Poverty, chastity, and change

Poverty, chastity, and change

By Carole G. Rogers

Book Description

Through intimate conversations with more than fifty American nuns, this compelling collection reveals the profound personal journeys of women who navigated one of the most dramatic periods of transformation in modern religious life. These candid interviews capture the voices of sisters who experienced the shift from traditional cloistered existence to a new model of engaged spiritual service.

The book features both prominent figures and everyday practitioners of religious life. Among them are influential voices like Sister Joan Chittister, the prolific Benedictine author and speaker, and Sister Theresa Kane, who made headlines when she directly addressed Pope John Paul II about women's roles during his 1979 visit to America. Yet the heart of this work lies in the stories of countless other women whose names may not be widely known but whose experiences illuminate universal themes of faith, adaptation, and personal growth.

These sisters speak openly about their evolution from lives governed by strict rules and separation from the world to embracing what they describe as "responsible freedom." Their reflections offer insights into how individuals can maintain core spiritual values while adapting to changing circumstances and expanding their understanding of service.

For readers interested in spiritual development, women's experiences, or the intersection of tradition and progress, these authentic voices provide wisdom about navigating change while staying true to one's deepest convictions. The stories are both revealing and deeply moving, offering perspectives on resilience, community, and purposeful living.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)

📄 Length: 323 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Biography
  • ✓ Explore Monasticism and religious orders for women
  • ✓ Explore History
  • ✓ Explore Monasticism and religious orders for women -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
  • ✓ Explore Nuns
  • ✓ Explore Nuns -- United States -- Biography
  • ✓ Explore Sources
  • ✓ Explore Oral biography

Topics Covered

Biography Monasticism and religious orders for women History Monasticism and religious orders for women -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Sources Nuns Nuns -- United States -- Biography Sources Oral biography

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