Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call

From August 11–14, we, the congregation leadership team, joined approximately 1,000 women and men religious from Canada, the United States, and Latin America in Orlando to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

Guided by the theme “Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call,” this historic gathering invited us into prayer, deep listening, meaningful dialogue, and renewed reflection on the gift and future of religious life. We returned grateful for the diversity of voices we encountered, the bonds of communion we experienced, and the Spirit’s continuing call to hope-filled service.

Each of us shares below something from these days that touched our hearts and continues to stir within us.

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Sister Lisa Perkowski

If I were limited to two words to name my felt experience of my first LCWR gathering, they would be “synergy” and “solidarity.” Listening to Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary to the synod of bishops, present in person on “Synodality and Consecrated Religious Life,” what resonated with me was her understanding of synodality as a “way of being” a “spirituality” for the life of the Church. Sensing her deep appreciation of the prophetic role of women religious, I believe she sees in us the potential to strengthen our prophetic voice through engagement with the people of God, encountering them with the same contemplative receptivity, dialogue, and attentive listening that we have practiced among ourselves and in ministry. Sister Nathalie’s statement, “Synodality is a grammar of peace,” inspired me to view synodality as more than an ecclesial process. In a post-truth world that uses divisive language, synodality can be a lived practice to guide the use of power and communication. Moving from LCWR into the UISG meeting, I realized the synergy is already there, namely the prioritizing of “being” over “doing,” cultivating synodal leadership, and promoting the synodal process in order to enrich the Church.  

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Sister Mary Elaine Anderson

One of the most sacred moments of the LCWR event was the Jericho Walk, a nonviolent way of naming and lamenting the injustices of the world in which we live. Readings affirmed LCWR’s commitment to uphold the dignity of each person, welcome immigrants, stand against violence, dismantle racism, care for the Earth, work to alleviate poverty, and advocate for the right to vote.

As participants walked, a single drum set the rhythm, grounding and uniting us. I was brought to tears when I saw how everyone adjusted their pace and sometimes linked arms to accommodate those with canes and moving more slowly. The scene reminded me of culturally diverse migrants moving together toward a common goal. Perhaps it is a good metaphor for women religious today. Each of us is deeply rooted in our congregation’s charism, and we bring diverse gifts to address the injustices that surround us. Yet we are moved by One Spirit to respond to One Call.  We walk in harmony seeking a more loving, just and peaceful world. We are radical hope-bearers of the Gospel.

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Sister Kathleen Lunsmann

During the LCWR event, I kept hearing two important messages for my life – to slow down and to listen. In Sister Vicky Larson’s presidential address, she stated that we are living in an era of rapid change. Technology, of course, has increased the speed of information sharing, the publication of news reports and even the speed with which we interact with each other. How many of my daily text messages with my family or friends have replaced real conversations? I heard Vicky say that she believes women religious are being called to “lead by listening.” That statement really struck me. Another presenter said that “listening is a form of hospitality.” Our small group reflected that for many religious, we often see hospitality as something that we provide or do for another, but really God is calling us to be hospitable, first and foremost, by listening to each other. In our world today, we are all seeking deeper connections, meaningful relationships, and thoughtful interactions. May our intentional and deep listening to God and to each other bring peace and comfort to us and a greater awareness and understanding of the needs of our world.

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Sister Annmarie Sanders

“Today, despite the increasing phenomenon of secularization in the world, there is also a growing hunger for God.” These words from Pope Leo XIV’s message to the participants stayed with me throughout our time together. In contemplative conversations at our tables, over meals, and in hallways, I heard a common desire to recognize and respond to that hunger. Our sharing reminded me that a hunger for God may first reveal itself as a longing to be seen, heard, welcomed, or accompanied—and that even the smallest acts of kindness can open a path toward a deeper experience of God.

Reflector Sister Mary Gabriel Devlin, SV, gave language to this conviction when she said, “Listening is a form of love.” She reminded us that attentive listening can give another person “reservoirs of strength.” She also encouraged us to listen to our own desires and longings, trusting that they have their origins in God.

I came away wondering whether one of the most important ways we can respond to the world’s hunger for God is to cultivate spaces where people are truly heard and where their deepest longings are received with reverence. In this ministry of leadership, I pray for the grace to offer that kind of presence to others—and to remain attentive to the voice of God within myself.

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Walking Forward Together

Across our varied experiences, a common invitation emerged: to slow down, listen deeply, walk in solidarity, and trust the Spirit moving among and within us. As we continue this journey together, may we remain attentive to the hunger for God in our world and in one another. May we have the courage to lead by listening, to accompany one another with tenderness, and to bear radical hope wherever we are called to serve.