Nun walks with abuse survivors in the shadows of Indonesia's tourism boom

Holy Spirit Sr. Frederika Tanggu Hana speaks with female survivors of violence at St. Theresa Shelter in Labuan Bajo, eastern Indonesia. Accompaniment and trauma-informed care are central to daily ministry at the shelter, founded in 2018. (Ryan Dagur)

Holy Spirit Sr. Frederika Tanggu Hana runs the only shelter for women and children who are survivors of violence in Labuan Bajo, a quickly growing port town at the western tip of Flores, a predominantly Catholic island in Indonesia. 

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(GSR graphic/Olivia Barton)

In Focus

Sisters find creativity is key in converting land, buildings

When it comes to unneeded buildings and property with built-in challenges, such as out of the way locations or buildings too expensive to heat and maintain but not worth renovating, sisters find new ways to make them useful.

News

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Sister Anna Maria of the Sacred Heart celebrated her 106th birthday March 14, 2026. (Courtesy of Perpetual Adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament)

Q&A with a 106-year-old YouTuber nun, from enclosure to digital evangelization

Sister Anna Maria of the Sacred Heart celebrated her 106th birthday on March 14. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she learned to use digital media as a means of evangelization.

Members of the media attend Mass at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church June 16, 2026, during the Catholic Media Conference in Atlantic City, N.J. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)

National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report win 45 honors at Catholic Media Awards

The National Catholic Reporter and Global Sisters Report received a combined 45 honors at the 2026 Catholic Media Awards.

Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon is pictured in this undated colorized photo taken around 1920, when she founded the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate. (OSV News/Courtesy Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate)

Sainthood cause advances for Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, foundress of Parish Visitors in NYC

The nun grew up on a farm outside Waterville, New York, a destination for hops picking for making beer. She founded the Parish Visitors in New York City in 1920. On June 18, Pope Leo XIV declared her venerable.

Holy Spirit Sr. Frederika Tanggu Hana speaks with female survivors of violence at St. Theresa Shelter in Labuan Bajo, eastern Indonesia. Accompaniment and trauma-informed care are central to daily ministry at the shelter, founded in 2018. (Ryan Dagur)

Nun walks with abuse survivors in the shadows of Indonesia's tourism boom

Holy Spirit Sr. Frederika Tanggu Hana runs the only shelter for women and children who are survivors of violence in Labuan Bajo, a quickly growing port town at the western tip of Flores, a predominantly Catholic island in Indonesia. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Pope Leo prays at relics of St. Augustine, then visits Mother Cabrini's birthplace

As Venezuela remains divided, nuns urge dialogue, justice for national healing

Nuns take Father's Day to the border, visiting dads separated from their children

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 new Italian documentary film "Agnus Dei" follows the Benedictine sisters in Rome who care for two lambs whose wool becomes part of a papal vestment — a centuries-old tradition. The lambs' principal caretaker is Sr. Vincenza Portaluri, shown here with the animals. (Riccardo Ghilardi)

Inside a Benedictine monastery, nuns raise lambs whose wool is for the pope

A new Italian documentary, "Agnus Dei," follows the Benedictine sisters who care for two lambs whose wool becomes part of a vestment for the pope and archbishops — a centuries-old tradition.

A painting on the ceiling of St. Catherine Church in Spring Lake, New Jersey, depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles. (CNS/Octavio Duran)
Columns

Monastic life carries the genetic code of Pentecost

Horizons - Monasticism is an attempt to embody in the most radical way the ideal that was manifested in the first Jerusalem community immediately after the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Attendees at the Women's Ordination Conference's 50th anniversary celebration wave multi-colored stoles May 22 in Detroit. (GSR photo/Dan Stockman)

Nuns gather in support of 50th anniversary of Women's Ordination Conference

"We're seeing more religious communities publicly stand true to their values," said executive director Kate McElwee. "We're grateful for those who have been bold and support the conference publicly, and we know many others are praying for us."

Sisters pray in the chapel at the Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. (Justin Gomes)

Dwindling vocations strain Bangladesh's cloistered convents

Two decades ago, the Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Mymensingh, northern Bangladesh, had about 50 nuns. Today, only 20 remain.

Community News

Ministry

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Rochester Franciscan Sr. Phyllis Sellner, of Palm Desert, California, hands goody bags to men at the Cobina Posada del Migrante shelter where sisters and their friends celebrated Father’s Day June 6, 2026, in Mexicali, Mexico. (GSR photo/Rhina Guidos)

Hermanas celebran Día del Padre en la frontera con migrantes separados de sus hijos

En la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos, un grupo de hermanas organizó una fiesta del Día del Padre para migrantes varados en Mexicali, separados de sus hijos por la migración o la deportación. Aunque no podían reunirlos con sus familias, el objetivo era el acompañamiento. "Si no tuvieran este evento, no tendrían nada", dijo la Hna. Suzanne Jabro, fundadora de Border Compassion, organización que coordinó la jornada. 

Physical therapy student Major Kelley, left, and physical therapy instructor Michelle Keller assist Stepping Stone resident Marlin Chase. (Courtesy of Sr. Idelle Badt)

Benedictine sisters' respite center helps heal people who are homeless

Sr. Idelle Badt noticed that when people who are homeless are discharged from hospitals, "they're going to end up right back in the hospital or sicker than they were because they're still too ill to recover on the street."

Sr. Fransiska "Ika" Imakulata, left, a Missionary Sister Servant of the Holy Spirit and coordinator of TRUK F, speaks with Divine Word Missionary Fr. Laurens Woda. (GSR/Chris Herlinger)

How nuns and priests work together in Indonesia to empower women and children

While reporting in Indonesia, GSR correspondent Chris Herlinger was struck by the strong partnership between sisters and priests working together to support women and children.

Patients soak their foot ulcers before receiving new dressings at the Dhanjuri Leprosy Center in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Proper hygiene is a critical component of preventing secondary infections in leprosy cases. (Piyas Biswas)

Missionary-launched medical center leads Bangladesh's leprosy fight

Photo essay - The Dhanjuri Leprosy Center has dedicated caregivers, including religious sisters and local medical professionals, providing comprehensive support since 1927.

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.