This Lenten season, Pope Francis’ 2025 message, “Journeying Together in Hope,” calls the faithful to a time of profound spiritual renewal—marked by conversion, unity, and active hope. This powerful invitation aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Sisters Blended Value Project (SBVP), an initiative that empowers Catholic sisters to drive transformative change in their communities through sustainable development, collaboration, and faith-centered action. By equipping sisters with the tools to lead and innovate, SBVP is turning the Holy Father’s vision into tangible reality, proving that hope, when put into action, can truly transform lives.
Pope Francis’ message centers on three pillars: journeying, journeying together, and journeying in hope. He challenges us to examine our lives by asking, “Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still?” This question urges us to move beyond complacency, leave behind sin, and embrace the grace of conversion.
The Holy Father also emphasizes the importance of walking together as a community, echoing the Church’s call to synodality. “Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travelers,” he writes. This spirit of unity and collaboration is at the heart of SBVP’s mission, which brings Catholic sisters together to share resources, ideas, and best practices to transform social ministries into sustainable social enterprises.
Pope Francis reminds us of the hope rooted in Christ’s resurrection. Quoting Hebrews 6:19, he describes hope as the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” This hope is not passive but active, inspiring us to work for justice, fraternity, and the care of our common home.
Through SBVP, Strathmore University Business School (SBS) and the Association of Religious Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) are answering Pope Francis’ call in tangible ways. By equipping sisters with leadership, financial management, and project planning skills, SBVP empowers them to become agents of transformation in their communities. Pope Francis’ emphasis on “journeying together” mirrors SBVP’s focus on collaboration. Sisters from different congregations and regions are uniting to address systemic challenges, from poverty to healthcare and education. For example, SBVP’s networks (which include the alumni), have enabled sisters working on different sectors to share knowledge and resources, expanding collaborative and development initiatives.
The Pope’s message calls us to care for the marginalized, a mission Catholic sisters have embraced for centuries. Through SBVP, sisters are creating sustainable institutions that generate income and empower those in need. One inspiring example is a congregation in Kiambu, Kenya, that transitioned from relying on donations to running a profitable poultry farm. The income supports special education for young mothers who dropped out of school, providing them with a path to a brighter future. This tangible impact reflects the hope that “does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). It’s a hope that inspires sisters to tackle systemic barriers and create lasting change.
Pope Francis’ call to conversion is echoed in SBVP’s work to transform both individuals and institutions. Through training in leadership and financial sustainability, sisters are breaking free from dependency and becoming self-reliant leaders.
At its core, Pope Francis’ Lenten message reminds us of the power of love and service. Catholic sisters, through their unwavering commitment, embody the Gospel’s call to love and serve others. Their work is a testament to the transformative power of faith in action. As we journey through Lent, we draw inspiration from Pope Francis’ message and the remarkable work of Catholic sisters and SBVP. Their efforts remind us that hope is not just a feeling but a call to action—a call to walk together, to care for the marginalized, and to trust in God’s promise of renewal. SBVP remains an agent of hope and change, working alongside these extraordinary women to transform the world and make it a better place for all.
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Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation foresees a world in which improving the human condition is a shared and sustainable goal. “Love one another, for that is the whole law,” Conrad Hilton wrote in his will. The peoples of the world “deserve to be loved and encouraged—never to be abandoned to wander alone in poverty and darkness.” That is our resolve.
