Telling the Mighty Works of God: A Selection of Sisters' Stories in Vatican Media
Città del Vaticano: Dicasterio per la Comunicazione; Libreria Editrice Vaticana; Pentecost Proect with Sisters (2026), 229 pp.
Contains 16 photographs
Signature commbox: 10-Catholic-E 2026
"This book is a collection of articles from different parts of the world that tell stories of God’s mighty deeds, carried out with and through Catholic Sisters. Mostly written by Sisters themselves, the articles were published by Vatican Media as part of the Pentecost Project, through which stories about women religious are shared in ten languages, each week. They are stories of an untold present that turn our perspective on reality upside down. And on religious women as well. There are many more stories like the over 200 stories that have been shared thus far. Each of them is invaluable and all carry the faces and voices of unique people with great hearts, profound faith and impressive life paths. The stories are from places that are often underreported and are told from very unusual perspectives that challenge assumptions and have the power to transform hearts.
You may wonder why Catholic Sisters should write stories and why we should read them. Well, the answer is that — you will discover this by reading this book - Sisters represent one of the greatest untapped communication resources in the Church. They are of all ages and are present throughout the world. They know the Church profoundly - every corner of it. They are in homes and shelters, on the streets and at borders, in hospitals, universities, schools and prisons. In a variety of professions and relationships, they accompany young people and families, the worried and the suffering, the doubtful and the dying, those searching for meaning, those who have found it, and those who have taken wrong paths, the guilty, those beginning again, the forgotten and the ordinary — all of us. Sisters live among the people, in the heart of the Church, with and within the Body of Christ.
Why does this reveal such a powerful communication potential? It is not just because they see and hear the most hidden and unrepresented parts of our humanity and society, but also because Sisters see the world differently. They see beyond the narrow narratives that dominate mainstream media. They do not view people through the categories we so easily impose. For them, there is no “alcoholic”, “prisoner”, “accused”, “sick”, “poor”, “rich” or “successful” person. Instead, they see the face of God in each person, recognizing the inherent and inviolable dignity of every human being, and serving every life they encounter with love. They can see beyond, and through their experience, they can teach us how to do it. For Catholic Sisters, the margins are not peripheral but central. Through their voices, those who have been confined to the edges can be restored to the fullness of their dignity and reintegrated into the center of our common humanity. This is why it is so important that Sisters are given the possibility to tell what they see. Narratives shaped by a relationship with God are the only alternative capable of challenging the often-toxic communication culture of today’s media environment. Catholic Sisters are pillars of social, cultural and spiritual transformation. They are pillars of the Church and, contrary to the many trends of division, they are a force that can help unite us in what binds us together. They can do this precisely because of their ability to see more and beyond. Their strength also lies in the fact that they form one of the most powerful networks in the world: united by a common mission, rooted in the same Gospel and driven by the same love for Christ. It is our hope that this book will serve as an encouragement for the Sisters to continue to speak and to write, and for all of us, to learn through them how to see the world as it truly is: wonderful in its divine humanity." (Introduction, pages 7-9)
You may wonder why Catholic Sisters should write stories and why we should read them. Well, the answer is that — you will discover this by reading this book - Sisters represent one of the greatest untapped communication resources in the Church. They are of all ages and are present throughout the world. They know the Church profoundly - every corner of it. They are in homes and shelters, on the streets and at borders, in hospitals, universities, schools and prisons. In a variety of professions and relationships, they accompany young people and families, the worried and the suffering, the doubtful and the dying, those searching for meaning, those who have found it, and those who have taken wrong paths, the guilty, those beginning again, the forgotten and the ordinary — all of us. Sisters live among the people, in the heart of the Church, with and within the Body of Christ.
