When Thomas Merton wrote The Seven Story Mountain, he attracted many men to religious life. Probably because it was the story of a very confused and aimless man, who found something of great value. My two aunts, Sisters Rosamund and Henrietta of the Sisters of Mercy had their own stories, which I got to know because of family history and lore. I wonder if there are any parallels; perhaps I just do not know.  But I cannot help thinking my aunts, especially Henrietta, had a powerful story that has to be disentangled from the many reforms that they could not swallow. I miss debating church reforms with them but even more I now miss their presence and, given the contrasting good reputation of the sisters, think its Vatican II versions can be reclaimed as a life dedicated to love of God and neighbor. The Sisters' Report is heartening in the works it describes, but maybe "true-to-life" stories of why they became sisters might parallel Merton's very male memoir.