Sisters, Haves and Have-Nots, Part II

There is something compelling about people and organizations that are mission-driven.  Last Sunday, we attended a mass at the special needs school my nephew attends.  It is operated by a Roman Catholic religious community, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (ACSJ).  The mass was in memory of my mom and it is customary that family members bring up the offertory gifts during memorial masses.  But on the program, the gift-bearers were listed as 'Guests."  Two lovely twenty-something women carried them up. 
During the mass I noted three things about the sisters in attendance -- they wore habits, not the pre-Vatican II floor length with big hat habits, but the more subdued veil and black knee-length dress type.  There was also a sister in a white veil, an indication that she is a sister in formation.   And the median age of the group, which is many religious communities is in the '80s, was probably in the 60s, so they were relative youngsters. 
After mass, one of the sisters explained to me that the 'guests' were checking out the community.  "They shop around these days, you know", she said.  I remarked to her that it was wonderful that they had young women interested in their community and their ministry.  And the conversation quickly morphed into one of those fleeting, yet significant exchanges with someone I will likely not ever see again, but will never forget.  She told me how difficult it was in the days just after Vatican II, when there was so much upheaval in religious life.  It was particularly hard, she said, for people who wanted more flexibility and change than the community was offering.  But, she said we know what we stand for; and for those who decided to stay, they knew why they were staying; and what they were staying to do.
It seems to me that communities and people with a strong sense of mission always do better in the mundane and in time of challenge and crisis.  In researching the history of the ACSJs and their founder, Mother Clelia Merloni (photo above), I found this quote from her: "Love your work, perform it with joy.  Do not allow yourself to become discouraged by difficulties, lack of success or daily hum-drum duties.  Be convinced that this is your mission and you will make God better loved."
I also discovered that she is up for sainthood, and that their community, founded in 1894, now has 1,500 sisters on five continents.