Called to Accompany Mothers (with Fr. Mike Schmitz and the Sisters of Life)

Podcast: Called (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Ascension
Guests: Sister Jana & Sister Zelie, Sisters of Life
Date: December 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on how the Sisters of Life accompany mothers facing crisis pregnancies, offering emotional, practical, and spiritual support while treating each woman with radical hospitality and dignity. Fr. Mike Schmitz and guests Sister Jana and Sister Zelie share powerful stories, explore what authentic accompaniment looks like, and reflect on the deep call to protect and cherish human life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin and Mission of the Sisters of Life

[03:39 – 07:06]

• Founding Vision:
  • Cardinal John O’Connor, after visits at Dachau and prayerful reflection, felt compelled to respond to our culture's "contempt for human life"—especially through prayer and fasting ([03:41], Sister Zelie).
  • Cardinal O’Connor’s retreat at Dachau impressed on him the depths of human suffering and the need for reverence for every person as made in God’s image.
• Foundation Story:
  • Placed a humble ad ("Help wanted: Sisters of Life") in the Catholic New York, trusting God’s plan would unfold in His time ([03:39], Sister Zelie).
• Fourth Vow:
  • Unlike most religious communities, the Sisters take a fourth vow: “to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life” ([08:05], Fr. Mike).

The Heart of Religious Life & Vocation

[11:54 – 23:32]

• Personal Vocation Journeys:
  • Sister Jana grew up without vibrant community models but found the charism of life at the March for Life and through deepening prayer. Recognizes God’s “laser focus” on each person ([14:47], Sister Jana).
  • Sister Zelie shares her story in a heartfelt and poetic rap, tracing her journey from childhood dreams, through wandering, to clarity at World Youth Day in Cologne—culminating in openness and peace through Marian consecration ([16:55–19:00]).
• Spousal Imagery:
  • Being a sister is fundamentally about being “a bride of Jesus.” All activity flows from union with Christ, not just service ([21:13], Sister Jana).

“What’s the difference between her [Mother Teresa’s] sisters and social workers is that a social worker does it for something and a sister does it for someone.” — Sister Jana ([21:23])

Genuine Accompaniment vs. “Helping”

[24:23 – 42:10]

• Radical Hospitality:
  • First contact often means “having a tea party”—offering a warm, dignifying welcome ([24:23], Sister Jana).
  • Incarnational, reflective listening is emphasized above “fixing” ([25:06], Sister Zelie).
• Journey Through Crisis:
  • Story of “Katie” and the “gummy bear grace” illustrates persistent, compassionate accompaniment even amid deep uncertainty ([28:13–30:37]).
  • The process is rarely quick; the goal is continued friendship, not just “saving a baby” ([31:39], Sister Zelie).

“We want to continue the journey, especially if she’s open to God’s grace…” — Sister Zelie ([31:53])

• Extending Support Beyond Birth:
  • Aim to build lasting relationships, not one-off solutions—e.g., supporting moms through subsequent pregnancies, faith formation, and ongoing practical needs ([34:22], Sister Jana & Sister Zelie).
  • Lay “co-workers of life” extend practical aid and friendship, from legal help to rides and catechesis ([35:57], Sister Jana).

The Power (and Cross) of Spiritual Motherhood

[38:55 – 42:10]

• Suffering With:
  • Accompaniment often involves suffering with mothers amid poor decisions or repeated challenges, relying deeply on God’s grace and intercession ([38:55], Sister Zelie; [39:40], Sister Jana).
  • True compassion means a willingness to endure pain, disappointment, and loss without withdrawing love.

“This mission is so much one of intercession because we cannot change anyone’s heart… God must give that grace.” — Sister Zelie ([38:55])

Myth-Busting: Not Debaters, But Servants

[40:53 – 42:10]

• The Sisters do not engage primarily in pro-life apologetics or sidewalk debate, but serve women through practical love, faith, and the spiritual “long game.”

“To the woman herself in crisis… it’s not like she’s hoping to have an abortion—it’s so an act of fear.” — Sister Jana ([40:55])

The Role of Fathers and Men

[43:21 – 46:05]

• Men’s encouragement and presence is vital; generic statements like “whatever you choose” are often ambiguous—women need to explicitly hear “I believe in you, you can do this” ([43:21], Sister Zelie).
• Sometimes, even encounters with unrelated men (lawyers, teachers) can profoundly impact a woman’s sense of possibility ([44:57], Sister Jana).
• Example: Eighth grade son brings home a Sisters of Life brochure, tells pregnant mother “I believe in you,” helping her choose life ([46:08], Father Mike & Sisters).

