In the Spirit: The Church's Woman Warriors

The consecrated life is at the very heart of the Church as a decisive element for her mission, since it “manifests the inner nature of the Christian calling” and the striving of the whole Church as Bride towards union with her one Spouse… [It] is also a precious and necessary gift for the present and future of the People of God, since it is an intimate part of her life, her holiness and her mission.
(JPII, Vita Consecrata, 3)

There are probably few aspects of Catholicism as misunderstood as the consecrated life of a nun or sister. [Trivia: Nuns stay in convents all the time; sisters have a more active apostolate and can sometimes work in the secular world or in religious schools, while returning to pray and live with their religious community.]  They become the object of many jokes . . .

and are often seen as either a strict disciplinarian wielding a ruler or as a group of goofy non-conformists . . .

But, in my experience, religious sisters are one of the most beautiful manifestations of a life dedicated utterly and totally to God.

My best friend from college joined a group of religious sisters--the Society of the Sacred Heart, founded by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in France (it is her feast day today).  Watching her fall in love with the most perfect Lover of all was breathtakingly beautiful.  Hearing of her very individual and personal "proposal" as she received her calling to Sacro Cuore was a scene from a timeless romance.  Now, seeing the sacrifices she lovingly makes to teach, to learn, to pray, to love within the apostolate of her order inspires me to better live my own vocation faithfully and selflessly.

Religious sisters know that our world needs people who can dedicate themselves fully to praying for the rest of us who are "too busy" to pray for ourselves.  They also teach, serve, and love those in society who are ostracized and abused by everyone else.


Mother Teresa was an extraordinary person, but, in a sense, her daily actions in service were not heroic beyond that of many religious sisters throughout time and today.  I am called to be a mother to my one little boy right now; consecrated religious women are the spouses of God, the sisters of each of us, and the mothers to every wandering soul in the world.  Truly, that is a profound calling and privilege.


Take a moment to pray for these outstanding women who serve you and the Church in more ways than we'll ever know.


**Check out these awesome documents of the church written on the vocation to consecrated life!


http://iruntheinternet.com/lulzdump/images/nunchucks-nuns-chuck-norris-nun-12593488599.jpg
http://caravanofdreams.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nun_ruler.jpg
http://blog.oneplusinfinity.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/nun2.jpg
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