Religious Life

The Latest

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE.

Living the religious life in the Holy Land: Two Americans share their stories

Feb 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for... Read more

The Monastery of Città della Pieve in Italy.

Blind from birth, Sister Chiara Antonella shares her story of music and prayer

Dec 26, 2023

By ACI Stampa

The Poor Clare sister shared in a recent interview about her calling to religious life, life in the monastery, and... Read more

A still from the movie "Free."

‘A cinematic meditation’: Catholic film on religious life in U.S. theaters Nov. 2

Oct 31, 2023

By Courtney Mares

A new documentary on Catholic religious life will be shown in movie theaters across the U.S. for a one-night release... Read more

Eucharistic adoration following the pope's Corpus Christi Mass June 14, 2020.

Pope Francis: The Eucharist can fill ‘the wounds and voids produced by sin’

Aug 25, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope said in the eyes of the world it might appear “absurd” to confront societal problems by praying on... Read more

Father Joe Barron is among the first two Americans to join Pro Ecclesia Sancta, a religious institute founded in Lima, Peru. He was invited by Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron to found another home for the community in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Religious community from Peru arrives in Detroit with mission to encourage vocations

Pro Ecclesia Sancta — “For the Holy Church” in Latin — will be based out of St. Isaac Jogues Parish... Read more

Speaking from World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, the “City of Joy,” a Iesu Communio (Communion in Jesus) sister shares her vocation story with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

Religious sister tells how she discovered her vocation at a WYD thanks to Benedict XVI

The sister related that Pope Benedict XVI spoke “of the Eucharist as a ‘kiss’ and of adoration as a prostration... Read more

Father Marie-Dominique Philippe.

New report analyzes origins and phenomena behind abuse in France’s St. John community

Jul 2, 2023

By Solène Tadié

The 800-page document details findings of an internal investigation into the origins of abuse in the St. John Family. Read more

Sister Cyril Mooney, an Irish sister who changed education for impoverished children throughout India has died at age 86.

 Irish nun who changed education for India’s poorest children dies

Jun 28, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Winner of the prestigious Padma Shri award, Sister Cyril Mooney’s school model was adopted by the entire country of India. Read more

Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington, Texas.

Fort Worth Diocese: Vatican says bishop has authority over Carmelite monastery amid investigation

May 31, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

A May 31 diocesan statement said the Vatican appointed the bishop as “the pope’s representative in this matter.” Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2023.

Pope Francis: Monks and nuns are ‘the beating heart’ of evangelization

Apr 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope pointed to the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and other cloistered religious who sustain the life of... Read more

Dominican nuns at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, New Jersey, make soap and candles which they sell at their Cloister Shoppe.

Christmas shopping? Check out these gifts handmade by monks and nuns

Nov 25, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

If you’re looking for unique handmade gifts for those on your list, you’re going to love these delicious treats and... Read more

Cristina Scuccia, winner of The Voice Italy 2014

Nun who won The Voice of Italy singing competition leaves consecrated life

Nov 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

Sister Cristina Scuccia, the religious sister who won the 2014 edition of The Voice of Italy, has left the consecrated... Read more

Brother Paul Bednarczyk, CSC, who was elected superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross July 1, 2022, speaks at the National Religious Vocation Conference in Plano, Texas, November 1, 2012.

Congregation of Holy Cross elects first non-priest superior general

Jul 7, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Congregation of Holy Cross has elected the Connecticut-born Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., as superior general. He is the first... Read more

Sister Isabela, Sister Roziane, and Sister Mariana Guimaraes.

Three sisters were called to be nuns in the same religious order

Apr 7, 2022

By Natalia Zimbrão

Sister Mariana, Sister Roziane, and Sister Isabela Guimaraes are three blood sisters who embraced their call to religious life in... Read more

Sister Catherine Wybourne, also known as the "Digitalnun."

Beloved social media nun dies

Feb 25, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Messages from around the world have flooded Twitter as the beloved “Digitalnun,” Sister Catherine Wybourne, died of cancer Feb. 24,... Read more

Pope Francis meets religious sisters at a general audience on Jan. 19, 2022.

Pope Francis tells religious sisters to fight back when mistreated by 'men of the Church'

Feb 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope's prayer intention for the month of February is for religious sisters and consecrated women. Read more

What is it that God is calling you to do with your life?

Taking time to ask, 'What is God's will?'

Dec 24, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Discerning your vocation is about more than pursuing a celibate vocation alone, said Father Ryan O’Neill, director of vocations for... Read more

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Benedictine nuns in Missouri honor Christ the King with new album

Dec 3, 2021

By Carl Bunderson

After the harrowing experience of shootings at their abbey in rural Missouri, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles resolved... Read more

The Benedictine Monastery of San Jose in Costa Rica's Diocese of Cartago, which was canonically closed Nov. 7, 2021.

Costa Rican diocese orders canonical closure of Benedictine monastery

Nov 10, 2021

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Diocese of Cartago has ordered the canonical closure of the San José Benedictine Monastery, a diocesan foundation that had... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco in Rome on Oct. 22, 2021.

Pope Francis asks religious sisters to pray for him: 'It is not easy to be the pope'

Oct 23, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The pope also shared a story from the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. Read more