I just came back from the first of three phases of a workshop on the Transformation of Religious Life in North America. About 130 men and women religious attended this meeting which included those in leadership positions, formation personnel, and newly professed members. We discussed the importance of religious communities not remaining the way they have always been. They must move forward and transform themselves to continue the mission to which they were called at their founding. Religious communities need to let go of the memories that encumber them and hold on to the memories that energize them.
There was time for table discussion at which each person expressed where they felt their congregation was a this point in time about transformation. The facilitators/speakers, Luisa Saffiotti and Finten Sheenan are well known to the Religious Formation Conference and gave us much to ponder by stirring up a lot of questions we need to ask ourselves. The weekend was heavy, however, it was also very exciting. I think the most important point I brought back with me is the urgency of transformation of religious life.
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