By Sister Genevieve Sacht, OSB

Many people are asking today “Why did so many women leave the convent?” or “Why are there so few people entering religious life today?” that the publicity these questions have caused has perhaps become a factor in itself. I would never attempt to answer such a complex question because there are too many individual factors, such as motivations, environment, psychology, theology, etc., which would render any theoretical answer immediately inadequate. However, since one of these factors touches on what I consider to be an essential element in religious life, I would like to address myself to it.

In past decades, the image that most people had of nuns was based on their impressions received as children from the sisters who taught in the school or served in a hospital. Frequently these impressions were largely colored by the memory of one particular person who made the greatest impression, whether favorable or unfavorable. Since terror tends to be remembered more than kindness, the bad experiences were more likely to be remembered.

Be this as it may, we were known as teachers, nurses, social workers – as professional women of one sort or another – rather than as women of prayer. Previously a subtle impression was given that, if a woman wanted to be truly dedicated in a service career, her place was in the convent; today a woman’s dedication to her job stands to her own merits and achievements rather than a blanket status deriving from her vocation in life. Thus the conclusion drawn by many is that there is now no reason to become a nun since the image and association is job-oriented. Our life is centered on the belief that the Risen Lord is a person in our midst; we profess openness to the Spirit, which leads us to seek a fullness of life in Christ. This faith life in which we seek God is intensified and enlivened by silence and solitude, by communal prayer and by support and love of one another, which culminates in the Eucharist.

The basic thrust, one of the essences of a religious vocation, is not something that can be observed by one’s students or even by fellow teachers. I could have a sparkling personality and be the most dynamic teacher while my faith life and prayer life were absolutely nil. Conversely, I could possess a deep and intense prayer life and be an absolute dud as a teacher or friend. Most people have no opportunity to share or even witness the prayer life of religious.

I used to feel that a love for the prayer life in community was one of the concepts that had to grow with one’s vocation and that usually it was not one of the stronger motives which led a person to religious life. Today however, there is a growing awareness and search on the part of young men and women for a truly viable form of spirituality and prayer. They are looking for a lifestyle that proclaims that there is more to life than financial success and advancement in a career.

For this reason many communities have begun programs in which an interested person can live within the community for a period of time to observe at first hand the lifestyle and form of prayer before making any decision. In addition some communities are inaugurating a form of community membership in which a person shares in the life and work of a community for a few years without any intention of making it a permanent commitment. The one criterion St. Benedict emphasizes is that the candidate must truly seek God. Many people possess that qualification; maybe we haven’t shown them where to look.