Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Board of Directors embark on a “Journey of Learning” in Support of Catholic Sisters 

This week, members of the board of directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation will travel to the Vatican in support of the Hilton Foundation’s Catholic Sisters initiative. The board and initiative staff will engage in an immersive learning experience of the work being undertaken by Catholic sisters, while also taking in the rich history and culture of Rome, the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church. In a weeklong visit beginning on Jan. 20, they will learn more about Catholic Church traditions, engage with church leaders and reflect on the spiritual dimension of their shared mission.  

The theme for the week is “A Journey of Learning: Walking Together with Sisters and the Church for the Common Good” – featuring an itinerary that will lead to better understanding of the impact of the Foundation’s investments in support of Catholic sisters, their networks within the Church, and the communities they serve. 

With more than 700,000 members worldwide, Catholic sisters bring dignity and hope to children, youth and families around the world, particularly those in marginalized communities suffering from injustice, conflict and disadvantage. Their work reflects Conrad Hilton’s and the Foundation’s vision: “Love one another, for that is the whole law.  The peoples of the world deserve to be loved and encouraged — never to be abandoned to wander alone in poverty and darkness.”  

Visit coincides with Catholic Church’s ‘Holy Year of Jubilee’ 

The board’s visit to the Vatican takes place just weeks after the Hilton Foundation marks its 80^th anniversary and at the beginning of an important year in the tradition of the Catholic Church: The Holy Year of Jubilee, which takes place every 25 years. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world are expected to visit The Vatican.  In a letter written in preparation for the Jubilee, Pope Francis said: 

“The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope.” 

The board is scheduled to have an audience with Pope Francis, during which Chair of the Board Linda Hilton will present a charitable gift to support his mission of compassion, tenderness and care for those on the margins of society.  

Also among the week’s highlights:  

• Board members will attend a Year of Jubilee convening titled “Weaving Communion Through Communications,” which is organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communication. The Hilton Foundation is currently supporting a project that fosters collaborations between Catholic sisters and the Dicastery, specifically to support reporting and documenting Catholic sisters’ stories and ministries.  

• Linda Hilton will deliver remarks at the convening, which brings together communicators and journalists from around the world. Half of the selected speakers and panelists will be Catholic sisters, emphasizing their vital role as communicators and advocates for the marginalized. 

• Hilton Foundation representatives will also attend a meeting with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) – a global network of the leaders of women’s religious congregations. UISG (also a Hilton Foundation grantee partner) provides a forum for leaders to communicate across geographical distances, diverse languages and culture; to engage in dialogue with the Church and society; and to find opportunities for mentorship. 

• Last year, the Hilton Foundation collaborated with the UISG to create The Anna Trust, a new nonprofit organization in Rome that supports a healthy, dignified aging process for Catholic sisters worldwide. The need for a global approach to this issue is urgent, with most congregations lacking financial, mental, and physical preparedness to support elderly members.  

“The Catholic sisters in Rome are a vibrant network of leaders working at the global, national and local levels,” said Sister Jane Wakahiu, associate vice president of program operations and head of the Catholic Sisters initiative. “Through their spiritual outreach and witness, they are instrumental in restoring the human dignity of those in their communities who find themselves living in conditions of disadvantage and vulnerability, enabling them to become self-sufficient and independent contributors to the vibrancy of their communities.” 

The Hilton Foundation is the largest financial supporter of the Catholic sisters’ work globally. Since its inception in 1944, the foundation has approved over $614 million in grants through its Catholic Sisters initiative to more than 300 organizations in 30 countries.