The Call to Global Sisterhood

by Sister Monica Sicilia, IHM

As I reflect on the 10-year OSP IHM gathering, an event we titled “Amplifying Our Shared Charism,” I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and hope. This meeting was so much more than our typical 10-year gathering; it was a powerful testament to our enduring commitment to one another, a living embodiment of the reconciliation and unity that has been achieved, and the tangible presence of a shared spiritual legacy that empowers us to serve God and our neighbor. As we met and shared, it was clear that, with God’s grace, we move forward together to engage our world in the love of God, and that the fruit of decades of difficult but necessary dialogue led us to collaborative action.  My heart was full as I witnessed this palpable and deep connection—a hopeful discernment and dialogue energized by our collective ability to foresee a future filled with vision and promise.

I am always moved when I hear or recall the story of our shared heritage, tracing back to Mother Mary Lange and Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin, and the tragic historical division rooted in racism that kept us apart. The turning point in 1995 remains a poignant memory for me, a truly powerful and symbolic moment of healing and recognition when these women were given equal pride of place in our communities. From that initial act of grace, our continuous journey of reconnection unfolds as we share our unique histories, ministries, and dreams. We aren’t simply looking back; we are looking forward, prayerfully, discerning how to revitalize and express our common charism in a rapidly changing world. This charism, a unique gift of the Holy Spirit, is what unites us as religious sisters, inspiring our dedication to God and service to God’s people. In an era of evolving societal needs, a collective discernment of how to live out this spiritual gift is both a hopeful and necessary endeavor, and the call to global sisterhood is ever more necessary. 

Our gathering provided a sacred space for prayer, reflection, and open dialogue, allowing us to listen not only to each other, but also to the Spirit. I truly believe that we are collectively envisioning a future where our shared purpose can have an even greater impact. This process of discernment is, for me, a profound act of hope—a belief that our combined witness can be a more powerful force for good than our individual efforts.

Building upon this spirit of discernment and dialogue, I was incredibly excited to see our collective energy turn to visionary ideas proposed for a relational future that the process of Asset Mapping and our exchange with our facilitator, Sue Weber, provided.  Such collaboration already provides a strong precedent for potential actions. For years our four congregations have worked together through committees dedicated to systemic change. Our “Healing Racism Committee,” for instance, was formed to continue the work of addressing racism within our own communities and beyond, promoting justice and peace. Another committee has provided ongoing support for journeying with the people of Haiti and with the Little Sisters of St. Therese. Most recently, our convent in McAllen, Texas, Mary, Comfort of Migrants, has made this collaborative endeavor a place of hospitality and service to our immigrant brothers and sisters.

We can clearly see in these engagements that our goal is not just to talk about our shared charism but to find innovative ways to embody and extend it through collaborative efforts that meet the “needs of the times.” These existing initiatives demonstrate a shared commitment to translating our spiritual convictions into concrete action. Our recent gathering provides us the invitation to strengthen these existing proposals and to generate new ones. Our collective wisdom, experience, and energy hold potential for unity in our ministries, amplifying our common evangelizing mission and the vitality of our charism for the future.

May our dialogue and deep connection continue, building on a foundation of reconciliation and grace, and may we continue to be a beacon of hope and service for all of God’s people.

Sister Monica Sicilia serves as first councilor on the Leadership Team of the IHM Congregation in Malvern, PA.