Holy Cross nuns see decrease in their numbers
By Kevin Allen
News writer
According to Sister Margaret Mary Lavonis, vocation director for the Holy Cross Sisters at Saint Mary's College, every congregation in North America has experienced a decrease in the number of women who profess to be sisters, and Notre Dame and Saint Mary's is no exception.
The most recent Holy Cross sister to profess in North America, Amy Cavender, made her first vows last year. Cavender earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from Notre Dame and also converted to Catholicism while at Notre Dame, completing the RCIA program. She is currently teaching in a seminary in Uganda.
Lavonis said Holy Cross is an international order, and that numbers of sisters are increasing in other countries, such as Bangladesh, Peru, Brazil and several African countries. She said it is possible that if the shortage of sisters in North America continues, some of those sisters may be called to the United States.
There are several reasons for the decrease in numbers of women who have chose the religious life, said Lavonis. One reason, she said, is that exposure to sisters is down because they have gone into different ministries, such as social justice. Other reasons she mentioned are the reluctance of young people to make commitments and the new opportunities for laywomen to serve the Church.
"The Church since Vatican II has shown that everyone can serve the Church," she said.
Lavonis is optimistic about the future for the Holy Cross Sisters.
"I think vocations are going to come back," she said. "Last week we had a discernment retreat and we had six girls — three from Saint Mary's and three from Notre Dame — that are seriously thinking about [becoming sisters]. Several girls at Saint Mary's and Notre Dame are in the discernment stage, but have not taken any formal steps."
All News Stories for Wednesday, April 16, 2003
