RELIGIOUS LIFE FRIAR MATTHEW Gummess, O.Carm. (left) shares a moment with fellow friar, Father Quinn Connors, O.Carm.
COURTESY OF THE ORDER OF CARMELITES
The passion of youth meets the wisdom of age Young and even middle-aged people who enter a religious community often have fewer peers these days. The age gap can have challenges but not as many as most think.
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O DOUBT ABOUT IT, there’s been a demographic shift going on in religious communities for some time. There are more older religious than younger new members (whose smaller numbers are actually historically typical though). So what is it like when God calls you to religious life during such change? Four younger religious report on their own experiences.
The grace of living with elders By Sister Michelle Lesher, S.S.J. Exiting the room of one of our 80-something sisters, I smiled, aware that we had just shared a profound moment. In our conversation, we reminded each other of the essence of our call to be Sisters of Saint Joseph. We talked about God, prayer, and the joys and struggles of community life. We laughed, cried, sat quietly, and told tons of stories; in the midst of all of that, we even played 46 | VISION 2018 | VocationNetwork.org