a tall order

One of my new Aussie visitors (or rather, an ex Aussie nun) commented on my post about our groovy foundress Margaret Anna Cusack, "Given the situation with regards the future of religious orders today - your decision - to enter is a courageous one."

I take comfort (and challenge!) from the words of Margaret Anna to the new community in 1887:

We are beginning a new Order. We want brave, noble, large-minded, courageous souls, and six such souls are of far more value than sixty selfish, self-seeking novices whose first idea is for themselves, and whose second idea is for themselves, and whose third and fourth and fifth idea is for themselves, and who let God and good of souls come in last in a heavy hearted way.

As appropriate a call and challenge today as it was all those years ago.