Why does this reveal such a powerful communication potential? It is not just because they see and hear the most hidden and unrepresented parts of our humanity and society, but also because Sisters see the world differently. They see beyond the narrow narratives that dominate mainstream media. They do not view people through the categories we so easily impose. For them, there is no “alcoholic”, “prisoner”, “accused”, “sick”, “poor”, “rich” or “successful” person. Instead, they see the face of God in each person, recognizing the inherent and inviolable dignity of every human being, and serving every life they encounter with love. They can see beyond, and through their experience, they can teach us how to do it. For Catholic Sisters, the margins are not peripheral but central. Through their voices, those who have been confined to the edges can be restored to the fullness of their dignity and reintegrated into the center of our common humanity. This is why it is so important that Sisters are given the possibility to tell what they see. Narratives shaped by a relationship with God are the only alternative capable of challenging the often-toxic communication culture of today’s media environment. Catholic Sisters are pillars of social, cultural and spiritual transformation. They are pillars of the Church and, contrary to the many trends of division, they are a force that can help unite us in what binds us together. They can do this precisely because of their ability to see more and beyond. Their strength also lies in the fact that they form one of the most powerful networks in the world: united by a common mission, rooted in the same Gospel and driven by the same love for Christ. It is our hope that this book will serve as an encouragement for the Sisters to continue to speak and to write, and for all of us, to learn through them how to see the world as it truly is: wonderful in its divine humanity." (Introduction, pages 7-9)
AFRICA: SERVING LIFE
Cameroon: Sisters of Charity in the fight against poverty and prostitution / Francesca Sabatinelli, 13
Missionary in DRC’s North Kivu: ‘We don’t know what will happen tomorrow’ / Beata Zajqczkowska, 17
From. non-Catholic to foundress of Ethiopia’s first Catholic convent / Bezawit Bogale, 21
Kenya: Visually-impaired religious sisters giving witness to people of God / Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF, 25
An advocate in a veil: Catholic sister defending justice in Kenyan courtrooms / Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS, 29
Namibia: Religious sister founds first theological and spiritual training center / Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF, 35
South Sudan: Step by step, women of the Gospel weave peace / S.r Paola Moggi, SMC, 39
Sisters of the Sacred Heart: A lifeline for South Sudanese "refugees / Sr. Paola Moggi, SMC, 43
Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth / Sarah Pelaji, 47
Canossian sisters empowering Maasai girls to rise above tradition and poverty / Sarah Pelaji, 51
Religious sisters in Uganda sew pieces of life together like a quilt / Dorota Abdelmoula-Viet, 55
Religious sisters in Zambia implementing eco-friendly agriculture / Sandra Kunda, 61
Zimbabwe: Poor Clare Sisters offer contemplative prayer as comfort to many / Sy. Mufaro Chakuinga, LCBL, 65
AMERICA: BRINGING CHRISTIAN HOPE
Argentine nun on side of marginalized people: ‘They are hot to blamel’ / Carla Lima, 71
Amazon River: A boat carrying Christ’s hope and consolation / Sr. Débora Evangelina Vargas, ASCJ, 77
Brazil: Finding God in the faces of Indigenous children / Sr. Joana Aparecida Ortiz, CIFA, 81
Sister Nelly Leon: Free to live and serve women in prison / Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, 85
Serving God with a dental drill and a smartphone / Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM, 91
Religious community keeping children safe from gangs in Haiti / Marine Henriot and Lisa Zengarini, 95
Pope Francis calls Sister Paésie in Haiti to offer his support / Jean-Charles Putzolu, 99
The ‘frontier charism’ of the Scalabrinian Sisters in Mexico / Roberto Paglialonga, 105
Religious women healing migrants’ wounds in Mexico / Sr. Rocio Garcia Villegas, 109
Sister Mary Haddad: Following in the steps of great women entrepreneurs / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 113
ASIA: HEALING THE WOUNDS OF HUMANITY
In Bethlehem, a religious orphanage gives love to children without families / Giordano Contu, 121
Sister Nabila’s appeal from Gaza: ‘We want peace, respect for human rights’ / Federico Piana, 127
Philippines: Missionary Sisters offer food, strength, consolation / Sr. María del Pino Rodriguez de Rivera Olives, MSS, 131
India: Sisters of Charity of Nazareth caring for children with disabilities / Sr. Prasanthi Mandapati, SCN, 135
India: Religious sister teaching theology from the peripheries / Sr. Greta Pereira, OCV, 141
The Good Shepherd Sisters in Beirut remain close to the sick, even as the bombs fall / Marco Guerra, 145
A religious sister in Myanmar: ‘Remaining with my people’ / Sr. Rosalind Arokiaswami, IJS, 149
Siberian Christians of various denominations unite to serve the homeless / Sr. Wiera (Elena) Isachenko, SMCB, 153
A Syrian sister’s journey of light amid the darkness of war / Deema Fayyad and Giuditta Bonsangue, 157
Sister Kanlaya aiming for a Zero Waste, Zero Human Trafficking world / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 163
Hospitaller sisters expand mission to aid people with mental disabilities in Timor-Leste / Sr. Isabel Santamaría Benito, HSC, 169
EUROPE: PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL THROUGH CHARITY
The loaded gun of ‘salvation’: From the police to the Apostoline convent / Valentina Angelucci and Giuditta Bonsangue, 175
