Vocation Discernment Events
Catholic Young Adult Women Discernment Retreats and Resources designed for those considering Consecrated Life. Contact us with any questions, and/or visit or Called to Be Franciscan YouTube channel, our Instagram, or our Franciscan Moment Podcasts. Like St. Francis and St. Clare, who were called at a time of social upheaval, we are here to help provide discernment helps for you. A special retreat experience or vocation visit can be an insightful and inspiring step forward, moving from discernment to action in following God’s will. Honest questions about Franciscan Life and a calling as a consecrated religious are most welcome.
Meet Us Where We Are
Retreat Opportunities
Discernment of Spirits Retreat at the Motherhouse in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
May 15-17, 2026
We welcome Single Young Adults and Young Adult Professionals ages 20-40 to this Silent Retreat based on the wisdom of St. Ignatius in making life decisions. Sister Jacqueline Spaniola leads the talks that include time for questions. Prayer times follows each presentation allowing for an opportunity to consider one’s own call from God. One on one time with Sister is also provided. Begins Friday evening and concludes on Sunday at noon. For more information call/text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. Register here.
Other Vocation Office Upcoming Encounters
May 15-17: Discernment of Spirits Retreat, Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, WI begins Friday at 5:00 PM facilitated by Sister Jacqueline Spaniola
June 21-27: Come for a day or more to experience one of the Sisters’ Preached Retreats and a bit of Motherhouse life Click here to let us know you are interested and we will work out details.
Career or Calling
If you’re a young adult woman, you are at a decisive time of life. Our Sisters respect your life experiences, perspective and gifts of those with professional responsibilities and educational goals while still young adults. Talents and background in a variety of areas, from social services to health care to education to IT skills may be part of God’s plan in a Franciscan ministry.
Phone Conversation
The Liturgical Seasons often offer their own moments of inspired reflection. It is not unusual in these times of prayer that new stirrings or old feelings of desire rise up in hearts. As you take time for quiet and personal prayer, we are here willing to listen. If you have questions about the call to be a Franciscan Sister or would appreciate talking to a trained spiritual director, please complete this survey or call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. We are ready to respond. Now is a good time to take steps in discernment. God is near!
Design Your Own Convent Visit
You are invited to come visit us at our Wisconsin Motherhouse or one of our convents in various geographic locations for a portion of a day or a few days while discerning God’s call. It is our best way of sharing our spirit with you. Not only will you meet those in Initial Formation, but also many of our Sisters who have lived our Franciscan vocation and have experiences to share. Our homes also speak of our history and the many members who are part of our legacy as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Dates can be quite flexible. Register here or call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. When at all possible and if you are able to plan for at least 3 full days, we are able to visit with you the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved apparition site in the United States.
Make This Your Discerning Year
Our discernment experiences can be as varied as your life allows. We invite you to design your own visit with us. Let us know the days or the hours that you would like to come. If you are interested in a retreat with a particular topic or an event in our Community of Sisters, please continue reading for more specific dates. All in-person events in Wisconsin take place at our Motherhouse, 2409 South Alverno Road, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. If you have transportation needs e.g. airport, ferry or Amtrak pick up, we are here to arrange the best time with you. Please call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632 with your questions or concerns.
Breaking bread, awakening to your call
Single Catholic Discerning Women ages 20-35: You are invited to come for prayer and a meal with our Sisters at our Motherhouse or at one of our convent homes in Bapchule, Arizona; Chassell, Michigan; Kaukauna, Wisconsin; Tucson, Arizona; West Point, Nebraska; Yuma, Arizona and Zanesville, Ohio. Help us set a date so we can invite others to consider the discernment experience as well. Register here and we’ll connect you to the place of your choice.
Include Us in Your Young Adult Discernment Pilgrimage
Are you feeling you need the intercession of the saints in your discernment journey? Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse is in an ideal Young Adult Pilgrimage location whether for the day or part of a trek that includes other holy places. We are just 40 minutes from The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and about the same number of miles from St. Joseph Shrine, De Pere, Wisconsin. An hour and a half south of us is Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine. Our own sacred founding spot, our Motherhouse, has beautiful chapels and an outdoor environment where friends of St. Francis and St. Clare would feel quite at home. For those who wish to travel three and a half hours more to Bishop Baraga’s tomb, we are on the way. Call Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632 and plan on coming to see us. Register.
Zoom Series: Spiritual Companioning with Others in Discernment
In recent discernment discussions, a frequent comment from discerning women is: “I don’t have anyone to talk with about this.” With that in mind, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Spiritual Director Sister Anne Marie Lom is offering a group gathering, via Zoom where discerning young women ages 18-40 can meet and talk with others in discernment.
What can you expect?
A single, young adult woman can expect reflections on the upcoming Weekend Gospel, prompt questions for discussions, a time of social and spiritual sharing, closing with Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer. It will last for approximately 1 hour each session. Spiritual Director Sister Anne Marie Lom will provide topics for discussion with different ways of prayer to open the Scriptures as well as time for socializing via breakout rooms. Sister Pam Biehl and Sister Michelle Marie Ozuna will co-host.
Sister Anne Marie will take time to meet group members ahead of time to ensure the experience is one that fits each person’s desire.
Dates are: TBD
To register please click here: Vocation Retreat Registration – Franciscan Sisters (fscc-calledtobe.org)
