Listen: The much smaller and aging corps of women religious may suggest that this way of religious life is over. "Wrong," says Sr. Joan Chittister, in episode 3 of her podcast, "Risking the Questions."
The Life - The sisters explore how communities of religious women engage in traditions and practices that foster inclusivity, create space for others, and enhance communal and individual well-being.
Rome's Dicastery for the Clergy recently upheld an unprecedented third merger appeal from St. Louis Catholics determined to defend their parish homes. Could this be a sign of change?
The Life - Our sister panelists explore what it means to live an authentic life as a consecrated religious, and how that might attract others to the same vocation.
Plans are in place to shift the emphasis from Kylemore Abbey as a tourist destination to that of welcoming visitors to the Benedictines' home and sharing the prayer-work-study balance essential to Benedictine spirituality.
The Life - This month, we ask our panelists: "When we stop doing, we ask ourselves, who are we? When you are not working in your ministry, who are you?"
A new Wisconsin order, the Franciscan Congregation of Divine Mercy, has established a mission that gently encourages visitors to connect to the Gospel by connecting them to God's creatures.
"The Dominican charism is particularly timely," one sister said. "Veritas — the search for truth — the continued education of people, preaching. It's really badly needed in the 21st century."
We do not need to frantically figure out the future of religious life or even ensure that it continues — that is God’s work. May we wisely participate in this unfolding.
