Comments on: Doubt comes to A Nun’s Life http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20804 Sister Julie Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:51:00 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20804 Thanks for all the good observations and questions. I've forwarded the questions to the Sisters of Charity and will post them during the discussion. Thanks for all the good observations and questions. I’ve forwarded the questions to the Sisters of Charity and will post them during the discussion.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20795 Elizabeth Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:46:45 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20795 Were the sisters worried how the film directors/editors would portray their order? Did Meryll Streep shadow the nuns for research? What was their favorite line or scene from the movie ? What do you do when you're not sure? Were the sisters worried how the film directors/editors would portray their order?
Did Meryll Streep shadow the nuns for research?
What was their favorite line or scene from the movie ?
What do you do when you’re not sure?

]]> By: marla http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20722 marla Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:44:24 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20722 i'm a writer and i was wondering, did the sisters of charity ever run orphanages? (pardon my lower case, i use it for every cyber-thing.) i’m a writer and i was wondering, did the sisters of charity ever run orphanages? (pardon my lower case, i use it for every cyber-thing.)

]]> By: Sr Anne http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20708 Sr Anne Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:18:44 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20708 I put Sr. Helena's website address in place of mine; she did a review of the movie, and I am encouraging her to join the conversation if her schedule permits on the 8th. I put Sr. Helena’s website address in place of mine; she did a review of the movie, and I am encouraging her to join the conversation if her schedule permits on the 8th.

]]> By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20685 Another Sister Julie, CSSF Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:50:04 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20685 Oh, dear! Watching the class in the reflection on the glass reminds me of my novitiate. We used to have a picture of the Holy Face in the hallway between the novitate and the chapel. It was at the right height for us to get one last peek at ourselves to see if our veil was on straight. The professed sisters thought we had such a great devotion--until they realized what we were REALLY doing. That's when they moved the picture. Oh, dear! Watching the class in the reflection on the glass reminds me of my novitiate. We used to have a picture of the Holy Face in the hallway between the novitate and the chapel. It was at the right height for us to get one last peek at ourselves to see if our veil was on straight. The professed sisters thought we had such a great devotion–until they realized what we were REALLY doing.

That’s when they moved the picture.

]]> By: Stfrancisgirl http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20653 Stfrancisgirl Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:11:20 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20653 I will be at work during your discussion so I won't be able to drop in on the live talk. I look forward to reading it later. I felt the movie was well done, well cast, and well named -- yes, I still felt doubt at the conclusion. I think Amy Adams is adorable in her role. I loved the pivotal scene where she did use the glass of the Pope's picture frame to see the class while she was writing on the chalk board. Everyone in the theater laughed when Sr. Aloysious said it didn't matter if it was the current Pope or not. There are so many themes that can be brought out of that film. I will be at work during your discussion so I won’t be able to drop in on the live talk. I look forward to reading it later. I felt the movie was well done, well cast, and well named — yes, I still felt doubt at the conclusion. I think Amy Adams is adorable in her role. I loved the pivotal scene where she did use the glass of the Pope’s picture frame to see the class while she was writing on the chalk board. Everyone in the theater laughed when Sr. Aloysious said it didn’t matter if it was the current Pope or not. There are so many themes that can be brought out of that film.

]]> By: Annie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20652 Annie Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:08:52 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20652 Oh I loved this movie!! So good, and so intense. Sr. Aloysius pretty much defines the "mean nun" stereotype, but she turns out to be sort of the heroine of the story (depending on how you interpret it) so it's really quite interesting. My favourite line of the movie: "I don't care what Pope it is!" :P Oh I loved this movie!! So good, and so intense. Sr. Aloysius pretty much defines the “mean nun” stereotype, but she turns out to be sort of the heroine of the story (depending on how you interpret it) so it’s really quite interesting.

My favourite line of the movie: “I don’t care what Pope it is!” :P

]]> By: Sister Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20650 Sister Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:34:51 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20650 I saw the play when it opened in Boston (you can imagine how interested folks here were, since we were the "epicenter" of the clergy sex-abuse scandals). I saw the movie this week and was very impressed with the acting; however, I thought the actor who played Sr. Aloysius in the play was better than Streep at the end. In that last scene, I thought Meryl Streep "overacted." It just didn't work for me. I noticed in the credits that a real-live Sr. of Charity had been a consultant and the film was also dedicated to her--could she have been the real live "Sr. Aloysius"? Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Violet (can't recall her surname) were excellent. So, too, was Streep--except for that last scene (IMHO). I saw the play when it opened in Boston (you can imagine how interested folks here were, since we were the “epicenter” of the clergy sex-abuse scandals). I saw the movie this week and was very impressed with the acting; however, I thought the actor who played Sr. Aloysius in the play was better than Streep at the end. In that last scene, I thought Meryl Streep “overacted.” It just didn’t work for me. I noticed in the credits that a real-live Sr. of Charity had been a consultant and the film was also dedicated to her–could she have been the real live “Sr. Aloysius”? Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Violet (can’t recall her surname) were excellent. So, too, was Streep–except for that last scene (IMHO).

