Apostolic Visitation Report

         Mother M. Clare Millea, ASCJ; Sister Sharon Holland, IHM;

            Pope Francis; Mother Agnes Mary Donovan

In a Press Conference in Rome on December 16^th, the Report of the Apostolic Visitation of Women Religious in the United States of America was held.  Many religious women joined the press conference through the live streaming feed provided by Vatican Television and the Holy See Press Office.

Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. in the opening remarks commented: “The Year of Consecrated Life and the Final report invite us to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion, and to examine our fidelity to the mission entrusted to us. The Year of Consecrated Life and the Final report invite us to embrace the future with hope.

The following taken from the Introduction of the Report sets a positive tone and appreciation for the life and ministry of the

U.S. Women Religious.

“The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is sincerely grateful for the presence of women religious in the United States and for all that they contribute to the Church’s evangelizing mission. Since the early days of the Catholic Church in their country, women religious have courageously been in the forefront of her evangelizing mission, selflessly tending to the spiritual, moral, educational, physical and social needs of countless individuals, especially the poor and marginalized. Throughout the nation’s history, the educational apostolate of women religious in Catholic schools has fostered the personal development and nourished the faith of countless young people and helped the church community in the USA to flourish. In addition, a great majority of the Catholic healthcare systems in the United States, that serve millions of people each year, were established by congregations of women religious.

In response to the appeal of Perfectae Caritatis to return to the Gospel, “the ultimate norm of religious life” and to “their founder’s spirit and special aim” (PC, 2 a & b) women religious sought to adapt their life style and mission in ways that might enable them to more effectively respond to contemporary needs. In a spirit of creative fidelity to their charisms, they branched out in new ministries to those most on the margins of the Church and society. Women religious in the United States also notably pursued ongoing theological and professional formation seeking to further their ability to serve the Church’s evangelizing mission and to prepare others to collaborate in it as well. Women religious typically engage in volunteer ministry well beyond the normal retirement age and even in their later years sustain the life and ministry of their sisters through their prayerful support.”   Read the report at:

http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/12/16/0962/02072.html