Celebrate Inauguration Day at my nun Sister Mary Bea Keeley’s blog, IHM Calling. Sister Mary Bea invites people to IHM nuns and friends share your experience of today’s Inauguration Day.

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Blogging Nun Updates

Sister Macrina Walker, OCSO, a Cistercian monastic, is the author of the blog A Vow of Conversation. Sister Macrina blogs and reflects on her current theological reading as well as other topics on her “pilgrimage to the sources of Christian truth”.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a blog by Sister Amy Hereford, CSJ, a Sister of Saint Joseph. Sister Amy is in a degree program in Canon Law at the Catholic Univerisity of Leuven.

Sister Colleen Clair, FMA, a Salesian sister, write the blog Happynun Thinks Aloud … a Salesian Sister’s Take on Stuff. Sister Colleen has some great photos. Be sure to check out her Flickr links.

You can find these blogs listed now on Blogs by Catholic Nuns.

A Nun’s Life Updates

A Nun’s Life launched a new page called How to Become a Catholic Nun. So many folks have asked me questions around this that I thought I’d pull together a page just for you! I’ll be updating the last part on formation soon.

The Vocation Forum is doing well. Vocation Forum is a place where you can explore vocations to religious life. This forum is for those who wonder if religious life is for them and for those who are actively discerning religious life. Check it out and meet others who are discerning their vocation.

Requests

If you write or know of a blog by a Catholic nun (or woman in discernment) please let me know. I like to keep my Blogs by Catholic Nuns up-to-date so you can easily find other blogging nuns. Only requirements are that the blog be updated regularly and that the blog not be entirely anonymous.

Send in your Nun Photos!! I continue to host “Nunday” on Mondays here at A Nun’s Life. We need more submissions from you! Read Nun Photos – Got em? Send em! for details. Click to see previous Nundays.

Nunday is here and I’ve got another nun photo for you. This one comes from another blogging nun, Sister Hildegard Magdalen Pleva, OSsR, who is the Vocation Director for the Redemptoristine Nuns at Mother of Perpetual Help Monastery in Esopus, New York. I feel a spiritual kinship with Sister Hildegard because my own IHM charism comes out of the Redemptorist tradition — our co-Founder, Father Louis Florent Gillet, was a Redemptorist priest.

Sister Hildegard is the blogger behind Contemplative Horizon, “Reflections of a female monastic concerning prayer, religious life, daily experience, and the contemplative way in the tradition of Redemptoristine Nuns” (a link can also be found on my Blogs by Catholic Nuns page). Sister Hildegard sent me this photo of herself with her grandbaby Nicholas. Yes, I said grandbaby. Sister Hildegard is a mother and grandmother who entered the Redemptoristines at the age of 55. She is a real Catholic nun and a “Sister Mom”. In this picture, Sister Hildegard holds her first grandson Nicholas when he was about 5 months of age.

Be sure to check out Sister Hildegard’s blog which also has lots of great photos from her monastery.

See all “Monday is Nunday” series of Catholic sister and nun photos.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been going through the Catholic Nun Blogosphere reporting on what folks are up to. This is my third post trying to cover all of the blogs (previous posts one and two). Enjoy!

• Sister Susan Rose of Musings of a Discerning Woman is preparing for first vows on October 11. She’s also instituted “Margaret Ana Fridays“, quotes from the foundress of her community.
• Have you seen Burn After Reading? Sister Rose has. Check out her movie review of Burn After Reading. I’ve not seen it, but since it is raining heavily in Chicago all day, I’m going to grab a nun and go see it this afternoon.
• The only blogging hermit nun that I know, Sister Laurel, has a new profile picture (nice!) and a post about Douglas John Hall’s Lighten Our Darkness, Towards an Indigenous Theology of the Cross.
• If you’re into fried apples, then check out Sister Diana of Nunbytes “Tidbits” post. She also writes about her experience with the new Windows Chrome browser.
• Sister Sarah is somewhere in Kiribati, an island nation in the Pacific, where she is living, ministering, and in formation as a novice.
• Sister Anne reflects on the Gospel passage about having a speck in one’s eye.
• “Order your banned book here,” writes Sister Lorraine about a Saint Paul book of theirs (Pauline Books and Media) that was banned by a bookstore. Sister Lorraine offers a wonderfully articulate response to the bookstore manager’s reasons for banning the book.
• Sister Sandy notes how frustrating it is to listen to the vitriol in news reports covering the political candidates.
• On her blog Pause for Prayer, Sister Janet reflects on children and adults through a story about her encounter with 7-year-old Georgia on a train.
• Sister Katy shows how creative and graciously hospitable she can be with recycled Dunkin’ Donuts garbage.
• Published poet Sister Anne has two poems in the Fall 2008 issue of Umbrella Journal.
• Sister Christine is working on a workshop about faithful citizenship and welcomes your ideas and suggestions.
• Sister Nicolette offers quotes from the book Direction for Our Times.
• Sister Mary Helga reflects on life a month after First Profession of Vows.
• Adding machine tape can be beautiful, notes a Cenacle Sister.
• As a writer I can so appreciate Sister Marie Paul’s post Reasons to Keep Writing.

