Letters

Sunday, Dec. 03, 2006

Article Tools

(4 of 6)
"Today's Nun has a Veil--and a Blog" [Nov. 20] demonstrated that bright young American women--well educated, talented and capable of reaching for the stars--are entering the Catholic sisterhoods in greater numbers than ever because they're disappointed by what modern society has to offer them. They're prepared to live a poor, chaste and obedient life for the sake of God and their brothers and sisters in the human family. For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, no explanation is possible.

(THE REV.) GINO DALPIAZ SCALABRINI HOUSE OF THEOLOGY Chicago

A big thank you for your article about modern-day nuns. As a 19-year-old who is seriously considering convent life, I can attest to the efficacy of blogs and e-mail in giving prospective sisters a more accurate view of the consecrated life. Your article presented sisterhood in a fair and accessible way, highlighting both the cultural as well as religious aspects. At a time in my life when I am starting to get the courage to tell people about my future plans, seeing this article helped me feel more comfortable with my relatively uncommon potential career path. I appreciated TIME's bringing news of this alternative lifestyle to mainstream society.

LESLIE FITZWATER Lansing, Mich.

Female religious orders are not the only sectors of the Roman Catholic Church undergoing a trend toward orthodoxy. There is a small but rapidly growing minority of priests in this country who wear the traditional habit of a Catholic priest: the cassock, a long black robe. Two orders that do this are the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and the Institute of Christ the King. Both orders have steadily increasing membership. The Priestly Fraternity cannot build rooms in its seminary quickly enough to house the number of young men who want to become a priest. Both orders say the traditional 1962 Mass in Latin.

ANDREW DUBOIS Mission, Kans.

Born Too Soon

"Ahead of Their Time" [NOV. 20] reported that doctors are considering new approaches to the growing problem of preterm births. Even though my first child was born at 35 weeks, I received no special counseling or treatment during my second pregnancy. When I went into labor with my second child at 24 weeks, I didn't even realize there was a potential health risk for the baby. Thankfully, both my children have been healthy. Your article was the first I've read that addressed the causes of preterm labor. I was pleased to know that efforts are being made to prevent the situation and not just treat the symptom. I smoked during both pregnancies, and every time I see a pregnant woman with a cigarette in her hand, I want to loudly remind her she has another life to consider.

LAURA S. COLLINS Jacksonville, Fla.

Appropriate obstetric care can help prevent premature labor. An increasing number of Americans cannot afford medical insurance, and there is a high percentage of the uninsured among younger, less financially secure people. Since this group tends to have the highest rate of pregnancy, it's possible that premature labor may worsen as America's health-care crisis worsens. I encounter young couples all the time who are prospective parents but have no way of accessing appropriate antenatal care. This makes no sense when 16% of the U.S. gross domestic product is spent on health care.