Religious of the Virgin Mary – Sister María Rosabella del Cielo, R.V.M.

Religiosas de la Beata Virgen María

☩ Originally called the “Beaterio de la Compañía de Jesús”. It is the first, therefore the oldest, and largest Filipino Catholic religious Congregation ☩

Motto: Ad Jesum Cum Maria – “To Jesus WITH Mary”

Foundress: Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, R.V.M. – a Chinese-Filipino mestiza who lit a lamp to guide the path of of native women aspiring to religious life. It remains undimmed today.

Place: Manila, Philippines

Year: 1684 A.D.

Her Charism: Under the guidance of Mary, this “Beloved of God” who is deeply in love with Him, centers her life on the suffering Christ and tries to imitate Him through a life of generous service and deep humility. She lives, loves, works for, and honors Him with a passionately transformative perspective of sharing in Christ’s mission to bring the whole of Creation to fullness of life: humanity’s salvation and the transformation of the world. She is a contemplative- in- action, rooted in Ignatian-Marian spirituality, and is focused on God’s Will, radical interior freedom, and humble loving service to the Church. This Sister is therefore grounded in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola which emphasizes the greater service and the honor of God (Ad majorem Dei Gloriam) and discerning His active Presence in daily life. She models her life after the Blessed Virgin Mary’s profound humility, her “fiat”, her tenderness and maternal care, and serves as an instrument of God’s grace and quiet availability. By her vow to “remain in the service of the Divine Majesty” and “live by the sweat of her brow”, as her Foundress did, this Sister’s very being reflects a pioneer spirit of breaking racial and social barriers to open religious life to native women, trusting wholly in Divine Providence. In addition to her primary ministries of Christian education (K – college) her apostolates include direct service to the poor, assistance in hospitals, and offering spiritual retreats. But there is also a missionary component here. She also serves both local communities and overseas assignments.. Wherever she is, this Sister offers herself to Christ by living her religious life faithfully and teaching the Faith correctly and courageously, proving that God is the God of all peoples, whatever their color or race. It is Jesus’ love that urges her on to active listening, profound respect, loving patience, and a relentless effort to dialogue.

Fairfield Carmelite of Jesus Mary and Joseph – Sister Teresita del Corazón de María, O.C.D.

Zelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum –

“With zeal I have been zealous for the Lord God of hosts.” (prophet Elijah, Book of Kings )

Praised be Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, His Most Holy Mother!

Foundresses: Mother Stella-Marie of Jesus, O.C.D. and Mo. Thérèse of Merciful Love, O.C.D.

Place: Fairfield, Pennsylvania – part of an unbroken monastic Tradition of Carmel from Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, to 16th Century Spain, to 17th Century Mexico, and 21st Century Valparaiso, Nebraska

Year: 2018 A.D.

Her Charism: This Carmel is a garden enclosed and a powerhouse of prayer. EVERYTHING IS PRAYER. Steeped in the rich tradition of her heritage, this Carmelite nun lives out the centuries old Rule of her Holy Founders, St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross (16th Century). Like St. Thérèse, the Little Flower, she practices all aspects of monastic life: wearing a full habit, mental prayer, fasting, a meatless diet, enclosure, austerity, strict silence, a personal and communal pursuit of virtue, and a traditional Liturgy in Latin. She loves Jesus, and much like a homesteader of 19th Century America, she tends the fields, spins her wool, hand-stitches her holy habit, raises animals, grows her own food, and doesn’t use electricity or have running water! She even plants almond trees and names each after a saint. Living “off-grid” protects the sacred character of her enclosure and gives her a unique opportunity to grow in virtue and practice radical dependence on her own abilities and ultimately on God and His Creation. She is devoted to a life of prayer, sacrifice, simplicity and detachment. It is a life completely cloistered, set entirely apart from a noisy neurotic world that doesn’t stop talking and screaming. Here, as Christ’s Bride, she can get quiet and still enough to love Him without reserve. And the reward is new life – new life within her soul and within the heart of the Church. Carmel is a hidden womb for souls, gently beating with the pulse of the Divine Life. which radiates and reaches far beyond cloister walls. This nun’s life of solitude in the cloister is the leaven of renewal and the presence of the spirit of Christ in the world. From her Carmel, grace flows out to priests and all the Mystical Body, nourishing us and aiding us as we work out our salvation, and she offers God an excellent sacrifice of praise and produces abundant fruits of holiness. Because God’s ways are not our ways, He delights in using the little, the forgotten, and the poor. And so, this nun becomes little, hidden, and poor to allow Him to do His work in and through His “little one” revealing His tenderness, power, and glory. ☩ This Carmel monastery is being built to last a thousand years – by hand – with stone and timber. It is a story of perseverance, stability, fidelity, authenticity, and purpose. In this world of tumult, ugliness, and sadness, this monastery is an oasis of beauty which is formative, peace, and contagious joy that will not pass. ☩

