The Way We Were: A Story of Conversion and Renewal

by Joan D. Chittister

Drawing on the story of her own monastic community, a best-selling author shoes how to redfine the essentials of faith in a time when old ways and formulas no longer serve.

Genres: Spirituality, Catholic

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Joan Daugherty Chittister, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author, and speaker. She has served as Benedictine prioress and Benedictine federation president, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

Reviews

[Doris Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very hard to read. I did enjoy the subject, however, because I have a sister who entered the convent and then left it during the time the author was speaking about. This book helped me understand the confusion of that era and why many women left the religious houses. I also learned a lot about the Benedictines, their history, and their basic charism. When Vatican II said that the religious women in monasteries and convents needed to renew themselves, it was quite a shock to the nuns. They did not know how to go about it. It called for change, and many of these women were living way back in the past. Sr. Chittister was of the Erie, PA Benedictines. She helped lead the way for her religious group to change and not break up the order completely.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite timely for me, being about the way that a group of nuns dealt with the massive changes to their lives following Vatican II. Not that I'm a nun, but I am also involved in an organization undergoing huge changes, and was inspired by the stories of renewal of vision and energy and mission that came out of the time of chaos.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Vatican II through the decades-long renewal process in the Benedictine Sisters of Erie in Erie, PA. This telling from someone who lived it, led through it, and studied it, is a case study in transformation for all of us... individuals, communities, organizations, whole religious traditions all have something to learn here.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling firsthand account of intrareligious reform following Vatican II.