Vocation questions

Discover the everyday realities and joys of being a Daughter of Charity through answers to frequently asked questions provided by our sisters.

sisters insights

Get to Know the Daughters of Charity:

Your Questions Answered

You may have many questions about the Daughters of Charity – you are not alone. Sisters Fidelma, Marie, Susan and Sarah have come up with answers to some commonly asked questions. You might find their answers helpful.

an elderly woman wearing glasses and a blue shirt

sr sarah

God's Call Embodied

Discover the unique journey of Sr. Sarah and the Daughters of Charity: a life dedicated to serving the poor through non-traditional vows, communal living, and a deep commitment to following God's call.

  • What is unique about the Daughters of Charity?

    The DCs are unique in that we are not 'nuns' or 'religious sisters', but women who belong to

    a society of apostolic life, which is the way the Church describes us. We live out our

    baptismal consecration by vows that are 'non-religious', annual, and always renewable.

    These vows are 'Service of the Poor, Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.' The reasons for this

    uniqueness is because the Church in 1633, would not have allowed us to leave our 'Convent'

    and go out to care for the poor in their homes, which is what Vincent and Louise wanted us

    to do.

  • What kind of work / ministry do you do?

    I am semi-retired, but have a ministry of caring for some elderly, retired Sisters who live

    together in a house in Southport, Merseyside. I have worked in the past for the homeless,

    hostel work with students, social work with families and children and so on.

  • Do you get paid for the work you do?

    No, I do not get paid, as I have given my life to live in community and am happy to do

    whatever is required in the care of the Sisters I live with.

  • Why do you live in community?

    Our Founders considered community life very important if we are to be totally given to the

    service of the poor without having to be concerned with having a job to pay for somewhere to live. It frees me up completely to spend all my time in the service of those in need.

  • How did you know you were called?

    I am a late vocation, but I always felt that God was calling me to the religious life, but it took

    time to realise after some years that God was indeed calling me to leave everything and

    follow him. Only by living as a Daughter of Charity have I come to see how God has worked throughout my life to bring me to where I am today.

a woman wearing glasses is smiling

sr MARIE

Life of Giving

Sr Marie provides valuable insights into her experiences as a Daughter of Charity, dedicated to a distinctive mission of serving and fostering community.

  • What is unique about the Daughters of Charity?

    For me, the uniqueness of the Daughters of Charity is that we are called to serve every poor person, no matter who they are or where they come from. We are asked to be constantly available to go and serve them.

  • What kind of work / ministry do you do?

    At present, I am engaged in Parish Ministry. My particular job is Parish Administrator, as we have no Priest in the Parish. My responsibilities include the day-to-day administration of the Parish, working with people who are bereaved, sick, at home and in hospital, organising weddings, funerals,

    Baptisms, Baptism and First Communion Courses for Parents. I do quite a lot

    of work with young people, music, Confirmation Courses, First Communions,

    and Youth Club. There are many laypeople involved in supporting all these

    services, and there is quite a lot of teamwork. I also try to visit families and elderly people, taking the housebound Communion. There is a great joy in being with people at all the important times in their lives.

  • Do you get paid for the work you do?

    I get a stipend of £2,500 per year which goes to the central fund of the Community. This offsets car expenses, etc.

  • Why do you live in community?

    Community is the place where I get support, inspiration, and strength to do my

    ministry. St. Vincent was very strong on community life because he felt that it

    was important for us to live together, pray together, and recreate together in

    order for the poor to be served well.

  • How did you know you were called?

    I felt called to give something back as I felt I had been given a lot. We had a very strong extended family, and I have many good memories of family get "together". There was a great community spirit among people, a strong faith and generosity even though times were difficult in Ireland at that time. All

    these factors were a part of my feeling of being called to give my life to God. I felt confirmed in that call during my formation and ever since in my life of service.

a woman wearing a blue hoodie is smiling for the camera.

sr ANNE

SERVICE & COMMUNITY

Sr Anne shares her experience with the Daughters of Charity, highlighting their global mission to aid the most vulnerable, her journey from teaching to pastoral work, and the community-driven life that fuels their service.

  • What is unique about the Daughters of Charity?

    The Daughters of Charity is a unique Community who address the needs of our

    brothers and sisters throughout the world, especially those who are the most poor

    and vulnerable.

  • What kind of work / ministry do you do?

    My ministry has been always in teaching and then in Pastoral work in parishes in

    different parts of the U.K. I have been a Governor in 2 Primary Schools in Cardiff

    and visited the schools frequently to support and befriend both Staff and pupils

    and also parents. Having moved to Mill Hill I am hoping to be a Governor in the

    Primary School and be a supportive presence.

  • Do you get paid for the work you do?

    When I was teaching, I received a salary as every other teacher did, and the

    salary was paid into the Community Account, but now I have retired from teaching,

    my work is voluntary.

  • Why do you live in community?

    I live in Community because our founders, St Vincent and St Louise, wanted us to live in Community so that by our prayer life and love and support of each other, we may energise each other for our mission of service.

  • How did you know you were called?

    I felt a call to the Daughters of Charity because I witnessed the love and

    dedication of the Sisters at a care home for the elderly in Liverpool. I very

    gradually discerned my call by attending a Vocations weekend run by one of our

    Sisters and then further discernment until I felt ready to join our community, and

    again, it was helped me to realise what my vocation would involve. I felt supported at

    each stage.

st Louise de Marillac

What a good thing it is to persevere in the love and service of God

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