Thank you for following Show me a sign

We invite you into "the Mess of radical Gospel living!"

Sister Rita Mae's 6 Word Story of Hope

Sister Rita Mae gets creative with her 6 Word Story of Hope.

Sister Jolynn's 6 Word Story of Hope

We are imbued in the bounty of God's greatest gifts.

Sister Joyce's 6 Word Story of Hope

Sister Joyce shares six words bursting with joyful self-discovery.

Sister Mary's 6 Word Story of Hope

It's the season, shares Sister Mary, to appreciate the hope that's shining bright.

Sister Mildred's 6 Word Story of Hope

Living kindness leads to love and lives uplifted.

Sister Helen's 6 Word Story of Hope

Moments of metamorphosis open us to beautiful newness.

Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Clare

Are you gazing, contemplating, considering, imitating ... discerning today?

Sister Eileen's 6 Word Story of Hope

Sister Eileen's multilingual message of hope shows us the way.

The grace of perseverance

"Life with God and in God will always be an adventure."

Sister Esther's 6 Word Story of Hope

Sister Esther shares her six-word path to hope ... and discernment.

Sister Marian's 6 Word Story of Hope

With optimism and faith, hearts abide ...

Sister Rita's 6 Word Story of Hope

She's ready to serve all of creation. Are you?

Celebrating freedom ... from a distance

No matter the space between us, we unite with you in peace.

Sister JoAnn's 6 Word Story of Hope

Hope with trust, reliance and belief.

Sister Kathy's 6 Word Story of Hope

Humanity unites in Sister Kathy's 6 Word Story of Hope.

Sister Meg's 6 Word Story of Hope

Are we isolated by a pandemic or welcoming personal growth, glowing with transfiguration? 

Sister Sarah's 6 Word Story of Hope

Relationships in religious life perpetually bloom. 

Sister Amy's 6 Word Story of Hope

How are you discovering, building, learning ... discerning?

Honoring legacy, service

Let us unite in prayer this Memorial Day.

Spiritual dust in the season of spring cleaning

Under the clutter, are you uncovering invitations to religious life?

'Christ is among us and in each of us.'

Searching for recovery and inspiration ... we too are watching the tomb.

Christ has risen!

Let's celebrate the renewal of life and hope.

In Lent and COVID-19, what do I see?

Collaboration to survive, learning new ways to thrive

Thirst

How do you walk with thirst in your own desert experience?

Join our CSW celebration

We're excited to have you with us this Catholic Sisters Week!

Let's celebrate Catholic Sisters Week!

All are invited to join, experience and listen with FSPA as we celebrate women religious!   

Reflection 12: gaze, consider, contemplate, imitate ... discern [video]

Do I have unanswered questions that God can guide me through?

Reflection 5: gaze, consider, contemplate, imitate ... discern [video]

If I could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Reflection 2: gaze, consider, contemplate, imitate ... discern [video]

What if I chose to live with others who also want to make a difference?

It's time to rejoice!

"May this day be filled ..."

Joy in the waiting

Advent in action: are you living in the glow of discernment?

Discerning from both sides of the river bank

Advent in action: are you recognizing division in your life?

Celebrating the work of making room

Advent in action: Are you willing to make room for Jesus and the world in your life?

Sister Janet to discerners: 'Say yes. You won't be sorry.'

"There was fun, excitement and challenge in all of it."

Sister Maris to discerners: 'Be aware of what feels right.'

"It came to me when I first visited St. Rose ..."

Step boldy into vocation with Sister Laura! [video]

Are you discerning and wondering "How will I navigate my changing role as a daughter?"

Step boldy into vocation: meet Sister Kristin!

Meet Sister Kristin along the #2019MeetOurSisters Tour route today!

Step boldly into vocation: Giving Voice

Are you called to add your voice to the vocation conversation? 

Step boldy into vocation with Sister Dawn! [video]

Sister Dawn, nurturing relationships and National Vocation Awareness Week!

