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Do nuns kneel when visiting Mother Superior?
A question from Annie …
I have a totally random question. When visiting one’s Mother Superior or going to speak to her in her office, do nuns still go up to her and kneel before sitting down? I would figure that that custom had been phased out during Vatican II, but I heard that some orders still have it, particularly for postulants and novices.
Thanks for the question, Annie. It depends on the congregation. Some may still have that custom though I personally do not know of a congregation that does. Even though the particular custom may no longer be practiced, great respect is due to the Mother Superior or whomever is the Congregational Leader or President of the community.
The leader is someone whom the community has discerned by the grace of God. She is the person who is called upon and is needed at that particular time in history. This is also true of all the sisters elected to congregational leadership (there’s usually a vice president, chief financial officer, and others).
I wish I could describe how there is a qualitative difference in these women when elected. It’s not hierarchical or power-trip-esque in any way … it’s what my IHM nuns call the grace of office. To begin with, these women are grounded in prayer and in the charism of the community. They also possess gifts such as administration, vision, education, etc. When elected to leadership, it’s like they get an extra boost from the Holy Spirit (at least that’s what it looks like from a regular nun). The Spirit gives these women what they need to lead the congregation, to live the mission, and it shows in who they are. At the same time, it’s important not to forget that these women are our sisters, ordinary and human just like the rest of us. They are our sisters first and foremost yet their grace of office is a part of who they re too. There are times when I do feel like kneeling (and I have) out of my great reverence for these women and their willingness to take on such an important role in the congregation and church.
For those of you who are or were in congregrational leadership, what is your experience related to this sense of “grace of office”?
And for others, have you ever experienced this feeling of “grace of office” in yourself or others?
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Thank you for informing us of this. It seems to be one of those topics where many things are assumed yet clarity is needed, so thanks for proving that clarity. God bless you.
Thanks for answering, Sister. I love it when the answer is “It depends!”
So is the term “Mother Superior” somewhat outdated nowadays? Is there a difference between a Mother Superior and the leader or President that you mentioned?
I was just remembering that in “The Nun’s Story” they portrayed the Sisters (do they ever mention the name of the order in that movie? Can’t remember) as always kneeling down in the presence of their Superior, and even speaking to their Superior while kneeling. And that took place in the late 30s; however, in “The Sound of Music” Maria kneels down when entering her Superior’s office, but then takes a seat, and that was also the late 30s.
Good times!
It depends on the order. Being part of the Franciscan family, my congregation uses the terms Minister General, Provincial Minister, and Local Minister.
There’s such a good diversity of customs in religious life that “It depends” is often in the response!
The primary leader of a religious community might have different names, but generally there is no difference based on the name alone. Many congregations still use the term “Mother Superior” and it is probably the term that most non-nuns are familiar with.
And like “Another” Sister Julie, CSSF, noted (“another” always cracks me up), there are other terms for other leaders within a religious community and these vary greatly across communities.
Can’t remember if they did give a name to the order in those movies. It always annoys me when nuns are portrayed in a generic, one-world-order-of nuns-type of way. Every nun belongs to a “nun family”; she doesn’t just free-float unattached to a specific community with a specific history, spirituality, and mission. Sheesh!
I must say that I have always had great respect for the leadership of the community I am an associate member of. I think this time in the history of religious life it takes great courage and listening as communities move forward merge and the face of religious life changes even more.
in our congregation we use the term ‘Prioress’ which means – ‘first among equals’. She is elected at what we call General Chapters and has a term of 6 years. In times gone by this could be renewable – but now it is not. I do believe in the term “grace of office” – there such a great deal of responsibility – not only for the sisters in the Congregation but for the Congregation itself – what it stands for – what and how it carries out the vision and mission. I have a great deal of respect for our leadership!
We do not knell before the Prioress – but i know in times gone I have heard of stories – it is a sign of respect. In the Dominican tradition it is a sign of respect to bow – the profound bow – as St. Dominic demonstrated as one of his “9 Ways of Prayer” – it is not a legalistic custom to us NOW – but i have found myself bowing or a short nod of the head to someone that is in leadership. You could compare it to “Nameste” – I honor you…….
About “generic” nuns in movies–It always bugged me that in Sister Act, they identified the nuns as Carmelites. I don’t know of any Carmelites that wear black. I’ve always seen them in brown. Perhaps it was in homage to the Carmeliltes Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Their habits may have been used as a model for the movie.
Great discussion!
Actually, in response to “Other Sister Julie,” there are quite a few Carmelite Orders that wear black instead of brown or wear black with a full length brown scapular. I cannot think of the particular ones off the top of my head, but when I have a few minutes later in the week, I will look into it and get back to you.
Aneesh — thanks for adding that about the Prioress. I didn’t know the meaning of the word — it definitely resonates with my experience. And the profound bow — one of my favorite customs. I never think, “Oh, I shall now bow to show respect” but rather in an encounter it’s as if the body and spirit naturally want to move in such a way as to show respect.
Just a few things to share during my current “light” research into the nuns represented in “The Sound of Music.” They are supposed to be representative a cloister Benedictine nuns located at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, Austria. It is often referred to as the oldest nunnery in continuous use in the German speaking world, founded ca. 700 by St. Rupert. It became a partial pontificalia ca. 1241 with the Abbess given the right to bear a crozier, ring, pectoral crucifix, and miter instead of the traditional crown. Perhaps the people in charge of crafting the film’s “authenticity” felt that this called for the kneeling and kissing of the ring. Perhaps it was supposed to be representative of Maria’s exuberance in all things. Who knows with Hollywood? ( I’m just doing character research because I’m playing the role of Mother Abbess at a local theater – and I don’t want to do the religious the injustice of being merely a caricature.)