In a bit of sad news, after 70 years of distinguished service, the publication Review for Religious will "suspend" publication, at least in its current format. Whether or not it will be revived, and in what capacity, is not known. Michael Harter, SJ, the current editor, writes in the new (or last) issue:
As a result of our discussions and discernment, we have determined that this copy of Review for Religious is the final issue that will be produced by our St. Louis office. Whether the journal remains as a print publication, or is redesigned for delivery on the Internet, or ceases publication altogether is yet to be determined. In the meantime, we are suspending publication and putting a moratorium on renewals or new subscriptions until our discernment is completed." To say that we have reached the end is premature. A hiatus or pause is a more accurate description. As Ron Mercier points out in his article in this issue, a rest is as important a part of a musical score as is a chord or a whole string of arpeggios. And such a time of waiting can be a rich moment. We are not sitting idly while the discussion goes on but are in the process of digitizing our entire collection. We plan to make every article, poem, and book review we have published available on the Internet. It should be an invaluable archive for anyone wishing to research the shifts in religious life during the past 70 years. The full editorial is here.
In our editorial on Catholic closings, we held up just such discernment as a way for institutions to prayerfully consider their future. Nonetheless, any change brings sadness, and I'm sad that the journal I've read faithfully since the novitiate (and occasionally written for)--catering primarily to those in religious orders and filled with articles about the vowed life, community life and prayer, may no longer be available. Thanks to all the great men and women who have brought inspiration to so many religious across the world since 1941.