Sister Laura to discerners: 'Do not be afraid to trust ...'

Have faith "in your deepest desires and God's grace."

Sister Rita Mae to discerners: talk, explore, pray

"I had several strong influences to inspire me."

Celebrating discernment, diversity, family and Francis

"Francis would be happy" for the "diversity of the Franciscan family."

Listening, exploring and discerning like Francis

"No matter where discernment takes you, carry today's Gospel acclamation as you journey forth ..."

Sister Clarone to discerners: '... listen to your heart.'

‘My delight has been being spirit led to an ever-deepening relationship with God.’

Sister Linda to discerners: 'I thank God every day for my vocation.'

"I just knew since second grade," shares Sister Linda about her discernment.

Sister Jolyce: "... my life, my decision."

How a candid conversation led to 60 years of religious life.

The celebration continues! [video]

Honoring discernment, ministry and perpetual adoration

Sharing wisdom with women discerning religious life ...

“It just seemed to be my way,” says Sister Lorraine.

Celebrating peace, harmony, history and freedom

For these blessings and the opportunity to choose religious life, we give thanks.

Sister Rosile: "Kindness attracted me to FSPA."

Sister Rosile's advice to discerners: “Trust in God — you will be making the right choice.”

Sister Beth: "Pay attention to your dreams and desires."

"I love companioning people as they live into the fullness of God's invitation for their life."

There's more to Sister Laura's discernment story ... [video]

Sharing support — like she received in vocations — with future Franciscan leaders.

How do I navigate my changing role as daughter? Meet Sister Laura. [video]

In Sister Laura’s Show me a sign video, she discusses how she navigates her changing role as daughter.

Sister Celesta: "What more could I ask?"

"The most exciting realization ... is that I'm not finished!"

Lives that sparkle among us [Video]

Celebrating the selfless giving of FSPA jubilarians!

Rejoice in love and resurrection

Celebrating eternal goodness of God's love and Christ's resurrection this Easter Sunday.

Discerning love in action

Celebrating love, action ... and discernment in Holy Week.

Discerning action, new adventure in Lent and religious life

What adventure God is offering for you to consider?

There's more to Sister Jacinta's discernment story

From discernment to ministry, Sister Jacinta inspires: "You've given me something to think about."

Will I stay in contact with my family? Meet Sister Jacinta. [Video]

In Sister Jacinta’s Show me a sign video, she discusses the common religious life discernment question, “Will I stay in contact with my family?” 

There's more to Sister Dawn's discernment story

"Tapping into wisdom and knowledge ... as we all walk together to make a difference in the world."

How will religious life affect my relationships? Meet Sister Dawn. [Video]

Sister Dawn, in this Show me a sign video, discusses the common religious life discernment question: How will religious life affect my relationships?

Discerning our love in the world ... today

How could religious life call you to be a person of love in the world?

There's more to Sister Sarah's discernment story ... [video]

"You can't say yes to religious life until you can say no to it. It must be a free choice."

What if my family isn’t Catholic? Meet Sister Sarah. [Video]

In Sister Sarah’s Show me a sign video, she and her parents discuss the common religious life discernment question, “What if my family isn’t Catholic?” 
 

Images of discernment: what's missing?

Are you the lost link in strengthening service to those in need?

Discernment iridescent this new year

Is the spark of religious life guiding you?

Merry, joyful and bright

Let's celebrate all the gifts in our hearts ... including discernment of religious life.

Discernment and Advent: is your heart ready for the celebration?

Hope is there like a long, invisible chain, linking the moments until the celebration can begin.

Discernment and Advent: called to new life

How has God been with you ... every step of the way?

Discernment and Advent: what are you preparing for?

How will we make the time to give our attention to prayer, not only during the season of Advent but throughout the whole year?

Gathering in gratitude

What are you thankful for today?

There's more to Sister Lucy's discernment story ...

"Being a part of community has clearly amplified what I can do with my life in ways that I could never do as a single Catholic woman."

