Institute on Religious Life

06/01/2026

The Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen invite young women to "Come & See" what life
is like as a Hankinson Franciscan! Spend a weekend with the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, North Dakota to experience a taste of their life, and to learn more about the Religious Life as lived in their community.

The next two weekends available this year to meet with the sisters will be in June and August at their St. Francis Convent. To register or for more information, you may visit: https://form.jotform.com/240705419993161 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth at [email protected].

05/29/2026

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview featuring Abbot Sharbel Ewen, OSB, of Prince of Peace Benedictine Monastery in Oceanside, California.

Abbot Sharbel grew up surrounded by the values of hard work and simplicity, cultivated in a family of six children. His upbringing was deeply influenced by the rhythms of rural life, where faith and community were intertwined. In 1980, Abbot Sharbel responded to a profound spiritual calling, entering the monastery of St. Charles Priory (later renamed Prince of Peace Abbey). Ordained a priest on July 2, 1988, Abbot Sharbel’s vocation blossomed, eventually leading to his appointment as Prior in 2000.

On August 20, 2013, Abbot Sharbel was elected to lead his monastic community as Abbot. His Abbatial Blessing on October 10, 2013, marked the beginning of a new chapter of stewardship and spiritual guidance.

Abbot Sharbel’s topic today is “How Does a Monastery Impact its Local Community?” and he is interviewed by IRL Board member, Jesse Weiler.

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview featuring Abbot Sharbel Ewen, OSB, of Prince of Peace Benedictine Monastery in Oceanside, California. Abbot Sharbel grew up surrounded by the values of hard work and simplicity, cultivated in a family of six children. His upbringin...

05/28/2026

Have you or someone you know felt the Lord calling you to a life of service, simplicity, fraternity, and joyfulness? The Franciscan Friars of the Saint Bonaventure Province of Chicago are happy to meet and journey with men who are considering God’s unfolding plan for them. The friars will encourage and guide the process of prayerful discernment.

Don’t hesitate to contact them for more information during this special year of St. Francis, as proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV on January 10 to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of the passage of St. Francis of Assisi into Heaven!

Please visit https://franciscancommunity.org/vocations/ or email [email protected] to find out more about Franciscan spirituality and discerning a vocation with the Conventual Franciscan Friars.

05/27/2026

Young adults, where is God calling you to serve Him? The Catholic Corps men and women invite you to spend a weekend, October 30-November 1, learning and praying about the call to a celibate vocation. A celibate vocation includes: priesthood, consecrated life, religious life, and consecration of life. There are 3 goals we have for you this Discernment Weekend:

Help you better understand your calling and specific vocation.
Motivate and equip you to grow in the spiritual life.
Present you with a clear understanding of the beauty of the consecrated vocation.

This event is for any practicing Catholic (ages 18-35) who is open to or discerning the call to a celibate vocation. Both men and women are welcome. During the weekend, Mass and talks will be in common. Prayer times, meals, and recreation will be separate. You’ll hear from the Catholic Corps, a keynote speaker, and participate in small group discussions. Most importantly, you’ll benefit from attending daily Mass and have plenty of time for prayer during Eucharistic Adoration. We look forward to accompanying you on your journey to find God’s plan for your life! Consider also staying for our 1-Week “Come & See” the following week, for even more time for intentional discernment.

Visit afc.org/discernment-weekend/ for more details.
Apostolate for Family Consecration, 3375 County Rd 36,
Bloomingdale, OH 43910.

05/26/2026

The Little Sisters of the Poor invite single women ages 18 to 35 for a discernment weekend on June 19-21 at their San Damiano Retreat Center in White Post, Virginia. The Sisters will lead this lectio divina-based discernment retreat which will include tools to aid your prayer and discernment, opportunities for prayer and confession, and Q&A with the sisters. Explore embracing God’s plan with hope and joy. Contact the Vocations Office to register, [email protected] or 703-841-2514. Deadline is June 8. 125 Old Kitchen Road, White Post, VA 22663

05/25/2026

The Nuns of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa invite you to their upcoming June Come & See discernment retreat weekend, which will include:

Liturgy of the Hours & Eucharist
Silence & Solitude
Conversation & Accompaniment
Questions & Answers
Prayer & Reflection

If you are interested in joining them for the weekend, please fill out the Vocational Inquiry form at https://mississippiabbey.org/vocations/ -form and/or contact the Vocations Director, Sr. Madeleine, at [email protected] or (563) 582-2595 ext. 123.

If you are interested but unable to attend the upcoming retreat, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Additional dates and alternative opportunities are available.

05/24/2026

~ Pentecost Sunday ~

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us, alleluia.
Romans 5:5

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the splendor of Your glory may shine forth upon us, and that, by the bright rays of the Holy Spirit, the light of Your Light may confirm the hearts of those born again by your grace, and renew, O Lord, the face of the earth!

With prayers through the Spirit of God dwelling within us!

05/22/2026

The Carmelite Sisters invite you to participate in their upcoming vocation weekend retreat on June 19-21 at their Motherhouse in Germantown, New York. You will have the opportunity to meet the Sisters, know more about the religious life, talk to the vocation director who will guide you in your discernment, and enjoy silence and solitude. The June retreat is a Spirituality tract entitled "Into the Land of Carmel."

The conference will be about the Carmelite Order- its origin, spirituality and Saints. You have the opportunity to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY and see its beautiful stained glass windows, pray before the relics of Saint Therese, Mass and Confession.

If you have any questions, please email Sister Helena of Mary at [email protected] or call at 845-891-3943. To register for this event, please visit: https://www.carmelitesisters.com/retreat-registration.

05/21/2026

The Little Sisters of the Poor invite you to a discernment retreat for women ages 18 to 39 in Chicago on June 12-14. The weekend will include adoration, talks, prayer with the sisters, and service to the elderly. To register, contact Sister Bernadette Rose at [email protected] or call 773-935-9600.

05/20/2026

The Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, North Dakota invite you to join them for their annual retreat, Mother-Daughter Days. Spend some quality time together, have a little fun, nourish your spiritual life, and even learn a little about the life of Sisters. Two sessions are available in June and July at their St. Francis Convent!

Register now at https://form.jotform.com/223145841391050 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with any questions: (701) 242-7195 / [email protected].