There sure are a lot of Catholic nuns and sisters blogging out there. Here are some more updates in the Catholic Nun Blogosphere. I still have a few more to go, but this should keep you busy!

• Sister Lynn Marie is checking in after being away. See what she’s been up to!
• A profile of one of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt was recently posted — meet Sister Margaret Flood, OP.
• On Franciscan Footprints, Sister Veronica has photos of recent adventures.
• “Hell Burns”, arguably one of the best blog titles by a nun, features Sister Helen’s reflection on the upcoming fall TV show season.
• Newly professed Sister Nicole starts a new job and reflects on the sabbath moments that keep her grounded.
• Interested in monastic lexicon? Benedictine Sister Susan of explains the Latin phrase “opus dei” in the context of the Rule of Benedict.
• The Visitation Sisters honor the feast of Saint Martha, mother of Saint Augustine.
• A funny video about PowerPoint disasters can be found on Sister Edith’s blog.
• Sister Vicki is preparing to celebrate a novice reception and the entrance of 2 postulants amidst other transitions.
• The Dominican Nuns learn how to make pies at Moniales OP.

This morning I’ve been cruising around the Catholic Nun Blogosphere to see what other blogging nuns are up to. I’ve only made it through a handful of blogs but will get to the rest later in the day/week. Thought I’d give you a brief summary of how other Catholic blogging nuns are doing. (Sister Susan Rose often does this sort of thing on SisterBloggers, a webring of “Catholic Sisters, Episcopal Sisters, women in formation, those discerning a religious vocation and others who want to join the conversation”).

• The Benedictine Nuns at the Abbey of Saint Walburga are reflecting on the gift of humility and Matthew 18:15-20.
• Sister Baya Clare, CSJ, offers a selection from the beautiful Torah poem “Image”.
• Daughters of Saint Paul Sister Tracey catches Sister Julia on video during her trip to Boston.
• Salesian Sister Brittany returns to her Formation House in California after many adventures.
• Sister Rose Hoover, RC, is praying by heart.
• Cistercian Sister Eleanor writes about the “little hours” of Terce, Sext, and None.
• The Benedictine Nuns in the Vale of White Horse (Oxfordshire) have added Google Custom Search to their blog Colophon.
• The Benedictine Nuns of Colwich Novitiate reflect on the Feast of the Assumption.
• A Redemptoristine Nun reflects on the 65th wedding anniversary of her parents and the gift of endurance.
• Holy Cross Sister Amy Cavender resurfaces and makes some cool changes to her blog Crux of the Matter.

I am delighted to announce that one of our own blogging nuns, Sister Susan Rose Francois, CSJP, will be professing first vows in October. Sister Susan is currently a 2nd Year Novice with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace and is the author of the popular blog Musings of a Discerning Woman. Sister Susan was one of the first people who linked to my blog, helping me to get started. She’s also one of the nuns behind the web ring (a network of websites) SisterBloggers.

I am very happy for Susan and think it’s way important to celebrate these moments — both for Susan and for religious life! Being a nun is a fabulous way of life and everytime a person commits to the life, it reaffirms my own life choice and my love of God and serving others. I think it is also an inspiration to people to know that religious life is alive and well and continues to be a viable way to live joyfully and radically, to be fully human, to serve God and others.

Be sure to visit Sister Susan’s blog — recently she wrote a great post about an article in America magazine– Religious Life in the Age of Facebook. I highly recommend you read the article and Susan’s post, especially if you are a religious and/or vocation director. (The America article is in the July 7, 2008 edition, available online only to subscribers.)

