Sisters reflect on how their Lenten practices have changed over time

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)

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?"

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The first temptation of Christ, depicted in a psalter from circa 1222 (Wikimedia Commons)

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A burned bus is seen Feb. 22, 2026, at the site of a highway in Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Mexico, that connects Mexico City with the state of Puebla. Members of organized crime in several states put up roadblocks and carried out arson attacks after a military operation in which Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed in Tapalpa in Mexico's Jalisco state. (OSV News/Reuters/Paola Garcia)

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Sisters in Mexico say they are praying for peace in their country after more than 60 people died during and after the Feb. 22 capture of a drug lord whose death sparked violence.

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)

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?"

A beautician trainee works at New Life Ministry, a small vocational training center Sr. Rita Samson, a "secular nun," founded in 2005 in Youhanabad, a low-income Christian neighborhood on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. (Kamran Chaudhry)

'Secular nun' in Pakistan offers skills training to women in need

Sr. Rita Samson lives alone and runs New Life Ministry, a small vocational training center she founded in 2005 from her home in the outskirts of Lahore.

Nun says Passionist vocation a 'symphony' of many instruments creating 'one beautiful melody'

From her role as mother superior of St. Joseph Monastery in Whitesville; to being summoned to serve as a temporary superior for the Passionist community in Lucca, Italy; to being elected the very first mother president of the newly erected Congregation of the Nuns of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Sr. Catherine Marie has witnessed this contemplative vocation "lived in a beautiful multiplicity of ways."

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A burned bus is seen Feb. 22, 2026, at the site of a highway in Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Mexico, that connects Mexico City with the state of Puebla. Members of organized crime in several states put up roadblocks and carried out arson attacks after a military operation in which Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed in Tapalpa in Mexico's Jalisco state. (OSV News/Reuters/Paola Garcia)

Anxiety among some religious in Mexico after violence erupts following drug lord killing

Sisters in Mexico say they are praying for peace in their country after more than 60 people died during and after the Feb. 22 capture of a drug lord whose death sparked violence.

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)

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?"

A cross, a clay jug and a candle sit beside a note in Spanish reading, "A call…how shall I respond?" (Flight in V)
Columns

The call that remains: Vocation, encounter and journey in consecrated life

"I do not understand the call as a decision made once and for all, but as a relationship to be cultivated and renewed — a relationship that continues to unfold and transform me."

Nun says Passionist vocation a 'symphony' of many instruments creating 'one beautiful melody'

From her role as mother superior of St. Joseph Monastery in Whitesville; to being summoned to serve as a temporary superior for the Passionist community in Lucca, Italy; to being elected the very first mother president of the newly erected Congregation of the Nuns of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Sr. Catherine Marie has witnessed this contemplative vocation "lived in a beautiful multiplicity of ways."

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CHAD: 1,000 youth benefit from new gym thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Feb. 23, 2026
Gym supports education and oratory activities.

UKRAINE: Salesians in several communities receive emergency support for winter thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Feb. 19, 2026
Students continue their education with heating available.

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Ministry

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Sr. Marie Magdalene Duong Thi Nguyet of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception listens to high-risk individuals share their struggles at Kim Long Charity Clinic in Hue, Vietnam, on Oct. 11, 2025. (GSR photo)

Sisters serve on the front lines of Vietnam's shifting HIV crisis

Catholic sisters in Vietnam volunteer as nurses, counselors and emotional anchors for HIV/AIDS patients — many of whom arrive frightened, ashamed and utterly alone.

Sr. Anthonia Ibeh, a member of the Medical Missionaries of Mary Ibeh who leads the catechism class every Wednesday for two hours to inmates, poses in front of the sisters' convent in Benin City, Nigeria. (Valentine Benjamin)

Catholic sister leads effort to deliver support and hope to inmates in Nigeria

Sr. Anthonia Ibeh of the Medical Missionaries of Mary leads the work to offer free legal aid, social support, rehabilitation and spiritual care to inmates, many of whom are legally innocent and still awaiting trial.

Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini of India, the congregation's superior general, visits a person affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. (Courtesy of Maria Ajantha)

Q&A with Sr. Maria Ajantha on the Sri Lanka cyclone

"Maybe God spared us [so that we could] reach out to the needy immediately after the disaster," Sr. Maria Ajantha said.

(Unsplash/Andrew Itaga)
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'Una Caro': Why is the Vatican still getting Africa wrong on marriage?

A recent Vatican document on marriage revives troubling assumptions about Africa and polygamy. Sr. Leonida Katunge asks: Why is Africa once again being defined without Africa at the table?

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.