Forgiveness experiences of women and men in Catholic religious orders

ABSTRACT A qualitative inquiry study explores how religious vowed people experience forgiveness. Fourteen religious vowed men and women, living in relatively closed communities, shared their experiences of forgiveness over a lifetime of service. Grounded theory principals were utilized in data collection and analysis. Findings include a thematic description of how forgiveness is explained as an ongoing process involving offenses and transgressions, motivations, and challenges. Internal and social influences are discussed. Religious, spiritual, and family influences are identified, as well as community context. Forgiveness understanding is experienced as changing over time. Recommendations for counselors and other service providers are shared, and future qualitative exploration of the experiences of a wide range of cultural and religious groups is suggested.