TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMAN IN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME - March 1966 - Volume 37 Number 7

Sep 29, 2026

Sisters Today March 1966 issue examines how the image of religious women is formed and interpreted in contemporary culture, emphasizing that stereotypes both arise from lived encounters and evolve as public relations and media techniques change. The article argues that religious vocation and theological realities shape the Sister-image beyond sociological framing, while encouraging reflection on Christ’s recruiting “image” as a model for guiding novices and sustaining an effective apostolate. It also responds to sensational journalism about nuns as a catalyst for updating religious life.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMAN IN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME

The Image of the Sister

Solid Foundations

Fruitful Jealousy

Bulletin Board

Poem

Book Reviews

REGIONAL RESIDENCE 7225 Lahser Road BIRMINGHAM,MICH.48010 SISTERS TODAY MARCH,1966 WE BELONG TO CHRISTONLY BY BELONGINC TO OTHERS SISTERS TODAY # TO EXPLORE THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS WOMANIN THE CHURCH IN OUR TIME MARCH 1966VOLUME 37 NUMBER 7 The Image of the Sister 223Sister M.Celestine,S.C.C. Solid Foundations 247William F.Hogan,C.S.C. Fruitful Jealousy 252Bonaventure Stefun,O.F.M.Cap. Bulletin Board 256 Poem 258Padraic Colum Book Reviews 259 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.Poetry Editor:Rev.Raymond Roseliep.Cover Design:Fr.CajetanPalluck,O.S.B.Indexed in the Catholic Periodical Index. Address all correspondence except poetry to Sisters Today,Saint John's Abbey,Collegeville,Minnesota,56321.(Checks payable to Sisters Today.)Poetryshould be sent to Rev.Raymond Roseliep,Loras College,Dubuque,Iowa,52003.All manuscripts should be accompanied by 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. # The Image of the Sister SISTER M.CELESTINE,S.C.C. Americans of the mid-sixties are an image-conscious people,re-peatedly embarrassed by an unfavorable image.LBJ suffers froma chronic worry about his image.The more he frets about it,theless ebullient it becomes.But the image LBJ projects on the cine-mascope of national and international affairs is meticulouslyplanned.Image-makers dictate many of the current culture pat-terns,like the Madison Avenue technicians of the affluent society,the Dior expertise of the chic woman,and others.The stereotypedimages which fill man's visual and psychological fields shape himto the culture pattern and“serve as emotional filters through whichreality is sifted,formed,and shaped."1 Yet the image does have a legitimate function in experience.The terms"grandmother,""salesman,"and“nun”evoke stereo-types that have evolved from many specific encounters in the realworld.Changing times,however,also change the stereotype.Thegrandmother image of an earlier day has been updated throughthe artistry of Clairol and other cosmetics,creating a 20th-centuryversion often quite unlike the familiar maternal figure.A tactful,urbane professional with psychological training,the salesman ofthe sixties contrasts sharply with the oldtime,bumptious,foot-in-the-door seller of wares.Current awareness of the importance ofgood public relations causes even religious to be concerned abouttheir image,that mysterious and largely subconscious effect theymay have on their environment.Today's nun is at a crucial stageof image-formation.Transitions here involve much more than acultural or sociological frame of reference;they are linked withdeep theological realities,in particular with the essential meaningof religious vocation.This fact may account for some of the ten-sions in the lives of Sisters.One foot in Trent and the other intomorrow makes for a shaky stance.Small wonder then that someof the psychological preoccupation with image-making should haverubbed off on Sisters and set them to ponder anew the Sister-imagein relation to their vocation and its apostolic commitments. 1Neil P.Hurley,S.J.,"The Image Revolution."America,CX,1964,p.137. High-powered promotional techniques may cause vocation di-rectors to evaluate them for possible use in recruiting prospects.But before becoming "value engineers,"as the new term has it,Sisters might well meditate on the methods of the Master

FAQs

What does the article say about stereotypes and the Sister-image?

Stereotypes like “grandmother,” “salesman,” and “nun” originate from specific real encounters, but changing times update the images and reshape how religious women are perceived. The Sister-image, therefore, is influenced by both experience and evolving cultural patterns.

How does image-making relate to vocation and theology?

The article argues that transitions in how Sisters are understood involve more than cultural or sociological reference frames; they connect to deep theological realities and the essential meaning of religious vocation.

How does the article respond to contemporary press coverage of nuns?

It notes that sensational labels may be improved by contrast but still rely on half-truths and generalizations. Instead of treating such journalism as definitive, it frames it as a stimulus to reconsider and update the image of Sisters and religious life.

Sep 29, 2026

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