibility, they feel they can both follow religious life and discreetly serve others in a more intimate capacity, many told GSR.
"We have given free medical checkups and medicines to all people regardless of their background as a way to share God's love with them," explains Sr. Agnes Duong Thi Phu of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hue, Vietnam.
Violence in India's Manipur state has prompted many Catholic sisters to flee to surrounding areas. Some nuns, helping others in relief camps, left after receiving threats. Others remain in Manipur to serve those affected.
The best of the Catholic Church is outside of Rome, often found in the churches concerned for the poor and marginalized, and these days inside Poland, where Ukrainians fleeing war have found refuge in the homes and hearts of their neighbors.
On the streets of Mexico, Catholic sisters and lay missionaries pay weekly visits to "chavos banda," youth gangs who are not affiliated with drug cartels. They offer direction and companionship to the young gang members.
Sr. Sandra López García and her team minister to youth gang members unaffiliated with cartels. As part of their ministry, they regularly visit some of the gang members in six drug rehab centers across Monterrey, Mexico.
After the Claretian Missionary Sisters Philanthropic Development Office trains people in skills such as how to make soap, candles and bags, the sisters become customers and help expand the market for the products.
From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sr. Irene O'Neill of Sisters Rising Worldwide talks with Sister Maxine about how $15,000 led to innovation in the ability to grow food in Nigeria.
Despite a prolonged drought in Kenya, Catholic sisters help ward off mass hunger by providing food relief and "transformative solutions" that keep traditionalist villagers in isolated areas from becoming dependent on aid.
