Becoming a Religious Sister
Erik Erikson and Donald Winnicott in Dialogue
by
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This books looks at what makes a person become a good mature religious sister. The book considers the environment with which this individual was raised- stable or unstable- consistent and reliable parents or care-givers or lack of it. This is becasue the lack of emotional attunement has repercussion in the person's adult life. It is the beginning of a journey towards psychological imbalance or disturbance. Much depends on how one has been nurtured, supported and guided by her parents or care-givers. This book enlightens and broadens the minds of young people contemplating this was of life to prepare themselves psychologically before making the choice to lessen the chaos that happens in this environement thus saving others in the same environemnt pain and mental agony.
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About the Book
Patience Quayson explores what compels someone to answer the call to live a religious life in this book.
She undertook this study to fully understand the extent of the psychological imbalance or immaturity of individuals answering the call to the religious life. She highlights the psychological traits that can help young adults thrive when they decide to serve the Lord.
While such service can be incredibly rewarding, she does not gloss over the not-so-positive aspects of living in a convent that are so little talked about, which can bring sorrow to others. Poor interpersonal relationships between the leaders and the sisters, ineffective decision-making processes, and the arbitrary sending home of younger members are all addressed.
Anyone who decides to make serving the Lord their life’s work must possess a certain level of maturity. The author explores what someone must ask themselves before embarking on a religious life, including looking at their past and making an honest assessment about their potential for growth.
About the Author
Patience Quayson, a native of Ghana, West Africa, attended Catholic school and sang in her local church choir. She has been a religious sister for more than thirty years, serving as the vocation director of her order for more than twenty years. In 1986, she was sent to Rome to study, graduating with a master’s in theology. Later, she earned a Doctor of Ministry and a Ph.D. in pastoral psychology. A licensed psychoanalyst, she is a psychoanalyst/psychotherapist at Blanton Peale, Manhattan, New York.