Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

02/03/2026

We in the US use 500 million plastic disposable straws a day, most end up in the landfill and the oceans. Refuse to use a straw today.
Prayer: God of creation, help us protect all of creation by our careful use of the goods of the Earth. May we live a simple and sustainable lifestyle.
Amen

02/02/2026

Prayer: “For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…

For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…”

https://www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/world-day-consecrated-life

02/02/2026

Tomorrow is Meditation Monday. Pray with us for the needs of the world.

02/02/2026

Prayer: God of ocean, river, stream God of creek, rivulet, groundwater God of rain, snow, sleet God in ocean, river, stream God in creek, rivulet, groundwater God in rain, snow, sleet You are the Living Water Who moves through us and all your beloved creatures Enlivening, nurturing Protect us from our shortsightedness Protect us from our greed Protect us from ourselves Living Water Be with us Be in us.
-- prayer by Beth Norcross, Arlington, VA

02/01/2026

"Loving God, as we celebrate Black History Month, we thank You for the enduring spirit and creativity of Black communities. Guide us to be open to learning, to listen to unheard stories, and to celebrate Black excellence. May we be inspired to continue the work of creating a world where every person is honored, where justice prevails, and where Black history is recognized as essential human history. May our actions reflect Your grace and lead to a brighter future. Amen."

02/01/2026

"O God, Source of all life and love, we come as one human family, from diverse traditions, seeking unity. Help us see each other as beloved children, created in your image. Remove hatred and sow love. Guide us to understand our differences as threads in a rich tapestry, not as reasons for division. May our prayers and actions build a world where love triumphs over hate, justice prevails, and we live as one family, sharing this earth as one home. Amen."

01/31/2026

https://franciscansisters-olph.org/events/

01/29/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY!
In celebration of the 125th Jubilee of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we present some oldies but goodies. An important step in the process of becoming a Sister was celebrated in a special ceremony in which the woman dressed as a bride of Christ, received her Sister name, and entered into an intensive year called the Novitiate. That ceremony was somewhat reflective of getting married and changing your name. Today the ceremony for entering this stage of formation is focused more on consecration for mission than being a Bride of Christ. Though this tradition was discontinued, our Sisters still wear the rings they receive with final vows that resemble wedding rings.
Note: In the following photos, women who left the community are noted by an asterisk. Deceased Sisters are listed with their full names. Current Sisters are listed with their last initial. Also, Sisters' names may have changed throughout the years. ENJOY!

01/28/2026

https://conta.cc/3NCvii6

Email from Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Passing along tips & inspiration to help our Sisters and others live the fullness of the Gospel. Share #15- 01/28/26; Please pass this along

01/28/2026

01/27/2026

Prayer: Lord God and Father, We remember before you all those who bear the inner and outer scars of the Holocaust and of subsequent acts of genocide. Let them not be overwhelmed by the horrors that engulfed them. Be close to them. Help them to see that you suffer with those who suffer, and that no wickedness can ever extinguish your infinite love. Restrain those who are filled with hatred and use violence to pursue their ends. Change their hearts. May remembrance make us alert to the reality of evil and its deceptive allure. Help us to recognize our own capacity for evil and allow your Spirit to purge it from our beings. Help us also to stand up against evil and oppression, even if that means we have to suffer ourselves. Enable us to defend those who are not strong enough to defend themselves, and to be ready to bring the light of your truth into the dark areas of human experience. Deepen our respect for everything you have made, and help us to share in securing the maximum good of every person who is alive in your world. We ask this in the Name of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, carries our sorrows, heals our wounds, and is risen for our freedom.
Amen
A Holocaust Prayer by Philip Hall

01/26/2026

LCWR issued a public statement today that reads as follows:

At this moment in history, when fear is normalized, violence is amplified, and democratic life is under strain in the United States and across the world, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) raises a clear and unwavering moral voice: violence is not the Gospel response.

The way of Jesus calls us to a love that refuses harm, rejects domination, and insists on the dignity of every person. Love demands more than silence or neutrality. It requires truth-telling, moral courage, and a willingness to stand publicly with those whose lives and rights are threatened. Nonviolence is not passivity; it is disciplined, courageous action rooted in justice and hope.

Across the globe and within our own communities — from Ukraine to Minneapolis — we see the tragic consequences of aggression. Violence does not resolve conflict or restore peace; it deepens wounds and multiplies suffering. Nonviolence, by contrast, requires profound interior strength and sustained commitment. It must be cultivated personally and communally, and practiced intentionally within social, political, and global systems.

Women religious have long understood this truth through lived experience. Since arriving in what would become the United States in 1727, congregations of women religious have participated in the shaping of this nation through education, healthcare, advocacy, and service to those most at risk. Throughout the evolving life of this democracy, women religious have sought to embody gospel values in public life, especially in times of moral crisis.

In continuity with this witness, we unequivocally denounce the use of violence in any form. We call upon individuals and communities — and especially those entrusted with leadership in local, state, and federal government — to choose paths that uphold human rights, protect democratic processes, and honor the dignity of life at every stage.

In these times, the members of LCWR commit to a public, prophetic presence rooted in prayer and expressed through concrete action. We pledge to make visible the Gospel through advocacy for nonviolence, racial justice, humane immigration policies, and care for our common home. Our hope does not rest in force or fear, but in the transformative power of love lived boldly and together.

The statement is also on the LCWR website at https://www.lcwr.org/news/choosing-nonviolence-as-gospel-witness