To Serve and Be Served

Surrounded by religious sisters at a recent retreat, Cathi Kennedy was inspired at every encounter. 

I have retreat slump this week. I was in Washington, DC, for The Given Institute’s Leadership Forum last week, learning about my role as a mentor and meeting incredible women from all walks of life. The forum was a beautiful time of connecting, learning, and listening to the Holy Spirit. I feel like I received a spiritual gift of renewal. 

Especially inspiring were the professed religious sisters from 30 different orders at the forum. I have been to Catholic retreats and work on a Catholic college campus, so I’m used to being around priests and sisters, but never this many at once. And it was one of the best things about the week. 

I love our priests and religious sisters: they serve, teach, and take our petitions to prayer. And in a world that worships the individual above all else, they are the best examples of obedience and faith. 

What I'll remember most about the sisters I met last week

Here are the things I’ll remember the most about being surrounded by these good and holy women.  

Before Mass, on the first evening, we were blessed by a small group of sisters singing Vespers on the steps leading to the chapel. That small group that led the singing that night at Mass grew into a good-sized choir that blessed us with songs throughout the week. We prayed twice every time we came together through the sisters’ gift of music. 

Many women at the forum brought their babies, and it was pure joy to see the sisters rocking them in their arms, pushing strollers, and helping the young moms care for their children. It was especially sweet to see the priests holding and rocking babies. 

The sisters lovingly prepared the altar for Mass each day, handed out programs, served as cantors and lectors, and ensured that all we needed to do was worship. 

They served as spiritual directors throughout the week, both formally in meetings and informally, as we shared meals and walks together.  

I learned the difference between a nun and a sister (short answer: nuns are typically cloistered, and sisters serve out in the world), heard pure Holy Spirit fire in keynote talks, and laughed at how magnanimity is more easily pronounced if you say it with a British accent (go ahead and try it: it works!). 

Surprised at every turn

I was surprised at every turn. 

I also learned, through many conversations, how the sisters have vulnerabilities and struggles with their faith and inferiority complexes. They laugh, cry, and sometimes curse. They are gloriously human in every way.  

They were a beautiful example of how to live our faith — and the joy that comes from being who we are meant to be through obedience and discipline.  

I am so thankful for their yes to God. I will be praying for them all, and I know without a doubt that they are praying for me. Thanks be to God. 

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Copyright 2024 Cathi Kennedy
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