What Women Want

I just read an article in our home town newspaper about the uptick in young women choosing religious life. It spoke of a couple of communities of religious women in the United States who are adding considerably to their numbers. One of these communities has a sister who does a blog about her daily life. The article spoke of the popularity of the blog saying that she shares the details of day to day living of a sister including going to bars to enjoy a beer.
Is this what women are really looking for today? There was a time in the not so very distant past that I think young women wanted to see religious life as a more "normal" existence. I'm not sure that is true today. In any case I read such reports and sigh. This is not my life as a sister. I'm not really sure what young women of today are looking for. What I do know is that I found what I was looking for when I came to religious life some 30 years ago. My circumstances were not those of today exactly, but some constants remain. I was looking for a relationship with God that was more than piety. I was looking for a life of faith and dedication I could share. I was looking for a life of meaningful service. I was looking for challenge and peace. I've found it all. If that is what young women of today want, then maybe they should inquire within communities like our Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. I can't presume to know what others out there want. I do know what we have and what we treasure!