Poor Clare Sister of Perpetual Adoration of Drumshanbo – Sister Patrice Noelle, P.C.P.A.

☩ Eucharistic Adoration was first started in Ireland in Drumshanbo in 1870 ☩

A prophetic witness of Communion, Joy, and the Gospel who lives the Beatitudes Her functional directive is to “Gaze Upon the Lord.” – St. Clare’s blueprint for community living

The Poor Clare, with one arm, clasps the world to her heart, and with the other, embraces Christ, knowing that He embraces both her and the world.

Foundresses: Mother St. Clare (Elizabeth Law) and Mother St. Francis (Mary Hays)

Place: Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland

Year: January 6, 1864 A.D. (Feast of the Epiphany)

Her Charism: This Sister lives a contemplative cloistered life following a blend of the Franciscan and Poor Clare heritages where her primary focus is on adoring and offering reparative thanksgiving (penance) to Christ in the Eucharist. She places the Eucharist at the center of her daily life while offering continuous unbroken prayer and reparation on behalf of the world. This Sister lives a sequestered, silent, and contemplative life behind the cloister – an instrument to safeguard and to maintain an uninterrupted focus on the Eucharist. Only in silence can the Word of God find a home in her (or in us), as it did in Mary – a woman of the Word and inseparably, a woman of silence. Her vows are four: poverty, chastity, obedience, and enclosure, and she witnesses and “radiates” God’s love to her Sisters in the Community by her humility, simplicity, gentleness, and active joy. Like St. Clare, poverty is very dear to the heart of this Sister. It is put into practice by her simplistic lifestyle, sharing all in common, earning her living by the work of her hands, and trusting in Divine Providence. Adoration of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is at the heart of her life. This spirit permeates her entire day. Kneeling at the source of Divine Love, she becomes an open vessel, allowing His love to flow into her and then out to the ends of the earth. This Sister gives to God, on behalf of humanity, what is His by right – that He be praised, loved, and adored by His creatures. She lovingly gathers humanity’s aspirations, sufferings and joys and offers them to God. This is how, she helps spread the Kingdom of God – by being a mirror and model for those living in the world. She is God’s co-worker and support for the frail members of the Body of Christ. It is this humble Sister’s heart’s desire that all people may come to realize God’s unfathomable love for them, and be able to repond to His Love. Essentially, her life is rooted in values for which the world is thirsting. St. Francis and St. Clare’s mission was to “rebuild the Church” which was crumbling in their time (13th Century). In her time, the Poor Clare continues this mission.

The Poor Clare is one who weaves the flowers of each day into a crown for her King . . . one petal at a time. She is poor, chaste, and obedient. And she is the one who is alone on the mountain with Christ, enclosed in His heart, and lifting the entire world in prayer to her Heavenly Father Like stars in the daytime, we cannot see her because she is separated from the world in her little “cell” – the heart of her life which is a little piece of Paradise. Her vocation is union with God.

