Explore

The life and works of New Zealand Religious Orders,
as experienced through the eyes of a young woman.

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver
Teresa Rayner Teresa Rayner

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver

There are not many Sisters in religious habits anymore, particularly in New Zealand. But growing up, I always remember the little Sisters dressed in grey at my grandparents parish in Island Bay, Wellington…

Read More
Little Sisters of the poor
Teresa Rayner Teresa Rayner

Little Sisters of the poor

Earlier this year I visited a ninety-three-year-old Sister in a rest home. We spoke of her work in Vietnam during the war and how she was captured and detained for a few weeks. Yet the thing that really stayed with me long after I had left, was what she said of her experience now, being cared for in a home. She looked sadly at me and said;

Read More
The Presentation Sisters
Teresa Rayner Teresa Rayner

The Presentation Sisters

Imagine a world where religious expression was not just discouraged, but penalised, with those caught practicing their faith fined, jailed or killed. This was the environment that Nano Nagle, foundress of the Presentation Sisters, grew up in…

Read More
Discalced Carmelite Nuns
Teresa Rayner Teresa Rayner

Discalced Carmelite Nuns

Do you sometimes wish there could be less distractions in life? It's so easy to escape reality, or to get wrapped up in being busy. We hide our feelings behind bingewatching and socialising, or find our identity in working late and scrolling social media. But who are we really, if you take away the many distractions our world so readily throws at us? It’s a scary question to ask!…

Read More
The Beatitudes Community
Teresa Rayner Teresa Rayner

The Beatitudes Community

All the love he put into that marvelous creation, he entrusted to a family [Adam & Eve]…and then he gave the greatest demonstration of love: his Son. And where did he send his Son? To a palace, to a city, to an office building?

Read More