Aid for Religious

On the eastern side of the Indonesian island of Sumba, the 56 Sisters of Charity of the Precious Blood work tirelessly — caring for orphans, teaching children who otherwise couldn’t go to school, visiting families in the outlying villages, and helping them with practical and spiritual advice. They work very hard, and in very difficult conditions, so the community has asked for our help. Our help will make it so they can offer retreats and spiritual exercises and give the ...

It all began with eight young women in 1942. The Bishop of Shillong at the time was aware that many families in the north and northeast of India — most of whom belong to the disadvantaged ethnic minorities — were living in deep poverty. In order to help them, he founded a religious community, the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians. Today, the more than 1,460 sisters of this congregation belong to some 68 different indigenous ethnic groups. This ...

Most of the hosts, or altar breads, which, during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, become the Body of Christ in the hands of His priests, are in fact manufactured by contemplative religious sisters, working in prayerful silence. This work is not only ideally suited to the contemplative life but, at the same time, represents a vital service to the local church, since every parish needs these hosts in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist – the source and summit ...

The city of Ushhorod lies within the Greek Catholic eparchy – or diocese – of Mukatshevo in West Ukraine, on the border with Slovakia. This area is more remote from the ongoing war and has taken in thousands of refugees. The Greek-Catholic seminary here – named after the martyred Bishop Theodore Romzha, murdered in 1947 and beatified by Pope John Paul II in June 2001 during his visit to Ukraine – has been supported by ACN since its very beginnings. ...

Across vast swaths of Ecuador, poverty and violence are making life difficult for many parts of the population. Social inequalities are becoming still more extreme, leaving many families broken and torn apart. Many people are leaving the country at the first opportunity in hopes of finding a better life elsewhere. There are many families in need of help, and the Catholic Church is frequently the first place they turn to. The religious sisters, in particular, are “ministering angels” to so ...