(GSR logo/Toni-Ann Ortiz)

The Life Panelists

The Life panelists are a group of 20 sisters from across the global north and south who respond to questions about the unique, challenging and very specific lives of women religious. Click here to learn about the 2020-21 round of panelists.

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Sr. Magda Bennasar's photographs capture the process of a plant's growth, from bud to flower.

'Signs of life everywhere': Old ways, new ideas sustain religious life, sisters say

The Life - GSR's The Life panelists reflect on their experiences or observations of new spiritual life within religious life. 

(Dreamstime/Ermell)

Accompanying those who answer God's call can be both a gift and a test

In ministry, we often witness others grappling with their own profound callings. Our panelists share their experiences: When have you witnessed others being called by God, particularly when that call seemed difficult?

Four different fall leaves lined up on a wooden table (Unsplash/Markus Spiske)

Cultural and spiritual differences can challenge us, enrich our faith journeys

The Life - Our sister panelists consider: When have you engaged with people whose life experiences are vastly different from your own, and how did these interactions transform your long-held ideas about life?

Twelve Sisters of Mary, Queen of the World, in Vietnam make their first profession in 2024, marking a significant commitment to living out the congregation's charism of evangelical spiritual childhood, a way of life rooted in the Gospel message, "Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Courtesy of Maria Yen Do)

Congregational charisms guide sisters as 'living word for the church'

The Life - Sisters respond to the question: "How does your charism influence the ways in which you interact with others?"
 

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, the local superior of the Rosa Mystica Community of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna, receives a donation of trees from Fr. Paul Igweta, coordinator for promoting integral human development with the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, during Kenya's national tree planting day on Nov. 13, 2023. (Henriette Owino)

Ways that women's congregations take action to protect God's creation

The Life - Faith-based actions are crucial in addressing the climate crisis. Our sister panelists discuss how their communities have responded to Pope Francis' call for transformative stewardship of our ailing Earth.

The aurora borealis is seen in Washington state in May 2024. (Wikimedia Commons/RailworksAmerica)

Spaces to experience the boundless love of God

The Life - The sisters explore how communities of religious women engage in traditions and practices that foster inclusivity, create space for others, and enhance communal and individual well-being.

A depiction of Jesus is seen in a detail from a 12th-century Spanish fresco. (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

To live authentically, look to the paramount example: Jesus

The Life - Our sister panelists explore what it means to live an authentic life as a consecrated religious, and how that might attract others to the same vocation.

Light shines through small window into dark church.

Whatever our ministry or role, we are each 'the miracle of an original'

The Life - This month, we ask our panelists: "When we stop doing, we ask ourselves, who are we? When you are not working in your ministry, who are you?" 

A girl places a candle in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City on April 11, 2022.

Holy Saturday: Memories of loss, waiting and expectation

The Life - This month, we ask our panelists: What has been the Holy Saturday of your life? When have you experienced the in-betweenness of Holy Saturday? What empty tombs have you been sitting by? 

Bishops process into St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 29, 2023, for a Mass marking the conclusion of the first session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality. (CNS/Vatican Media)

From clericalism to communion: The church's never-ending conversion

The Life - Many women at the synod noted that clericalism continues to "scar the face of the Church." This month, we ask our panelists: What is the spiritual conversion needed in order for healing to take place?

(Unsplash/Yannick Pulver)

What darkness requires God's great light this year?

The Life - Panelists respond to this question: What darkness do you long for God's light to fill in the coming year?

(Unsplash/Markus Spiske)

The only possible peace recognizes each person's dignity and the rights of all

The Life: In the last installment of The Life for 2023, Global Sisters Report asked panelists: Is it possible to have a world where peace exists everywhere? And if so, what would it take to make it happen?

Advent wreath with purple, pink and white candles

Despite challenges, promise of Advent shines bright into our darkness

The Life - In their first installment, new The Life panelists describe the anticipation, hope and darkness that accompany the season of Advent. 

Pope Francis greets a group of nuns as he arrives for his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Aug. 21, 2019. Sister panelists for The Life discussed how the synodal process affected them, and shared their hopes for the synod. (CNS/Vatican Media)

How has the synodal process affected Catholic sisters?

The Life: For the final question to the current panel of Catholic sisters, Global Sisters Report asked: How has the synodal process affected you, your parish, or your community? What hopes do you have for the synod?

A person walks down a road lined with trees (Unsplash/Trail)

Wisdom sustains us on the journey of life

The Life - This month, the sister panelists share personal experiences of faith as they reflect on this question: What is a piece of wisdom that you received in religious life that continues to sustain you today?

a dark empty church w/ light on the sanctuary

The night before forever: Ahead of final vows, sisters feel doubt, anxiety, joy

The Life - Panelists reflect on the struggles, doubts and experiences that shaped the certainty of their calling. 

Two blue benches in a garden with a colorful mural that says "Inspire" behind them (Unsplash/Gary Meulemans)

'Zingers from God': Sisters embrace grace from companions in ministry

The Life - Our sister panelists reflect on the question: What are you learning/have you learned from the people with whom you minister? Their responses highlight the importance of humility, trust and faith.

(Unsplash/Zach Guinta)

'Reach every victim' and 'leave no one behind': Sisters combat human trafficking

The Life: July 30 is the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Our sister panelists shared what their congregations are doing to eliminate this grave offense against human dignity.

Sr. Monica Umeh Uchechukwu reflects with nature. Her favorite time for prayer is early in the morning, on waking from her night's sleep. "I love beginning my day with the Lord, because from experience, I have learned that the practice sets the direction of the day for me," she said. (Courtesy of Monica Umeh)

'Prayer is life': Sisters share how they pray, and how that prayer evolved

The Life - Sister panelists reflected on the following question, and their responses were personal, poetic and moving: What is your favorite time/place to pray? How has your prayer "evolved" in your lifetime?

"Nautilus Sweep," digital artwork by Notre Dame de Namur Sr. Terry Davis (Courtesy of Terry Davis)

Delving deeper: Sisters on their changing relationship with an amazing, loving God

The Life - Our sister panelists delved deep this month as they pondered this question: How has my image of God or Jesus changed throughout my spiritual life?