Carthusian Nun – Sister Marguerite Béatrice of the Immaculate Conception, O. Cart.

A full hermitic vocation rooted in the spirituality of St. Bruno – a radical contemplative calling that is centered on solitude, silence, unceasing prayer, penance, and fasting to seek intimate union with God . . . . . and it all started with a little seed at her Baptism

Stat Crux Dum Volvitur Orbis – “The Cross stands firm as the world turns”

This motto reflects the stability of Christ and the eternal nature of God amid the changing chaotic nature of human history and the passing world.

Founder: Saint Bruno Hartenfaust of Cologne and the nuns welcomed by Saint. Anselm

Place: Prébayon Abbey, Provence, France

Year: 1145 A.D.

Her Charism: “To love ever deeper.”. . . an inner journey and adventure in search for the true, the good, and the beautiful. – which are the fruits of contemplation . . . . In the retreat of her monastery and in the solitude of her cell (her hermitage), this Carthusian nun, with body and soul, spins the Holy Church’s wedding garments. She sings her praise to God several times a day, returning love for Love in solitude and silence. The beauty of silence and its sacredness in her life allows God to speak to her. The Holy Spirit drives her into the wilderness and speaks to her heart. She is called by God to live in communion with His Son, Jesus Christ, imitating His hidden life in Nazareth and praying with Him on the mountain. This orientation expands the heart, which is a living altar, and makes it capable of carrying in God the aspirations and sufferings of the entire world. It is God’s love that fills her life. Her mission in the Church is praise, intercession, and representation. She is part of a communion of hermits which allows herself to be invaded by Christ’s love. Solitary life in her “cell” (a place of purification and grace) ignites and nourishes in her heart the fire of divine love. There she prays, studies, eats (abstaining from meat), and sleeps. Separated from all, she is united to all. Her prayer and her silence announce the Good News. It is a continuous and tireless journey – and she is God’s athlete! Strict exterior silence creates an inner space which is required to live constantly in God’s Divine Presence. Nourished by the Eucharistic Bread (true food), she is a Bride, and at the same time a Mother, who gives birth to new life – and all the banalities of her existence are transfigured. In the light of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, this Bride of Christ meditates on the Beatitude of the pure of heart. Through the Liturgy, work, study, and community, and by standing before God in deep isolation, she willingly and lovingly carries the struggles of the wider world in her heart from which pure prayer rises to the Lord and permeates all her actions. ☩ A Carthusian vocation is a work of God. It is what God does in her – not her accomplishments. ☩

Daughter of Mary Immaculate (Marianist) – Sister Marie-Fleur Élíse of the Visitation, F.M.I.

Motto: “Do whatever He tells you.” – Mary’s words to the servants at Cana

Founders: Blessed William J. Chaminade and Blessed Adèle de Batz de Trenquelleón

Place: Agen, France

Year: May 25, 1816 A.D.

Her Charism: With an Incarnation-centered spirituality, rooted in faith of the heart, apostolic community, and a missionary spirit, this disciple of Mary, is ready to go to the ends of the earth to save one single soul. Called by God to reinvigorate the Church and formed by Mary, her model, she is sent on the mission of Christ to promote harmony in his Mystical Body. She is convinced that she cannot bring others back to Jesus except through His Most Holy Mother, who the Doctors of the Church acclaim as our only hope. In addition to her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, this Sister professes a fourth vow of stability, which is the spirit of her Community- a lifelong alliance (Consecration) with Mary to collaborate in her mission of bringing Christ to a thirsting world. Through her vows she commits herself permanently and irrevocably to Mary, who is her mother, her teacher, her guide, model, and inspiration. In humility, and with strength and courage, she promises to follow Christ, to be transformed into His likeness, to work for the coming of His Kingdom, and to strive for the fullness of charity. It is a response to the invitation of Christ Who loved her first. This finds its origin and dynamism in Baptism, the wellspring of true life flowing within her. Sharing in the joys and sorrows of humanity leads her to work for the development of vibrant, inclusive, loving communities of faith, the “multiplication of Christians”, and formation of apostles through education and the power of prayer and the Eucharist. Her ministries in education and social justice are many and varied like her talents. By living as a child of Mary, and carrying out God’s Will in service to others, this Sister strives to become a saint, cost what it may. ☩ In the Gospel, at the wedding feast of Cana, through Mary, the servant encounters Jesus, By hearing Mary’s instruction to “do whatever He tells you” (fill the jars with water), the servant becomes a witness to Christ’s first miracle. When he receives Mary’s words to obey her Son, she becomes a living witness of Christ’s work in her life and takes on a prophetic role. . . a Mother of Hope. ☩

