Who Are You Living For?

Do you have a vocation? The answer is an overwhelming yes… we each have a special way of being and becoming in and for this world! The next question is the more difficult one, however: what is my vocation? What is it that sets my heart on fire and reaches the great needs of the world around me?

If you have ever wondered about being a Sister, or wonder what you are even doing on this page, or have been giving some more serious thought the stirrings in your life about a vocation, we invite you to pay attention to your own thoughts, emotions, fears, and daydreams.

We’re open to companioning you in your discernment, wherever that leads and listen with you as you recognize how God is speaking to you. 

Email S. Catherine Kirwan-Avila, Vocation Director at [email protected] to begin a conversation. No pressure, just openness to pray alongside you as you discern freely.

Join An Online Ignatian Discernment Group

The group will meet at 7:30 CT on Thursdays: 10/22/26, 11/19/26, 12/17/26, 1/21/27, 2/18/27, 3/18/27, 4/15/27. 

The group will be facilitated by Sister Catherine Kirwan-Avila, aci who lives and works in St. Louis, Missouri. With a background in social work, college campus ministry and Ignatian spirituality, she supports young people in listening to their own heart’s longing and the invitations of God.

Register with this form to join this virtual community of women asking courageous questions.

Contact Sister Catherine at [email protected] with any questio

Make a Vocation Visit to our Home in St. Louis!

The disciples asked Jesus, “Where do you live?” He said, “Come and see.” (John 1:38-39) Women interested in religious life often ask us, “What is life like as a Handmaid?” This question is best answered in the words of Jesus, “Come and See.”

During a “Come and See” discernment retreat, you come to our community house and see what religious life is like as a Handmaid. You will have the opportunity to meet and pray with Sisters and other women who are discerning their call, to learn about our mission, and to have some of your vocation questions answered. The retreat focuses on various themes – discernment, Handmaid charism and mission, daily life as a Sister, and the formation process. 

Location: St. Louis, MO

Accommodations: We welcome you into our community home! If travels costs are prohibitive, we will work with you to make the travel more possible.

Please email Sr. Catherine at [email protected] if you are interested in visiting!

Meet with Sister Catherine, Vocation Director

Think of your Vocation Director as a guidance counselor or a mentor. She will be with you on this journey to listen, accompany, support, encourage and provide you with the resources you will need to fully explore the potential of religious life. Ultimately, she can help you discover who God is calling you to be and where you can best serve God with your own gifts and talents.

The Sister who accompanies you will listen deeply and actively to gain insight about your life’s story and how God is working in you. As you get to know each other, she will invite you to share more about:

  • your prayer life and how you find God in your daily life
  • what has attracted you to religious life
  • what you find appealing about the Handmaids
  • your relationship with God and with others
  • your gifts and what you feel passionately about

As she listens to what you share with her, she will accompany you and support you by:

  • praying with and for you throughout the process, and suggesting ways to pray as you deepen your relationship with God
  • helping you to recognize and explore your gifts and challenges
  • responding to your questions about religious life and life as a Handmaid
  • inviting you to participate in a Come and See weekend where you will meet other discerning women
  • providing tips on choosing a religious community or congregation based on your values and gifts
  • helping you recognize whether there is anything holding you back from freely making this choice
  • guarding your freedom to discern your vocation at your pace and in a confidential manner

A Vocation Director is like a tour guide. She will introduce you to the Congregation and help you get to know the community and our sisters. While you are on your ‘tour,’ you will experience the spiritual and community aspects of Handmaid life, and you will begin to explore the history of our Congregation.  During this time of getting to know the community, she may invite you to:

  • a “Come and See” retreat
  • a mini live-in experience
  • an occasional conference, gathering, or ceremony, such as an entrance ceremony or profession of vows (temporary or professed)
  • a visit to one of our local communities to pray or to share a meal

Finally, throughout this journey of faith and discernment, you and your Vocation Director will continue to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

We Companion Each Other
And We Will Companion You

You wouldn’t be here if the Holy Spirit hadn’t stirred something in your heart…an openness to explore, to discern, to consider a “different” possibility. Trust that the same Spirit is with you, and just desires to help you to discover who you are most fully in Christ and how you can most fully show up in this world.

God be with you! Vaya con Díos! Chúa ở cùng bạn!