From the Desk of Sister Julia |
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Dear Seeker,
I recently returned from my annual silent retreat where I was able to contemplate Scripture, engage in spiritual direction and savor Christ's loving presence. The sacred time and space recentered me in Christ's love as I reflected on the sorrows and joys of life. In the end, I was renewed in my commitment to lovingly serve God's people and live my vocation. Although a privilege of a vocation to religious life, the spiritual practice of taking a regular retreat is a valuable opportunity that can enrich the health and holiness of each person, and therefore the wider world. Silence and solitude are good for everyone.
St. Francis of Assisi understood the power of silence and solitude too. In September 1224 — 800 years ago — St. Francis sought out solitude on a mountain called La Verna, where he experienced a vision of Christ on a cross uplifted by a six-winged seraph. St. Bonaventure wrote that "he was overwhelmed and his heart was flooded with a mixture of joy and sorrow. Afterwards, St. Francis was graced with the Stigmata until his death in 1226." On Sept. 17, 2024, Franciscans worldwide will celebrate the Stigmata of St. Francis. And you are welcome to join us. See below for opportunities to join us as we savor the mysteries of sorrow, love and joy. As I experienced on my retreat and St. Francis emulated, if we open ourselves to God's power in silence and solitude we may be changed by God's love. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can support you as you continue to explore how God is calling to share love with the world.
Peace & All Good,
Sister Julia Walsh
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Vow Renewal: Q&A with Sister Meg Earsley |
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Sister Meg Earsley took the next step in religious life with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, renewing her vows on Aug. 2, Feast of the Portiuncula. Sister Meg joined FSPA in 2018, entered the novitiate stage in 2019 and professed first vows in 2021. Her renewal marks a step toward professing final vows with the congregation.
"As I renew my vows today, I see that holy fire in the hearts of our beloved sisters. We come as different types of people from different places. We have different personalities, experiences and passions," said Sister Meg. "Thanks to the consuming love of God, we are together and find belonging in this blessed place, our Portiuncula. We live our love in prayer, gospel living and in all the ways we are community."
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VISION: Catholic Religious Vocation Guide |
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VISION Magazine, a publication of the National Religious Vocation Conference, is a comprehensive resource available for anyone interested in religious life as a sister, brother or priest.
VISION 2025 is now in print and packed with valuable articles and resources. Reach out to
discerning@fspa.org to request a print copy to be mailed to you. Or read the new issue and explore the archives online.
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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Friday Virtual Adoration and Mass
Every Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT | online via Zoom
All are invited to join FSPA for virtual adoration live from the Adoration Chapel in La Crosse. Virtual adoration will pause at 11 a.m. and Mass will stream live from Mary of the Angels Chapel. Virtual adoration will resume after Mass.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Friday, Aug. 23 | Cincinnati, OH
All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in Cincinnati. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.
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Evening Centering Prayer
Tuesday, Aug. 27 (second and fourth Tuesdays) | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
Each evening invites participants to an opening check-in and two twenty-minute silent, centering sessions. Together, facilitator Judith Smith guides us to relax and attune our body, mind and spirit to the Indwelling Presence.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Thursday, Aug. 29 | St. Paul, MN
All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in the Twin Cities. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, Sept. 4 | Des Moines, IA
All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in Des Moines. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.
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Pathways of Peace: Food as Relationship – Autumn Table Retreat
Friday, Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m. CT - Saturday, Sept. 7, 4 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
Drawing on wisdom of mystics, saints and poets, let's honor the abundance of nature and how these foods provide an opportunity to transform our relationship with food at the individual, community and global levels.
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The Book of Nature:
The Astonishing Beauty of God's First Sacred Text Retreat
Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA and online via Zoom
Over the course of four weeks, in sessions lasting an hour and a half each at Prairiewoods and online via Zoom, we will read and engage with Barbara Mahany's book and with our own "pages" from the Book of Nature that is inscribed in all of creation.
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Mass and Lunch at St. Rose Convent
Sunday, Sept. 15 | St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI
All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for Mass and lunch at the FSPA motherhouse in La Crosse. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information.
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Mass: The Gift of the Stigmata
Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. CT
Mary of the Angels Chapel, La Crosse, WI and online via Zoom
All are invited to join us for Mass in Mary of the Angels Chapel to honor the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' gift of the Stigmata.
Visit fspa.org for more information and to access the Zoom link.
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St. Francis: Suffering and Love
Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI
On this day, 800 years ago, St. Francis experienced the stigmata – the wounds of Christ in his body – as well as a vision. As we contemplate this event, we will explore our own relationship with suffering, love and compassionate sorrow.
Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Sept. 9.
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Pastels: Fields of Flowers
Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI
Using spray bottles of rubbing alcohol and pastels, we will create an underpainting that will be developed further with dry pastels. Watercolor paper, rubbing alcohol, and soft pastels will be provided.
Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register by Sept. 11.
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Peaceful Energy for Renewing the Earth
Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. CT | online via Zoom
During this discussion via Zoom and in person at select locations, Dr. Erin Lothes will highlight the critical importance of transitioning rapidly to renewable, peaceful energy and exploring energy justice.
Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Sept. 16. |
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Loving Kindness Practice
Thursday, Sept. 19 | 1:30 - 3 p.m. CT
Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI
If you are searching for a daily meditation practice to assist you in being compassionate to yourself, others and all of creation, the Loving Kindness meditation offers you that possibility.
Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register by Sept. 17.
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Beyond Ite vos: Celebrating 800 years of Francis's Stigmata
Saturday, Sept. 21 | 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL (room 210)
At the death of St. Francis, Brother Elias announces the miracle of the wounds of Christ (stigmata) revealed on the body of Francis of Assisi. This miracle is further revealed by writers and artists, who attempt to capture the moment of the Stigmata. We will focus our thoughts on two versions of the Stigmata: that of Brother Leo and that of St. Bonaventure.
Visit ctu.edu for more information and to register.
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Chicago Area Discernment Group
Sunday, Sept. 22 | Chicago, IL
Gather with other women who are interested in religious life for a time of prayer and faith sharing. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.
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Ecological Spirituality: New Horizons for the 21st Century Retreat
Wednesday, Sept. 25 - Friday, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. CT daily
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA and online via Zoom
For over 50 years, we have been inspired by geologian Thomas Berry and others on the pioneering work of the New Universe Story. How to ground that vision remains a formidable challenge, the aspects of which will be explored in this retreat. Come spend your mornings with Prairiewoods as we welcome Diarmuid O'Murchu online from Ireland.
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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