SISTERS TODAY - FEBRUARY 1968 - VOLUME 39 NUMBER 6 - A Laywoman Looks at Sisters Today

Sep 28, 2026

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February 1968 issue of Sisters Today explores the changing role of the religious woman within the church in the contemporary world. Through perspectives including a laywoman and a priest, the issue emphasizes encounter rather than explanation, echoing Christ’s invitation “Come and see.” The laywoman recounts personal experience and conversations about love, faith formation, and showing Christ to others through daily living. This message links teaching, compassion, and spiritual witness to help others truly know Christ.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

A Laywoman Looks at Sisters Today

Personal experience and the meaning of “Come and see”

Showing Christ through love and witness

SISTERS TODAY FEBRUARY 1968 verybeliavern thiwored ofoursmwstbe a spark o9 igut,a Cenero.eove,avwi8ying eaenamidst hisfellowmen. SISTERS TODAY TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME FEBRUARY 1968 VOLUME 39 NUMBER 6 A Laywoman Looks at Sisters Today 263Mrs.Eldon Herrig A Priest Looks at Sisters Tomorrow 272John McCall 2 Sisters and Pope Paul's Year of Faith 280Sister Bertrande Meyers,D.C. How is the Secular Holy?289John Carmody,S.]. Friendship with Christ 298Sister M.Louise Follmar,F.S.P.A. Bulletin Board 303 Poem 307 Letters to the Editor 308 Book Reviews 309 Published monthly by monks of Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota.Editor:Father Daniel Durken,O.S.B.Book Review Editor:Father MyronKasprick,O.S.B.Cover Design:Sister Mary Charles McGough,O.S.B.,Collegeof Saint Scholastica,Duluth,Minnesota.Indexed in the Catholic PeriodicalIndex. Address all correspondence to Sisters Today,Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota,56321.(Checks payable to Sisters Today.)All manuscripts shouldbe accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and postage.Poetry will notbe accepted until further notice. 1 year $4.00;2 years $7.00;single copy 35 cents.All subscriptions arepayable in United States currency or check or International Money Order.Please allow six weeks to two months for the filling of a subscription. Printed by Sentinel Publishing Company,Hiway 10 South,Sauk Rapids,Minnesota.(Do not send mail to this address.)Second Class postage paidat Saint Cloud,Minnesota. # A Laywoman Looks at Sisters Today MRS.ELDON HERRIG When I first started to think seriously about this topic,I began tounderstand why the Protestant minister in our interfaith study cluboften reacts as he does.We'll ask him a question like,"Rev.Hey-dinger,how do Protestants feel about infant baptism?"and he'll say,'For me to tell you how all Protestants feel would be impossible.For me to even tell you how Presbyterians feel,would be nearlyimpossible.So I'll try to tell you how Dick Heydinger feels about it." For me to even attempt to tell you what all laywomen thinkof the changing Sister today would be impossible.I′m going to tryto tell you how Marge Herrig feels.And insofar as my opinionshave been colored and influenced by the many women I've talkedto on this subject,I will be giving you their feelings. “Come and see!”These were the words our Lord used whenhis disciples first asked him to tell them about himself.Later,whenPhilip was being scorned by Nathaniel for following this Christ,heechoed the very same words,"Come and see."He didn't say,"Letme explain.Let me tell you about this Christ."He knew at thistime that his words would only fall on deaf ears.He knew thisbecause it is nearly impossible to tell anyone about Christ and havethem come to know him until they have first met Christ. And so when I am asked what I think of the changing Sister,my answer is,"Three cheers.I think she's great!"I think she’sgreat because she,too,is beginning to re-echo Christ's words,"Comeand see!"She is no longer just saying,"Let me explain.Let metell you how to love this God."She is showing us.And she is notsaying,"Let me alone.I'm so busy talking with my God that Ihaven't time for you and your problems."No;she,too,is openingher doors and her windows.She,too,is saying,"Come and meetChrist in and with and through me."She is truly beginning toshout loud and clear,"Come and see." I would like to tell you what "Come and see"means to mein comparison to "Let me explain"by telling you about a personalexperience.Nearly a year and a half ago,another couple and my husband and I were visiting Sister Mary William at the MarillacHouse in Chicago.She is administrator at this house which islocated in a very poor Negro section. This one spring evening we were walking down the street withher,and my husband asked how many of her people were Christian."Very few,Eldon,maybe two percent."Then he asked,"Do youever tell them about G

FAQs

What does “Come and see” mean in the laywoman’s comparison to “Let me explain”?

“Come and see” is presented as a way of helping others know Christ through lived witness. The laywoman contrasts it with merely explaining or talking about God without first showing Christ in action.

How does the laywoman describe learning about the changing sister’s role?

She explains that she cannot speak for all laywomen, so she shares her own feelings shaped by conversations with women on the topic. She also frames the change as sisters opening themselves to others and inviting people to meet Christ through them.

What example from her personal experience illustrates how people come to know Christ?

After discussing a child’s lack of love and understanding from a teacher, Sister Mary William advises that God’s love must be shown through personal love and reassurance. The laywoman concludes that some people will never know Christ except through such caring witness.

Sep 28, 2026

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