The call to Religious Life has always been and remains a radical call to respond in a very particular way to the God of Love, active in our lives. It comes from a deep desire to give ones heart completely to that Love, a Love that may be difficult to describe or grasp but is very real and present in our lives. The call to Religious life is a call to join with others who feel called to respond to this God of Love in a similar way.

There are many Religious Congregations, each with their own specific ‘Charism’ or gift to the Church and to the World. Each person’s call is unique and their attraction to a particular Religious Congregation will be guided by what God is asking of them in their lives – how God wants them to bring Love alive through their witness to a life dedicated to that Love. OLA’s are called to bring this Love alive in a very specific way as "missionaries, particularly in Africa."

Find out more about becoming an OLA Sister.

		But all Religious share in common the commitment to a consecrated life. They respond to a call to share a life of commitment lived through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
A life lived in commitment to these vows is a radical life and demands an understanding of this world that is counter-cultural. Through the vow of poverty, we come to a deep awareness of our human poverty, all we have and possess is God-given, is gift. We see all of life as gift from the God of love, a gift that is graciously given and which we are compelled to generously share. The vow of obedience calls us to be attentive to God’s presence in our life and in our world, always striving to recognize what God is asking of us. This is communicated to us through our daily experiences and interactions. For our part it requires cultivating an attentive listening, creating the space and attitude in our life that allows us to hear God’s communication. The vow of chastity challenges us to understand love in a radical way – opening our hearts and lives to deeply experiencing God’s Love and transmitting that love in all our relationships; with each other in community; with those among whom we live and work; with our planet. The Power of the Love we receive and experience through a deep personal relationship with God, deepens our own capacity for living that love.
		Each vocation story is unique. We believe God has created each one in a unique way in the image and likeness of God. How God communicates with each person, how each person hears God's particular call - vocation - is unique and beautiful. Read about the unique vocation story of some OLA Sisters here
		Our title “Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles” was given to us by our Founder Fr Augustine Planque, SMA and the vision of Mary with the Apostles in the Upper Room at Pentecost forms the basis of our “Cenacle Spirituality”.
It is a very practical spirituality, rooted in finding God in our every day experiences. OLA Spirituality is logically rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, a spirituality drawn from the experiences of St Ignatius of Loyola, from his inspired knowledge of God, of the Trinity and his passionate love for Jesus Christ. It is a spirituality that “finds God in all things and finds all things in God” and requires us to be “Contemplatives in action”. Striving always for “the greater glory of God”, God’s will is sought through discernment rooted in prayer. OLA’s speak of having a “Cenacle Spirituality” – something that our very title “Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles” emphasises. We are in the Cenacle, the Upper Room, with Mary and with the Apostles, imbibing a spirit of prayer, waiting on God, listening to God and then being compelled by the powerful impulse of the Spirit that drives us to witness to the Risen Christ. Our whole lives are a movement between this Cenacle experience in prayer and communion, to our ministry, our places of action. We are called to integrate prayer and action, carrying God with us wherever we go. This spirituality enables us to be prayerfully in the Cenacle with Mary, while also alert to the needs of the world in which we live. It is a continuous movement between prayer and work, best summed up by the words of our founder when he says

“ Live in most intimate union with God. Do not forget His presence in your lives, but bring him with you wherever you go, into the heart of your works.” (Fr. A. Planque)