Women Religious

A woman religious is a lay person who has committed herself to Christ and to the Church through vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity.  The role of women in the Church continues to expand, and a significant part of this development is within the faith communities of women religious.

When a woman chooses to enter the consecrated life, she deepens her baptismal commitment by taking vows which emphasize prayer, loving service and living simply in community with others.

Numerous religious communities are available, each patterned on the life and teaching of the founder of the community.  The work done by women of the religious communities include such ministries as pastoral, education, social service, healthcare, missionary, evangelization and work with the homeless, poor and distressed.  Some orders of woman religious are totally dedicated to the contemplative life.

Many resouces are available to help a woman discern her heartfelt vocation and determine the next step in her journey.  The following are some resources that you may find helpful:

Sister Marian Batho, CSJ, the delegate for religious women and men in the Archdiocese of Boston
www.bostoncatholic.org/delegateforreligious.aspx

Franciscan Peace Center, The Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa
www.sistersofstfrancis.clinton.iowa.org

The leadership conference of women religious is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States.
www.lcwr.org

For additional information on Religious Vocations, contact:

The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) 
5420 S. Cornell Ave., Suite #207 
Chicago, IL 60615-5604 
Phone: (773) 363-5454 
E-Mail:  [email protected] 
Web:  www.nrvc.net