Sister Julia Walsh, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, was my guest on the Your Radical Truth podcast. She has written her spiritual memoir, For Love of the Broken Body, a thought-provoking book examining the subject of brokenness in our own lives.

After Sister Julia’s horrendous accident, in which she tumbled down a cliff, she embarked on a healing journey. During this time, she was also in the process of discerning her vows to become a Woman Religious Sister. Additionally, she was pondering what God was asking her to be. While in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, she had a profound encounter that taught her to love and be a loving presence to others.

As our conversation continued, I asked Sister Julia about her reason for writing the book. She mentioned that she felt called to write it, saying, “My story invites all people to contemplate the sacredness of brokenness. Only through Christ’s body being broken on the cross and the bread being broken in the sacrament of the Eucharist are we in union with Christ.”

Sister Julia also connected the Easter story with brokenness: “We see the brokenness of Jesus through his wounds, yet he is still able to break and give service to his community.”

Finally, Sister Julia expressed her hope that “all people would be more conscious of the oneness of being. That we are really not that different; we are very similar in our suffering, in our brokenness, and in our hope. How can we perceive each person and not just make immediate assumptions about them?”

Perhaps, as a listener, you might still hold some myths about the Sisterhood. Sister Julia has her own podcast called Messy Jesus Business, where you can learn more about her important life of ministry through her engaging guests.

Enjoy the full interview at 022: A Journey of Faith, Brokenness, and Healing with Sister Julia Walsh – Your Radical Truth