When a Young Woman Leaves the Convent, by Christina M. Sorrentino 

Several years ago, when I left the convent, I began speaking with other young women who had also either discerned out of the convent or been asked to leave due to various reasons. I quickly realized that although I felt as if I had a unique experience, I was far from being the only one.

This became even more apparent when I began to join groups on social media for young women who had left the convent and when I read testimonies on Leonie’s Longing, a blog for former religious.

Women, especially young women, who have left the convent require a special kind of pastoral care, which is very different from working with married couples or families. A…