women religious and the vatican

I thought I'd make a quick comment about Michael P.'s recent post. I think Cathlics owe a debt of gratitude to the communities of sisters who helped build the Church. I was taught by Ursuline Sisters and I am grateful to them for their lives of sacrifice and witness. But it is clear that there are challenges for communities of religious sisters in the West and also signs of tremendous hope. These points can be illustrated by looking at the websites of the IHM Sisters, here, and of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, here. The IHM Sisters, which is Sister Schneiders' community, are based in Monroe, Michigan. I have heard it said that the Monroe convent is the largest in the world although I am not sure about that. The convent is a grand structure that is now the home of approximately 200 sisters with the median age of 84. I have been there on a retreat and the sisters are inspiring. But there is a sadness there because it is seems likely that the community will quietly go out of existence in the not too distant future.  

The Sister of Mary are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The community has only been in existence for a dozen years. The community began with 4 sisters and there are now over 80 sisters. I believe that the median age is about 24. I know the Sisters of Mary quite well and the community is full of dynamism and joy. It is hard to meet this community without feeling a sense of great optimism and hope.

A quick perusal of the websites reveals, I think, why the Vatican thought it necessary to examine religious life in the US. I understand that the head of the Vatican team is Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo who is friend of mine. Bishop Blair is a holy priest and a careful thinker who will, I am confident, fairly discharge his responsibilities.

Richard M.