supplement for nuns
By Sister Teresa Margaret, D.C.
Doctrine and Life Supplement No. I (Dominican Publications, St. Saviour's Dublin 1).
A"MAGAZINE especially for nuns" seems at first sight to postulate a brand of evangelical perfection peculiar to women! There is. of course, no such thing, yet it remains true that unique problems do exist, for apart from the differing reactions of man and woman to identical situations, conditions in a house of studies obviously have no parallel with those in a convent novitiate.
These and allied questions were discussed by the readers of "Doctrine & Life" last year, following a plea from a Sister of Mercy for a magazine exclusively for nuns and their particular problems British version of the American Sponsa Christi.
While feeling that the number of such problems hardly warranted a new publication, the editoes have decided to publish three times a year, a Supplement to meet the specific needs of nuns, members of women's secular institutes, and priests charged with their direction.
Novitiate The first issue, now available, is devoted to the Novitiate, and will be warmly welcomed by all novice mistresses. Future issues planned include Papal Documents, Doctrine, Conciliar Decrees, Conferences for Religious Superiors, Convent Libraries; a Question and Answer Department will be provided (depending, presumably, on receipt of appropriate posers).
With 80 well-filled pages, a handy format and attractive cover design, this publication is particularly good value at 3s. 6d. a copy (10s. p.a.). The articles are not mere rehashes from standard text-books, but deal with practical contemporary problems in a necessarily restricted scope.
This Supplement needs little recommendation. Those already familiar with "Doctrine & Life" will in any case expect a high standard, and know the editor's habitual sympathy to feminist points of view. Never before has the Church shown such interest or taken such trouble to assist nuns to meet contemporary needs and face inevitable adapatation as today. ft is to be hoped all will show their appreciation by helping to make this latest contribution the success it should be.