Spiritual writing for messy humans.
Thank you for being interested in my work!
Hi, I’m Sister Julia.
I write creative nonfiction, poetry, and prayers for spiritual seekers.
My work centers around the themes of community, transformation, creativity, social justice, and Christianity.
Since 2010, I have been publishing blogs, articles, poems, editorial columns, book reviews, and prayers online and in print.
I’ve taught classes, guided retreats, facilitated workshops, and spoken at conferences, in Church basements, community centers, and cozy living rooms.
I’ve also spoken to international audiences, such as at the International Conference of Cohesive Societies (Singapore, 2022) and the Parliament of the World’s Religions (Chicago, 2023).
Pre-order Sister Julia’s latest
Sister Julia’s newest book, 2026: A Book of Grace-Filled Days, is now available.
The daily devotional notes major feast days, saint commemorations, and holidays. Each page combines readings from the Scripture of the day with reflections to offer a few minutes of solace for quiet prayer and meditation.
You can order the book now.
Sister Julia’s Memoir
“Julia Walsh gives me hope for a future with religious women changing the world. She tells a story all her own, but I felt her doubts, questions, and passion each step of the way. Highly recommended.” –Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and River of Fire
“For Love of the Broken Body is a beautiful, searching, searing book.” –-Liam Callanan, novelist, author of Paris by the Book, winner of the Edna Ferber Prize
“A searing, riveting, surprising, challenging and ultimately inspiring work that asks some of the hardest questions a human being might face.” –James Martin, SJ, New York Times Best-selling author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
“I laughed out loud, gasped, felt seen, and learned so much in this exquisitely written memoir. It is full of universal truths, questions, and doubts.” —Marlena Graves, professor of spiritual formation, Northeastern Seminary; author of The Way Up Is Down
“This bold, stereotype-busting book is bursting with wisdom. It helps us turn toward our weaknesses, self-doubt, and anxiety and walk through these, with Love, into self-acceptance, self-kindness, and concrete love for others. Bravely coloring outside the usual religious lines by sharing her story frankly, Julia brings us into the brightest hope. Highly recommended!” –Carmen Acevedo Butcher, poet and translator of Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence and The Cloud of Unknowing
Sister Julia’s work is also included in the following books:
Other Selected Work
Prayers, Reflections, and Devotionals
The Meaning of Life (Living Faith Catholic Devotional, November 2024)
Meeting God in the Messiness (Franciscan Media, July 2024)
Lessons from the Lord’s Prayer (St. Anthony Messenger, June 2021)
How Do Words Become Flesh? (Image Journal blog, December 2018)
America Magazine
I was diagnosed with a progressive eye disorder. It’s changed my understanding of the ‘God of Light.’ (August 2024)
When perpetual adoration takes on a new meaning (April 2020)
What we have learned 10 years after Postville, the largest immigration raid in U.S. history (June 2018)
Changed, Not Ended: A view of religious life from a young sister (December 2013)
Global Sisters Report / National Catholic Reporter
Spiritual practices for the fatigued and lonely (January 2022)
Call for Creative Communion (April 2018)
Trains in Heaven: Embracing the Mystery (January 2017)
Redefining faith on El Camino (May 2017)
Other magazines and newspapers
Transgender Catholics call the Church to listen says this Franciscan Sister (Outreach, April 2024)
A Complicated Patriotism (Living City, June 2023)
Educating ourselves and our children about critical race theory (La Crosse Tribune, October 2021)
Letting the pandemic change us for the better (Chicago Sun Times, April 2020)
Has social distancing put us in a double pandemic? (The Christian Century, March 2020)
What are religious vows? (VISION Vocation Magazine, 2018)
Being a companion through the mystery of suffering (U.S. Catholic, October 2016)
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