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The biggest hindrance to religious life today?
I recently discovered this “non-scientific” poll by VocationQuest, a web site by the Cenacle Sisters.
What do you think? Does this ring true? How might religious respond to this?
Results of the previous totally non-scientific VocationQuest Poll
“What is the biggest hindrance to religious life today?”
Results
1: It is not seen as a viable choice in today’s world.
(This was closely followed by number 2)
2: It is hard to hear God’s call in today’s world.
3: The lure of material things is too strong.
4: Families don’t encourage daughters to enter religious life.
5: People don’t see themselves as worthy.
(6 and 7 trailing far behind the others)
6: Religious are too liberal.
7: Religious are too conservative.
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I would agree with your list wholeheartly.
I don’t think I buy into it, at least not how it’s presented. I would say for me it wasn’t so much that I wasn’t worthy (#5) but not “holy/pious/religious” enough. Otherwise …. it’s just not something that’s seen, nor is it seen as a cool thing to do.
I’d like to see how they define as “not viable.” I’d also say a lack of exposure to lay and third orders as a hindrance, too.
I have mixed feelings about this. It is sort of odd that it is on the front page of a vocation-oriented web site. I’m also not sure what “not viable” means. It’s a pretty loaded term. And since it is self-described as “non-scientific” it’s difficult to draw any firm conclusion.
In my experience, I think that the biggest hindrance really is oneself. At least in my case. God always seems to find a way to make sure we get the point that yes, he is calling us to consider religious life. Then it’s me who throws up the barriers, digs trenches, and finds every conceivable reason to not consider this call.
I also think that women religious in particular are not very good at marketing ourselves. Even the word “marketing” can give some the chills because it seems like such a cold business term to apply to a vocation. Yet we have to get better at saying “come and see” as Jesus said to his soon-to-be disciples. It’s okay to believe that our lifestyle is pretty darn cool and that others should give it a shot. I’m proud of who I am, of who my sisters are, and of what we stand for. I just don’t always think to invite someone to “come and see” though I hope by how I live I can be a welcoming, hospitable presence to someone who may be drawn to religious life.
For me the big thing was the fact that I never SAW any women religious until I flew out to MI for a retreat with the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Many people do not even know that the option of becoming a women religious exists, because there is no evidence around them that nuns even exist! The Sisters of Mary are getting HUGE amount of vocations ( they just had to expand the motherhouse because of too many postulents and novices, and I believe one of the major things that draw young, educated women is the VISIBLE witness.
Thanks for the comment, Lily. I think visibility is definitely an issue as well. Many congregations don’t have the number of sisters they once had and so there are less of them to see. Also, sisters are involved in diverse ministries, not just in the school or the parish.
Visibility in terms of the “dress” of women religious is another thing. The traditional habit was always a dead giveaway for a woman religious. Some sisters today still wear the traditional habit, others have a more modified habit, while still others wear a habit that is simply defined as simple or modest clothing (in other words, ordinary dress). Unless one is in a traditional habit, it may be difficult to tell that a nun is present. However, a habit never defined who a nun was or is (though for some, it is an important part of their calling). Yes, it is a visible witness, but the more visible witness is how their life reflects the Gospel and the love of Jesus. Still, the issue of “dress” is an important one worth pondering and discussing within religious life. Also, more needs to be done in Catholic parishes and schools in terms of raising awareness about the existence of women and men religious.
Being very religious myself (although I am not Catholic) I find this non-scientific poll to be very interesting. I tend to agree with #2 and #3. It is hard to hear God’s call in our lives because the allure of the world and all that it promises (worldly things) IS so strong. #6 and #7 are very interesting too, almost contradictory. It is a wonder how the religious can be viewed as too liberal on the one hand and too conservative on the other and yet one can see it if one looks at the politics of it. The Democrats and Liberals love to blast the Conservatives and Republicans for being in lockstep with the “Religious Right” and playing up to their Christian base while the far right pundits (i.e. Ann Coulter) counters by calling Democrats and Liberals “Godless” and accusing them of being openly hostile to Christians. Many of Christ’s teachings are strong on kindness, passivity, mercy and forgiveness such as in Matthew 5:39 “39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” The Church especially the Catholic Church has taken many of those teachings into open opposition to such issues as Capital Punishment. So I can see how the Religious might be viewed as too liberal by some. On the other hand, Evangelicals and those in the so called “Religious Right” are quick to use biblical teachings and scripture to condemn homosexuals and speak out against the issues of gay marriage … There I can see how the Religious might be viewed as too conservative.
But I think the biggest hinderance to religious life today is living for oneself and instead of for God.
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