Sister of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate – Sister Cora Caeli, S.H.Sp.

☩The oldest Order of Sisters in the Lone Star State of Texas ☩

“Why should we fear? Our treasury is Divine Providence which supplies the whole universe and is never exhausted.” – Margaret Mary Healy Murphy

Foundress: Servant of God, Margaret Mary Healy Murphy, an Irish “Trailblazer for the Poor”

Place: San Antonio, Texas

Year: 1893 A.D.

Her Charism: Called and consecrated to be a gift to the world, this Sister’s heart and energy are centered in manifesting the compassionate presence of Jesus to the poor and marginalized, especially those denied respect for their human dignity. Hers is a prophetic voice for justice in the world of injustice and poverty, Her message is that each person is beautiful, they belong to God, and are entirely loved by Him.- and each one has a special place at the Table of the Lord. She lives in a communal spirit of sisterly charity, and is governed by the promises of simplicity, humility, and love modeled in the Gospel and with a deep reliance on Divine Providence inspired by her Foundress. Expressions of her mission are found in the fields of education and outreach to at-risk youth and families in crisis (especially among the African-American and Mexican-American populations in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi). This Sister engages in community social services and pastoral care, and offers compassionate physical and spiritual healing which is prevalent throughout everything she does. Her entire life revolves around prayer which honors the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in a special way. She prays that the light of the Holy Spirit guides her life and the fire of the Holy Spirit quickens her love. This Sister is here to make a difference – one day at a time – for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice an compassion. She endeavors to be open, tender, merciful, and responsive, like Mary, to the needs of the people in difficult, painful, and regrettable circumstances. Because of her enduring faith, hope, tenacity, quick wit, calming sweet demeanor, and charity, this humble Sister’s work is destined to bring forth glorious fruits under the pains of her self-sacrificing zeal. She believes that Gospels do not merely tell people about Jesus, but they bring them into loving contact with Him. She knows that God’s purposes are not foiled by human failure or opposition. The weaknesses of Jesus’ followers and the violent hostility of His enemies only play into God’s Hands. ☩ This Order was inspired by a homily that Margaret Mary Healy Murphy heard preached on a Pentecost Sunday ☩

Sister Servant of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – Sister Eloise Rosemary, S.S.C.J.

Congregatio Sororum Ancillarum Sacratissimi Cordis Jesu

”Glory be to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”

Founder: Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar

Co-foundress: Blessed Klara Ludwika Szczęsna (personal motto: “All for the Heart of Jesus”)

Place: Kraków, Poland

Year: 1894 A.D.

