Jesus described his Church as a great and flourishing tree planted from the tiniest seeds of his Gospel and spreading to the ends of the earth.
For the beginning, the branches of this great tree have included women who have chosen to consecrate their lives to following Jesus and imitating his manner of life, living as he chose to live — in poverty, chastity, and obedience, totally dedicated to the will of God.
The family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is blessed to have more than 1,150 women religious, representing more than 100 religious institutes. And they are essential co-workers in the Church’s mission of mercy and redemption here.
Our sisters include venerable orders that we are all familiar with — like the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, Poor Clares, the Missionaries of Charity. But we also have many newer orders like the Kkottongnae Sisters of Jesus, the Lovers of the Holy Cross, and the Sisters of the Poor Jesus.
Earlier this year, there was a fascinating article in a secular publication. The author of the piece was genuinely puzzled about a trend that we are seeing in the Church — more and more young women feeling a calling to become religious sisters.
There is no secret to what is going on.
Many young women I meet are seeking wholeness and holiness and a relationship of love with the living God. They know there is much, much more to life than what our technological and consumer society have to offer.
They have a heart for the needs of others and a deep desire to live with a purpose that is greater than themselves. They understand what Jesus means when he says we must lose our lives and by this we will find our lives.
Jesus is still calling his daughters. He never stops. It is up to us to create the “space” — in our homes and parishes, in our schools and religious education programs — where our young women can hear his call.
Full story at Angelus News.
Average age 70
Photo at bottom of article shows women all in the same habit. Are they all members of the order?
Are the words in the article the Archbishop’s? I would have found some specifics helpful as to the number of women entering orders, completing final vows, and still in the order after five years.
Click the link. It is a column written by the Archbishop. You would probably have to contact the orders themselves to get all the information that you want.
The average age of growing communities of Sisters is much younger. In these religious communities, Sisters wear religious habits and pray and live together. (Admittedly, some of the older communities of Sisters are dying, literally.) Check out a few of them I’ve linked below. Your heart will be blessed and you will be encouraged!
https://www.franciscansisterstor.org/
https://sistersofmary.org/
https://sistersoflife.org/
https://www.dljc.org/
http://www.christthebridegroom.org/
Thank you for the great websites, Deacon Anderson. There are some really good books and other merchandise that can be bought from these websites too, if one clicks on their “stores” or other links.
Deacon Craig, great links. Here is another one.
http://norbertinesisters.org/
This website has some really pretty incenses burners and other items at good prices. Is there a way to estimate the shipping charge without going through most of the buying process?. Some websites have a list of shipping costs up to certain prices. I could not find one.
Amen. Yes. There are numerous growing communities with young women answering the call. This is especially needed in a time of such deep and widespread confusion, even within the Church. These women are living proof of the teachings of Christ and His Church regarding sexuality and full, integrated human life. Let us all continue to pray for our religious Sisters.