21 young women visit the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George (my favorite group of consecrated group because of their fidelity, joy, and humor, and whose mother-house happens to be in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois) recently hosted a Veni Si Amas retreat for young women discerning religious life.

Hearing the call to "come if you love," twenty-one young women gathered in Alton for the three-day event from across the United States of America:

You can view additional photographs from the retreat by following the link at their blog post.

This is the group of women who in August had three of their Sisters make their final profession and who with whom seven women made their first profession:

For postulants also joined the community last month:

 

While the number of women religious may be decreasing somewhat across the globe, this is one of the communities which is - thankfully - not dying away. Please remember these good Sisters in your prayers!