The Life Panelists

The Life - Panelists say that seeking healing and forgiveness requires humility and compassion. And it can lead to empowerment and liberation.

The Life - Some consider the vow of obedience the most difficult in religious life. Our sister panelists reflect on how they and their communities balance communal discernment with personal preferences.

The Life: "In December," one sister writes, "there is a magic that makes our hearts beat differently. We experience a joy not felt at any other time of the year, and it touches the most sensitive fibers of our being."

The Life: As a child, "waiting for Christmas was not irksome but a magical time filled with anticipation," one sister writes. " Waiting was possible because I trusted in God's promise of something wonderful."

The Life - Why do sisters stay in religious life? Our panelists reflect on how their initial choice to enter still resonates. "Even till now, every day and every hour, I receive a fresh call from God."

The Life - Why do you stay in religious life? What gives you hope? More responses from our panelists give insight into faith and the interconnections that weave the fabric of religious life.

"We are thriving in countries where we U.S. sisters began missions," one sister said. " … As for us Americans, although we are graying, we continue to impact society."

Sisters say they stay in religious life for many reasons: the community, the mission, the ministry, the connection to God. “Our stumbling attempts to remain faithful give me hope,” says one.

The Life - Meaningful and joyful community living does not happen automatically. Our panelists reflect on the work and the gifts of belonging to a community of women religious.

The Life - The scope of the panelists' suggestions was very wide when we asked them this question: What is a book you have read lately that is shaping your response in ministry or in religious life?

The Life - The panelists for The Life consider this question: Has your congregation or have you personally come face-to-face with your own internalized racist/caste superiority or internalized racist/caste oppression?

The Life - Catholic sisters serving on GSR's panel look back on their days in religious life to consider this question: How has your prayer life grown in religious life? What makes it grow?

The Life - Panelists share global insights as they answer this question ahead of Easter, celebrated this year on April 17: Does your congregation or your culture have any special customs around Holy Week and Easter?

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.