]]> By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20636 Another Sister Julie, CSSF Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:15:19 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20636 Okay, I see that the SCs are an offshoot of the DCs, but the bonnet vs. coronet is still correct. Okay, I see that the SCs are an offshoot of the DCs, but the bonnet vs. coronet is still correct.

]]> By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20635 Another Sister Julie, CSSF Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:06:35 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20635 It was the Daughters of Charity that wore the coronets that got them the nickname "God's Geese." The Sisters of Chrity wore the same black bonnet that St. Eliabeth Ann Seaton wore, which was the garb of the widows of the Lombardy region of Italy where she was living when her husband died. Some of the SCs still wore a modified bonnet last time I saw some in the early 1990s. It was the Daughters of Charity that wore the coronets that got them the nickname “God’s Geese.” The Sisters of Chrity wore the same black bonnet that St. Eliabeth Ann Seaton wore, which was the garb of the widows of the Lombardy region of Italy where she was living when her husband died. Some of the SCs still wore a modified bonnet last time I saw some in the early 1990s.

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20623 Sister Julie Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:20:55 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20623 BarbaraKB ... How providential! Didn't even realize that. Thanks :) Teri ... I want to see the play now; the movie had some pretty fierce (as in intense) scenes that made me shake, so I'd love to see it performed in the flesh, as it were. Do check back any time -- the discussion is public and will be archived. Dee ... good questions! I'll pass them along to the Sisters of Charity. I think you'll like the movie, at least in the sense that it gives one a lot to consider and wrestle with. Provocative in a good way. As a Catholic sister, I was fully prepared to be confronted with stereotypes (both Catholic and nun ones) in the movie and to my surprise and joy, it was done very thoughtfully and I was not offended at all. Katie ... Sister Max and I are both with you on that. She saw it one way and I another and still we remain ... in doubt. Dave ... good points. The scene with the mother (supremely portrayed by Viola Davis) totally rocked me. It (along with Sister Aloysius and Father's yelling match) was one of the best scenes. Utterly real, gut-wrenching. Will write more about that in my review. BarbaraKB … How providential! Didn’t even realize that. Thanks :)

Teri … I want to see the play now; the movie had some pretty fierce (as in intense) scenes that made me shake, so I’d love to see it performed in the flesh, as it were. Do check back any time — the discussion is public and will be archived.

Dee … good questions! I’ll pass them along to the Sisters of Charity. I think you’ll like the movie, at least in the sense that it gives one a lot to consider and wrestle with. Provocative in a good way. As a Catholic sister, I was fully prepared to be confronted with stereotypes (both Catholic and nun ones) in the movie and to my surprise and joy, it was done very thoughtfully and I was not offended at all.

Katie … Sister Max and I are both with you on that. She saw it one way and I another and still we remain … in doubt.

Dave … good points. The scene with the mother (supremely portrayed by Viola Davis) totally rocked me. It (along with Sister Aloysius and Father’s yelling match) was one of the best scenes. Utterly real, gut-wrenching. Will write more about that in my review.

]]> By: Dave Vanderah http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20595 Dave Vanderah Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:06:28 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20595 First; an excellent, realistic portrayal of the boy, the sister(s) and the suspect priest. Anti-Catholic agenda: no. And a commercial film is allowed to make money on its investment AND portray serious matter. This is entertainment, yes, based on admittedly large numbers of cases where clergy are in, or seek, situations where potential targets exist, e.g. schools. Question about the sisters habits. There are many branches of Sisters of Charity including those depicted, with varied habits. The starched white headgear rerferred to gave rise to the name " God's Geese." These were known for their hospital work but I believe they were also school sisters. The 1960s were a time of changing habits and "habits" in the convent. The bonnets were not anacronistic for that time. Good discussion points: 1. the Mother's take on the situation: very realistic and even willing to overlook if her boy could get a chance in an antagonistic world. How she walked with the principal and let out her feelings was most striking and not to be overlooked. 2. the priest saying point blank to the principal: We are in charge in the church; you are not, so bug off. 3. The all too typical conclusion for the clergy; well we'll transfer father to another parish and that will take care of things. Right. The transfer solution was practiced innumerable times. Until the dam broke finally. And of course, the doubt, after all, generated in everyone in the film in the end. First; an excellent, realistic portrayal of the boy, the sister(s) and the
suspect priest. Anti-Catholic agenda: no. And a commercial film is
allowed to make money on its investment AND portray serious
matter. This is entertainment, yes, based
on admittedly large numbers of cases where clergy are in, or seek,
situations where potential targets exist, e.g. schools.
Question about the sisters habits. There are many branches of Sisters of Charity including those depicted, with varied habits. The starched white headgear rerferred to gave rise to the
name ” God’s Geese.” These were known for their hospital work
but I believe they were also school sisters. The 1960s were a time
of changing habits and “habits” in the convent. The bonnets were
not anacronistic for that time.
Good discussion points: 1. the Mother’s take on the situation: very realistic and even willing to overlook if her
boy could get a chance in an antagonistic world. How she walked
with the principal and let out her feelings was most striking and not
to be overlooked. 2. the priest saying point blank to the principal: We are in charge in the church; you are not, so bug off. 3. The all too typical conclusion for the clergy; well we’ll transfer father to another parish and that will take care of things. Right. The transfer solution
was practiced innumerable times. Until the dam broke finally.
And of course, the doubt, after all, generated in everyone in the film
in the end.

