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21 November 2014

Buying the Field: Catholic Religious Life in Mission to the World

Bying the Field

Author

Sandra M. Schneiders, I.H.M.
Paulist Press

Presentation

“With this volume Sandra Schneiders completes the series Religious Life in a New Millennium a comprehensive examination of the history, evolution and impact of Catholic Religious Life. She engages the reader through Jesus’ parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The beauty and meaning of religious life is considered in Finding the Treasure (Vol. 1), the desire to embrace this life in full commitment and service is explored in Selling All (Vol.2). Finally the treasure is attained in Buying the Field (Vol.3).”

“Schneiders divides her work into four critical parts.  Part one provides a biblical and theological framework for understanding the world to which Religious are missioned. In addition it explores the identity of Religious and the nature of the mission they embrace. Parts two and three carefully examine the vows of prophetic obedience and evangelical poverty. The final part serves as synthesis and presents the transforming renewal of Religious Life in the modern world.”

“Schneiders proposes that the choice to live Religious Life is a paschal act that calls for “dying to the world” in order to live the Resurrection. This turning from the world of sin and evil, demands the creation of an alternate world that reflects radical living of the Gospel and which favors the Reign of God. The formation of this alternate world is accomplished through a faithful living of the vows of consecrated celibacy, evangelical poverty and prophetic obedience. A detailed look at the biblical roots and historical development of  the vows of obedience and poverty are at the heart of this research.”

Book reviewed by: Reviewed by Shannon SCHREIN, Lourdes University, Sylvania, OH