Sister Laura Cullen

Sister Laura from Glencairn Abbey in County Waterford, Ireland’s only Cistercian monastery for women.  

Before entering monastic life, Sister Laura worked as a social worker in Dublin, with degrees from UCD and Trinity College. Today, she lives a radically different life — one rooted in prayer, simplicity, and up to 12 hours of silence each day.  

At a time when religious vocations are declining, her journey offers a fascinating insight into why some young women are choosing a cloistered life in the modern world.