Cheers to all who spoke out against the Miss Sister 2008 beauty pageant! Here’s the MSNBC article in which Rungi announces that he’s cancelled the contest: “No nuns on catwalk as priest stops ‘pageant’”
Well, I guess that means I can put away my swimsuit and tap shoes!
My prayers are with Father Antonio Rungi — I thank him for his concern and support for Catholic nuns and sisters but I’m awfully glad that this endeavor never hit the runway — virtual or otherwise.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so glad. I think beauty contests are degrading for any one.
i’m very very happy and thankful to God that his superiors and bishop were not happy with the idea, and that he had to cancel it. i do feel sorry for fr. rungi because it always feels very awful when so many people criticize you and hurl hurtful words against you. but i pray that he may not see it as a personal attack but appreciate it as a sign that people around the world are still passionate about the Church, about the concept of nuns and priests being true servants of God, and how much these people would fight to preserve the Church’s values which are always rooted in Christ.
there are a million ways to show the world how genuine and wonderful it is to live as a bride of Christ, as a servant of the Lord…but i think the most effective way cannot be done by showcasing it or parading in front of the whole world to see…but instead by the seemingly “little” things priests and nuns do, things that arent known to the world but very well known to individuals whose lives they have touched — the way they have counseled people, the way they have uplifted their spirits, the way they struggle to be more faithful to each vow they have professed, the way they inspire people to be more obedient and closer to God by being living testimonies of His mercy, compassion, wisdom and love…there is no need to blow out horns and shout to the world what it is like to be a nun or a priest. good works shine on their own and sincerity is loudest in silence. i think it is enough that priests and nuns have created blogs to share to us lay and young people what it is like to be a consecrated servant of God in the 21st century. we are learning a lot from the blogs that we read and because of these we are appreciating and respecting your vocation more and more.
Well said, mjpss. Thank you.
I’m glad too, but I do feel for the priest in question. The beauty he may have had in mind may well have been that which shines through from our souls, regardless of our facial features , and seeing that sort of radiance in peoples’ eyes and faces can indeed lift the spirits, especially when we know the person in question is a servant of God. I agree with all mjpss says too -the facets of beauty are many.
I was so excited to see the headline that the pageant was cancelled, and I couldn’t wait to tell you and your readers. I’m new to the site, currently in classes to convert to the Catholic faith, and find this such a great blog to read. I was astounded when first reading about this pageant. While I understand what Father Rungi is trying to do, there are better avenues in which to do it. He, and this whole process, has been on my heart since reading it. When something is in my heart and mind, I know it is God asking me to focus and pray. Thank you for sharing yourself in this public forum. It’s truly a relief to remember that nuns, clergy, and all people involved in the Church are still human.
Have a great day! ~~Denise
I’ve decided to start a contest of my own. No trophies. Have a visit.
Awww. The tap shoes too? That’s at least a talent.
The article was interesting, as it appeared that the Father had not run this past his supervisors. One might have thought a cursory mention would have been in order prior to publication…
In my case, it would be “talent” loosely understood!
aw shucks…i was just getting my photo ready to upload…just kidding…
seriously, i’m sure fr. had good intentions…i hope he learned something from this and that folks did not attack him personally….
I have to say I’m so glad this contest was cancelled as well! Pagents are bad enough for people who aren’t nuns!
I am glad it was cancelled. Besides the fact that I do not like the image of women that beauty contests give, the whole idea sounded phoney. I think a woman would create a much more positive way to promote a healthy image of sisters.
How long does it take to be a nun? Is there an age limit? I have been a teacher for 30 years and have two Master’s degrees. I want to do more with my life now. I would like to do some work with the poor.
Do all nuns live in convents? I would like to serve the poor and the sick. My life seems unfulfilled and I have been thinking about this for about 4 years now.
Thank you,
Karen
Dear Karen,
It can take approximately 7 years to become a nun. The inquiry and initial stage is about 1-2 years. Candidacy/Postulancy is another 1-2 years. Novitiate is 3 years. Then a woman professes Temporary Vows for 3 years after which is Final Vows! Click here for more on these stages in my Decoding Formation series.
Some religious communities have age limits, usually around 40 years of age. But many also accept women older than 40 including my IHM Congregation. I recommend you check out my post with a good discussion about entering religious life after 40-ish. You’ll find a bunch of links there that people have offered. My own IHM community (active) accepts women over 40.
Probably all congregations work for and with people who are poor. It is a ministry that many, many nuns have been involved with.
All religious communities have convents. There might be a variety of ways that sisters live in community. Many times it is living in a convent that may range in size from 7 to 77 and beyond! Other times ministry or location might dictate that a nun live singly or in smaller communities of 2-7. It really depends on the community.
I recommend that you get in touch with sisters. Get to know them and their way of life. You might start by attending Mass at their motherhouse or volunteering to help at one of their places of ministry. It’s one of the best ways to discern a call to religious life. And of course remain faithful to prayer and find ways to nurture your spiritual life through the sacraments, spiritual reading, and service of others.