It was the year 1970 when the journey began.

Maps were studied, alternative routes were proposed, advice was sought from all quarters. But in the end, it was a small but courageous group of women who chose to set out in a new way.

A journey like ours is a risky business. To travel the road we have chosen takes both independence and the ability to trust one’s companions. Because we chose to give up the approved guide books, we must deal head-on with the complexity and ambiguity that is our path. This demands a deep faith which can sustain our uncertainties.

Sometimes we feel alone, wondering if the group has wandered off seeking another goal. We must sustain a healthy belief in our reason for being and our relevance to our times.

—Anita Caspary, IHM