Recipe for a thriving religious order

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Cist nun.jpgRecently, the National Catholic Register published an article on the life of nuns at the Valley of Our Lady Monastery, located on 112 acres in Prairie du Sac, outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The author brings out some salient points that contribute to the "success" of this particular monastery. Let's be clear, success is not defined here in terms of secularity but ways that allow for a vocation to thrive according to the Divine Plan. Let me draw your attention to two things that struck me. Mind you, these items (see below) are not new at all but they do spell out what is needed to help contribute to the resurgence of religious life if it's God's will. Sadly groups like the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of St Joseph, the various Franciscan and Dominican sisters' congregations to name a few, would think these comments are inaccurate, too shrill and not relevant for the "modern world." Truthfully, I think these groups want to die because they are too "relevant" matter. BUT when you see women attracted to congregations like this monastery, the Alma Mercy Sisters and the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr Saint George and not to the secular-looking groups, then one has to ask the hard questions. Having defend the general thesis of the article, let it be known I am not totally in agreement with Father Mullady's acceptance of BlackBerries but I can't have everything.

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1. When asked what she thought was attracting young women to this ancient contemplative order, Sister Bernarda replied, "To begin with, God." She added, "Then, perhaps, the desire for a life of prayer, solitude, simplicity, with an ancient liturgy in Latin and Gregorian chant, and a simple, traditional habit. Also, we follow the directives of our order and the Church." Sister Mary Bede boiled it down to this: "When you're looking for a traditional, habit-wearing, Divine Office-saying order, it narrows down your choices a bit." She preferred the Cistercians to some of the newer orders, explaining, "Definitely, it's a comfort knowing that the Rule of St. Benedict has sanctified hundreds of thousands of men and women throughout the ages. It helps to live a life in faith -- that God will work through our superiors and rule to bring about our sanctification." When asked what keeps her order so grounded in its ancient origins and traditions, Sister Mary Dolores responded, "There is a preservation of identity; progress comes not from something entirely new, but a returning to the charism of the founders. In tradition, the past is present but updated."

2. Dominican Father Brian Mullady has seen many traditional orders survive the decades after Vatican II. Theological consultant for the Institute on Religious Life in Libertyville, Ill. -- a collaborative effort of Catholic bishops, priests, religious and laity to foster and strengthen vocations to the consecrated life -- Father Mullady said: "Mostly they weathered the changes by adapting the things that needed to be adapted for young people -- there are sisters on the Internet and carrying BlackBerries -- but preserving the habit, the cloister, silence, reading at table, living in community."

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Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.

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This page contains a single entry by Paul Zalonski published on July 23, 2009 5:32 PM.

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