This year’s gathering of leaders of congregations of women religious in the United States marks the first public discussion of two controversial Vatican investigations. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is planning its annual assembly for Aug. 11-14 in Houston, Texas. Last year’s gathering was held under the cloud of both an apostolic visitation and a doctrinal assessment. Both investigations, however, ended in the past year with no findings of serious wrongdoing and with much praise for women religious and the work they do.

Notes from the Field - The heart has a mysterious way of sending the most intimate of messages that the tongue cannot. Due to my status as a non-native, non-fluent Thai speaker, in the 10-and-a-half months I have lived in Thailand, in many situations I have needed to rely on entering into everyday conversations with my heart rather than with my words.

Becoming a sister has included many challenging adjustments. One aspect of religious life that I doubt I’ll ever be comfortable with, though, is other people’s expectations of me just because I am living my vocation. It never made sense to me that others would place in me in a different category just because I was doing what I was made to do. I am not more special than any other person who is living a life of commitment and love.

“Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?"

Sr. Mary Rose Atuu told Massgoers on a recent Sunday that she has "a lot of passion" for her religious vocation but challenged her listeners to remember that "we are all consecrated." The Little Sister of Mary Immaculate of Gulu spoke before a packed before a packed congregation at her own parish church, Immaculate Conception Church in Honolulu. The presentation by the African nun, who is a chaplain for St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii, was part of a "traveling exhibit" for the Catholic church's Year of Consecrated Life.

“The God of peace is never glorified by human violence.”