Hope, Healing, and Forgiveness After Abortion

[46:56 – 51:21]

• The “Hope and Healing” mission accompanies women suffering post-abortive loss, sometimes decades later. Community, retreats, and the sacraments are central ([46:56], Sister Zelie).
• True healing is experienced when women internalize that God’s love and mercy are for them regardless of past choices ([49:26], Sister Zelie).
• Women who’ve found healing become eloquent witnesses to life and mercy ([49:26], Sister Zelie).

“Women who have suffered an abortion but found healing can be the most eloquent witnesses to life.” — Sister Zelie (quoting John Paul II, [49:26])

• Fr. Mike: Many women wonder if abortion “disqualifies” them from Church or God’s love. Confession and healing are possible and transformative ([50:37], Fr. Mike & Sister Zelie).

Parish Involvement and Community

[51:21 – 55:27]

• Parishes that commit to accompaniment (not just charity) become places of profound welcome and support ([52:17], Sister Jana & Sister Zelie).
• Key programs include “Walking with Moms in Need,” parish baby showers, prayer, and practical support.
• The necessity of a supportive pastor and dedicated volunteers is emphasized ([52:57], Sister Zelie).
• God is attentive to details: Example of a mother in dire need of diapers arriving just as college students deliver a wagon full ([55:23], Sister Jana).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Discernment & Vocation

• “God actually has kind of a laser focus on me, on each of us, which is a little scary at first, but over time… I just wanted to respond to that in a really meaningful way with my life.”
  — Sister Jana ([14:47])

• “God’s… plan for me would be my joy, not sorrow, fear, and mourning—the tears they flowed as grace came down, divine mercy torrent pouring.”
  — Sister Zelie (from her vocation rap) ([18:14–19:00])

Accompaniment & Hope

• “Our mission, more than to help, is to walk with. Not simply to help—accompaniment means: I’ll stay with you as long as you want.”
  — Sister Zelie ([31:39])

• “The thing you think disqualifies you, I thought it disqualified me, and I’m here to tell you that it hasn’t.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz ([49:26])

Mercy & Forgiveness

• “When she is able to know, deep in her core, that God’s love is for her, that she is loved and not forsaken...”
  — Sister Zelie ([48:40])

• “Sometimes women who have suffered abortion, but found healing, can be the most eloquent witnesses to life… and witnesses of Jesus and His mercy.”
  — Sister Zelie ([49:26])

For Listeners: Where to Start

• “There can be this temptation to think… when I’m ready, then I can be holy, then I can do it. But it doesn’t have to wait to start, to love and to seek Him in every area of our life.”
  — Sister Jana ([56:08])

• “…growing more in one’s relationship with Our Lady, because her role, her motherhood, makes the way easier and brings us to Jesus.”
  — Sister Zelie ([57:33])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:39 – Foundation of the Sisters of Life & Cardinal O’Connor’s story
• 08:05 – The community’s unique “fourth vow” explained
• 11:54 – Vocation stories: Sister Jana
• 16:55 – Vocation story (in rap): Sister Zelie
• 21:13 – Being a “bride of Christ”
• 24:23 – How accompaniment begins: The “tea party”
• 28:13 – The “gummy bear grace” story
• 31:39 – Beyond birth: Long-term accompaniment
• 35:57 – Lay co-workers of life & practical support
• 38:55 – Spiritual motherhood & suffering-with
• 40:53 – Not about debate: Accompaniment over argument
• 43:21 – The vital impact of men’s support
• 46:56 – Walking with women after abortion: Hope & healing
• 51:21 – Parishes as communities of tangible accompaniment
• 55:23 – The diapers miracle: God’s providence
• 56:08 – Advice for listeners discerning God’s call

Tone & Spirit

Warm, humble, and deeply rooted in both faith and realism. The Sisters blend gentle humor (see vocation rap) with profound reflection and practical wisdom, modeling maternal concern and nonjudgmental compassion throughout. Fr. Mike engages with curiosity, respect, and deep pastoral care.

Resources & Invitations

• The Sisters of Life will be commemorating their founder with an upcoming documentary and book ([59:15], Sister Zelie).
• Life Fest at the March for Life—open invitation to listeners for community, music, and prayer ([59:43], Sister Jana).
• For more on the Catholic Initiative’s work in revitalizing parish communities, visit thecatholicinitiative.org.

Closing Blessing:
“We always just desire that each person know that they’re loved and a gift.”
— Sister Zelie ([60:14])

This summary captures the full heart, detail, and invitational spirit of this episode for listeners or readers seeking hope, guidance, or a new model of loving accompaniment.