The 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed Sunday, April 21, 2024. This is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that...Read more

To “seek” is defined as “an attempt to find (something).” In scripture alone there are multiple uses of the word: in reference to seeking out a resting place (Numbers 10); seeking the good of a people (Esther 10); seeking to dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life (Psalm 27); or seeking the kingdom of God (Matthew...Read more

The SSND North American Vocation Team (NAVT) is ready for the New Year! Several opportunities are planned to connect young adults with SSND and SSND with young adults, as this is the demographic most likely to be in a stage of discerning their vocation in life. Please help us promote the following events to young adults within your circle of...Read more

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) in the U.S. is celebrated the first full week in November every year. The SSND North American Vocation Team invites everyone to consider what can be done to increase the awareness and understanding of religious vocations during NVAW and beyond. 10 ways to help promote a culture of vocation: Pray for all young people to...Read more

We are happy to be a part of the fifth annual Meet Our Sisters Tour during National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) November 5-11, 2023. The “tour” highlights the life, mission and ministries of Catholic sisters living and serving throughout Illinois. Learn more here. School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were founded in 1833 in Bavaria by Blessed Theresa of Jesus...Read more

Searching for answers to life’s big questions can lead to many paths. In our youth, it may seem that leaving home is what it will take to discover ourselves. School, activities, volunteer work, friendships, internships, jobs or even church can take us away from “home” and provide opportunities to grow and learn in new environments. And as we discovered from...Read more

by Laurie Lindauer, Communications Manager, SSND North American Vocation Team I departed a little before 8 a.m. on the morning of June 12, 2023. The sun was shining and the sky was a clear, deep blue with some puffy white clouds. The drive from St. Louis to Ellington (Missouri) was scenic. The first half, on major routes, provided views of...Read more

“What would the Church be without religious sisters and consecrated laywomen? The Church cannot be understood without them.” ~Pope Francis, February 2022 February 2 is the World Day for Consecrated Life, instituted in 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which is also known as Candlemas Day;...Read more

All women discerning religious life with the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) take a slightly different path depending on their personal inner journey, profession and the structure of her home province. One program that remains the same for all SSND is the novitiate – the heart and center of initial formation. Once a woman completes the affiliation and postulancy...Read more

Discovering God’s will for your life – your vocation – is a process. It is not just one decision, but a collection of decisions that leads to peace and joy in your heart. God wants you to be happy! Listening for God’s voice in the big and small moments of life, we hear God’s invitation to use our gifts and...Read more