• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe
In a fast-paced age of cell phones, digital television and rampant consumerism, seven Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd live quite different lives at their Baltimore convent.

Good Shepherd Sisters devote lives to prayer, helping women

George P. Matysek Jr. November 23, 2006
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Local News, News

In a fast-paced age of cell phones, digital television and rampant consumerism, seven Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd live quite different lives at their Baltimore convent. While others may spend their time making money, these humble sisters – most of them advanced in years – devote their lives to prayer. They consider it a form of work that has the power to transform the world.“We are always praying,” explained Sister Frances Marie Ellul, C.G.S., the order’s vocation director. “Our life is really a continuation of the Mass of the liturgy,” she said, noting that the sisters daily pray the Divine Office, lauds and evening prayer – in addition to personal meditations and community Mass.

A container filled with written prayer requests from across the state and beyond rests in one of the convent corridors. Every time the sisters pass it, Sister Frances Marie said, “we whisper to God in the secret heart that he might answer their requests.”

Founded 175 years ago by Sister Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France, the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and zeal for souls.

There are 569 Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 58 communities in 28 countries. There is also an active order of sisters called the Sisters of the Good Shepherd associated with the contemplative order.

The Good Shepherd Sisters arrived in Baltimore in 1864. The active order ministers at the Good Shepherd Center in Baltimore, a residential treatment facility for adolescent girls with emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Sister Frances Marie said the contemplative sisters are considered a “powerhouse of prayer.”

“You don’t get peace from the material things,” said Sister Frances Marie. “Joy has to come from the Holy Spirit.”

“We pray for the conversion of souls and especially for those who are served in our active ministries,” she said. The active Good Shepherd Sisters have a special worldwide outreach to prostitutes and battered wives, according to Sister Frances Marie.“We can’t do anything without praying,” she said. “It draws us to God.”

Sister Barbara Beasley, R.G.S., provincial leader of the Good Shepherd Sisters, said her order continues to live out the charism of the founder.

“Such grace has flowed through folded fingers and bent heads, through utterances in community and whispers in the heart,” said Sister Barbara. “In many ways, their lives of prayer may appear to be quite hidden, yet their impact on our world is immeasurable.”

Sister Barbara said contemplative prayer brings healing to chaotic times.

“Our challenge is to listen to the promptings of the spirit, which comes with risks and growing pains,” she said. “Yet when we act on those promptings, it always leads to a deeper life.”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek was named digital editor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2017 following two decades at the Catholic Review, where he began as a writer and then served as senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and web editor.

In his current role, he manages archbalt.org and CatholicReview.org and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 70 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge, where they are parishioners of St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge/St. Mary of the Assumption, Govans.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Father John Lesnick, known for compassionate outreach, dies at 71

Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84

Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography

Pasadena parish cites pandemic in decision to close preschool

Father Snouffer, information technology trailblazer for archdiocese, dies at 83

Latest World News

Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work

Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.

Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints

Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith

Cardinal prays on CNN program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Father John Lesnick, known for compassionate outreach, dies at 71
  • A Lent full of promise, steak success, cooking with children, and more (7 Quick Takes)
  • Archbishop Lori reflects on the Year of St. Joseph
  • Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work
  • Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.
  • Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84
  • Reason for celibacy/ Blessing for non-sacramental marriage?
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography
  • Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints
  • Some English Catholics object to transfer of nun’s remains to Philadelphia

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED