Religious Life: Reading the Signs of the Times

However, youll agree that most people interested in environmental issues, GBLT rights,or other matters simply dont associate with a women's (or men's) religious order especially one that is declining in members and viatlity or whose average age is 70+. I've always been active in environmental issues myself, so Im a member of sierra club, the nature conservancy etc. Im interested in childrens issues so I volunteer in legal clinics aimed at those problems. We already have lay partnering in the church-its called third orders. Ive known many people entering third orders or similar associations. Its always associated with prayer and the spiritual life and is almost always with traditional or conservative catholic orders. Once again the LCWR model isnt working and the author is grasping at straws.

How are you going to have co-members when all your members are gone?

This is a good and healthy sign of where Religious Life might be heading. The era of veils and long Habits that mirror centuries past is NOT where Religious Life is going. Sue there may be some small Communities that adopt this style but most will NOT.

This type of membership reflects also an emerging church form, where the individuals want a connection to others who share the spirituality and religiosity of a Catholic spirit, without the embalming effects of a narrow parish life. This form echoes the early Christian communities, but also reflects the mobility of the current age along with the technological ability to be "in touch" across a wide geography. Church no longer is a building or a place but a way of living and integrating into the world. Church buildings are still sanctuaries and places of prayer; but they serve a larger purpose, a broader unregistered congregation, and more akin to the inn on the road of pilgrimage.
We may be back to where we started a seeing the place for the first time again.

Please write a blog in which you explain why young women who are entering religious life are choosing the "rigid models." Yes, these young women are the future of religious life because in your community as in many, they interpreted falsely what Vatican II actually wanted. The average age in your community is probably 80, which means the community is on the brink of extinction while these "rigid models" have a average age of 30. Why is it so difficult to admit that the changes many communities made have destroyed what once were vibrant congregations?

Not just women's communities. Check in with the Christian Brothers, even the Trappists. They wouldn't be able to maintain their work without all their associates who likely match or outnumber their vowed members. It's the spirit that counts, the spirit that drives their personal search toward fulfillment and inspires whatever assistance they provide in helping others in what has come to be called the "charism" of their various communities.

"...the explosion over the last 20-30 years in “co-membership” or “associate membership” in women’s religious communities."
http://nacar.org/links/congregationalmembers/5.html
http://nacar.org/
Hope for the Flowers - even the late bloomers....
http://www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show/235

Indeed, the religious life is viable, even though in a difficult state of transition in re "The Ordination Controversy in the Roman Catholic Church."
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As the all-male hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church is construed, the official position is that the male hierarchy is without authority to ordain women. This is the stated unambiguous position of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. They close this position to further discussion.

So, what option is left for women to claim equal authenticity in the mission of the servant-priesthood in the Catholic Church? The faithful believe that “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against The Church, understood as all God’s People committed to “love one another” as Jesus loved and served the whole people.

The Roman Catholic male hierarchy has staked its claim of exclusionary right but with acknowledgement of no authority in women’s claim of inclusionary right in the priesthood of The Church, the People Church of Catholic Eucharist. In the context of Imperial Rome, the Jesus-People-Church was subsumed under the imperial culture of Rome, the very Empire that crucified Jesus.

This writer has taken the position that women, on their own authority, should define their inclusionary position in the servant-priesthood of the Eucharistic Catholic Church, and, formulate an appropriate ritual of ordination that anoints their inclusionary right and responsibility in the Sacrament of Natural Order. It is puzzling that women would want to be ordained under the male-exclusionary ritual of Roman Catholicism as presently construed.

Women, as “Mothers of Heralds of the Gospel” are commissioned to teach the Jesus-Gospel to their sons and daughters, both in regard to the non-exclusionary teaching of Jesus and as to the alienating culture of male imperial priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. The problem of the controversy, by this approach, may in time be resolved through the working of the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of future generations of “Heralds of the Gospel.”

The ordination controversy is divisive and hurtful. On this controversy my position is clear: as the Roman Catholic Church-priesthood is construed, I do not advocate for women’s ordination. Notwithstanding this position, it is my belief, that “in the person” of Mary, Mother of the WORD, women are the primary “Heralds of the Gospel.”

It might be expected that coming generations of young men and women may chose not to be part of the exclusionary priesthood. Fair-minded people are likely to conclude that women have just cause to take issue with the male hierarchy as presently construed in the Roman Catholic Church, in apparent conflict with the Eucharistic Altruism of Jesus, the Cosmic Christ.

The use of "co-members" smacks of the kind of second-class citizenship women are always complaining about in the church? Are women religious really just "patriarchs" in disguise?

I didn't know that co-members existed. Where does one go to get this kind of information? I believe this is the future of religious life.
Virginia Thompson

Co-members or associates are more difficult to control but maybe that is better. There is too much central control that dampens the spirit. Of course the traditional view is that the spirit needs to be dampened.

I noticed that some of the members may not be Catholic. This suggests an inclusive attitude which is contrary to the traditional view.

This sounds very much like third order or monasteries without walls. The vineyard has more workers than some realize.

I live a fairly long way from Kentucky. But still I feel called to a vocation as an Associate. What do you suggest? What options are open for long distance membership?

Try this web site to locate possiblities near you: http://www.religiousministries.com/

You can search by state for ministries near you. However also consider that distance may not be as important as how a particular congregation views it's mission and role in church and world and how that meshes with your own calling.