I did not grow up Catholic, and living in the Bible Belt meant Catholicism was a bit of an anomaly. I’ll never forget the words of my former bishop, Most Rev. Michael Duca: “You’re not Catholic by accident in Shreveport, Louisiana!” My only early-life memory of Catholicism was of once attending Mass and CCD as a child with my friend.

Despite this, Catholicism found its way to me. During my later conversion journey in Louisiana, I met many religious sisters from different orders. Sister Carol, an Ursuline from Kentucky and our Superintendent of Catholic Schools, became a friend and was the first to help me sift through Cincinnati Catholic schools when we made the cross-country move. Another Catholic Schools worker, Sister Ann, came to my rescue with school lunch assistance when life got difficult. And, Sister Martinette, a Sister of Our Lady of Sorrows, decided she would write for our magazine on aging and dying whether I, as the editor, wanted her to or not. Her innate tenacity solidified our long term friendship—she insisted on buying a baptism gown from Italy for my first child. In the years that followed, Sister Martinette invited me to bring my young children to the convent where they were quickly scooped up by the other sisters to play in the garden so I could visit with Sister. She even came to Grandparents’ Day at our children’s Catholic school.

All of these wonderful people had positive rippling effects on both my family’s and my faith lives. They normalized religious and consecrated life for all of us and showed us how the fruits of dedication to their particular vocations bore fruit in others’ lives.

Having the opportunity to meet and befriend many men and women religious, I’ve shared their stories, mission work, and personal witness. Our move to Cincinnati broadened my exposure to different religious communities, and I’ve even befriended young people who discerned entering religious life. Quite the change from my early life!

While they’ve discerned different orders and charisms, every single one of these religious made a spiritual impact on the lives of those around them, including mine. I know some of those featured in this issue of the magazine, such as the Legionaries of Christ working in the Pastoral Center, who are on fire for evangelizing youth and young adults and tend to set everyone else they encounter on fire for their ministries. Other religious, like Sister Paula on this month’s cover, I learned of by word of mouth from those who encountered them and their good works.

As you read through this issue, I hope it helps you reflect on those men and women religious you encountered in your own life. Please pray for their continued vocations and for those discerning religious life.