Reflections on the 2009 Common Bond meeting
Several hundred former members of the Society of Mary met at the University of Dayton recently for a weekend of remembrance, reflection and ritual. All seemed to agree that it was a great success and there was general concurrence that Common Bonders and members of the Society of Mary have much in common.
What can religious life learn from the fact that hundreds of highly trained, talented and gifted individuals started on the path to perpetual membership and, having determined that it was not the right path for them, were separated from the Great Project, the Society of Mary?
A good education has allowed these men to make outstanding contributions to church and society not only through their own efforts but also through the outstanding families they have produced.
Many members of Common Bond indicate that their initial formation in the postulate, novitiate and as vowed members has had a profound influence on their lives. They consider those years as a strong foundation for what they have been able to achieve in life. Many still pursue our common mission.
Unfortunately the Society of Mary has moved on without their participation even though it invested significant resources in their formation. How can this not be considered a great loss for the mission of the Society? In the past we had sufficient numbers joining which did not require us to reflect on the consequence of the great loss we had experienced.
Speculation about what could have been accomplished had these men continued membership or at least had continued an official relationship may not be a fruitful exercise, but speculation about what could be with a new and creative relationship between the Society and Common Bond members may be appropriate as we continue to strategize how we can continue our mission with ever decreasing numbers of perpetually professed.
The future of religious life, and in particular the Society of Mary in its present form, is in jeopardy. A continuing future may be related to the need to change the idea that making perpetual vows is the basic requirement for membership.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
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This was sent by Joe
Barrish and refers to
Between the Times: Religious Life and the Postmodern Experience of God by Elizabeth A. Johnson CSJ --- Jan/Feb 1994 RFR
LIVING THE VOWED LIFE
This stuff about the Future of Religiou Life
We have been discussing, planning, reviewing these things before the closing of the Cincy Province, before the new province of America was formed. A document that appeared about 10 years ago:"Between the Times: Religious Life and the Postmodern Experience of God" I thought was very insightful. In part it stated that the: New Form: Prophetic, Contemplative Life would be where we are heading. It stated that by 2010 religious would be converted (?) and serve a prophetic role in the church.
I have been trying to live that kind of life for years. While it think it may be helpful, the discussion of what religious life could be/should be has been wearying for me.
With Larry I feel good about our future. The 50's model is over -- it's history. Religious life has always been attractive to because it is about a simple life style. We are to present a different model of how Christian life can be lived. We are to be different from the committed layman -- not better, but different. A life with a reasonable timetable, a life in a vowed community of like-minded people, a group that has determined that time to "smell the roses" is not an option, but essential. I think this should be a very attractive alernative in today's society.
Peace! Joe Barrish,SM
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