The Sisters of Life provide material, emotional and spiritual outreach to pregnant women in crisis, helping more than 900 women at the former New York City convent each year.

As part of the triennial UISG assembly this week in Rome, the leaders of the world's women religious met with Pope Francis May 12; they asked him four major questions about the role of women in the global Catholic church. In response, he said he would create a commission to study the possibility of women deacons.

Pope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic church, signaling an historic openness to the possibility of ending the global institution’s practice of an all-male clergy.

Pentecost is my favorite feast in the liturgical year; the Holy Spirit manifests the refreshing unpredictability of a God who often relishes a walk on the wild side.

NCR collected reactions to Pope Francis' announcement May 12 to create a commission to examine the history of female deacons in the Catholic church. 

See for Yourself - Much of the time, messages on Facebook are about recipe videos, friends' pets, or birthday notifications. I must not have a very robust friend community on Facebook, but whenever I think of checking those messages I usually find that I haven't missed too much.

"Carrying out our ministry with the poor and the marginalized, we are often erroneously considered as social activists or as if we are taking political positions. . . ."

Established in 1993, the Huynh De Nhu Nghia (Fraternal Affection) Center for Blind People has helped 150 people so far. The center is based on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, where the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary teach people who have visual impairments life skills and music and help them get their education. Most of the residents complete high school, and many are given opportunities to study further at colleges and universities.

"How we choose to respond to this moment will decide the future of ministerial religious life. We don't have much time. Like Jesus, we are challenged to be filled with a divine recklessness. We are too careful. Jesus was reckless in his love. Are we ready for that?"

For me, the "future" question doesn't press as heavily on my heart as does the question, "Who are we called to be as women religious in the 21st century?" We must continue to consciously enter that upper room, that space of sacred patient waiting, and pray for the coming of the Spirit in our time.