Helga Leija

Sr. Helga Leija is a trained and experienced translator and a  Benedictine Sister of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She joined Global Sisters Report as Spanish liaison in July 2022 and became the Columns Editor in July 2023.  She earned a bachelor's degree in translation studies from the University of Texas in Brownsville and a master's in religious studies from the University of the Incarnate Word. She has served as a preschool, elementary and high school teacher in bilingual and dual-language classrooms. She volunteers for Translators without Borders. She enjoys art journaling and cooking Mexican food.

By this Author

Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (AP photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance delivered a message for such a time as this

GSR columns editor Helga Leija reflects on the role of Bad Bunny in Latin American culture.

From left: Benedictine Srs. Helen Mueting, Helga Leija and Esther Fangman on the day of Leija's profession of vows. Leija wore a brand new suit found among the donations at the "R" store. (Courtesy of Helga Leija)

As Benedictines, we are clothed by the Rule, not fast fashion

St. Benedict writes, "Let those who receive the clothing not complain about its color or coarseness, but accept what is given them." That's a hard teaching in a world like ours, where we're told to consume constantly.

"These quesadillas are one of my comfort foods," writes Sr. Helga Leija. "They're quick, easy and require only three ingredients. When I make it, I feel my mother's presence.

NCR recipes for Lent: Quesadillas

"These quesadillas are easy to make, but it is one of those meals that makes everything feel a little better," writes Sr. Helga Leija, columns editor for Global Sisters Report. "And it will taste like a Mexican mom made it for you."

(GSR artwork/Olivia Bardo)

'Wisdom from the Global Sisterhood': Sentinels of Advent and Christmas

Global Sisters Report shares excerpts from the Advent section of our first book, Wisdom from the Global Sisterhood, published earlier this year.

Collage of photos from GSR's "Hope Amid Turmoil" series

Series shines light on spiritual strength of Catholic sisters in conflict areas

With "Hope Amid Turmoil," the most ambitious and challenging project we have undertaken at GSR, we've been inspired by the incredible courage and deep faith of sisters serving in conflict areas throughout the world.

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