Sr. Mary Gianna is a member of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ (DLJC), a Franciscan, Charismatic religious Community with their Mother House in Prayer Town, TX. The DLJC also serve in other locations including: Amarillo, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; Mexico; and abroad. They are a Contemplative and Missionary Community. Their Charism is Prayer, Praise, and Evangelization. They seek to draw all people into a personal relationship with Jesus through the transforming power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. They have two hours of personal prayer scheduled each day. Their apostolate includes Life in the Spirit Seminars; Pre-Confirmation and other youth retreats; Lenten, Advent and other Parish Missions; Praise and Worship; Healing Prayer; Prayer Ministry; International Missions; Conference Presentations; College Ministry; Charismatic Prayer Groups; Radio; Spiritual Direction; and other ministries of evangelization. They will go wherever the Lord sends them!
Sr. Mary Gianna never imagined God would call her to religious life. Growing up without faith, she had a life-transforming conversion after surviving the shootings at her high school, Columbine High School, in Littleton, CO. She became Catholic at Franciscan University of Steubenville at the age of 19. After graduation, she served a year with NET (National Evangelization Teams) Ministries and attended the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome, Italy, where she had opportunities for mission in Italy, France, Ireland, and Scotland. At the age of 25, she experienced a great outpouring and release of God’s love in her life that radically changed her life. It was at this time she experienced the call to the religious life. Entering the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ on August 25, 2010, she made her first profession of vows on August 10, 2013, and her Final Vows on August 4, 2018. She has served as Administrative Assistant at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center in Gibsonia, PA, home of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, where she also served as Local Vocation Directress in the area. In addition, she has served as Director of Family Life and Evangelization at a thriving parish in Santa Fe, NM, where she also completed her studies in nursing. She currently serves as a registered nurse for her community. God has given her a passionate love for life and the desire to help lead others to the fullness of life. “You will show me the path to life …” (Psalm 16:11).
Sr. Mary Gianna’s favorite book is the Bible. Her second favorite book is the Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross. She loves to share her faith with others and loves hearing how God is at work in each person’s life. She loves to run and play sports including softball and ultimate frisbee.
What she is most looking forward to in Vocations Outreach is to help others discover more fully God’s great love for them and to respond to God’s love and the great plans and purposes He has for each of their lives.
Learn more about Sr. Mary Gianna’s community here: