In war-torn Sudan, Catholic sisters stay behind to serve the forgotten

Refugees gather for aid distribution in White Nile State, Sudan, as Catholic sisters coordinate the delivery of essential supplies to families uprooted by war. (Courtesy of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Without one sister's help, "I would have died," said a 34-year-old mother and refugee receiving care from the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who have stayed in Sudan despite the brutal civil war.

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open book, pages forming heart

From one role to another, love guides my discernment

Horizons

"As archivist, I can offer something practical and personal to my community.," writes Sr. Grace Marie Del Priore. "Preserving our legacy is my way of expressing love; having that offering valued is affirming."

Benedictine Srs. Lynn McKenzie, left, and Esther Fangman right, during McKenzie’s last visit to Fangman’s monastery in Atchison, Kansas, in her official role as president of the Congregation of St. Scholastica, in 2025. Fangman died Aug. 11. (Courtesy of Lynn McKenzie)

Remembering Sr. Esther Fangman, early advocate for victims of sex abuse in the church

Consolata Missionary Sisters and Fathers visit a family in Arvaikheer, Mongolia. (Courtesy of Francesca Allasia)

I was given the gift of Mongolia

Editors' Choice

People are pictured who reside at the Kaya Godoma Rescue Centre in Kilifi, a coastal town in Kenya. Some elderly individuals at Kaya Godoma have been accused of witchcraft by members of their community and even their relatives. This has led to them being violently driven from their homes. (GSR photo/Doreen Ajiambo)

In Focus

Witchcraft accusations drive elders in Kenya from homes, seeking refuge with sisters

Catholic sisters in Kenya offer support to elder men and women who have been driven from their homes —  if not killed —  following accusations of witchcraft from those eager to take their land.

News

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Sr. Rosario Obiniana speaks during her investiture as the 21st president of St. Scholastica's College, Manila, Philippines, on Sept. 12, 2024. Before assuming the presidency she headed St. Scholastica's College in Tacloban, a city in Central Philippines. (Courtesy of St. Scholastica's College Manila)

Q&A with Sr. Rosario Obiniana, educating the next generation of Filipino leaders

She is the 21st president of St. Scholastica's College Manila in the Philippines, a school renowned for educating Filipino women.

Refugees gather for aid distribution in White Nile State, Sudan, as Catholic sisters coordinate the delivery of essential supplies to families uprooted by war. (Courtesy of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

In war-torn Sudan, Catholic sisters stay behind to serve the forgotten

Without one sister's help, "I would have died," said a 34-year-old mother and refugee receiving care from the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who have stayed in Sudan despite the brutal civil war.

First responders block the crime scene following a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis Aug. 27.

Minneapolis gunman, firing through Catholic church windows, kills 2 children

 Shooting at the opening Mass for Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis, also wounds 17. The assailant died by suicide behind the church, police said. 

LCWR wrap-up: At annual assembly, US sister leaders spend 4 days on hope, surrender

At this year's LCWR annual assembly in Atlanta, U.S. sisters focused on hope, surrender and transformation.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Life panelists describe their relationship with God in 1 word

Q&A with Sr. Innocent Joseph Ayyankanal, promoting traditional Indian medicine

Q&A with 2 sister theologians on Francis' theological legacy: Part 2

Feature Series

LCWR 2025

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly will take place Aug. 12-15 in Atlanta. 
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Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women

"Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women" is a yearlong Global Sisters Report series on the ways Catholic sisters are responding to this global phenomenon.
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Arlington Carmelites in controversy

Fort Worth bishop takes over a Carmelite monastery and accuses cloistered nun of adultery with a priest. Discalced Carmelite Nuns say the bishop does not have authority over them and call his actions a land grab.
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Religious Life

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Consolata Missionary Sisters and Fathers visit a family in Arvaikheer, Mongolia. (Courtesy of Francesca Allasia)
Columns

I was given the gift of Mongolia

A blessed upheaval happens in the missionary's heart if we allow ourselves to be touched by our new reality: the feeling of being upside down, of having to start over, while a deep sense of home grows in the heart.

Consolata Missionary Sisters and Fathers visit a family in Arvaikheer, Mongolia. (Courtesy of Francesca Allasia)
Columns

I was given the gift of Mongolia

A blessed upheaval happens in the missionary's heart if we allow ourselves to be touched by our new reality: the feeling of being upside down, of having to start over, while a deep sense of home grows in the heart.

Artwork says "God is Love."

The Life panelists describe their relationship with God in 1 word

"God is just as present in the silence as in the joy," writes one sister. "He is patient with me, gentle in my struggle and faithful even when I falter."

Wisteria bush that inspired the author's reflection (Kelly Williams)
Columns

Trees, wisteria and Ruth: A sister's reflection on religious life

Sr. Kelly Williams reflects on how scenes and cycles in nature reflect current events and her own experience in religious life.

Community News

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NAMIBIA: Salesians continue work on new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Aug. 26, 2025
New space provides more comfort, better accessibility.

Mary's Pence Executive Director Job Open

Mary’s Pence Executive Director - Job Description 

SYRIA: Orphan Project brings support, joy to children thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Aug. 25, 2025
Children at 2 orphanages access counseling, participate in activities.
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Ministry

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ENTREVISTA | La religiosa al frente de un campus universitario en República Dominicana

La Hna. Ana Suriel, vicerrectora de un campus del Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña en República Dominicana, reflexiona sobre su misión en la educación superior. "[Debemos comprometernos] a formar con conciencia de las realidades del contexto latinoamericano: pobreza, desigualdad, exclusión, diversidad y las múltiples formas de vulnerabilidad, [como] la migración forzosa", afirma la salesiana durante el Congreso Iberoamericano de Rectores Universitarios. 

Salesian sisters treat a baby at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Baromari, Sherpur, Bangladesh. According to recent data by UNICEF, more than 100,000 children in Bangladesh died before their fifth birthday in 2023, and almost two-thirds of these deaths occurred within the first 28 days of life. (GSR photo/Stephan Uttom Rozario)

Bangladeshi sisters work to reduce infant mortality in Indigenous communities

The Sisters of Mary Immaculate, who belong to the Salesian Family, operate six clinics in the remote areas of Bangladesh where people are poor and lack basic education.

Aeta people work on their farm in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Philippines. (Ricardo M. Guiao)

Sisters help Indigenous Aeta community in the Philippines uplift their lives

The Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sisters' relationship with the Indigenous Aeta people has grown, offering education and assistance in expanding the community's farming businesses.

Little Sisters of St. Joseph on their five-day, 160-km fundraising walk from Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi, to Savelberg Primary School in Namanga, Kenya in 2024. Their goal was to raise enough money to build new classrooms and a borehole for their day school. (Courtesy of Sr. Julian Simba)

Sisters work to build learning environment in drought-afflicted border community

In a small border town between Kenya and Tanzania sits Savelberg Mixed Day and Boarding Primary School, founded in 2012 by the Little Sisters of St. Joseph to provide the community with a learning institution.

GSR in the Classroom

Youth in a classroom raising their hands to answer questions

The project shines light on the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious around the world.

Each lesson connects articles about sisters or columns written by sisters to the good news found in scripture and church teaching. Action ideas and compelling prayer bring new learning alive. Teacher guides provide vital context and engaging activities to launch group discussions.