Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

Sr. Lucy Kanjira leads a peer group training on gender-based violence in Meru, Kenya. Kanjira told GSR that they called a meeting for teenage mothers in the area. "To our dismay, 118 teenage mothers turned up in the first meeting. At each subsequent meeting, we welcome over 50 new faces. The most recent meeting last month had 459 teenage mothers." (Courtesy of Doreen Mukami)

"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.

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Sr. Maritze Torres explains the "triptica," a mural taking viewers through Trujillo's bloody past (on the right), to its present marked with struggles for justice (center), to its hopeful future, filled with abundance, education, good health and good fortune. (Tracy L. Barnett)

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Sr. Ruth Kuyumba, right, engages Memory Musonda and her son Joshua in a conversation during a home visit. Sr. Agnes Kateule, left, uses sign language to communicate with Joshua. Memory and Joshua were beneficiaries of the recently defunded Inclusive Family Strengthening project, formerly managed by the Sisters of Mercy with support from Catholic Relief Services. (Derrick Silimina)

Inclusive Family Strengthening project, now defunded, bolstered women in Zambia

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Augustinian Sisters Regina, 86; Rita, 81; and Bernadette, 88, sit on a bench at their old convent in Goldenstein castle in Elsbethen, Austria, near Salzburg Sept. 12. They refuse to return to their retirement home. (OSV News/Reuters/Angelika Warmuth)

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Sr. Chioma Ahanihu takes notes March 27, 2025, in Mexico City at the start of a gathering for sisters involved in data collection. Ahanihu is director of the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. (GSR photo/Rhina Guidos)

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Religious Life

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Psychologist Crystal Taylor-Dietz leads the workshop "Candidate Assessment Through the Lens of Inculturality" at St. Mary's University in San Antonio Sept. 6, 2025. (GSR photo/Helga Leija)

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Jubilee of Consecrated Life celebrated in Paris shines light on communities shattered by abuse

Spread between iconic churches of the City of Lights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Eustache and St. Sulpice, over 800 religious men and women, and members of institutes of consecrated lay people, gathered in Paris Sept. 6-7, for a National Jubilee of Consecrated Life.
 

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Ministry

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Sr. Ruth Kuyumba, right, engages Memory Musonda and her son Joshua in a conversation during a home visit. Sr. Agnes Kateule, left, uses sign language to communicate with Joshua. Memory and Joshua were beneficiaries of the recently defunded Inclusive Family Strengthening project, formerly managed by the Sisters of Mercy with support from Catholic Relief Services. (Derrick Silimina)

Inclusive Family Strengthening project, now defunded, bolstered women in Zambia

"We recorded over 200 success stories," says Mercy Sr. Ruth Kuyumba, former coordinator of the project, which "also promoted fathers' participation in parenting and ensured every child has a home to grow up in."

Sr. Lucy Kanjira leads a peer group training on gender-based violence in Meru, Kenya. Kanjira told GSR that they called a meeting for teenage mothers in the area. "To our dismay, 118 teenage mothers turned up in the first meeting. At each subsequent meeting, we welcome over 50 new faces. The most recent meeting last month had 459 teenage mothers." (Courtesy of Doreen Mukami)

Sisters empower Kenyan teenage mothers, raise awareness on gender-based violence

"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.

Participants take part in a program training activity on teamwork during the Professional Development for Congregational Leaders program. Designed by African leaders for African leaders, the program recognizes the realities of religious leadership in Africa and offers women religious the skills to lead with faith, resilience and collaboration. (Courtesy of Catherine Cingii)
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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.