• Subscribe
  • Log in
  • My Account
  • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • International
    • U.S. Politics
  • Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • TV
    • Ideas
  • Faith
    • Faith in Focus
    • Faith and Reason
    • Prayer
    • Spirituality
    • Jesuitical Podcast
  • Vatican
    • Vatican Dispatch
    • Vatican News
    • Pope Leo XIV
    • Inside the Vatican Podcast
  • Scripture
    • Scripture Reflections
    • The Word
    • The Good Word
    • Preach Podcast
  • Podcasts
    • The Spiritual Life
    • Jesuitical
    • Inside the Vatican
    • Preach
    • Hark!
    • All Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • All issues
  • Donate

Sections

  • Politics
  • Faith
  • Culture
  • Vatican
  • Scripture
  • Podcasts

More from America

  • Podcasts
  • Video
  • Newsletters
  • Events
  • Voices
  • YouTube
  • Mobile App
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Print Edition

December 2025

December 2025

Past Issues

December 2025

Current Issue
  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Sections

  • Politics
  • Faith
  • Culture
  • Vatican
  • Scripture
  • Podcasts

More from America

  • Podcasts
  • Video
  • Newsletters
  • Events
  • Voices
  • YouTube
  • Mobile App
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Print Edition

December 2025

December 2025

Past Issues

December 2025

Current Issue
  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Skip to content
  • Donate
America Magazine

America Magazine

The Jesuit Review

  • Subscribe
  • Log in
  • My Account
Subscribe
  • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • International
    • U.S. Politics
  • Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • TV
    • Ideas
  • Faith
    • Faith in Focus
    • Faith and Reason
    • Prayer
    • Spirituality
    • Jesuitical Podcast
  • Vatican
    • Vatican Dispatch
    • Vatican News
    • Pope Leo XIV
    • Inside the Vatican Podcast
  • Scripture
    • Scripture Reflections
    • The Word
    • The Good Word
    • Preach Podcast
  • Podcasts
    • The Spiritual Life
    • Jesuitical
    • Inside the Vatican
    • Preach
    • Hark!
    • All Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • All issues
Downing_Sister M

Laura Teresa Downing

Laura Teresa Downing is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She made her final vows in 2009 and serves as the director of campus ministry at Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pa. 

 

Women religious pray during the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Jan. 23, 2020. On Feb. 1, 2022, Pope Francis offered his prayer intention for the month of February, which he dedicated to religious and consecrated women. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Posted inFaith, Last Take

A vocation with purpose: The new reality for religious sisters

Downing_Sister M by Laura Teresa Downing March 16, 2022

A younger religious sister knows she can’t recreate the community of the 1950s, but she has deep gratitude for her own formation, and excitement for what is to come.

More from America


Stay awake

Stay awake

What the synod interim reports said about women

What the synod interim reports said about women

Life in heaven is not like our world

Life in heaven is not like our world

Classifieds

Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.


  • God Talk Podcast – Season 2 Streaming Now!
  • Bernadette, The Musical to Make U.S. Premiere in Chicago This February
  • New from CUA Press…
  • Week-Long Retreat for Women Religious presented by Bishop Ralph O’Donnell
  • Spiritual Direction Available Online and In-Person through the Center for Spiritual Direction at Holy Family

See all classifieds

Most Popular


Nick Fuentes appeals to young Catholics. Is the church prepared to push back?
What the synod interim reports said about women
The dark, indelible Catholic imagination in Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’
The power of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network
Answering the call of the (real) king

Sections

  • Faith
  • Culture
  • Scripture
  • Politics
  • Vatican
  • Podcast

About America

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Writing Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Jesuit Vocations

More

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Classifieds Marketplace

America Today

Your daily guide to the most important stories from the Church and around the world - delivered to your inbox each morning. See more newsletters

Sign up
  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
© 2025 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Powered by Newspack
  • Donate