Any sisters or nuns here?

[Gardenman]

There was a study done about the health of nuns/sisters (I think it was in TIME magazine) which illustrated how their lifestyles were one of the reasons they lived such long lives. Their diets, lack of smoking, drinking, etc. and the daily structured regimen enabled them to be physically strong and very healthy. If I remember corrctly, this study also showed a decided lack of symptoms of dimentia and alzheimers within religious orders vs. the laity.

Looking back to when I was in grade school and high school, when nuns and sisters were “plentiful”, I RARELY recall a sister ever being “sick” . In fact, I marvelled that despite flu’s, colds, and the various ailments that were spread around in classrooms (especially with 50 plus kids in one class) the nuns NEVER got whatever was going around !

The order that taught in my school could very often be seen riding bicycles, playing ball with the children, gardening, and seemingly getting plenty of physical exercise from a variety of means which were inherent to their daily schedules even if they weren’t doing modern day aerobics, or workouts.

I think “stair climbing” was their prime source of aerobic activity !!!
Especially when they carried all those books and teaching materials. They also WALKED ! A LOT !!!

I would hardly call their daily routine’s back then “sedentary”.

 

[debraran]

Yes, the active orders, were “active” in many ways! These studies were contemplative that the doctor was talking about. I work in a doctors office and I see a quite a few from a convent nearby, but they are in the middle-age older group.
They were not active though. Years ago, they had articles in the same magazine about the rise of breast cancer among nuns and blamed it on infrequent visits and lack of testing. Again, I think that has changed and healthcare is given to most.

I remember 20 years ago, when I was friends with a young priest, he would get all these gifts, wine, food, etc. and bring them over to the nuns…he said they never got anything, especially wine/liquor. They were a teaching order and he said they would just get religious items/books, but they were human beings also, some loved mysteries, some cooking, but they were always thought of as a “unit”. No one thought of giving them an old bicycle or invite them to go for a walk. I’m glad he did that and tried to remember that when the holiday’s come around.

 

[Gardenman]

I’m a firm believer that nuns and sisters got the “short end of the stick” in many areas, good medical care being one of them…back in the day…yet when did you ever hear them complain ? Their order’s I’m sure, did all that was possible for the times, to asuure their good health.

Their work load wouldn’t have been tolerated by the working class, yet they did it willingly and joyfully.

This is one of many reasons I believe those of us who reaped the benefits of our education from the sisters need to support our aging religious. It’s time to “give back”.

God knows they are entitled to it !

 

[debraran]

newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-nun0417,0,312685.story

One of many articles on aging religious. A priest in our parish did a talk about them when they had a yearly collection for retiring priest/religious. It was very sad (and this was current,not years ago) how little they have. Diocean priests do better having sometimes their own money, homes, inheritance, but the nuns, not so. One old nun told him she looks forward to the day when they have eggplant, once every week or two…she was so happy to have some that day. Not much, maybe they don’t expect much, but they DESERVE more.

 

[T700]

newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-nun0417,0,312685.story

One of many articles on aging religious. A priest in our parish did a talk about them when they had a yearly collection for retiring priest/religious. It was very sad (and this was current,not years ago) how little they have. Diocean priests do better having sometimes their own money, homes, inheritance, but the nuns, not so. One old nun told him she looks forward to the day when they have eggplant, once every week or two…she was so happy to have some that day. Not much, maybe they don’t expect much, but they DESERVE more.

That is a heartbreaking story. I will pray for them and look for ways to contribute to their living.

Paul

 

[simon_op]

Mostly…this:
This crucial stage of formation officially begins with the ceremony of vestition when novices receive the white habit of our Congregation, black mantle, and a white veil, the sign of probation as a religious. Canonically, novitiate lasts 12 months and reaches its peak at the first profession of religious vows. In the course of novitiate, novices practice fully the lifestyle proper to our charism and learn how to harmoniously combine contemplation with apostolic activity according to the Dominican motto Contemplare and contemplata allis tradere – “contemplate and pass on the fruits of contemplation”. Formation focuses on the in-depth studies in the theology of religious vows: chastity, poverty, and obedience, history and spirituality of the Order of Preachers and our Congregation, Congregation’s Marian and Eucharistic charism, apostolate (education, preaching of the Word, and health care) and its Constitutions. In general, novices engage in active apostolate on occasion only.

 

[Salonika]

There are a gazillion vocation websites out there and many with a faq section, but very few answer the questions dealing with practical everyday life.

Agree - great thread and section - probably helps that it is interactive as the answer can be tailored to the person asking it and there is the opportunity to ask follow up questions.

Thanks to all you religious who are sharing details of your everyday life with those who are discerning and those of us who want to know more about the details of religious life. You are so generous.