Premiere: What if my family doesn’t agree with my choice? [Video]

In our premiere video, watch Sister Lucy and her sister Eileen talk about the sibling relationship during discernment and after profession of vows. 

Clearing hurdles with vocation discerners

"Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment" and FSPA give voice to 'counter-cultural choices.'

What will you bring to the feast today [and every day]?

Reach out to our brothers and sisters -- do what is yours to do -- through prayer, in ministry.

A new career in religious life?

Ask any Catholic sister: a "yes" to religious life can open more doors than ever imagined.

Honoring service, goodness

Reflecting and renewing as revolutionaries of goodness on Labor Day.

Mary, Clare, a novice and an associate: discerning pathways to God

Where do these pioneers, blazing their own paths to religious life, inspire you to go?

Sounding the bell for 140 years of 24/7 prayer [video]

FSPA celebrates the ministry, since Aug. 1, 1978, of perpetual adoration to the world.

Discerning wisdom in words

Are you carrying and comprehending security, delight and love through the doors to religious life?

Empowering peace this Fourth of July

Let us light up the sky with bold goodness of prayer ...

Discerning Religious Life? Consider the power of a good question…

We learn by asking questions…lots and lots of questions. 

When someone wants to learn more about membership with our congregation, we receive and answer some common questions time and again. And, to help answer those, we've created a reflection guide (learn more and reserve your copy!) ... 

Finding God at the wheel with Sister Laurice

"... each new shape of clay," shares Sister Amy about her time with Sister Laurice at the potter's wheel, "mirrored my own transformation as a religious sister."

As we prepare for Memorial Day

Let us remember, celebrate, pray.

Stepping into bright futures

Sister Amy celebrates "... all the ways that God has brought you to this milestone in your life."

Called to the right now of the journey

Discernment: "... when a walk becomes a gateway to prayer that soothes our souls."

Sister Sandra celebrates, contemplates religious life in jubilee

"... living religious life is a journey," shares Sister Sandra, who learned in ministry that "miracles happen."

Sister Cormarie celebrates, contemplates religious life in jubilee

"In my heart," shares Sister Cormarie, "my vows were final the first time I spoke them."

FSPA reflects upon World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Praying for religious life on April 22: who will you invite to the conversation?

Discerning love in action

Celebrating love, action ... discernment in Holy Week.

Sister Marla celebrates, contemplates religious life in jubilee

Tending to discernment requires prayer, guidance, openness ... risking the goodness when found.

Filling our hearts this Easter season

Let us celebrate Jesus and the joyfulness of his resurrection. 

Praying for a blessed Holy Week

He fills our spirits with joy!

FSPA at RE Congress 2018 ... Rise Up!

Sisters Amy and Kathy reached out to hundreds of people with "Discernment of signs along the way: your story of service in the Catholic Church" at the recent Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.

What inspires Sister Sue about religious life today?

"The time is blooming with opportunity, and craving what we have to offer."

What inspires Sister Janet about about religious life today?

"The trust lay people put in me with their personal lives." 

These are our own Meribah moments

How can the invitation to discern help you develop your own heart of flesh?

Temptation and transformation in the desert

God guides us to explore the depths of vocational discernment even in the most dreaded circumstances, with us as we confront the temptations that threaten our fidelity to live in communion with God.

Hearts and ashes

When desire to be of service is present, are we ready to love like Christ?

1,080 years of religious life

Let the 2018 FSPA Jubilee celebrations begin!

Turn your back or open your arms to discernment?

Will we live with eyes wide open or avert our glance, ignoring our brothers and sisters in need?

Discovery in discernment: breakthroughs of mind and heart

Like a scientific finding, discernment starts with a question.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the joy and inspiration of discernnment in 2018 and a lifetime to come.

Beacons of hope

Spiritual blisters: symbols of joy discovered in risking the journey.

Prepare

Discipline and commitment in our hearts: not just in Lent but Advent and discernment too.

Journey of Advent

How is your discernment part of the pilgrimage experience? Are you willing to enter the passage?

