Thriving Vocations at Female Religious Orders? Superiors Articulate Countercultural Lifestyle and Vision in New Video at CatholicTV.com

An exclusive video of sisters from The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) has just been added to the CatholicTV.com video collection. This video features sisters from several different orders. These orders are experiencing growth on a worldwide scale in great contrast to marked decline in vocations elsewhere.

The video features footage of sisters talking about what Vatican II said about consecrated life, and how that vision is being lived out today by American religious sisters.

In the video, the sisters from the CMSWR articulate how their perspective is in keeping with the vision set forth by Vatican II, suggesting that its commitment to a more visibly countercultural life and ministry is what sustains its orders and attracts young women to the CMSWR communities.

This video can be viewed now without charge or obligation at: http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?SeriesID=145

Topics and sisters included in the video include:

Segment 1) Introduction: Sister Angela Mellady, O.S.F.
Segment 2) Overview: Sister Mary Nika Schaumber, R.S.M.
Segment 3) A Particular Form of Consecrated Life: Sister Mary Elizabeth Wusinich S.V.
Segment 4) The Spousal Bond: Sister Paul Jean Miller, F.S.E.
Segment 5) The Threefold Response of The Vows: Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, O.P.
Segment 6) Communion in Community: Sister Mary Prudence Allen, R.S.M.,
Segment 7) Evangelical Mission: Sister Maximilia Um, F.S.G.M.
Segment 8) Conclusion: Sister Mary Judith O’Brien, R.S.M.
Segment 9) Closing Remarks: Sister Angela Mellady, O.S.F.

This video is posted in “The Call” section of CatholicTV.com. CatholicTV airs a special programming block named The Call, which features videos about vocations and particular religious orders. More information is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=145

Traveling Museum Exhibit Starring Catholic Sisters to Be Discussed on This is the Day

On Friday, August 28th, “Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America” a traveling museum exhibit, will be discussed on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. The exhibit, which will be shown in the Smithsonian and across the nation, highlights little known facts about American sisters and their history in the U.S. These include the story of how since 1980, at least nine American sisters have been martyred while working overseas. Few people are aware that more than 110 U.S. colleges and universities were founded by Catholic sisters. Sr. Helen Garvey, BVM will discuss the exhibit on the set of “This is the Day”.

The Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America (Women in Spirit) exhibit opened in Spring 2009 at Cincinnati Museum Center and will travel nationwide for a 3-year tour with stops at Ellis Island and the Smithsonian.

"Women & Spirit" showcases numerous artifacts which have never before been on public display. Items assembled from over 400 communities include a handwritten letter from Thomas Jefferson, a cradle from the NY foundlings, and a replica of the first incubator along with traveling trunks, journals of immigration experiences, pioneering healthcare devices, diaries, samplers, musical instruments, student work, and ephemera associated with a number of saints. A total of 70 objects will be displayed at each venue.

Sister Helen may be seen on Friday, August 28th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72. The show will be available as a free download from iTunes.