From apostolic times Christian virgins and widows, called by the Lord to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, and spirit, have decided with the Church’s approval to live in the respective states of virginity or perpetual chastity “for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.” (CCC 922)

“Virgins who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church.” By this solemn rite (Consecratio Virginum), the virgin is “constituted…a sacred person, a transcendent sign of the Church’s love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come.” (DCC 923)

“As with other forms of consecrated life,” the order of virgins establishes the woman living in the world (or the nun) in prayer, penance, service of her brethren, and apostolic activity, according to the state of life and spiritual gifts given to her. Consecrated virgins can form themselves into associations to observe their commitment more faithfully. (CCC 924)

• Benedictines – Abbey of St. Walburga (Virginia Dale, CO)
• Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles (Gower, MO)
• Carmelite Nuns/Cloistered Carmelites of Ancient Observance (O. Carm.)
  • A house in Hudson, WI
• Cistercian Nuns: Valley of Our Lady Monastery (Prairie du Sac, WI)
• Discalced Carmelite Nuns (O. C. D.)
  • A house in Denmark, WI
  • A house in Lake Elmo, MN
• Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne – Congregation of Saint Rose of Lima (Hawthorne, NY)
• Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (Ann Arbor, MI)
• Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia (Nashville, TN)
• Family of Jesus (Puerto Maldonado, Peru)
• Franciscan Congregation of Divine Mercy (Marshfield, WI)
• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (La Crosse, WI)
  • Serve at various places in our diocese, including Ashland and Marywood in Arbor Vitae
• Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (New York, NY)
• Franciscan Sisters T.O.R. of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother (Toronto, OH)
• Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus 
  • Also have houses in Duluth, MN and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
• Missionaries of Charity (Calcutta, India)
  • Have many houses in the US, both Actives and Contemplatives, including in Chicago, IL
• Missionaries of the Word (Baileys Harbor, WI)
• Misioneras Eucarísticas de Santa Teresita (Mexico City, Mexico)
  • Are temporary missionaries to the Hispanic community in the Diocese of Superior, living in Chetek
• Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration – Our Lady of the Angels Monastery (Hanceville, AL)
• Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco/Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Haledon, NJ)
• Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary
  • Have a house in Waukesha, WI
• Servants of Mary/Servite Sisters (Ladysmith, WI)
• Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest
  • Have a house in Wausau, WI
  • Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, liturgically celebrate the 1962 Missal, etc.
• Sisters of Life (New York, NY)
• Sisters of Maria Stella Matutina (Mary, Morning Star)
  • Have houses in Monona, WI and in Ghent, MN
• Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George (Alton, IL)
• Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity/SOLT Sisters (Corpus Christi, TX)