Blessings to you, Sister Susan, and upon the Sisters and mission of your community.

Chesterfield Chronicles – Sister Florence Vales, OCS (Poor Clares)

Notes from Stillsong Hermitage – Sister Laurel M O’Neal, erem (a hermit in the Camaldolese Benedictine tradition

So that in all things…God may be glorified! – Sister Nicolette Etienne, OSB (Order of Saint Benedict) Our Lady of Grace Monastery

To see a listing of all blogs, click on Blogs by Catholic Nuns.

I am pleased to welcome to the blogosphere the Cistercian Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey in Glencairn, Ireland. Their new blog is Cistercian Vocation and it is written by Sister Eleanor, the vocation director. Sister Eleanor’s very first post was “Begin with Prayer“, a wonderful way to begin any endeavor!

The Cistercians of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, are just across the Irish Sea from another group of blogging nuns, the Benedictine Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Colwich, who write the blog Colwich Novitiate.

Cistercian Vocation has gotten off to a great start with some very handy links and information about Cistercians and their way of life.

• Cistercian Spirituality
• A Prayer for Guidance (one of my favorite prayers … by Thomas Merton)
• Saint Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn (the main website of the community) which features a wonderful FAQ about monastic life

Through this blog, I’ve discovered another blog by the contemplative Benedictine nuns of Abbey of Saint Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado.

I’ve added both blogs to my list of Blogs by Catholic Nuns. Do let me know if you know of any others.

An interesting article from the Sacramento Bee. What is most significant to me in this article is the story of Andrea Jaeger. I am impressed and inspired by her. Her story (read more about her in the Sports Illustrated story linked below) presents a good image of women religious today. Thanks, Andrea … you rock. P.S. Colts v. Bears … go BEARS!

A new tradition: The average age of nuns is 70, but a younger generation of women is turning to the religious life

The Sacramento Bee Newspaper

January 20, 2007
Section: SCENE
Page: K1

By Jennifer Garza
Bee Staff Writer
RELIGION

–To Andrea Jaeger, the dream she had one night last year was clear. She should be a nun.

And that is how the former tennis prodigy, known for her intensity on and off the court, started on the road to sisterhood. On Sept. 16, Jaeger became an Anglican Dominican nun.

“This is what God is calling me to do,” she told Sports Illustrated [click for the SI article on Andrea] in an interview earlier this month. Jaeger quit tennis in 1987 after a series of shoulder injuries and donated all her winnings to start a foundation that helps needy and sick children. This is now her ministry.

While Jaeger’s transition from tennis star to nun may have taken many by surprise, her decision to enter religious life is not unusual. After years of little growth, several religious communities are reporting an increasing number of women answering the call. The numbers are still small, but they are a ray of hope for religious orders worried about their future.

Who are these women choosing the religious life? These new nuns are a paradox — they are likely to embrace traditional dress and teachings, but they also are savvy about the latest in technology, pop culture and fundraising techniques. They feel as comfortable wearing their habits and living in a convent as they do writing about what it all means on their blogs.

While Jaeger comes to the religious life from the Anglican tradition, many of the new Roman Catholic nuns are the so-called “JP2″ generation. They grew up admiring the seemingly tireless Pope John Paul II, the first pope to venture beyond the Vatican’s walls. And like him, they seem determined to break stereotypes.

“People are surprised when I write about biking or drinking wine,” says Sister Julie Vieira, whose blog, “A Nun’s Life,” gets about 500 hits daily. Vieira, who works for a Catholic publishing company in Chicago, started the blog last summer as a way to educate.

“There’s a lack of understanding about what it means to be a religious today. I want to show there are all kinds of nuns.”

Vieira’s blog is one of many written by sisters about life inside a convent.

In blogs such as “the ear of your heart” — described as the adventures of a canonical novice in a Benedictine monastery out in the boonies — the nun writes about her exercise “addiction” as well as her love for Christ. On another, “Musings of a Discerning Woman,” a new sister talks about movie night at the convent (“Field of Dreams”) and the importance of meditation.

Blogs, mentoring by e-mail and online questionnaires where young women can choose a community in the same way they would a date are just a few of the innovative ways some religious communities are reaching out.

These efforts appear to be paying off — for some.

