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Definitions

Charism:  

The root of the word "charism" is Greek for "gift" or "favor." In a religious reference, charism describes a unique gift freely and graciously given by God to a person (or religious congregation) for the benefit of others--the people of God, the church, and the world.

Evangelical Life (as related to Franciscan life):  

The word "evangelical" means "good news"--gospel. Like St. Francis of Assisi, "Franciscans follow a gospel form of life and seek to proclaim the fundamental goodness of God in all of life and creation. The Franciscan [evangelical] life includes elements from both monastic and apostolic religious life, but has its own uniqueness. The emphasis is on neither a common place centered on contemplation and the praise of God, nor on a common task centered on the concrete mission of service to church and world. It is rather on a common heart: a prophetic witness to Christ and the whole of his gospel" (From the Franciscan Response to the Lineamenta). It is "the firm will to accept one another in our differences, to respect one another, and to walk together united in love" (Thaddee Matura, O.F.M.).

Motherhouse:  

The "headquarters" of a religious congregation; the convent in which the mother superior/president of some religious communities resides; the original convent of a religious congregation from which some of the sisters are sent to live on mission in other locations, and the place to which they return for community business, celebrations, and funerals.