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Religious Life

Vocation to Religious Life

You might be thinking that only priests, Brothers and Sisters have a “real” vocation. However, every baptized person has a specific calling, that is, a vocation to a committed relationship that centers your life.  This can be through the vocation of marriage, through the vocation of a single person living a life of service, or through the vocation of a woman religious, a religious brother or a priest.  Are you seeing yourself somewhere in this picture?

What God desires for us first and foremost is our happiness, the fulfillment of who we truly and uniquely are as God created us. The path of prayer and discernment leads us to the particular way of life to which the Holy Spirit is calling us.  Some of us respond to this early in life and others find their authentic calling later in life.  By living this call as fully as possible each of us experiences the true joy of coming home to his or herself.

The vocation you pursue and embrace is your primary commitment, your primary relationship and your primary pathway to God.  In particular, the vocation to religious life is a God-quest out of which all resulting commitments flow.

One form of religious life is the ministerial life of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.  Our lives, centered in God, are rooted in prayer and are informed by our vowed commitment and the bonds of community.  As we embrace the adventure of religious life we express our love in service by partnering with others in responding to the needs of the whole community of life.

We offer an integrated life of prayer, ministry and community expressed through our charism, our vision and the sharing of our gifts to contribute to the reality of the reign of God in our time.

If you are interested in experiencing the joy and purpose of a vocation with the Poor Handmaids and would like to engage firsthand with the Sisters and others who are considering a vocation, please click here to learn more about our ongoing Come and See events.

If you are interested in contacting the Poor Handmaids or pursuing a process of discernment with us, please connect with Sr. Connie Bach, PHJC.   cbach@poorhandmaids.org

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Director of Vocations
Sr. Connie Bach, PHJC

cbach@poorhandmaids.org

Vocation Promoter
Sr. Veronica Adeduro, PHJC

veroadeduro@gmail.com

Vocation Promoter
Sr. Nkechi Iwuoha, PHJC

niwuoha@poorhandmaids.org

God Is Constantly Calling: A Look at Women’s Vocations in 2025

The Pillar: “Women Religious Talk Vocations”

“God is constantly calling”—these words resonate deeply with the heart of the Poor Handmaids. In this recent article from The Pillar, we are reminded that despite the cultural headwinds, women continue to say “yes” to God’s call. The piece highlights that in 2024 alone, over 120 women entered religious communities across the U.S., drawn by prayerful community life, mission, and the charism of each congregation.

We are heartened to see a new generation discerning paths of service, contemplation, and spiritual leadership. May their courage inspire us all.

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Listening to the Young: Discerning Religious Life Today

Takeaways from AP’s Reporting on Young Nuns

At PHJC, we are privileged to walk with women discerning a call to religious life. A recent Associated Press article offers important insight into this journey, showing that while fewer young women are entering religious communities, the call remains vibrant and real. The piece shares reflections from those navigating the lengthy discernment process—often complicated by student loan debt and cultural expectations—but also enriched by deep relationships and spiritual discovery.

We invite you to read this thoughtful summary on the current landscape of religious vocations in the United States:

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Wisdom Along the Way: What We Wish We Knew Sooner

In our life as Poor Handmaids, we often say that formation never ends—it simply evolves. Religious life is a continuous unfolding, marked by lessons that deepen with time and the Spirit’s guidance. The Life panelists in this Global Sisters Report piece share candid reflections on the wisdom they have gained—wisdom they wish they had embraced earlier. Their words echo the humility and truth we know so well in community: that learning to love, to listen, and to let go are graces that come not all at once, but slowly and with intention.

Saint Katharina Kasper reminds us, “Go onward quietly and do what is right, simply and humbly.” These words remain a guidepost for all who continue to be transformed through religious life.

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