Sisters of the Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts, along with Associates and staff from the US Area, participated on March 28th, in what has been documented as the largest protest in American history, with over 8 million people gathering across the country for the No Kings rallies. Holy Union members were well represented in multiple Massachusetts communities, including Fall River, Taunton, Stoughton, North Attleboro, and Needham.
The protests addressed a broad range of social justice concerns, including defense of immigrant rights, protection of birthright citizenship, justice for victims of human trafficking, respect for national sovereignty, support for women's rights, just application of domestic and international law, protection of voting rights, and efforts to lower the cost of living.
Holy Union participants carried signs provided by NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby that has deep historical connections to the congregation. The signs emphasized the need to refocus national priorities toward protecting and supporting the most vulnerable members of society.
Sr. Carol Regan, former Superior General of the Holy Union, noted that many Holy Union Sisters internationally have expressed concern about current developments in the United States. "I'm in contact with lots of our sisters internationally and I know many are horrified at what the US is doing/becoming," Sr. Carol explained. "I think many of our sisters would be pleased to know that we here are resisting in whatever ways we can."
The participation of Holy Union members in these protests represents a concrete expression of the congregation's commitment to social justice and advocacy for vulnerable populations, a stance that resonates with the international SUSC community.
NETWORK represents a significant element of Catholic social justice organizing in the United States. Founded by Catholic sisters in 1972, NETWORK has maintained close ties with the Sisters of the Holy Union since its inception. US Holy Union members have participated in NETWORK's various initiatives, including letter-writing campaigns and the well-known "Nuns on the Bus" advocacy tours.
NETWORK recently became one of the No Kings rally sponsors, providing resources and materials to participants across the country. The organization has evolved over its five-decade history: while it began as an exclusively Catholic sisters' organization, NETWORK now describes itself as a faith-based, justice-oriented group "inspired by Catholic sisters," with membership open to all who share its values.
This evolution reflects a broader pattern of collaboration between religious communities and wider civil society in pursuit of justice and human dignity.
Photographs of Holy Union Sisters at various protest locations are available on the US Area website, documenting this moment of public witness and advocacy.
I think many of our sisters would be pleased to know that we here are resisting in whatever ways we can