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“How can you be a nun? You’re too young.” “Where is your habit?” “How come you aren’t a teacher?” Although religious life has changed gradually over the past 35-40 years, assumptions about religious life and people’s expectations of religious women have not kept up with these changes. Consider these questions frequently asked of women religious today:
The first five questions reflect how nuns were in the 1940s and 1950s in contrast to the freedoms afforded to religious women following the Second Vatican Council. In 2004, many vowed religious women choose to live in smaller communities of two to seven Sisters who live close to their ministries in apartments or houses. Today, we prefer to dress as other professionals and according to the needs of our ministries. I hope that a person who encounters me in ministry or in the grocery store or at an anti-war rally recognizes me as a woman religious because of the values and commitment that I live, not because of how I dress. It is true that the number of women religious teaching in Catholic schools has declined. This reality is rooted in many causes: the number of religious women has declined, so this leaves fewer to teach and we are free to choose other ministries. As ministries have opened for Sisters, so have opportunities for laywomen. This has limited the desire of some to enter religious life. The questions about nice clothes and cars are really about the vows, especially the vow of poverty. I suspect the real question being asked is, “If you have taken a vow of poverty, how can you live so comfortably?” I struggle with this one myself. It is true that my lifestyle reflects the middle class security of those among whom I minister. I do, however, try to live simply and with stewardship for all God’s creation. (See article on p. 7.) The final group of questions addresses the essence of our lives as women religious. Will there ever be married nuns? I hope not. Celibacy is essential to what makes us religious, especially since it is so closely related to community—and that is what distinguishes religious life from other Christian lifestyles. Will we ever merge with another religious community? It could happen as our numbers decrease. Other congregations have had successful mergers. However, our charism as a congregation is our greatest gift. I would hate to see that gift lost. Will nuns ever be ordained to priesthood? Again, I hope not. The call to be a vowed religious is a call to live the three vows in community according to the tradition established by our foundress. The call to priesthood is very different. They are distinct vocations. About the author: Amy Golm, BVM is a campus minister at Clarke College, Dubuque, and a graduate student. She is a member of the BVM Initial Membership Committee and Communications Advisory Committee. Amy professed final vows as a BVM in 2003. Return
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Top Ten Things
Asked of a Young BVM