The Freedom of the Vows

Funny personal story: just tonight I received a heartfelt email from a female medical student that I met at a wedding this summer; I was in the wedding party of a good friend.  At the reception, we had a great, God-centered conversation.  She was seeking more in her life, and I felt called to give her my email, with the understanding that I was about to take vows and that we could only be friends (which she understood).  Tonight after a long time of not corresponding, she contacted me and opened up, telling me about some struggles and asking if I could help her learn to pray.  Now, if I were married, I really should be attending to my wife and kids, not helping random people I met at weddings to pray! :)  I can tell you that it is a great joy to be a spiritual father/brother to others in ways that these vows enable.  By the same token, a religious sister is a spiritual mother/sister to those with whom she ministers.  It is a rich life, and I thought I would share this vignette to help bring it home.  Please keep inviting more women (and men) to consider religious life and/or priesthood.  The world and the Church need us (as well as committed, faith-filled laypeople) for the sake of the Gospel and to help souls.