Yet were we to be without them, it is difficult to imagine what we would do. Many religious communities, particularly communities of women, ever since the Second Vatican Council and an extended period of experimenting with new forms of life, new ways of dressing and different ways of doing things, often found themselves not only no longer appreciated or even respected, but subject to suspicion and resentment. But overwhelmingly they remained daughters of the Church, loyal, hard-working, holy women. They have enriched the Church of the Archdiocese of New York unimaginably. It is imperative that we pray for vocations.
Vocations come from families, very frequently from families of limited means.
They have been the backbone of the priesthood and of religious life for centuries. Many have made major sacrifices to give a vocation to the Church. They merit our gratitude. But the widespread need for vocations merits our very serious prayers. In an unbelievably affluent society, with widespread job opportunities available for so many, with secularism run rampant throughout our culture, the Voice of the Lord can be virtually drowned out by the voice of the world.