Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

Collage with hands reaching to the sky, light shining through a window, and a brick wall (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

At Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery goes beyond abstinence from drugs. Structure, faith, therapy and skills training prepare clients for life beyond the center's gates.

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This monument in Nowogródek, Belarus, is dedicated to the 11 sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth who were executed by German forces on Aug. 1, 1943, during the Nazi occupation. (Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA 3.0/Valery Nikiforov)

In the martyrs of Nowogródek, many faces of holiness

Across the world, countless sisters live lives that will never be publicly recognized as heroic. Yet it is precisely in this ordinariness that holiness continues to take shape.

This pink amethyst with barite and hematite formed naturally in the shape of a heart. It reflects the heart with all its complexity, beauty and fragility. (Julie Vieira)

Sometimes 'creating a clean heart' is not inspirational; it is overwhelming

Jesus heals a blind man, depicted in 18th-century azulejos at the National Museum of the Azulejo in Lisbon, Portugal. (Wikimedia Commons/Yair Haklai)

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Use more than your eyes to see

Editors' Choice

A slice of bread and glass of water are pictured in an illustration. "When I was in formation, I was taught to fast, especially from the things I love most at both the personal and community levels," writes Sr. Alice Nyazungu. (OSV News/Bob Roller)

In Focus

Sisters reflect on how their Lenten practices have changed over time

The Life - GSR's panelists reflect on this question: "How have your Lent practices changed since you were younger or in formation? Are there new traditions, surprises or creative ways you've observed Lent over the years?"

News

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Collage with hands reaching to the sky, light shining through a window, and a brick wall (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

At Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery goes beyond abstinence from drugs. Structure, faith, therapy and skills training prepare clients for life beyond the center's gates.

Sr. Amelia Hueller of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tenn., visits a third-grade classroom at Providence Academy in Plymouth, Minn., Jan. 12, 2026, and explains her habit to the students, including Emily Jewison, Duke Conway and Grace Wheeler. (OSV News/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit)

Dominican says she was 'unbaptized, agnostic' when she heard the call to join church, convent

Sr. Amelia Hueller went to Chile as an exchange student at 16. There the images of the Virgin Mary she encountered began to tug at her heart. 

Srs. Mercy Lal, right, and Cecilia Joseph, left, pose with a group of trainees at their sewing center in Lahore, Pakistan. (Kamran Chaudry)

Pakistani sisters restore hope one stitch at a time

"This center is about restoring hope where opportunity has been denied, giving marginalized women the means to shape their own future with confidence and faith," said Fr. Asif Sardar, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lahore.

Sr. Jean Rose, a member of the Sisters of the Destitute and a medical doctor, treats a tribal woman at the government Community Health Centre in Marayoor, a remote village in the Idukki district of Kerala, southwestern India. (Courtesy of Jean Rose)

Q&A with Sr. Jean Rose, government medical officer in a remote village in India

Sr. Jean Rose, a member of the Sisters of the Destitute, is the first Catholic nun to be appointed as a medical officer in a government hospital in India's Kerala state.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Q&A with Sr. Jean Rose, government medical officer in a remote village in India

In order to maintain aging monasteries, Spanish nuns are becoming entrepreneurs

Catholic sisters confront Nigeria's rising drug crisis

Feature Series

Theologians' Corner

Welcome to Theologians' Corner, where each week a different woman theologian from around the world offers a fresh reflection on the Sunday readings. Because these reflections come from diverse voices and rich perspectives, they invite readers to see the Gospel in new and deeper ways.
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Sister Advocacy at UN

Global Sisters Report is covering Catholic sisters' advocacy at the United Nations.
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LCWR 2025

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly will take place Aug. 12-15 in Atlanta. 
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Religious Life

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The PeaceRoom platform, run by Sisters Rising Worldwide, features a world map; each country that has sister projects has a tag to click on, which then shows all the work sisters are doing, including photos. (GSR screenshot)

Catholic sisters open PeaceRoom platform for global donors to fund missions

Sisters Rising Worldwide has opened its PeaceRoom platform to the public, allowing donors to connect directly with sister-led missions around the world.

The PeaceRoom platform, run by Sisters Rising Worldwide, features a world map; each country that has sister projects has a tag to click on, which then shows all the work sisters are doing, including photos. (GSR screenshot)

Catholic sisters open PeaceRoom platform for global donors to fund missions

Sisters Rising Worldwide has opened its PeaceRoom platform to the public, allowing donors to connect directly with sister-led missions around the world.

Ukrainian youth participate on Feb. 8 in a national dance during a vechornytsi social gathering in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. (Courtesy of Anhelina Yaroshenko)
Columns

Sisters in Ukraine's war zone support those around them with presence and prayers

"The consecrated sons and daughters in Ukraine have not abandoned her in these difficult times," writes Sr. Yeremiya Steblyna. "Their presence is proof of God's faithfulness."

Catholic Sisters Week is observed March 8-14, this year with the theme "Hope & Heart." (Courtesy of Communicators for Women Religious)

For Catholic Sisters Week, US sisters spotlight stories of their ministries

Catholic Sisters Week, which runs March 8-14 starting on International Women's Day, shares the stories of U.S. Catholic sisters to bring greater visibility to the vocation.

Community News

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POLAND: Salesians make repairs to chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

March 10, 2026
Project improves safety for people participating in activities.

MADAGASCAR: Salesian technical and vocational center constructs new building thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

March 9, 2026
Project to benefit 400 students with the Salesian community.

INT’L WOMEN’S DAY: Salesian Missions highlights programs that educate and empower women and girls

March 8, 2026
2026 theme #GivetoGain encourages mindset of generosity and collaboration.
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Ministry

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Collage with hands reaching to the sky, light shining through a window, and a brick wall (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Nuns help rebuild lives of Nigerians recovering from drug addiction

At Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, recovery goes beyond abstinence from drugs. Structure, faith, therapy and skills training prepare clients for life beyond the center's gates.

Srs. Mercy Lal, right, and Cecilia Joseph, left, pose with a group of trainees at their sewing center in Lahore, Pakistan. (Kamran Chaudry)

Pakistani sisters restore hope one stitch at a time

"This center is about restoring hope where opportunity has been denied, giving marginalized women the means to shape their own future with confidence and faith," said Fr. Asif Sardar, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lahore.

Green and black-and-white illustration graphic with photos of a van, pills and the back of a young man's head (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo; vehicle photo by John Chukwu)

Catholic sisters confront Nigeria's rising drug crisis

At the Mater Christi Human Development and Religious Formation Centre, Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ lead an unconventional frontline response to drug addiction among young Nigerians.

Sr. Josephine Adhiambo (back row in habit), a member of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anne, participates in a sign language class in Nakuru, Kenya. (Shadrack Omuka)

Breaking communication barriers, Kenyan nun offers support to the deaf community

Sr. Josephine Adhiambo, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anne, is a sign language interpreter and tutor who bridges the communication gap between the hearing and the silent community in Kenya.

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.