CENTERED ON JESUS
Consecrated women respond to the call to embrace Jesus as the center and meaning of their lives. Through their consecration they give public witness to their desire to grow more deeply in love with Jesus. Their relationship with Jesus determines every facet of their lives.

VOWED FOR FREEDOM
Women religious seek to conform their whole existence to Jesus in an all-encompassing commitment expressed in the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.  Far from primarily being restrictions, the vows free Sisters to live their lives solely for God and His people.  Those who profess the evangelical counsels serve as a reminder and incentive for all Christians to live their common call to holiness and to strive for eternal union with God.

CALLED ON MISSION
Called by the Father, following Jesus’ pattern of life, and guided by the Spirit, Sisters continue a special presence of the Risen Lord in today’s world. Through the grace of God’s call and their generous response, their hearts expand to embrace all people and to minister to their needs. They are drawn to those places in our world and society where Jesus would be if He were humanly present today. They always have been and continue to be a vital component in the life and mission of the Church.

SISTERS IN THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO
The identity of Sisters is rooted first and foremost in their commitment to Jesus and His mission. They live this commitment in the context of a particular community of women with whom they share a specific charism. God gifts the Church with unique communities who give witness to certain aspects of Jesus’ presence and service. Each of these communities lives in the spirit of its founder/foundress and responds to the needs of God’s people.

Most communities of Sisters profess the evangelical counsels as a personal commitment of love for God and for the sake of carrying out different forms of apostolic service. They seek to model their lives after Jesus, Servant of all, who gave His life that others might share the fullness of the Father’s love. As the needs of people change, women in active apostolic communities respond in creative fidelity in serving these needs.

Some Sisters are called to a monastic life. In living this life, they give an eloquent witness to communion with God. Prayer and conversion of life constitute the rhythm of their days. The Church is blessed through the witness and prayer of these consecrated women as they intercede on behalf of all God’s people.

In the Diocese of Toledo there are Sisters from more than twenty active apostolic communities and one monastic community. Five of these have motherhouses or centers located in the Diocese.

Communities of Women Religious serving in the Diocese of Toledo and communities in which women from our diocese are currently in formation   (*indicates the motherhouse/center is located in the Diocese of Toledo) 

*Sisters of St. Francis of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Sylvania
      www.sistersosf.org
*Sisters of Notre Dame
       www.sndtoledo.org
*Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity, Tiffin
       www.tiffinfranciscans.org
*Ursuline Sisters of Toledo
       www.toledoursulines.org
*Contemplative Order of the Visitation of Toledo
     www.toledovisitation.org