Role of religious life / Nature of religious life

The role of religious in the church and world

By John Allen

The witness of community living is a witness that religious can offer to both a divided world and a divided church. Read more...

The enduring value of religious life in the age of the laity

By Fr. Charles E. Bouchard OP

Does a robust laity diminish religious life? Nothing could be further from the truth,argues this writer. Religious life continues to witness to the Gospel’s countercultural values. Read more...

Vocation ministers walk forward in faith to welcome new life

By Br. Paul Bednarczyk C.S.C.

Fifty-five years ago Sister Mary Carolan, BVM sacrificed herself to save her students during a horrific fire at a Chicago Catholic school. So, too, do vocation ministers sacrifice for the sake new life in their communities. It is the way of Christ. Read more...

Feed your spirit: What you’ve taught me

By Carol Schuck Scheiber

When I became publications editor for NRVC in 1998, I had no idea how much I’d learn from the vocation directors I would meet. Read more...

The built-in tensions in apostolic vocations

By Br. John D. Hamilton C.F.X.

Work and activity are both our means of mediating the creative love of God for the world and a way by which we are prone to forget God’s presence. Read more...

The shape of religious life to come

By Sr. Amy Hereford C.S.J.

Religious life may be moving toward communities that are smaller, more local, and more collaborative. Read more...

Head into the deep

By Br. Paul Bednarczyk C.S.C.

Religious have gone out into deep, dangerous waters for centuries. What does it mean to do so today? Read more...

Transfigured by God

By Sr. Colleen Mary Mallon O.P.

Our “yes” to consecrated life participates in God’s divine energies that continue to both animate the universe and to make all things new. Read more...

In gratitude for the messengers of the Master’s invitation

By Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò

"Thank you for saying 'yes' to Christ. Thank you for being willing to be recognized as a religious." Read more...

Reflection: Faith multiplies in sharing

By Clarence Gilyard

"I want what you have. I thank God you've shared it with me." Read more...

Consecrated life is at the heart of the church

Participants in the International Vocation Conference found they shared similar challenges and opportunities. Read more...

The evolving theology of consecrated life

By Fr. Gerard Whelan S.J.

Much still remains to be developed in the theology of consecrated life. Read more...

Feed your spirit: Who are we?

By Father Timothy Radcliffe O.P.

Our lives as religious point to the central question of every life. Who is God calling me to be? Vocation directors keep raising this sacred question. Read more...

Film notes: Innocence robbed and redeemed

By Daniel Grippo

The Innocents is a respectful meditation on the faith of the nuns and also on the bravery of those who do not share their faith but also act courageously from shared values. Read more...

Film notes: Film delivers a loving but incomplete portrait

By Carol Schuck Scheiber

Band of Sisters is a lovingly rendered documentary that tells the story of many American sisters over the last 50 years. For members of apostolic women’s communities, or for laity like myself who have warm friendships and work relationships with sisters, this movie is fascinating and revealing. Read more...

Year of Consecrated Life: Q/A, address to women religious in Korea, ideas for celebrating

What is the Year of Consecrated Life, and what will be happening in association with it? Read more...

Feed your spirit: Why I value religious life

By Jennifer Tomshack

Religious life has had a big impact on this author's life, starting even before she was born. Read more...

Fielding myths and questions about consecrated life

By Brother David Deradoorian F.S.C.

Here’s how one teacher encourages conversations about faith and responds to questions about religious life. Read more...

Book notes: Much needed contemporary theology of vowed life

By Sister Susan Francois C.S.J.P.

The author of this slim book places the vowed life in the context of the contemporary church and world. Her reflections are interwoven with challenges and opportunities posed by the signs of the times. Read more...

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CARA/USCCB Profession Class Report ...

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There are over 500 religious institutes for women religious in the ... More

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Entrance Class Report ...

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