Sm. On this question of the shortage of religious vocations, no-one has so far stated the case for spinsterhood.
It is true that God is best pleased with the total oblation of mind, body. and spirit which is the privilege of the religious orders, but it is also true that in His kindness He will sometimes accept the offering of the individual who simply puts away all thought of getting married and continues to live in the world, doing whatever good there is to be done in the lay apostolate.
Certainly this way of life, compared with a religious vocation, is only "second best", but the example of many holy lay men and women shows that it can be a very good second best.
(Miss) Mary Hall Letchworth, Herts.