The Way We Were: A Story of Conversion and Renewal

by Joan D. Chittister

Book Overview

Among those affected by the renewal of Vatican II, none experienced the changes more than women religious. Habits were replaced by secular dress; separation behind the cloister gave way to service in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157075778X
• ISBN13: 9781570757785
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Orbis Books
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Honest But Only Part of the Story

What an honest look at what happening in Religious Life today. Brave lady and understandable fan of the book, "The Intellectual Life". But in the first part in Sister's retelling of what caused the collapse of the old form of convent living she completely ignored the reasons for which the exes left. She says some where that the novices left hardly knowing why. She doesn't show any curiosity about this even though it was the cause of the state the nuns are in now. Perhaps if she did ask she might find some answers that will be helpful. Are the nuns angry at the exes or are they afraid of them and their tales?

I was there but didn't fully understand. Now I do.

I was in religious life (the convent) for 15 years and lived through the time covered in Sr. Joan's book. Although I was in a different order her analysis spoke for our experience as well. I held this book close to my heart because it was like a personal revelation. This is an excellent book for Catholics to read if they truly wish to understand their immediate past.

One of the best writers

Sr. Joan is one of the best spiritual writers' out today - her honestly and love come thru in everything she writes and this book is no exception