The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit (WSHS) is an international covenant community in the Episcopal Church[1] which offers women, regardless of marital status, a path for spiritual growth.[2] It is a registered charity.[3]
History
editThe community was founded in December 1972 in the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri[4] by Sr. Angela,[5][6] a nun in a traditional Anglican religious order who left to found an organization that would offer a rule of life for lay women who lived separately and worked in the secular world.[6] The name Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit was chosen due to the community drawing inspiration from the worker priests of France.[7]
Charism
editThe charism of the Worker Sisters is to nurture the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit". To support this charism, they follow a Benedictine rule of life which includes scripture study, prayer, reflection, dedication to simplicity, and participation in mission and ministry.[8] The fruit of the Holy Spirit is identified as love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.
Membership
editMembership is made up of three orders which are bound together under a life commitment to a common rule. There are also companions and friends of the Worker Sisters. Young adults ages 13–25 may belong to any category of membership.[9][10]
- 1st Order: Women - lay workers and lay sisters
- 2nd Order: Men - lay brothers and lay workers (Worker Brothers of the Holy Spirit)
- 3rd Order: Clergy
- Companions: Lay people and clergy
- Friends: Lay people and clergy
References
edit- ^ "Religious Orders and Faith Communities | Episcopal Church". www.episcopalchurch.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "Lay Order Grows". The Living Church. 175: 13. 30 October 1977. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters Of The Holy Spirit". CHIMP. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit » Who We Are". workersisters.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit » Our Founder". workersisters.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ a b "A Worker Sister - The Young Clergy Women Project". The Young Clergy Women Project. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit". workersisters.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit » Community Life". workersisters.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ "The Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit » Membership". workersisters.org. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ Armentrout, edited by Don S.; Slocum, Robert Boak (2000). "Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit". An Episcopal dictionary of the church : a user-friendly reference for Episcopalians. New York: Church Pub. p. 564. ISBN 978-0898692112.
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