Women often devote countless hours to the Church and volunteering in the community, mirroring the work of nuns. But inevitably the responsibilities of family and career may have to be juggled with religious outreach. Sisters can focus every ounce of their being on knowing and serving God. Travers, Range and Kolmer entered religious life shortly after completing high school. That is not the trend of their colleagues today.
Many women wait until later in life to follow their religious calling.
The average age of women entering religious communities was between 18 and 20 four or five decades ago. Today, it's 30 and older. Some, like Mueller, have college experience before they enter. Other women are turning to religious life after pursuing professional careers, often highly successful ones. Older widows and grandmothers are becoming sisters as well.