http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html Steve Addison's blog about movements for the renewal and expansion of the church. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:39:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-1100 daniel williams Mon, 29 May 2006 12:48:58 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-1100 i thought this article was excellent. I am a young Catholic and hope to join a religious order when i complete my masters, the only question which i am left asking is, which one? so many of the men religious orders have become so secularised that i may as well just be a layman because at least then i wont have to apologise if i want to pray a rosary etc. The only way back is to embrace a vibrant and radical traditional Catholicism which isnt ashamed of what it is called to be. I remember the nuns when i was a kid, thought they weren't in some medieval habit (they wore beige and a small veil) they were extremely well known, and very very well loved by all in our town in south wales, now the old ones are gone, the younger ones are unrecognisable and they do not have any vocations. It is sad to see because they had a real sense of vocation and purpose, now they seem to be like un-qualified social workers wondering what they can do next. The Church is so in need of our prayers and self-less love and dedication to renew and revitalise it, young people, stand up for what is right, let us take back the Church from the middle-aged genetic throw backs of the 1960's who think it is hip to dance round the altar and telling there sins to stones. Save it for Glastonbury, I love rock and indie but when i go to church i want to see and taste the divine not something i just heard on radio one! bring back the Church ! before its too late i thought this article was excellent. I am a young Catholic and hope to join a religious order when i complete my masters, the only question which i am left asking is, which one? so many of the men religious orders have become so secularised that i may as well just be a layman because at least then i wont have to apologise if i want to pray a rosary etc. The only way back is to embrace a vibrant and radical traditional Catholicism which isnt ashamed of what it is called to be. I remember the nuns when i was a kid, thought they weren’t in some medieval habit (they wore beige and a small veil) they were extremely well known, and very very well loved by all in our town in south wales, now the old ones are gone, the younger ones are unrecognisable and they do not have any vocations. It is sad to see because they had a real sense of vocation and purpose, now they seem to be like un-qualified social workers wondering what they can do next. The Church is so in need of our prayers and self-less love and dedication to renew and revitalise it, young people, stand up for what is right, let us take back the Church from the middle-aged genetic throw backs of the 1960’s who think it is hip to dance round the altar and telling there sins to stones. Save it for Glastonbury, I love rock and indie but when i go to church i want to see and taste the divine not something i just heard on radio one! bring back the Church ! before its too late

]]> http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-74 » Reappearing nunsSteve Addison’s blog » World Changers Tue, 12 Jul 2005 11:33:36 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-74 [...] Despite the devastation of the last thirty or more years (see “Disappearing nuns“), there are some signs of renewal and hope for religious orders. Those signs are evident among the newer orders that have remained true to their spiritual tradition and are still making the traditional demands of religious life. Those orders are successfully recruiting new members. Both DiIanni and Wittberg have described how the thriving communities are re-establishing an emphasis on “intense community life” and “communitarian living.” Nygren and Ukeritis have found that the orders that are most healthy have reinstated monastic practices and a sense of clarity about their life and work. Traditionally, before taking final vows, members of orders are required to successfully complete an extensive four-stage formation program. Before Vatican II, formation programs were normally conducted within the religious order, thus reinforcing its unique “charism” or unique spiritual identity and mission. However, with the declining numbers that followed Vatican II many orders moved to intercommunity formation. A characteristic of the newer and revitalised orders is that they conduct their own formation programs and thus successfully impart their unique charism to new recruits. [...] [...] Despite the devastation of the last thirty or more years (see “Disappearing nuns“), there are some signs of renewal and hope for religious orders. Those signs are evident among the newer orders that have remained true to their spiritual tradition and are still making the traditional demands of religious life. Those orders are successfully recruiting new members. Both DiIanni and Wittberg have described how the thriving communities are re-establishing an emphasis on “intense community life” and “communitarian living.” Nygren and Ukeritis have found that the orders that are most healthy have reinstated monastic practices and a sense of clarity about their life and work. Traditionally, before taking final vows, members of orders are required to successfully complete an extensive four-stage formation program. Before Vatican II, formation programs were normally conducted within the religious order, thus reinforcing its unique “charism” or unique spiritual identity and mission. However, with the declining numbers that followed Vatican II many orders moved to intercommunity formation. A characteristic of the newer and revitalised orders is that they conduct their own formation programs and thus successfully impart their unique charism to new recruits. [...]

]]> http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-9 Beer mat ads to recruit priests » Steve Addison’s blog » World Changers Mon, 30 May 2005 00:20:44 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2005/04/10/disappearing-nuns.html#comment-9 [...] e life and ministry of Jesus to call thousands into service all over the globe. Check out Disappearing Nuns and Reappearing Nuns. [...] [...] e life and ministry of Jesus to call thousands into service all over the globe. Check out Disappearing Nuns and Reappearing Nuns. [...]

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