Her Charism: This vowed Sister is a member of a contemplative-active Franciscan Congregation. She answered Christ’s call, “Come, My spouse, accept the crown which the Lord has prepared for you for all eternity.” (Veni sponsa Christi accipe coronam, quam tibi Dominus preparavit in aeternum.) This is a woman with a great heart – an open heart – a heart like the Heart of Jesus which is a glowing furnace and a wellspring of love, compassion, and mercy for all humanity. By her prayers, reparation, community life, and works of mercy (apostolic service) she devotes herself to extending the Kingdom of Love of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus everywhere. Her authentic life is realized in her self-giving love and in wholeheartedly embracing the needs of others with tenderness an mercy. She is a beacon of hope whose passionate transformative love burns bright and dispels fear, is a refuge for the weary, and is a source of profound consolation. Through her work of teaching, catechesis, nursing, parish ministry, kitchen and clothing outreach to the poor, evangelization of families, pastoral care, youth, retreat, and prison ministries, and international missionary work she is saying, “I see you and I love you.” This Sister worships the Triune God by being a Servant of the Divine and Merciful Love of Jesus. She listens to the sweet sound of Christ’s heartbeat and bears His sweetness at all times and in all places because she believes that “Christ’s Heart is the Holy Spirit’s masterpiece.” There are several powerful models of holiness for her Congregation. They include: St. Joseph – a model for her interior life; Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi – models for their self-denial and love of poverty; St. Stanislaus Kostka – a model for innocence and love of Our Lady; St. Margaret Mary – a model for spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart; St. Vincent de Paul – a model of apostolic zeal and dedication to the abandoned and suffering; St. Elizabeth of Hungary – a model of humility and mercy to the poor; St. Zita – a model of diligence in her work and obedience; Saint Maximilian Kolbe – a model of total dedication to Our Lady; and St. John Paul II – a model to announce to the world the Good News and God’s merciful Love for man. As her Founder wrote: “This Franciscan Sister truly recognizes the Three Monuments of Love: the Manger, the Cross, and the Eucharist.”

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration – Sister Thea Rose of St. Mary of the Angels, FSPA

Congregatio Sororum Franciscalium ab Adoratione Perpetua

“O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine. All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.”

Foundresses: Mother Aemeliana Dirr originally, and Mother Antonia Herb later

✠ It is Mother Antonia who designed the pectoral medal worn by the Sisters which expressed their Franciscan identity and beliefs and their devotion to the Holy Eucharist ✠

Place: Bavaria, Germany (1849) originally; La Crosse, Wisconsin (1878) presently

Years: 1849 A.D. (Germany); 1878 A.D. La Crosse, Wisconsin (Perpetual Adoration begins); and in 1883 A,D. – The name of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is given ✠

Her Charism: This vowed Franciscan woman has a nobility of spirit which is centered in the Eucharist. She is committed to being a loving presence through the unbroken chain of prayer (ceaseless praise and thanksgiving), Eucharistic devotion, witness, and service. These practices inspire her to bring the love of Christ that she personally encounters in the chapel, out to the world. Dedicated to responding to the needs of the times, this Sister accompanies all who face systemic inequities, providing a much-needed compassionate presence, and giving witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her work is as varied as her talents and interests. The grace from her prayer “overflows” into active ministries. This Sister is committed to building bridges of relationships and thereby building up Christ’s Kingdom of justice and peace. She balances 24 – hour Eucharistic Adoration for the needs of the Church and the world with active outward service using creative innovative approaches through her ministries in healthcare, education, environmental stewardship, social justice, and advocacy for systemic change. Rooted in the teachings of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, she too is in touch with the wounded of her time and her life also makes a countercultural statement. As a penitent, she sacrifices comfort and lives a prophetic message that God’s love is wildly transformative. For her, there is no room for “feeble service.” Her entire being embraces the essential Franciscan values of community, contemplation, conversion, minority (littleness), poverty, hope, resilience, courage, generosity, prophetic witness and a dedication to joy.

✠ This is the Order of Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman, an African American Sister, who encouraged people to communicate with one another so that they could understand other cultures and races. She prayed “to live until I die.” Her prayer was answered as she fought evil, especially prejudice, suspicion, hatred, and things that drive people apart. She fought for God and His people until her death in 1990 when she “went home like a shooting star.” ✠

Sister of St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr –  Sister Abigail Helene of the Trinity, C.S.C. Congregatio Sororum Sanctae Catharinae Virginis et Martyris

Motto:  “As God Wants”  

☩ one of the first apostolic female Orders that did not restrict her to being cloistered, allowing her to leave the convent to serve the community ☩

Foundress:  Blessed Regina Protmann

Place:  Braunsberg, East Prussia; now Braniewo, Poland

Year:  1571 A.D.

