Sister Miriam James discerns foundation of new religious community, ‘Friends of the Bridegroom’

Sister Miriam James Heidland, a Catholic speaker and author, announced Sept. 21 that she is entering public discernment over the foundation of a new religious community devoted to renewing consecrated life and the priesthood.

Friends of the Bridegroom, the proposed new community, would include priests, religious sisters, and laypeople committed to renewal within the Church, Sister Miriam said in a statement on X.

“The pathway here has been richly blessed by the wisdom and guidance of my spiritual director, my superiors, the competent ecclesiastical authorities, and so many dear friends and advisors,” she said.

Sister Miriam explained that the Friends of the Bridegroom ministry and her public activities related to the discernment will remain under the pastoral care and oversight of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Archbishop Jeffrey Grob as the apostolate considers the possible foundation of a religious community under the same name.

Sister Miriam has served as the apostolate’s executive director for the past three years.

She said her years of ministry within the Church also shaped the discernment.

“As many of you know, my years of work in the area of healing, as well as my work with religious sisters, general superiors, bishops, and priests have allowed me to see and experience the need and ache for the ongoing healing and renewal of our clergy and religious sisters,” she said.

On its website, Friends of the Bridegroom connects the Church’s renewal with the spiritual motherhood of consecrated women, the fatherhood revealed through the priesthood, and marriages that reflect Christ’s love for the Church.

Following the announcement, the SOLT Sisters expressed support for Sister Miriam and the path ahead.

“We are deeply grateful for Sr. Miriam James, for her years of generous service to the Church and to our community, and we assure her of our love, prayers, and wholehearted support as she follows the Lord’s guidance in this next chapter,” the community said.

Sister Miriam said she will remain a SOLT sister and continue wearing the community’s habit during the public discernment.

Sister Miriam joined SOLT in 1998 and has become known through her speaking, writing, and ministry focused on healing. She co-hosts the Abiding Together podcast and has written several books, including Loved as I Am. Her ministry has increasingly focused on healing retreats for priests and religious sisters.

“I continue to count on your prayers and support as we discern this very important step,” Sister Miriam said in the X post. “Please pray for the renewal of the priesthood and religious life.”