2026 NunRun: Seven Convents, One Day

Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE, Office of Vocations

On April 25, the Diocese of Calgary hosted a Young Women’s Nun Run, inviting participants to step into the lived reality of Religious life across the city and into Airdrie. Many arrived with questions: What is life as a Sister really like? Are all communities the same? Where is God calling me?
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These and many other questions were answered on Saturday, April 25 during the Young Women’s Nun Run across Calgary and north to Airdrie. Seven convents in one day made for an ambitious and memorable pilgrimage, as 21 women and seven Sisters travelled together by bus from start to finish. No running shoes were needed.

We began at the Providence Sisters’ convent in southeast Calgary. Convent chapels tend to be smaller than churches, but we managed to squeeze everyone in for Mass celebrated by Fr. Julian Studden. In his homily, he spoke about being open to what the Lord is calling us to be. After Mass, we filled the Sisters’ dining room for a substantial breakfast and heard from some of the young Sisters of Providence as they shared about their charism and mission.

Fr. Julian offered the Mass for the participants.

“This was an illuminating glimpse into the daily lives of Calgary’s Religious sisters. It was such a unique experience. I learned far more than I would have otherwise, even from conversations or online.”  ~Participant

Sr. Azenette read the Scripture for the Mass.

The Providence Sisters spoke to the young women.

Providence Sisters’ dining room.

Then, onto the bus. Tony, our driver, stayed with us the whole day and heard us praying the Rosary between each convent stop.

Our second stop was the Daughters of Mary, Mother of the Church, where we were treated to an interesting talk about their missionary work and given snacks to take along on our journey. Happily, the three Sisters joined us for the rest of the pilgrimage, bringing our number of Sisters to seven.

At the convent for the Daughters of Mary Sisters (DM). Sr. Emelyn spoke to the young women.

Our third stop was the Monastery of the Precious Blood. These Sisters are the ones who make the hosts for Holy Communion, especially in our diocese. In their chapel, we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, Daytime Prayer. This was a new experience for many of the young women, but part of our daily life as consecrated women.
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The Sisters then welcomed us into their dining room for a delicious lunch and spoke about their mission of prayer for the whole world. 

This trip was amazing; my favourite part was the midday prayers with the Sisters at the Precious Blood and the amazing lunch they provided us.” ~Lily K

At the Precious Blood Monastery. This was the chapel where we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours.

Lunch in the Precious Blood Sisters’ dining room.

After navigating the monastery’s challenging driveway, we arrived at the Dominican Sisters in northwest Calgary. The Sisters took us through their daycare for young children and then over to the parish church, where they shared about the central place of the Eucharist in the life of consecrated women.
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As one participant later shared, “I liked that I learned not just about the seven convents, but also what they do. The Dominicans run a daycare?!”

It was our joy to welcome young women and sisters visiting Calgary religious communities today and to share about our Dominican charism and ministry! Let us keep them in our prayers and let us pray for vocations!" ~Dominican Sisters, Calgary

Praying at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Calgary

At the convent for the Dominican Sisters, Calgary, visiting their daycare for young children.

A short trip into Bowness brought us to the Adoration chapel of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. We were blessed with time to pray with the Sisters, including the Divine Mercy Chaplet and a period of quiet adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Sr. Katrina spoke to the young women at their Divine Mercy Chapel

We then left the city of Calgary and made our way to the country home of the Seeds of the Word community. There, we were welcomed with more snacks and a dynamic talk on Lectio Divina. A special gift for each participant was a copy of their 2026 Lectio Divina Compendium.

Seeds of the Word Community - Dining Room

Seeds of the Word Community Chapel

A presentation on the Mission of the Seeds of the Word

We left the Seeds of the Word Sisters there and continued on to Airdrie, to the newly acquired convent of the Gilbertine Sisters. The Sisters, who belong to the Personal Ordinariate and are in the process of establishing their community, shared about their life and charism. Before we departed to return to the Providence Sisters’ convent, they graciously provided us with a delicious take-home pasta supper.

At the convent for the Gilbertine Sisters, Airdrie.

​It was a joy to spend the day with young women and Sisters together exploring the Consecrated life here in our Diocese. As one participant shared, “Getting to see such a variety of religious communities, and yet the love and joy they all share, was truly a gift. And the Sisters spoiled us with food!” 

Lily also shared, “All of the convents opened their hearts and homes to us. The love and devotion to Jesus were incredible. You can see the love and light of God within all of their hearts.”

​“I hope this event happens again, so I am able to do it all over again!”

Sisters, thank you for your ‘yes-es.’ Joy and peace radiate from all of you.” ~Participant