Her Charism:  This Sister’s possesses a great pioneer spirit. Her guiding principle is clear: do not flee from the world, but engage it constantly, placing service to the sick and needy above rigid formalities. In this way, she brings God’s love to the seeking and the suffering through both active service to the poor, sick, and uneducated and through intense contemplative prayer and unconditional love for God.  By praying in the truth without ceasing, and serving others through apostolic action and charity, she does God’s Will with joy and readiness.  She balances a “living relationship” with Jesus (her Spouse) with practical service to the poor under the banner of radical poverty and a commitment to following Christ through trust in Divine Providence- most especially in troubled times.  The pillars of her charism are:  a life and mission rooted in radical openness to the Divine Will of God, seeking to serve Christ, Lord and Spouse, “with diligence according to His Divine Counsel.”  As a pioneer in social welfare, she serves the sick in their homes and provides relief for the afflicted, seeing it a a “sacred duty.”  She is extremely dedicated to the education of women, viewing this as acritical form of service to society and the Church.  Her spirituality and fearless commitment to serving the “Christ” in others “prepares the ground for compassionate action” making one capable of shaping history according to God’s Plan.  This Sister is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria (Egypt), a 4th Century martyr, a great intellect, and the patron of teachers and students,  From her example, this Sister too adores Christ in daily life and her own martyrdom (witness) is marked by the immensity of her intense love. She brings the Gospel to daily life and calls us to forgiveness and conversion. ☩ 15 Nuns from this Congregation, were beatified in 2025. They were recognized as martyrs killed by Soviet troops (Red Army) in 1945 during World War II. With profound humility and patience, these Sisters, led by Sister Cristofora (Krzysztofa) Klomfass, chose to stay and care for the sick and the orphans rather than flee the Army and died defending their faith, purity, and dignity. They were subjected to torture, rape, abuse, and beatings for defending their vows. Despite the unimaginable violence they faced, their lives were the ultimate fulfillment of living “as God wants.” ☩

Franciscan Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Sister Miriam Rose, FMCIM

Francescane Missionarie d’Egitto del Cuore Immaculato di Maria

☩ The first female Italian Missionary Congregation in Egypt ☩

Foundress: Blessed Mary Catherine of St. Rose ( Costanza Troiani – the “White Mother” )

Place: Cairo, Egypt

Year: 1868 A.D.

Her Charism: This Sister lives a charism rooted in the Gospel, centered on contemplating Christ and His Mother while engaging in missionary service. She embodies the Franciscan spirit of poverty, simplicity, minority, and intense prayer. “LOVE and SACRIFICE” is the guiding principle of her mission. The Will of God is her perpetual hunger, thirst, and yearning. Her charism is based on the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and the brilliant vision of her Foundress. Because of her fearlessness and preferential love for the orphaned poor, this Sister’s spirituality also has a Marian dimension. Her life is also deeply connected to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, reflecting her virtues of purity and obedience. Like an expectant mother, she “carries” the Gospel of Jesus, “crucified, naked, and abandoned” on the Cross, and in HIM she is entrusted to “work hard towards the conversion of people beyond the seas.” Deeply committed to the work of evangelization and human development, she serves the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized primarily through her active ministries in education, and health services. Her aim is to provide a joyful and vibrant presence of a loving Jesus and gentle Mary, Star of Evangelization, everywhere she serves – always welcoming the “last of the pilgrims,” upholding the dignity, value, and beauty of all human life, and promoting interfaith dialogue, freedom from all forms of slavery, and peace. ☩ She is often affectionately referred to as the “Franciscan Sister of Egypt.” ☩