Remaining young at heart is not about turning back the clock—it’s about turning toward God with open hands and a grateful spirit. It’s the joyful awe of God’s creation, the lightness that comes from deep trust and the ability to laugh even when the memory fades or the knees ache. Christ Himself called us to childlike faith—to openness, wonder, and a wholehearted belief that God is always nearby. At the age of 83, two remarkable religious sisters—Sister Rita Sturwold of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) and Sister Mary Gallagher of the Sisters of Charity (SC)—radiate a youthful spirit rooted in decades of deep devotion. Through prayer, service, and laughter, they show us what it truly means to remain young at heart.

Notre Dame de Namur Sister Rita Sturwold lives each day with curiosity,  gratitude, and purpose. She focuses on what it means to grow—spiritually, emotionally, and in service to others. If there’s a secret to staying young at heart, Sister Rita might tell you it begins with wonder—and continues with gratitude.

“I don’t think about being young at heart,” Sister Rita explains. “However, I do think about sharing God’s goodness because this is the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. I want to keep growing as a person in body, mind, and spirit and seek ways to do so. I am curious. I generally like challenges. I love learning and try to be open to new ideas and to various perspectives.”

A Sister of Notre Dame for almost 65 years, Sister Rita believes maintaining faith is not about recapturing the spirit of youth, but about nurturing trust in God and remaining grounded in wonder.

“I know that Jesus said that we must be like a child,” she shared. “However, I don’t think about having a ‘childlike faith,’ unless you mean trust in God’s goodness and guidance in my life and a sense of wonder.”

Sister Rita’s days begin with an hour of quiet prayer, anchoring her in purpose. Her prayer life is central to everything she does.

“I thank God throughout the day for many things,” she said. “I am grateful that the lifestyle of a woman religious builds in expectations and opportunities to grow in my relationship with God and to share this faith with others.”

When asked what brings her the most joy in her faith, Sister Rita answered, “My relationship with God, my love for the Eucharist, being in a faith community, and sharing faith with my Sisters and with others. These provide strength, joy, and challenge.”

For those struggling in their faith, Sister Rita offers wisdom rooted in experience: “The struggle can be an invitation from God! Ask God for what you want and need, and God will answer you. Jesus promises it many times in the Gospels! ‘Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find.’”

She recommends making space for quiet and Scripture. “Take time for daily prayer, that is time for conversation with God,” she said. “Take time to listen to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘Be still and know that I am God,’ and ‘In the silence you will know.’”

“Read slowly St. John’s Gospel, especially Jesus’ Last Discourse, and read the appearances of Jesus after His Resurrection. These are filled with love, hope, strength, and the promise of God’s peace. Read the Psalms. There are many psalms for every mood or situation! Share your struggle with a wise spiritual advisor or a faith-filled friend.”

Sister of Charity Mary Gallagher doesn’t pretend aging is without its challenges. “When you’re in your 80s, many of us are in assisted living,” she said. “And you realize you’re not remembering what you think you should be. But your friends aren’t either—and that can actually be kind of funny.” That laughter, shared in community, is one way Sister Mary keeps a youthful heart: by embracing humor as grace.

What brings her the most joy these days? “More time to spend in prayer. The grounds here are beautiful,” she said of Mount St. Joseph. “I walk outside and see God’s creation—birds going wild, squirrels scurrying about, flowers blooming. Watching creation thrive is like watching God at work.”

Sister Mary’s daily routine includes communal morning prayer before Mass, and later in the day, many gather in small groups for prayer. “We sit together for twenty minutes. Just silence and presence,” she said.

That shared silence speaks volumes about her faith community. “Community is essential,” Sister Mary affirmed. “We look out for each other. We check in on the sisters in nursing care. We make sure they know they’re not alone.” Whether at meals with her friends or during prayer time, it’s the relationships that keep faith vibrant. “Community is the air we breathe,” she said.

When asked if she fears losing her faith or sense of wonder, Sister Mary smiled gently. “Faith has grown and matured over 60 years,” she said. “It grows deeper and wider with time.”

“We’re here not to cling to youth, but to keep our hearts open, like children do—to wonder, to laugh, to love.”

Faith That Grows Young

Sisters Rita and Mary show that staying “young at heart” isn’t about defying age—it’s about deepening joy. They pray. They walk. They laugh. They mentor and serve. Their childlike faith isn’t naïve—it’s rooted in decades of lived trust, wonder, gratitude, and community.

In their presence, we’re reminded of something essential: that growing older in faith doesn’t mean growing weary. It means growing wide-eyed. More than ever, we need hearts like theirs—open to God, open to others, and still wide open to joy.

This article appeared in the July 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.