National Board of The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United StatesIn an article in The New York Times, columnist Nicholas Kristof reported on Pope Benedict's reprimand and criticism of American nuns and the organization that represents 80% of them. The Vatican lambasted their emphasis on working for the poor rather than spending their time fighting abortion and gay marriage. Kristof praises the nuns' pathbreaking work: "They were the first feminists, earning doctorates or working as surgeons long before it was fashionable for women to hold jobs. As managers of hospitals, schools, and complex bureaucracies, they were the first female CEOs."

We ask you to join him and us in supporting these incredible women who have been the heart and soul of Catholicism for centuries. (Photo: gathering of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.)

And so we pray this news . . .

"Let us honor the ones who have lived and loved deeply, who found the source of their inner strength from you, the Divine Beloved . . . (add names of any individuals you want to honor)

"Let us honor the light-filled ones, who enkindled our spirits with their teachings and the spark of their beliefs . . .

Let us honor the risk-takers, who faced their fears and took action, who sought justice even though they had to pay a price for it . . .

Let us honor the vulnerable ones who allowed us to care for them, to be with them in their time of need . . .

Let us honor the faith-filled ones who brought us to the Holy One, who led us, by their words and example, into deeper relationship with God. . . .

Let us honor the brave ones who walked through their struggles with hope, who taught us how to trust and have confidence during our times of sorrow and difficulty. . . .

Let us honor the great lovers of life, whose humor and enthusiasm lifted our spirits and brought us joy. . . .

Let us honor the nurturers, who birthed us… spiritually, who gave us sustenance by their caring presence. . . .

Sacred One, Giver and Sustainer of life,
thank you for the holy ones whom we have known . . .
May our lives model their virtues,
May our hearts resonate with their goodness. Amen."

This prayer by Joyce Rupp has been adapted from her "Remembering Our Spiritual Ancestors" in her book Out of the Ordinary


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