Concerning The Nun in the World - February 1964 - Volume 35 No. 6

Sep 21, 2026

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A critical spiritual and apostolic review focuses on the place of nuns and women within the modern world, drawing on Cardinal Suenens’ study The Nun in the World. The discussion clarifies renewal as a practical revision of values rather than adding tasks, reserving a direct, evangelical apostolate as the “special portion” God gives to religious. It outlines how nuns can build contact, inspire laywomen, and support instructional responsibility through disciples and appropriate Catholic Action movements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Concerning The Nun in the World

The Central Theme of Cardinal Suenens’ Book

SPONSA RECIS SPONSA RECIS # A SPIRITUAL REVIEW FOR SISTER S FEBRUARY 1964VOLUME 35NUMBER 6 # Concerning The Nun in the World 153 A.MOTTE,O.P. Poem 170WILLIAM PAULY Christ in Glory 171HILDA GRAEF The Psalms 176JOSEPH A.GRISPINO,S.M. Book Reviews 179 NIHIL OBSTAT:Reinold Theisen,O.S.B.,Censor deput.IMPRIMATUR※Peter W.Bartholome,D.D.,Episc.Sancti Clodoaldi. Published monthly by monks of Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota.Rev.Ronald Roloff,O.S.B.,Editor;Rev.Myron Kasprick,O.S.B.,ManagingEditor;Rev.Raymond Roseliep,Poetry Editor.Advisory Board:Rev.KilianMcDonnell,O.S.B.,Sister Ritamary Bradley,C.H.M.,Sister M.Rose Emman-uella Brennan,S.N.J.M.,Sister M.Emmanuel Collins,O.S.F.,Mother MaryRobert Falls,O.S.U.,Sister M.Jean Frances Fiffe,O.P.,Sister M.JeremyHall,O.5.B.,Sister M.Jerome Keeler,O.S.B.,Sister M.Teresa Francis McDade, B.V.M.,Sister Mary Virginia Micka,C.S.J.,Sister M.Charles BorromeoMuckerhirn,C.S.C.,Sister Mary Emil Penet,IH.M.,Sister Mary JamesWalsh,S.N.D.,Sister Annette Walters,C.S.J.,Mother Mary Florence Wolff,S.L.,Sister M.Francine Zeller,O.S.F. Address all correspondence except poetry to Sponsa Regis,Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota 56321 (Checks payable to Sponsa Regis.)Poetryshould be sent to Rev.Raymond Roseliep,Loras College,Dubuque,Iowa 52003.1 year $2.50;2 years $4.00;single copy 25 cents.Sterling area (exceptAustralia):1 year 18s;2 years 29s;single copy 1s 11d.Australia:1 year 23s;2 years 37s;single copy 2s 3d.Agent for India:Asian Trading Corporation,Post Box No.1505,Bombay-1.Indexed in the Catholic Periodical Index.Printed by Sentinel Publishing Company,413 East Saint Germain Street,Saint Cloud,Minnesota.Second class postage paid at Saint Cloud,Minnesota.(Do not send mail to this address.) # Concerning The Nun in the World A.MOTTE,O.P. Cardinal Suenens'book,The Nun in the World,richly deservesthoughtful study.The author's personality,his role in the Council,the consideration given the work by the Fathers of Vatican II andothers,the timeliness of his subject,the lucidity and vigor whichcharacterize his position,ensure the book's far-reaching effects.After outlining the essential framework of the author's thought,we would like to contribute,with due respect and liberty,to thedebate which it could not fail to stimulate.Our reflections andsuggestions are inspired by sincere esteem for the religious lifeand by optimistic desires for its future. # ITHE CENTRAL THEME OF CARDINAL SUENENS’BOOK "The place occupied by women in the world of today bringsnew dimensions to the apostolic work of contemporary religious”(p.16).1"The process of revaluation means also synchronizing insome measure the religious life with the continuing evolution ofthe world”(p.35).The central thought of the work is thus ex-pressed,with a multitude of references to the past and the presentstate of the religious life. How are we to understand this apostolic renewal for whichthe necessity is so succinctly stated?Let us proceed directly tothe response to this question,developed in the second part of thebook.It can be summarized in these words:"To the man whosaid he had faithfully fulfilled the law,Jesus said,'In one thingthou art still wanting'...”"One thing is still wanting...”Wemight then say to the nun:"This one thing,though often not clearlyseen or not seen at all,is the possibility of a more direct apostolate”(p.74).This thought is elaborated,especially in the first threepages of the second section of the book: 1 All quotations in this article are taken from the translation of GeoffreyStevens,The Nun in the World:New Dimensions in the Modern Apostolateby Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens(Westminster,Maryland:The NewmanPress,1963). It is not a question of adding new tasks:the nun's day,like that of the rest of us,has only twenty-four hours.It is amatter of the practical revision of the scale of values and ofreserving a special place for certain specified apostolic activitiesin the same way as a spec

FAQs

What is presented as the central thought of Suenens’ book?

The review states that the central thought concerns apostolic renewal expressed through references to the past and the present state of religious life.

Is renewal described as adding new tasks for nuns?

No. Renewal is presented as a practical revision of the scale of values and reserving a special place for specified apostolic activities, within the same twenty-four-hour day.

What kind of apostolate does the review emphasize for nuns?

It emphasizes a direct quality and evangelical nature of contact, enabling nuns to convey their best and inspire others, including laywomen, through instructional activity and organized Catholic Action efforts.

Sep 21, 2026

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