Beyond the Crossroads: Religious Life in the Twenty-first Century

Building on her previous acclaimed work Religious Life at the Crossroads, Sister Amy Hereford draws attention to emerging currents, particularly among the smaller cohorts of younger religious, to reflect on the ongoing meaning of vows, formation, community, and mission, amidst rapid changes in the church and society. Although those in religious life today face an uncertain future, many things are becoming clear. As the author notes, “We know that we will be smaller groups and that our various networks will become more important. For this reason, we know that we will need different skills and that we will be less institutional and closer to those we serve. The seeds of these changes have been present for decades, and are becoming more important moving forward.”