Living Charisms for Sustainable Human Development

Catholic sisters in Africa act powerfully and broadly in support of sustainable human development through their care for the poor and marginalized and their actions promoting peace and sustainability. Sisters’ ministries build more just and resilient communities, in alignment with the vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and with the Catholic Church's teachings related to social justice.

This project provides online theological education for sisters in Eastern and Southern Africa to connect their ministries to action for human development via Catholic social teaching. This formation empowers sisters to understand the transformative character of congregational charisms more deeply and inspires them to lead and to partner with others in the wider human development sector.

Sisters in South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa are pursuing Loyola Institute for Ministry certificates, working to weave CST’s commitment to human development throughout congregational life, and building congregational capacity for work with and for vulnerable youth.

This project is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Learn more about the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's Catholic Sisters Initiative.

For more information, contact Project Manager Sarah DeMarais at scdemara@loyno.edu and see the project press release. 

Participating Congregations

• Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa (FMSA)

• The Grail

• Loreto Sisters, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM)

• Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS)

• Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Monze

• Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro (CDNK)

• Pallottine Missionary Sisters

• Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Juba

• Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary

• Sisters of Our Lady Amersfoot

Living Charisms: Sisters' Leadership for Human Flourishing Conference

In January 2022, sisters presented in a Zoom conference about Catholic social teaching and trauma-informed care for youth. Learn more about the conference here and watch a Youtube playlist of all presentations here. 

Related Media 

To learn more about how Catholic sisters contribute to sustainable development in East Africa, watch As I Have Done. The 90-minute documentary series was produced by Salt + Light Media in collaboration with LIM. It is available to stream for free. The documentary has accompanying free lesson plans for high school theology teachers.

Learn about how project participants are applying their coursework to serve their communities in these student spotlights.

Related Publications

Global Sisters Report articles by project participants:

• Sr. Charity Bbalo, “Preserving Trees by Making Charcoal from Paper Litter"

• Sr. Jackline Mwongela, “Bringing Catholic Social Teaching to Boys Recovering from Street Life”

• Sr. Anne Wandia, “Our Call in South Sudan” (about safeguarding initiative)

• Sr. Teresia Mbugua, “Teaching About Domestic Violence in Tanzania”

• Sr. Jean Martinez, “At a Nursing Home, I Find Hopeful Ministry in a Time of Change”

The Journal of Moral Theology published a collection of essays about this project. 

• Sarah DeMarais (Project Manager), "'Are We Theologians?': A Practical Theology Approach to Catholic Social Teaching with Women Religious in East Africa"

• “Pedagogical Reflections by East African Women Religious Alumnae of the Loyola Institute for Ministry,” including three essays by project participants:

  • Sr. Charity Bbalo, “Catholic Social Teaching Inspires Women to Care for the Environment”

  • Sr. Lucy Kimaro, “I am My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper: A Perspective from Catholic Social Teaching”

  • Sr. Jane Frances Mulongo, “Small Christian Communities as Opportunities for Teaching and Living CST”

Related Projects

Catholic Sisters in Partnership for Sustainability

Communicating Charism: Educating for Leadership and Social Media Capacity in Communities of Women Religious