]]> By: Katie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20593 Katie Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:50:29 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20593 I saw the movie and still don't know what to think of it. I don't think my parents do, either. We just happened to see a Sister at the movie and we were talking about the movie with her. One thing I think we can all agree on: it has the perfect title. I saw the movie and still don’t know what to think of it. I don’t think my parents do, either. We just happened to see a Sister at the movie and we were talking about the movie with her.

One thing I think we can all agree on: it has the perfect title.

]]> By: deerose http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20586 deerose Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:53:58 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20586 I haven't seen this film yet but do plan on going with my husband in a few weeks when my daughter is gone on a ski trip. I don't know Meryll Streep personally but she is related to some friends of the family. She is also from northern New Jersey - historically a stronghold for the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station (very close to New York). Meryll is at least part Irish. I'm not sure whether or not she is or was Catholic but her relatives I know are. I'm wondering if she herself had Sisters of Charity as school teachers. Anyway, I digress. I understand this film is about some rather unsavory situations within Catholic life. As we know, these situations have and do exist. It is a part of our history whether we like it or not. There is no denying it. Admittedly, this type of theme often makes for a healthy profit. But here is the real question: Is there a specifically anti-Catholic agenda in this film or is it just pure entertainment designed to make money? Also, a side question, how true to the times is the portrayal of that fictional situation in the early 1960s? Also did the SC wear those bonnets back then? I thought they had those "flying nun" type of veils. dee I haven’t seen this film yet but do plan on going with my husband in a few weeks when my daughter is gone on a ski trip. I don’t know Meryll Streep personally but she is related to some friends of the family. She is also from northern New Jersey – historically a stronghold for the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station (very close to New York). Meryll is at least part Irish. I’m not sure whether or not she is or was Catholic but her relatives I know are. I’m wondering if she herself had Sisters of Charity as school teachers. Anyway, I digress.

I understand this film is about some rather unsavory situations within Catholic life. As we know, these situations have and do exist. It is a part of our history whether we like it or not. There is no denying it. Admittedly, this type of theme often makes for a healthy profit. But here is the real question: Is there a specifically anti-Catholic agenda in this film or is it just pure entertainment designed to make money?

Also, a side question, how true to the times is the portrayal of that fictional situation in the early 1960s? Also did the SC wear those bonnets back then? I thought they had those “flying nun” type of veils.

dee

]]> By: Teri http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20571 Teri Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:44:41 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20571 I saw the play last year (and am looking forward to seeing the movie). The play was masterfully performed to leave you with no resolution but your own.....doubt. My friend and I attended together and spent the return drive home (close to an hour) discussing it - both bringing different observations to the discussion. I won't be able to join the discussion on Thursday. It is sure to be a lively one! I saw the play last year (and am looking forward to seeing the movie). The play was masterfully performed to leave you with no resolution but your own…..doubt. My friend and I attended together and spent the return drive home (close to an hour) discussing it – both bringing different observations to the discussion.

I won’t be able to join the discussion on Thursday. It is sure to be a lively one!

]]> By: BarbaraKB http://anunslife.org/2009/01/04/doubt-comes-to-a-nuns-life/#comment-20569 BarbaraKB Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:31:00 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1082#comment-20569 A timely announcement considering today (January 4) is the feast of Elizabeth Seton: http://www.setonshrine.org/bio/bio.htm A timely announcement considering today (January 4) is the feast of Elizabeth Seton: http://www.setonshrine.org/bio/bio.htm

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