SISTERS TODAY - Volume 38 - Issue 11 - Adaptation and Renewal: On Reading the Signs and Taking the Risks

Sep 28, 2026

Sisters Today July 1967 issue explores the evolving role of religious women in the Church in contemporary life, framed through adaptation, renewal, and the influence of the Spirit in a rapidly changing modern society. The lead article argues for reexamining religious dedication beyond past achievements, addressing the crisis of delayed reform and calling for informed instruction and bold, sustained action under Vatican II guidance. It also analyzes a problem of apostolate life, including reasons for declining vocations and how secular cultural perceptions shape youth responses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

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Adaptation and Renewal: On Reading the Signs and Taking the Risks

The Problem of Apostolate

# SISTERS TODAY TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME JULY 1967 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 11 Adaptation and Renewal: On Reading the Signs and Taking the Risks 381Sister M.Barnabas What is Electioneering?392Richard A.Hill,S.J. Religious Vows:Oriented Toward Love 398Brother Edward Baldwin,F.S.C. The Future Sister's Emmaus 407Joseph M.Champlin Letters to the Editor 414 Book Reviews 420 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. # Adaptation and Renewal:On Readingthe Signs and Taking the Risks SISTER M.BARNABAS It may be a platitude to say that religious women are a part ofwomanhood's elite and a portion of the Church's vitality.But if thisneeds to be reemphasized when the value of religious dedication isso often and so seriously called into question,it likewise needs tobe squarely reevaluated in the light of the influence of the Spiritworking in the world today. Observant Catholics,whether within or without the religiouslife,have consistently been exposed to a bulk of argument for andagainst the life of present-day religious.Some have been too quickto pick the “dry bones”;others have too readily taken a false posi-tion of defense and complacency.But if intelligent thought cannotexist in a vacuum when history is evolving,adjusting,changing allaround it,the only position for those sincerely concerned lies some-where in the middle of these two extremes.Honesty acknowledgesthe tremendous wealth of good which has emanated from numerousdecades of selfless service of religious and their congregations;at thesame time,religious cannot afford to rest on past achievements.Modern society is moving fast,and if religious do not move alongwith equal speed there is serious reason to believe that their influencewill progressively fail to stir the minds and hearts of men andwomen and youth,immersed as they are in secular pursuits. In 1952,when Pius XII appealed to major superiors to adaptreligious life to modern conditions,some response was volunteered,some movement was made.However,most of the action taken atthat time is reminiscent of the men whom Ignatius Loyola labeledsecond class.Few superiors could be numbered among the valiantwho have the imagination and the courage to lay aside what perhapsstill seems good in order to push forward with vision to that whichis better.Nor can all the blame be thrust on the shoulders of supe-riors.Too many religious "in the ranks"failed to assert initiative inrevealing their ideas and desires for the future.Thus it would seem that the crisis which has built up in religious communities todayresults from a serious lag now demanding immediate remedy. As a result of Vatican II,religious are not simply encouragedto adapt,they are firmly urged to take action.Further,"lest theadaptations of religious life to the needs of our time be merely super-ficial,and lest those who by constitution pursue the external apostolateprove unequal to the fulfillment of their task,religious should beproperly instructed,according to the intellectual gifts and personalendowme

FAQs

What main theme does this issue of Sisters Today address?

It focuses on the role of religious women in the Church “in our time,” emphasizing adaptation and renewal in response to modern conditions and the Spirit’s influence.

Why does the lead article say religious communities face a crisis?

It argues the crisis results from a serious lag in adapting to present needs, requiring immediate remedy rather than relying on past achievements or half-measures.

How does the issue explain the drop in vocations to the religious life?

It notes that young people still show generosity, but may find it harder to be inspired; they increasingly compare the religious life to other contemporary service opportunities and question its relevance.

Sep 28, 2026

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