RELIGIOUS LIFE
FATHER DOMINIC SMITH, O.S.A.
ONE OF THE MAIN ways religious community members honor the vow of poverty is by directing their resources, especially time and talent, to serving others. During the pandemic, members of the Augustinian community in Chicago distributed food to those in need.
What our vows mean By Sister Renée Daigle, M.S.C., who serves on the leadership team of her community, the Marianites of Holy Cross.
Popular culture sees the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience as negatives. However, the vows can be incredibly freeing—a radical way to live the faith in community.
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F YOU ARE READING this article, you probably have at least some interest in learning more about vowed life. While the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience are common to those who choose religious life, they are lived and experienced in a variety of ways. Like life in general, the experience of the vowed life is unique to each person who professes vows. I share here some of my own experiences as a Marianite of Holy Cross sister, and I hope along the way to capture the meaning the vows have for many of us in this life.
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