The passion-paradigm - The religious caring of 'the poor sisters of the divine child'

Journal/Book: Eur J Womens Stud. 1998; 5: 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Sage Publications Inc. 35.

Abstract: Which conception of care had religious sisters in mind, when they devoted themselves to Christ and to people in need? Two paradigms of interpretation are offered: the action-paradigm and the passion-paradigm. Current normative presuppositions, in which autonomy, control and agency are thought to be 'good' (the action-paradigm) can easily hinder the understanding of sisters. For instance: 'passion' was crucial in the life of the Poor Sisters of the Divine Child in Amsterdam in the 19th century, both in the sense of a passionate love for Christ, and in the sense of suffering. By critically evaluating her own former research, the author shows how the passion-paradigm can shed light on normative historical sources like a convent rule. The rule of the Poor Sisters, theological language written by a priest, does contain a certain conception of care. In that conception the soul is the most important aspect of human beings. Sisters cared for their own and other people's souls by praying, working, doing penance and suffering, and by loving the supernatural Christ fiercely.

Note: Article vanHeijst A, Tilburg Univ, Theol Fac, NL-5000 Le Tilburg, NETHERLANDS

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