More young women are entering convents, and that's good news for older nuns, whose average age is 69, says a Time Magazine article, Nov. 13.

Anglican monasticism also seems to be on the rise. The Order of St. Julian was established in Wisconsin in 1985. It's a Benedictine double monastery, much like the monasteries of the early English Church.

While the Church doesn't recognize orders in other denominations, I'm heartened, as a former Episcopalian, to see Anglicans returning to their Catholic roots and the veneration of the English saints--Hilda, Werburga, Etheldreda, Cuthbert, Aidan, Guthlac, et. al--who were instrumental in establishing Christianity in England, but are not well-known in Roman Catholic circles. 

Many young nuns are wearing habits and keeping blogs (the Time article links to some), which is no surprise to me if the ones I met at an Up North Michigan rest stop last summer are typical. They were wearing Nikes under those habits, giggling over the funny post cards, and slurping up Cokes at the Taco Bell concession.   

My favorite nun blog, though, is "Ask Sister Mary Margaret," written by the astringent sister of the same name, whose motto is, "Life is tough, but nuns are tougher. If you need helpful advice, ask Sister Mary Margaret. She'll help you. Just don't expect any sympathy."

I suspect Sister Mary Margaret isn't really a nun, but she comes pretty darn close to the real thing. Sister offers information about Catholic teaching, most of it pretty sound and no-nonsense, and riffs on life in general. If you browse the site, don't miss recent posts on "Brownie Theology" and "All Souls Day," which offers excellent guidelines for praying for the souls in Purgatory.

Thanks to my friend, Sister S.M., LSHP, for linking me up with some of the above info!

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