Mother Alfred and the Need for Women Religious

Friends, if you’re looking for a feminist hero with remarkable courage, faith, perseverance, and sheer moxie, look no further thanMother Alfred Moes, without whom we would have no Mayo Clinic.

Somehow the last three generations of women have tended to see religious life as unworthy of their consideration. The number of nuns has plummeted since the Second Vatican Council, and most Catholics, when asked about this, would probably say that being a religious sister is just not a viable prospect in our feminist age. Nonsense!

If you know a young woman who would make a good religious, who is marked by smarts, energy, creativity, and get-up-and-go, share with her the story of Mother Alfred Moes. And tell her that she might aspire to that same kind of heroism.

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[wendyfield]

As an 88 year old woman, can I put in another view. In the distant past, women had less choices….either marriage or the veil. Now there are so many careers open to them. Also a woman’s maternal instinct is much stronger than that of men, and most want to leave open the possibility of having a child, which they can do these days whether married or not. I am an OCDS who tried the enclosed Carmel for a year but became ill and was told the enclosure was not for me! I suggest asking young women why they don’t wish to offer themselves for religious life. + I will ask Mother Alfred’s prayers.

[conornagle]

Highly inspiring. May the Lord bless us with more women in religious orders. In our hometown in Cobh, Ireland there are cloistered and other nuns that are some of the most incredible and intelligent women one can know. They have been a massive contribution and gift to the community.

[stefaniaaloise]

Thanks to this Nun, I got to spend another 10 years with my dad before he passed. They treated him at the Mayo.

[HighKingTurgon]

40 000 dollars in the early 1880s is about 1.3 million today—legitimately that was just the cost of getting the first facilities built. Incredible corporal works from Mother Alfred.

[johnrock]

Thank you for this Bishop Barron.Mother Alfred's story is a great one. Her vision has helped so many people, and will undoubtedly help even more people in the future.

[RocknRoRose]

women religious are awesome. I am so happy to have seen in the past 10 years more nuns. But they don't visit my parish most of the time. I love the Sisters of Life and the Dominican Sisters of Eucharist. Those are two main ones I know of.

[mrsmaricarment]

I strongly believe and feel, both for what I have experienced, heard and read, that a huge factor might be men in the church . Whether, Bishops, priests, deacons an other, they tend to feel intimidated and at times, quash female vocations. We as a whole church need to have a major examination. Our ethnic priests, while they are a wondrous gift to our church, their cultural perspectives reg women, might need to be transformed. They are not the only ones. If we could only stop quashing the Christ that is in us and allowed that Christ to see, perceive and love others w His eyes and His heart. Our prejudices, jealousy are the mud that cover His Countenance and Eyes in Our Hearts. It prevents us to see and Love the Christ in Others. We need to allow Veronica to Wipe them. We need The Holy Spirit to pierce our hearts, so His Love be poured into the world. We are plugging that channel of love with our control, fear, prejudice and jealousy. Strong women are God’s creation and part of His Plan, as much as, men are. We all are only his instruments. It’s His Plan and Mission, not ours. Let God be

[andresteves]

May you share the story of Mother Alfred to our nurses working in hospitals clinics in your State and all over the country... God bless and Mabuhay Bishop Barron...

[jvahioguy]

I have to agree about the dwindling number of nuns. When I was going to school in a rural part of Ohio, in the 60's, there were approximately 20 Notre Dame Sisters at the parish convent. A couple of years ago there were NONE. I have a couple of older nun cousins, but they are in their 80s. For awhile, I thought that God was wanting me to become a priest, but after a year in seminary, it was apparent that God had other plans for my life. My prayers for all. Merry Christmas 🙏

[simplycj]

I know several young women who have entered religious life. Praise God! The conservative orders are growing. Those offering Reiki and the Labyrinth are dying or have closed. Lesson to learn there.

[ChildofGod]

I want to give up but God won’t let me because I’m walking with Jesus. So I will continue to trust in him even though I’m struggling, I will never lose hope. Jesus is the only light in this world. As a single mother things are difficult on me. My husband passed years ago I’m alone. I’m overwhelmed at times because both of my children are autistic. I’m struggling trying to support them and myself because like so many others. I lost my job as a social worker at Forsyth hospital because I declined the vaccine. I declined because of my pre existing health condition lupus and heart disease. I was denied my medical/religious exemption. I wish I could go back to the hospital but the mandate is still in place for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. I’m waitressing and I’m so thankful to be working again, but I’m not making nearly enough to make ends meet. I get harassed and called names for simply asking for prayers, but prayers are all we need. I have faith God will provide. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Please pray for me and my children.

[anneturner]

A woman placed in life at the perfect time . Wonderful and very interesting how time works us around. God bless her life, and God bless you B.B., you’ve got a way, a way of always getting through to me. Thank you. Timing, timing, entered my life at exactly the right time. Interesting.

[helena_augusta]

The main issue of our times is the delay. Women are discerning marriage and religious life later in life. Many don't hear the call to religious until their 30s or 40s and by that point there's aging family members to think about. Most religious communities have a hard 30-35 age cap and other communities the youngest nun is 60 years old. There's not a great deal of options right now.

[timcolby]

That was truly incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed the video presentation my brother in christ. I have heard about this woman but not to the extent that you presented it. Thank you so much my brother. Hope to see you one day at a Cubs baseball game in chicago. Yours in Christ. Minister Timothy Michael. Oak Forest

[ralphauer]

What a joyful journey, coming back to the church after so many years.

[dawnlapka]

Thanks for including us women in educational things. We all need that kind of help. Bishop Barron, it's fair warning to teach our fellow women religious folks that when working with homeless people, we are put in front of several sticky situations. Self Defense, keeping up with Mass even if it's only online, praying our rosary, the comfort of our Bible, liturgy of the hours, Divine Mercy Chaplet, preparing oneself for those times when you need to get out of those precarious moments, those are all good tools.

[irin]

I pray for a return to more vocations to the religious life for many young men and women. I came into the Catholic Church late in life and due to age restrictions, will not be able to discern a call to religious life.

[mariac]

Please, Bishop Barron, do more of these on strong women who are also faithfully Catholic and led by their love of God.

[DrewMureiko]

5:45. Keep AOC. That tickled my funny bone something serious!
Excellent video bishop!😊

[eleanorbertuch]

As always a very interesting and inspirational message. Thank you❣️🙏