“The numbers are increasing for certain communities, and we’re excited by what we’re seeing … at the same time some orders are not receiving any new members,” says Paul Bednarczyk, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

Bednarczyk’s group created Vocation-network.org, the online questionnaire he says has received thousands of hits in recent months because of publicity.

This interest is happening just in time. The number of Catholic nuns in this country dropped from 173,865 in 1965 to 79,876 in 2000, according to the Web site for the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

The numbers have remained steady over the years in the Anglican community, which includes the Episcopal Church in the United States. “For us, it’s always been about the same growth, there’s no big tsunami,” says Sister Teresa Martin of the Community of the Transfiguration in Eureka. “But then we’re much smaller than the Catholics.”

Many Catholic orders receive only a few new members a year. The average age of a nun in the United States is 70.

Newer orders that focus on a specific ministry and place a strong emphasis on community life are the ones that appear to be growing, according to Bednarczyk.

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is one. This Catholic order started with four members in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1997, mostly with the financial backing of Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza. There are now 72 nuns in the community with an average age of 24.

The religious order has impressed a Granite Bay couple so much that they’ve donated 38 acres in Loomis, valued at about $3 million, to the community.

They hope to build a convent for 100 nuns, a chapel and, one day, a high school for girls.

“We have 12 children who are all happy and healthy,” says Joan Cordova, 80. She and her husband, Fred, 86, own several businesses and feel blessed. “It’s time to pay back … and this is the way we want to do it.”

The couple picked this order because, among other things, they liked the group’s adherence to traditional practices such as structured prayer hours.

“I like what the order stands for,” says Joan Cordova, who is overseeing the renovation of a house on the property where the nuns will live. The first three nuns are to arrive in September. “We are happy to be doing this for them.”

The head of the religious order attributes the growth of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist to several factors. The order sponsors three annual spiritual retreats at which possible candidates can see what religious life is like. The group’s leaders follow up with e-mail.

“Our vocation director corresponds with them, answering their questions,” says Mother Assumpta Long. “After a while, they feel more comfortable.”

Of course, the communities also receive women in mid- career, as well as widows. But it is the interest among the younger women that has surprised church experts.

“For a long time, people thought that women weren’t going to choose this way of life because they had other options,” Bednarczyk says. “And that’s true to a certain extent … but we’re also seeing women — ones with energy and from all walks of life — entering.”

As a symbol of their decision, many are wearing the traditional headdress. Bednarczyk compares it to the growing interest of young Muslim women in wearing the hijab, or veil.

“They’re wearing them as a statement of their faith and their decision. It’s pretty radical.”

Jaeger, the former tennis star, is aware of life outside her religious community. Now 41, the woman who once screamed at linesmen is ministering to children for her foundation, www.littlestar.org. She constantly raises funds for the group, which helps terminally ill and needy children.

Like many of her peers, Jaeger keeps up with pop culture and sports. She does not follow tennis so much anymore, she told Sports Illustrated. But she does watch football. There’s a good chance Sister Andrea will watch Sunday’s game between the Patriots and the Colts. And she’s picked her team.

She says she’s praying for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Welcome to A Nun’s Life, a blog about being a Catholic nun in today’s world.

Mostly, this is my story–what it is like for me to be Catholic nun, that is, a member of a Catholic religious community of women. It’s also about nuns (or sisters … the distinction between the two will be addressed in a future post) in general, how we are portrayed in the media, and who we are “for real.” I have been very fortunate to develop friendships with many nuns, and it is through them that I have come to better know myself and this crazy thing called religious life (more on the meaning of “religious life” in future posts).

Being a nun has not always been my lifelong goal. When I was growing up, I did not dress up as a nun for Halloween. When I was a young, impressionable Catholic school girl, I did not secretly (or otherwise) pine for the veils, habits, odd religious names, and overall mystique of the nuns who taught me. The whole “nun” thing kind of snuck up on me when I wasn’t paying much attention. I absolutely love being a nun. It’s what makes me who I am and helps me to be the best person I can be for God, the Church, and the world.

A Nun’s Life is intended to be an open forum — in terms of both my musings and your comments. Please write to me about how being a nun or knowing a nun has impacted your life. Keep us posted on nuns in literature, the media, popular culture, or current events. Although the focus is on being a Catholic nun, I also welcome perspectives from nuns in other Christian or religious traditions.