The Prophetic Generation of Nuns and Sisters

by Carole Ganim

The 1960s were a time of great change in American society. Everything from haircuts to the role of women was shifting. Organizations, unable to redirect themselves as quickly as individuals, were caught up in this turmoil, and many foundered. It was only natural that women s religious organizations within the Catholic Church would be caught up as well. Nuns and sisters were the face of the Church to many, as nuns cared for the sick, educated the children, and served in the parishes. In 1965 there were 179,964 women religious in the United States, but by the end of the decade they had begun to leave in record numbers, and many of those who stayed began to demand changes. Today there are about 55,000 nuns in America.
In 1956, when the author entered the convent, she had no idea that she was to be part of a generation that would change religious life. The renewal within the Church occasioned by Vatican II and changes in lay society found their way into the convent. Nuns began to question the meaning of their lives living as women of ancient times, and many decided to take their faith, professional skills, and good will beyond the walls into the contemporary world. Being Out of Order is the story of that struggle and departure. The author and the others who left see themselves as a prophetic generation that helped lead all women to more fulfilled lives.

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2013

Reviews

[Sara Pantazes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting memoir that tells the story of a woman whose life was strongly shaped by the upheaval of the 1960's, both cultural changes and the implications of Vatican II. The author entered a convent upon graduating high school in the mid-1950's and chose to leave some 15 years later. I was raised in a Protestant tradition that affirmed the ability of a person to live a life devoted to God while being active in the world, and it was fascinating to read how this woman came to that realization, leaned into it and thrived. I have great respect for those who wrestle with the religious beliefs they have been taught, and this was an interesting look at a whole population that did so, all in an effort to be true to God and God's calling in their lives.

"The vow of poverty asked us to live as poor people without personal possessions in order to be free of attachments, yet we wanted for nothing. Chastity required that we renounce sexual and intimate love so that we could love God and others more completely; often, however, we became self-absorbed and distant. Obedience demanded that we renounce our own will and subject it to the will of our superiors, to the Church, and to God in order to be united to God, but kept us in a state of childlike dependency. As I lived the vows, I saw the disparity between the ideal and the real, but I also knew that disparity exists in everyone's life. What I didn't expect to realize was that each vow took us away from our humanity." (113).