On Oct.11 in Mary of the Angels Chapel, Stephanie Held was welcomed into the candidacy phase, the first step in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration process to become a Catholic sister.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Stephanie lives in Chicago and serves as a parish communications coordinator at Mary, Mother of God Parish. She also volunteers for West Side Mutual Aid group and is part of the St. Francis Catholic Worker House of Hospitality.
“My past experiences have shown me that I desire a life of community, service, faith and purpose. I am drawn to religious life because I want to contribute to something greater than myself in service of God and others,” said Stephanie. Looking back, it seems like God has been nudging me towards the Franciscan order. Franciscans of all kinds have been popping up in my life starting in earnest with my time as a live-in Catholic Worker at St. Francis House. Through my work at Mary, Mother of God Parish I have also met Secular Franciscans and Conventual Franciscan friars. I was introduced to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in late 2020, when I met Sister Julia Walsh. From all of these wonderful people, I have gotten a glimpse at what it looks like to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis, and seeing their lived example has drawn me to the Franciscan way of life.”
During candidacy, Stephanie will live in community with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and continue to develop personal spirituality; learning FSPA history, traditions, Franciscan spirituality and values; and working within and experiencing community life.
“Through my vocation, I hope to deepen my relationship with God, my community and those I serve. I know that I want to live in a world where we truly put the Gospel values into practice. And this starts with me,” said Stephanie. “If I want to live in a world of mercy, I must be merciful to those who do me wrong. If I want to live in a world of justice, I must fight for justice for the marginalized and the environment. If I want to live in a loving world, I must love my neighbor and love God. I think my candidacy year will allow me the time to truly engage with my faith and help me develop the tools to live a Gospel-led life. I think all areas of my life, especially my relationships, will be changed for the better because of this.”
Prior to joining FSPA, Stephanie earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication from Westminster University, Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a founding student researcher of the Wetlands History Initiative Project and created a historical archive of Great Salt Lake marsh and duck hunting by inviting community members to share their stories and treasures. She has served in a communications role with the Saint Bonaventure, a province of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, and as a Public Outreach Intern for Preservation Utah.
Q&A with Stephanie
Q. How do you see yourself living out Franciscan values—like simplicity, care for creation and service—in today’s world?
A. As a Franciscan, I want to love and glorify God with my very life. I think Franciscan values, at the end of the day, are all centered in love. I see myself living out Franciscan values by trying to emulate the love God has for all of creation. Asking questions of myself like, 'how can I live in a way that cares for other people as well as the planet?' is what will lead me toward a life of community, service, and faith.
Q. What gives you the most joy and hope as you enter into this commitment?
A. What specifically attracts me to FSPA is encapsulated in the phrase "Modern Lives. Sacred tradition." The community is rooted in the Eucharist and Catholic tradition but is dedicated to responding to the needs of the times. I am deeply proud of our 2000-year-old Church and the many faithful Catholics who have come before me. I am also a modern woman who sees a world in crisis around her. This is why I find it encouraging that FSPA is already confronting systemic inequalities and the climate emergency. Many of the areas of social justice that I have come to care about through my time in Jesuit Volunteer Corp and the Catholic Worker—anti-racism, homelessness, eco-justice—are areas of ministry for FSPA. This gives me hope about entering into this commitment.
Q. What challenges do you anticipate in religious life, and how do you feel prepared to meet them?
A. I cannot anticipate all of the challenges I might face in religious life, but I do know that I have a dedicated support system to help me overcome them. My friends and family as well as all the FSPA have shown me time and time again that they will support me on this journey. Much about religious life is unknown to me and I am sure there will be times that I get frustrated or question my vocation. However, I also trust that God loves me and that FSPA wants what is best for me and that gives me the confidence I need to keep moving forward.
Q. What else would do you want people to know?
A. Ultimately, I do not want to be the same person in ten years that I am today. I hope through this process of discernment I will have learned more about myself and my relationship with God, met new people who challenge me to look at the world differently, and encountered unfamiliar things that deepen my compassion. The sisters I have met have shown me that this is possible with FSPA which fills me with hope and joy.
Learn more about Becoming a Sister