Superior of Notre Dame Sisters hopeful for future of religious life

Published: 2008-01-03

TOLEDO, Ohio (CNS) -- The superior general of one of the largest congregations of vowed women religious in the world believes religious life is changing, but says she has "absolutely no fear" that it will die out. "The vocations will continue to come, that I believe -- because it's God's work. People are always there to respond to that, all through history," said Notre Dame Sister Mary Sujita Kallupurakkathu, a native of Kerala, India, who has led the nearly 2,400 Sisters of Notre Dame in 15 countries since 1998. "But we have to change our pattern of thinking," she added. "God is making something new." Sister Mary Sujita cited smaller families, increased opportunities for women and a more empowered laity as factors that have contributed to the decline in religious vocations around the world. Shrinking membership has forced the sisters to shift from thinking in terms of big institutions to consider new ways to be present in the church. She said religious may increasingly play a role as the leaven in society, responding in smaller groups to the needs of the poor.

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