Sister Juliana Seelmann’s witness welcoming Christ in refugees / Sabine Meraner, 179
Sister Mary-Joy: From farm to firefighting to pony centre / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 183
Good Shepherd Sisters visit women in Polish prison ‘to offer hope’ / Karol Darmoros, 189
Bridgettine sisters in Sweden: Finding joy among jars of jam / Mario Galgano , 193
Albertine Sisters at the service of Ukrainians in need / Fr. Martusz Krawiec, SSP, 197
Giving voice to the suffering Church in Ukraine / Wojciech Rogacin, 203
OCEANIA: ENCOUNTERING THE OTHER IN OTHERS
A community embracing diversity: Religious sisters in Australia / Sr. Amata J. Nowaszewska, CSFN, 209
A religious sister in theology’s halls of power / Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM, 213
FROM THE JUBILEE OF THE WORLD OF COMMUNICATION 2025
‘Prophetesses of hope’: Dedication of religious sisters and power of communication / Salvatore Cernuzio, 219
Cameroon: Sisters of Charity in the fight against poverty and prostitution / Francesca Sabatinelli, 13
Missionary in DRC’s North Kivu: ‘We don’t know what will happen tomorrow’ / Beata Zajqczkowska, 17
From. non-Catholic to foundress of Ethiopia’s first Catholic convent / Bezawit Bogale, 21
Kenya: Visually-impaired religious sisters giving witness to people of God / Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF, 25
An advocate in a veil: Catholic sister defending justice in Kenyan courtrooms / Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS, 29
Namibia: Religious sister founds first theological and spiritual training center / Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF, 35
South Sudan: Step by step, women of the Gospel weave peace / S.r Paola Moggi, SMC, 39
Sisters of the Sacred Heart: A lifeline for South Sudanese "refugees / Sr. Paola Moggi, SMC, 43
Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth / Sarah Pelaji, 47
Canossian sisters empowering Maasai girls to rise above tradition and poverty / Sarah Pelaji, 51
Religious sisters in Uganda sew pieces of life together like a quilt / Dorota Abdelmoula-Viet, 55
Religious sisters in Zambia implementing eco-friendly agriculture / Sandra Kunda, 61
Zimbabwe: Poor Clare Sisters offer contemplative prayer as comfort to many / Sy. Mufaro Chakuinga, LCBL, 65
AMERICA: BRINGING CHRISTIAN HOPE
Argentine nun on side of marginalized people: ‘They are hot to blamel’ / Carla Lima, 71
Amazon River: A boat carrying Christ’s hope and consolation / Sr. Débora Evangelina Vargas, ASCJ, 77
Brazil: Finding God in the faces of Indigenous children / Sr. Joana Aparecida Ortiz, CIFA, 81
Sister Nelly Leon: Free to live and serve women in prison / Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, 85
Serving God with a dental drill and a smartphone / Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM, 91
Religious community keeping children safe from gangs in Haiti / Marine Henriot and Lisa Zengarini, 95
Pope Francis calls Sister Paésie in Haiti to offer his support / Jean-Charles Putzolu, 99
The ‘frontier charism’ of the Scalabrinian Sisters in Mexico / Roberto Paglialonga, 105
Religious women healing migrants’ wounds in Mexico / Sr. Rocio Garcia Villegas, 109
Sister Mary Haddad: Following in the steps of great women entrepreneurs / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 113
ASIA: HEALING THE WOUNDS OF HUMANITY
In Bethlehem, a religious orphanage gives love to children without families / Giordano Contu, 121
Sister Nabila’s appeal from Gaza: ‘We want peace, respect for human rights’ / Federico Piana, 127
Philippines: Missionary Sisters offer food, strength, consolation / Sr. María del Pino Rodriguez de Rivera Olives, MSS, 131
India: Sisters of Charity of Nazareth caring for children with disabilities / Sr. Prasanthi Mandapati, SCN, 135
India: Religious sister teaching theology from the peripheries / Sr. Greta Pereira, OCV, 141
The Good Shepherd Sisters in Beirut remain close to the sick, even as the bombs fall / Marco Guerra, 145
A religious sister in Myanmar: ‘Remaining with my people’ / Sr. Rosalind Arokiaswami, IJS, 149
Siberian Christians of various denominations unite to serve the homeless / Sr. Wiera (Elena) Isachenko, SMCB, 153
A Syrian sister’s journey of light amid the darkness of war / Deema Fayyad and Giuditta Bonsangue, 157
Sister Kanlaya aiming for a Zero Waste, Zero Human Trafficking world / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 163
Hospitaller sisters expand mission to aid people with mental disabilities in Timor-Leste / Sr. Isabel Santamaría Benito, HSC, 169
EUROPE: PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL THROUGH CHARITY
The loaded gun of ‘salvation’: From the police to the Apostoline convent / Valentina Angelucci and Giuditta Bonsangue, 175
Sister Juliana Seelmann’s witness welcoming Christ in refugees / Sabine Meraner, 179
Sister Mary-Joy: From farm to firefighting to pony centre / Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP, 183
Good Shepherd Sisters visit women in Polish prison ‘to offer hope’ / Karol Darmoros, 189
Bridgettine sisters in Sweden: Finding joy among jars of jam / Mario Galgano , 193
Albertine Sisters at the service of Ukrainians in need / Fr. Martusz Krawiec, SSP, 197
Giving voice to the suffering Church in Ukraine / Wojciech Rogacin, 203
OCEANIA: ENCOUNTERING THE OTHER IN OTHERS
A community embracing diversity: Religious sisters in Australia / Sr. Amata J. Nowaszewska, CSFN, 209
A religious sister in theology’s halls of power / Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM, 213
FROM THE JUBILEE OF THE WORLD OF COMMUNICATION 2025
‘Prophetesses of hope’: Dedication of religious sisters and power of communication / Salvatore Cernuzio, 219
