SNJM Sisters from Peru, Lesotho and the U.S. attend the Hope 2025 conference in Rome.
Sisters reach beyond congregational boundaries to strengthen communal spirituality.
“Unite us in our global sisterhood as we lead ourselves and one another with compassion while inspiring hope in the world,” proclaims the blessing prayer for the Hope 2025 retreat in Rome. SNJM Sisters from Peru, Lesotho and the U.S. joined over two hundred women religious under the age of 65 to discuss the future of religious life and the role of women as leaders in the church.
Hope 2025 was hosted by the Leadership Collaborative (LC), an organization formed in 2012 to foster transformational leadership for religious life. To advance the growth of the global religious community, LC empowered women religious to connect across cultural boundaries at the weeklong gathering in June. “Something new was being breathed into life,” said LC’s Associate Director Tammy Townsend.
Sisters from 45 countries joined together in conversation and prayer. “When we from different countries met, it was more than simple joy,” said Sister Sophia Park. The group found solidarity through their commitment to follow Jesus, live the gospel values and serve people on the margins. From that communal commitment burst a sharing of experiences of joy, challenge, loss and support.
Sister Lourdes Quintana Cortavitarte was energized by groups discussing changes in their communities and models of leadership through uncertain times. “I saw new generations very open to the challenges that may arise, to the vision of a freer development of humanity.” Across congregations, Sisters shared their processes for embracing the evolving realities of religious life, for letting go of what is ending, for cultivating hope.
By the end of the week, unified by their common mission and strengthened by their diverse experiences, each Sister was prepared to return to their local community and share knowledge from the emerging global sisterhood. As Hope 2025 ended, Sister Michelle Garlinski reflected, “The world is calling for action, and religious women will continue to respond as those who have gone before us.”