About the Future of Religious Life

We have just finished a 6 day workshop with students from various schools in both the USA and Ireland, who are part of the “Mercy Girl Effect” movement. As I looked at the assembled young women, I could see very clearly a new form of religious commitment, young women inspired by the gospel and involved in concrete efforts to build a world fit for all.  As I pondered the student body, I reflected on where I was at their age.

In my lifetime, the face of religious life has changed dramatically and how it is expressed is changing rapidly. Many of the young women in front of me do not want to join a religious congregation but want to be part of a movement to heal our broken world.

Our societies are in a constant state of flux with many young people, even those who don’t consider themselves religious, seeking spiritual nourishment. They want to know about people on other continents; they feel the need to provide water, education, schools, uniforms or small houses for their brothers and sisters many of whom they will never meet. They tell me they feel a belonging and a need to reach out and make a difference. They know too, we rise by lifting others!

Being able to bring my global experience and connect the dots has been an invaluable asset to this process. During my time at the U.N., I traveled extensively across the United States and abroad. This has enabled me to connect and work with many of our Sisters on the frontlines. The Mercy Girl Effect believes in being firmly grounded, in the lived grassroots experience of our members living around the world. The students understand the concept of global sisterhood. Somehow they know, the world is their classroom!

Sometimes when I hear our members bewail our diminishing numbers and as I listened, shared, and found myself being nourished by these wonderful young women, I know God is still calling people to heal our broken world. I invite you to be nourished too, as you read and feel inspired by 19-year-old Ava McGinn, our International Youth Ambassador who addressed the assembly.  Read on!

To read this Keynote Address by Ava McGinn please click here.

 

 Deirdre Mullan rsm
Northern Province