Prophetic Witnesses to Joy - by Juliet Mousseau (Paperback)

About the Book

"An examination of how living a life of consecration calls into question the value of power, sexuality, and material possessions"--

Book Synopsis

A life of consecration prefigures what Christians hope for by calling into question the value of power, sexuality, and material possessions. Religious life challenges the idea that these things alone bring happiness and shows that we can be more fulfilled, happier, and more whole without being attached to them. Furthermore, detaching ourselves from these desires allows others to live with more dignity and greater ease, as well. Consecrated life, then, is a prophetic witness to the joy of the eschatological call of Christianity. In the words of Pope Francis to religious men and women leading up to the Year of Consecrated Religious, "Wake up the world! Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living!"

Review Quotes

"With Prophetic Witnesses to Joy, Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, delivers a sweetly phrased text, derived from medieval monastic rules, but with application to contemporary society. She succeeds in orienting the demands of religious life within the broader context of what it means to be human in a world far removed from the Middle Ages. This is an inspiring book."
Catholic Books Review

"Grounded in both historical tradition and contemporary reality, Juliet Mousseau provides a much-needed, updated theology of the vows for the twenty-first century. Mousseau invites the reader to understand the vows as a way to follow Jesus, make meaning of our rapidly changing world, and live joyfully for the sake of the Gospel. Her book should be required reading for elected leaders, formators, those in formation, and all who believe in the present and future of religious life."
Susan Francois, CSJP, Assistant Congregation Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

"Juliet Mousseau's Prophetic Witnesses to Joy provides a fresh look at religious life and the three vows that frame the life. Her thoughtful and scholarly treatment is accessible and readable. From a grounding in our Catholic tradition, Mousseau looks forward to re-imagine the vows for twenty-first century religious. For those new to vowed life, it shows where we come from, for those with a lifetime of experience, it shows where we're going."
Amy Hereford, CSJ, Attorney/Canonist

"Juliet Mousseau's Prophetic Witnesses to Joy is clearly the most up-to-date theology of religious life available. It is an integrated, positive, theological, and experientially grounded exploration of consecrated life within the context of the universal call to holiness. A valuable read for anyone who desires to be a faithful disciple of Christ and a must read for those involved in the ministry of religious formation. A wise, refreshing, deeply human witness to a joyful way of life from the new generation of those who have found meaning in the life of vowed religious but also valuable for anyone who desires to reflect once again on a decision they may have made long ago."
Donald Goergen, OP

About the Author

Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, is the vice president for academic affairs at the Franciscan School of Theology. She is a medieval historical theologian whose work focuses on the twelfth-century Abbey of Saint Victor. She is coeditor, with Sarah Kohles, OSF, of In Our Own Words: Religious Life in a Changing World.