Religious Life is Alive!

Aug 7

Men in formation from all around the Oblate world with Oblate Fathers Barry Strong and Fr. Frank Danella, OSFS.

We are all aware that the number of men and women entering religious life has dropped dramatically over the past fifty years. Significant changes in society have led to changes in schools, parishes, hospitals, and social services once filled with religious sisters, brothers, and priests. Today, these institutions and apostolates are being increasingly staffed, served, and led by laymen and women. For many religious communities, there seems to be a drought in the number of people pursuing a religious vocation today. Some people wonder if religious life will become extinct.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, and Bro. Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, with Bro. Cyprien, OSFS from the French Province.

For the past three weeks, I was privileged to be a part of two events that broadened my view of religious life in our country and our world. I participated in both the Oblate General Chapter (a gathering of Oblate leaders from around the world) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (a convention of religious priests and brothers from around the USA). At both events, I had the opportunity to interact with men of all ages, cultures, and countries who have given their lives to God and the Church. At each gathering, I got to know young men who had committed themselves to live an increasingly countercultural way of life. Even though most religious communities are much smaller than in the past, most are still moving forward. One young Franciscan told me that even though there are only a few men in formation (training) in his community, his order celebrates each vocation, each friar who joins.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, with young Oblates from the Indian Province.

My interaction with young men studying to be priests and brothers put a face on recent statistics that show there is a small but steady stream of millennial and Generation Z men (and women) who still choose religious life. Young adults choosing religious life today are facing challenges that many older religious never had. They are facing a secular society where organized religion and religious life are seen as out of touch or even irrelevant. Meeting young people who are willing to be witnesses to the Gospel in the world today renewed my own call to live as a religious. I was not only impressed but inspired in my own journey. Seeing young Oblates from around the world gave me hope that the Oblate way of life will continue and the vision of Fr. Brisson and the spirit of St. Francis de Sales is alive in the 21st century.