A transformative moment

In discernment, abundance is recognizing that God provides more than we could ever consume.

What did you say?

From novice to the common good: the language of discerning religious life.

Discernment: clothed in your own uniqueness

Call to mind the boldness of wearing orange when the world encourages you to blend in.

Action vs. contemplation in discernment?

Active vs. contemplative discernment: visiting communities and meeting sisters equally essential as praying for wisdom and direction.

Discerning, igniting a revolution of peace

What would happen if we woke up and fostered peace and positivity instead of hate and greed?

Intuition: an essential tool for home improvement and discernment

There may not be assembly instructions for completing the perfect household project or the future, discernment included.

Tuning in to God, discernment

Sister Amy, in her own discernment, found that "Each community carried individual tones and music of life."

Crisis reveals goodness

Walking together — through life changers like discernment — takes courage and conviction but also generates power to shape the future.

Imagination inspires vision in discernment

Discernment: imagining yourself in new climates, cultures an invitation from God. 

Viewing relationships in a discernment eclipse

What happens when parents, friends experience their own moments of obscurity in your discernment?

New horizons ahead

What would happen if you contacted the community whose website is open in your browser?

Obituaries and celebrating St. Clare

Your obituary: will it speak to your courage, service, voice, gifts?

Life as a nun today: FSPA can relate

FSPA: living modern lives, sacred traditions.

Sister Amy: grateful for the ways I'm inspired to pray

The Holy Spirit is really good at getting my attention, inviting me to contemplation.

"Yes" to God's invitation

Witness what it means to walk the Gospel-centered journey of life as a religious sister.

Where are we going?

Road of discernment: your gifts and talents may be precious fuel for propelling us into the future.

Diamonds in our midst

Commitment to prayer, service polishes their priceless lives.

What if it's you?

The circle of discernment: even wider when you consider that the whole Catholic church is praying for you.

Unpredictability, overwhelming beauty coexist

Discernment: soaking up spring storms and the greening world around us.

Mary and our "Yes" to mystery

When we say "Yes" to vocation we—like Mary—must walk the road, learning as we go, trusting God is always there.

Grumbling through the desert of discernment

Traveling through your own Egypt experience for the cool waters of friendship, understanding and companionship in discernment.

Kindness: we are all called to be Esther

On the Lenten road of kindness and spiritual growth, Esther is a model for discerners.

Love beyond measure

Love: it's also what discernment—and religious life—are all about.

Sharing courage to walk in darkness and light

Does love want others to lose in order for someone to win?

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

Will you be part of the next generation of consecrated life?

Open eyes can change world views

What if your dream is the one the world needs now?

Resolutions and reflection in discernment

Trust—on the days you feel like you aren't measuring up to your discernment resolutions—in the power of prayer.

Thankfulness, flaming rolls and the illusion of perfection

Leaving your illusions at the door: who you are and why God calls you to discern religious life.

I have no magic words

How long will this take? How will I know?

Trying on your metaphorical lenses

Religious discernment: scrutinizing, eliminating and finding the right fit.

Following Francis: the margins may be closer than you think

Searching and serving--every day--those on the periphery.

Carrying the wounds of the cross

How is your life marked--celebrated--as a discerning follower of Jesus?

Peace in the midst of unrest

Discerning in a hurting world: when our faith asks us, in difficult times, to look again.

Franciscan family reunions

Are you called to join a family of Franciscans working in service of the Gospel?

A jubilant life

The jubilee of your life: is discernment leading you to enjoy it rather than endure it?

Use words when necessary

Words, vows, renewing commitment: what does your life call you to today?

Trailblazers and touchstones along the path

Who are the trailblazers in your life? Are you willing to go where God leads?

Seeing discernent from new heights

Ask yourself: are you seeing discernment from new heights? A different point of view?

Let's begin with your story ... and a step

Your journey to religious life starts with your story... and a step. 


Tour Chapels
Explore our Ministries