Group of 11 nuns spreads the gospel through pop music

A group of 11 Catholic nuns on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, are using an unconventional method to spread the word of Jesus -- pop music.

A profile in the Chicago Sun-Times explains that the "Siervas" (the servants) sing the universal message of hope amid darkness in Spanish. They're not your typical hymns, either.

They use songs such as "Come and You Will See" and "Trust in God" to spread awareness about the crises that children around the world are facing.

Sister Monica, a vocalist and percussionist and the group's English-speaking "organizer and promoter" told the Chicago Sun-Times that these songs are not the typical ones you might hear at mass.

"They are for your car, your party, your free time," she said. "We want our music on the radio so people can be inspired and sing along and have a better day. Our music is about finding that truth and that happiness through Jesus."

The Peruvian band performed 10 parish concerts in Chicago late last week as part of their "Tour Hoy Despierto."

The 11 sisters of Siervas couldn't be more different -- according to the Chicago Sun-Times, they have various educational and music backgrounds, and come from eight different countries.

The newspaper profile described each of the band members:

The band features seven vocalists, with two lead singers: Sister Ivonne (from Chile, who plays electric and acoustic guitar) and Sister Dayana (from Ecuador). The rest of the lineup (in addition to Sister Monica) includes: Sister Paula (Chile, drums), Sister Camilla (Peru, electric guitar), Sister Teresa (Chile, bass guitar), Sister Kathleen (Philippines, keyboard), Sister Andrea (Argentina, vocals), Sister Cindy (Venezuela, violincello), Sister Arisa (Japan, violin) and Sister Jessica (China, clarinet).

Their daily work includes ministering to the poor, working with the disabled and visiting women in prisons. The band is an extension of this outreach.

Sister Monica told the Chicago Sun-Times that they wanted their music to break through stereotypes that assume nuns aren't like regular people, in spite of their religious calling.

"Before we were nuns, we were regular people who listened to all kinds of music and had regular lives like regular people," Sister Monica said. She revealed that she already finished her second college degree, and that she absolutely loves The Beatles.

The singing nuns started following their passion for music while entertaining their local churches in Peru, and word of their talent quickly traveled to Ecuador and Colombia. They credit social media, iTunes and YouTube for helping them get discovered on a global scale.

Sister Monica told the Chicago Sun-Times that music also helps the band raise funds for their missions and local churches and parishes. Plus, they're pretty low-maintenance compared to other rock stars.

"When we travel, we ask only for the basic needs: our [travel] fare, food, a place to stay, and some kind of donation of the parish's choosing to our mission," she said.

She added that their overall mission is a relatable one -- they simply want to help people find the love of God through their music.

"We all have to be good people, but also people who do good in the world," Sister Monica said. "That's a message anyone can relate to."

[H/T Chicago Sun-Times]

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