SISTERS TODAY - March 1967 Volume 38 Number 7

Sep 28, 2026

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Sisters Today (March 1967, Volume 38, Number 7) addresses the Church’s ongoing call for honesty and realism in religious life and examines the tension between supernatural and natural emphases. It traces historical oscillations between extremes and argues that contemporary reactions against supernaturalism can lead to a false kind of faith. The piece insists on balance: a healthy psychological climate is needed, yet it must relate to intensified living in Christ, ensuring renewal includes change of mentality, deeper entrance into Christian mystery, and attention to the whole picture rather than partial modifications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Unrealism in Some Realism

Historical alternation between extremes

Balance between natural and supernatural

Renewal and change of mentality

人VCOL Sd3LSIS # SISTERS TODAY TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME MARCH 1967 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 7 Unrealism in Some Realism 215William F.Hogan,C.S.C. The"Intellectual"Sister 220Sister M.Corona Sharp,O.S.U. Retreat:Intensified Living 223Sister Michael Patricia Gormley,S.N.D. The Renewal Program:Challenge and Opportunity 228Sister Cor Maria Lucas,O.S.F. To Harbor the Harborless 238Sister M.Kevin O'Hara,C.S.]. Bulletin Board 242 Book Reviews 244 NIHIL OBSTAT:Reinold Theisen,O.S.B.,Censor Deputatus IMPRIMATUR: Peter W.Bartholome,D.D.,Episcopus Sancti Clodoaldi Published monthly by monks of Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota.Editor:Rev.Ronald Roloff,O.S.B.Book Review Editor:Rev.Myron Kasprick,O.S.B.Cover Design:Rev.Cajetan Palluck,O.S.B.Indexed in the CatholicPeriodical Index. 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. 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 year23s;2 years 37s;single copy 2s3d.Agent for India:Asian Trading Cor-poration,Post Box No.1505,Bombay-1.Printed by Sentinel Publishing Com-pany,413 East St.Germain Street,Saint Cloud,Minnesota.(Do not sendmail to this address.)Second Class postage paid at Saint Cloud,Minnesota. # Unrealism in Some Realism In the past decade man has constantly called for honesty and realismin the Church and in religious life:a sincere appraisal of the Christianlife as it should exist in the twentieth century apart from some of thehistorical elements,emphases,and practices which have entered intoit and clung to it with the passage of time.Following the summonsof Popes Pius XII,John XXII and Paul VI,religious have beenscrutinizing their customs and traditional practices in an attempt toupdate them in accordance with the modern demands of religious life.Frankness,openness,constructive criticism—these are the currentsprevailing in most religious communities,and many blessings haveresulted from them;but at the same time the blessings are mixed withdifficulties.This is to be expected;for whenever changes are intro-duced into any society,a certain amount of chaos will ensue. In going against one tendency or attitude,man will very oftengo to the opposite extreme;and only after some time will a happymedium be temporarily reached(unless there be a sudden reactionaryreturn to the original position because of discontent).History bearswitness to this alternation between extremes.Just as the first fivecenturies of the Church saw heresies which exaggerated first thehumanity of Christ,then his divinity,and then again his humanity,until theological balance was reached;so a glance into the past in-dicates a swinging back and forth between the supernatural and thenatural in the Mystical Christ.This decade is witnessing a reactionagainst supernaturalism,the exaggerated emphasis on the role offaith in religious life which has led in some cases to a false type offaith.Thus we find a greater stress in articles and books on the roleof basic common sense,psychology,and the use of reason;there isan emphasis on a healthy natural climate to promote the well-beingof the members of religious communities.But at the same time thereare some individuals who are so taken up with the natural as toalmost do away,unconsciously,with the supernatural aspects ofreligious life.This is the result of enthusiasm instead of good sense.Should this prevail widely or increase to a great extent,we may verywell expect a return to the supernaturalism which renewal seeks to correct.Man must seek balance,admitting the need for a healthypsychological climate but seeing its need in relationship to a moreintense living in Christ.True faith still has a very important role toplay in religious life. Honesty demands realism;but

FAQs

What problem does the article describe in contemporary religious life?

It describes a reaction against supernaturalism, where emphasis on the natural can unintentionally diminish the supernatural aspects of religious life, leading to a false type of faith.

How does the article define the needed balance?

It argues for honesty that embraces both the natural and the supernatural, where natural aspects lead to a supernatural life in Christ rather than becoming ends in themselves.

Why does the article caution against partial renewal changes?

Because considering only part of a problem or modifying practices or habits without a change of mentality and heart cannot produce true renewal rooted in the whole Christian life.

Sep 28, 2026

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