Sr. Mary Nguyen Thi Loan, from the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Vinh based in Nghe An Province in northern Vietnam, became the country’s oldest nun to take vows at the age of 83. She was among 52 nuns of the congregation taking first vows in early September. Sr. Loan endured decades of intense suffering caused by communist government policies against practicing religion, and she is widely admired for bravely defending her convent against the government’s confiscation.
by GSR Staff
"O Compassionate God, open our hearts and minds to prepare us for your son's coming."
GSR Today - What a strange mix of headlines we have this week, from the serious to the seriously disturbed, from people robbing women religious in real life to TV nuns smacking kids for giggles. But I’m not laughing.
News that the report of the Vatican’s Apostolic Visitation to U.S. women religious will be released Dec. 16 was seen Thursday by most observers as good news. The visitation, one of two separate investigations of U.S. women religious launched by different Vatican offices in recent years, when it was announced in 2009 sparked protest from both the women and lay people throughout the country who said it was based on unfair and unfounded judgments about the women's lives.
Related - U.S. sisters' apostolic visitation report to be released Dec. 16
by Susan Rose Francois
NCR Contributor
One of the first questions people asked me, repeatedly, when I revealed the surprising news that I was making the radical choice to live a life of poverty, celibacy and obedience as a Catholic sister, was some variation on this theme: "Do you have to wear one of those things on your head?" I will be honest. This was annoying, frustrating, and sad.
Regina Siegfried is a member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, an international community with U.S. regional offices in St. Louis. She teaches inter-community women novices at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis and coordinates RCIA at her urban parish, St. Vincent de Paul, where she is also one of the "sewing ladies" who mend backpacks and clothing of low-income and homeless guests who come to the parish for meals.
by Joshua J. McElwee
The Vatican will be releasing the results of one of its controversial and contentious investigations of U.S. women religious at a press briefing in December, a priest who assists the Vatican's press office has said. Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica said the Vatican will release a report on the investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, Dec. 16.
by GSR Staff
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
by Christine Schenk
I love Advent. It's such a hopeful and consoling season for those who long to see God's values fully realized "on Earth as in heaven," as Jesus prayed. This is the season of the prophet Isaiah, whose proclamations permeate our liturgies and whose writings inspired both Jesus and St. Paul. We renew our belief in a God who brings "glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives and makes justice and praise spring up before all the nations" (Isaiah 61).
by Bernadette Flanagan
Contributor
As well stirring body, mind and spirit, Advent invites the soul to a new awakening. It is a mystical moment in the annual cycle of liturgical time. An invitation is issued to wait again with hopeful anticipation for the ever new action of God in our world.
