Dear Seeker,

During my formation as a Franciscan Sister, I remember being surprised — confused — when I learned that vowed religious are meant to be prophetic members of the Church. I was confused because for years I had misunderstood the meaning of the word prophetic.

As Pope Francis wrote, "Prophets receive from God the ability to scrutinize the times in which they live and to interpret events; they are like sentinels who keep watch in the night and sense the coming of the dawn. They are able to discern and denounce the evil of sin and injustice. Because they are free, they are beholden to no one but God, and they have no interest other than God. Prophets tend to be on the side of the poor and powerless, for they know that God himself is on their side." (Pope Francis. Apostolic letter to all consecrated people on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. November 21, 2014.)

After I professed my final vows as a FSPA, I was asked to write about vowed life for an article published in VISION Vocation Guide. Referencing the vow of celibacy, I wrote:

"In many ways, it makes absolutely no sense that I would renounce something as good as marriage and motherhood. But, actually, that's the point. The vow of celibacy is prophetic because it doesn't make sense for this world. Just as the prophets of the Bible did strange things to make a point — like eating scrolls (Ezekiel 3:1-11) and burying underwear (Jeremiah 13:1-11), so too is a vow of chastity bizarre. Some people are particularly called to this vow in order to make a point, or to point to God. It's 'heaven on earth' stuff to say no to marriage, sex and children and only a few of us are really called to it. That's what Jesus was talking about when he said that some have 'renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 19:21)."

No matter where we are or what we are doing, all vowed religious are called to be modern prophets. We are meant to point to God's vision and plan for all. This means we stand up for justice and point to the promise of God's love and peace. We insist on hope, when others are tempted to despair. We accompany and provide for the oppressed and marginalized, when others decide to ignore or abandon their needs. Because of our prophetic consecration to God, we are enabled to be free and fearless as we proclaim the Gospel. 

You could be called to this mission too, to be a modern prophet. Feel free to reach out to discuss if this prophetic way of life might be a fit for you.

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh

On Tuesday, June 24, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration joined more than 60 congregations of Catholic Sisters and faith-based organizations for Sisters Speak Out — prayer for immigrants and a just economy. The Sisters Speak Out campaign featured a main public witness event in Washington D.C., with more than 25 echo events across the United States.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Eileen McKenzie coordinated the Sisters Speak Out echo event in Eloy, Arizona, with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods, Kino Border Initiative and community members for a public prayer and witness for immigrants and a just economy. Despite temperatures in the mid-90s and the harsh desert sun, around 70 people gathered outside of the Eloy Detention Center for prayer, testimony and public witness.

VISION Vocation Network, a resource of the National Religious Vocation Conference, published "Vocation Basics: Essentials for the Vocation Journey" in their 2024 Catholic Religious Vocation Discernment Guide.

Click the button below to view common vocation-related questions, vocation prayers, basic terms and more!

VISION Vocation Guide's video titled "Consecrated life through the ages" explains the important dates in the history of religious life. "From ancient desert monasticism to contemporary forms of consecrated life, a small band of Christian men and women in every generation choose to consecrate their lives to God with unique vows of love and service that give radical witness to the gospel."

Click the button below to find more information about consecrated life, including a downloadable consecrated life timeline.

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.

Click here to access the Zoom link.

Art as Prayer

Monday, July 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

This monthly open watercolor studio is a chance to play and learn new techniques without worrying about perfection or the finished product. Meet new friends and practice listening to your heart as you paint.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by July 18.

What Is This Mindfulness Stuff All About?

Tuesday, July 22 I 5-6:30 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

This gentle evening will offer a brief introduction to aspects of mindfulness and self-compassion and lots of reflective invitations to pay attention to where in the body we may be holding struggle, joy, loss, anger, hope, contentment, denial, courage, tenacity and other emotions.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by July 22.

Navigating Transitions: A Path to Reset & Renew Retreat

Friday, July 25, 6:30 p.m. CT - Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. CT

Prairiewoods Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Have you experienced a change in your job status, a divorce, empty nesting or loss of a loved one? Are you searching for some meaning and clarity on what's next? In this overnight retreat, you'll be treated to a path forward that will help you reset and renew as you navigate your transition.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by July 21.

Seeing Land Anew: Mapping for Justice, Stewardship and Hope

Monday, July 28 | 6-7 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

Molly Burhans will reveal how mapping land can illuminate powerful opportunities for community building, environmental stewardship, social justice, sustainable development and systemic change. She will share how data, ethics and technology can come together with science-informed community-driven analysis and design to help guide better decisions about land use.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by July 27.

Summer: A Season of Gathering Eco-Spirituality Retreat

Friday, Aug. 1, 4 p.m. CT - Sunday, Aug. 3, 12 p.m. CT

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

We invite you to join us for our summer eco-spirituality retreat. Deepen your interconnection with the Earth community in the company of other seekers, Marywood staff and the rich and varied life at Trout Lake.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.

Active Hope for Troubling Times Retreat

Friday, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m. CT - Sunday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Whether you're troubled about the state of the world or are struggling with personal challenges, you'll find a safe and sacred place in this retreat to honor your feelings and discover that you are not alone. Working with the transformative power of The Work That Reconnects process, you will be embraced in a compassionate experience.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by July 28.

Abundance and Grace For All Seasons: A Yearlong Courage and

Renewal Series

Friday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m. CT - Saturday, Aug. 2, 4 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

Through individual written reflection and group interaction, you will have opportunities and time to recognize the grace that is always abundantly available. Our time together will include silence, guided discussion and experiences with poetry, wisdom tradition essays and art.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by July 18.

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

Thursday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. CT - Saturday, Aug. 9, 3 p.m. CT

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

Alcohol Inks will be painted on Yupo Paper — an ultra-smooth, acid-free synthetic paper with a velvety smooth surface that also takes pen, ink, pencil and marker. Yupo has unique advantages and also challenges as it's a non-absorbent surface that makes color sit on top.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register by Aug. 2.

FSPA Charism Immersion for Discerners

Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Sunday, Sept. 21

St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI

Come meet FSPA and learn about our community history, charism and mission. During this discernment retreat, you'll have opportunities to meet our sisters, pray in our adoration chapel, spend time at our motherhouse, plus much more! This retreat is open to single, Catholic women ages 18-45.

Click here to learn more and express interest by Aug. 1.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org

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