Sister Laura Teresa Downing is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). Originally from Maryland, Sister Laura attended Immaculata College, now University, where she met the IHMs. Sister Laura entered the postulate in 2001 at the start of her senior year, was professed in 2004, and made final vows in 2009. She earned a master of arts degree in Scripture from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University, and an M.T.S. (Systematic Theology), Th.M. (Historical Theology) and S.T.L. (Ecclesiology) from Boston College.

Since first vows, Sister Laura has taught middle school in South Philadelphia and in Reading (Pa.), as well as high school religion in Arlington (Va.) and Raleigh (N.C.). Following her doctoral program at BC, Sister Laura taught in the theology department at Immaculata University for three years before serving as the university’s campus ministry director for the most recent three years. In that role, she launched an innovative new program that draws from the intellectual and spiritual foundations of St. Alphonsus Liguori, which has produced remarkable results across campus.

This past summer, Sister Laura was assigned a new ministry, Director of Vocations, for her religious community.

IHM sisters inherit and share the spirituality and tradition of St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). Alphonsian spirituality emphasizes right relationship with God, Church, and self through truth, moderation, and gentleness. It’s built on the four pillars of: love of the Incarnation, devotion to the Passion, Eucharistic Adoration, and Marian piety. Sister Laura will share her insight on this Alphonsian charism in motivating candidates to a religious vocation with the IHMs.

In her free time, Sister Laura loves to read, dote on her three young nephews, and spend time with friends.

Many Philly Serrans and Friends remember Sister Laura’s first visit with our club in November 2022 as energizing, informative, and inspiring in sharing the exciting rollout of Immaculata’s transformed campus ministry program as it was happening … so much so that the Q&A portion ran longer than expected. Many said that Sister Laura “knocked it out of the park.” We encourage you to join us next Tuesday for Sister Laura’s return visit, when she will focus her comments on her new ministry in religious vocations.