The interposition of personal life stories and community narratives in a Roman Catholic religious community

This study investigates the interplay of community narratives and individual stories in a Roman Catholic religious community Catholic sisters were asked about their personal life stories nod the community narrative of their religious order. Links were found between the values and actions conveyed in the community narrative and those reported in the individual life stories. The community narrative acted as a vessel for the preservation of the principles on which the community was founded. This narrative is central to the life of the sisters, being taught to new sisters, told at community, events, and used during times of renewal. New sisters choose to interpose their own life story with the community narrative in the face of attractive alternatives. After a period of formation, they develop a sense of communal identity. In this study, the number of stories members generated about each other reflected their strong sense of community. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.