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How to Get a Free Trip to Hell
It has been a while since I’ve offered my thoughts on news items related to Catholic sisters and nuns. The story itself is unfortunate — Sister Mary Gabriel De Leon, a Franciscan sister, had her purse stolen while packing groceries in her car. Thankfully, Sister is okay, though understandably shaken up.
Beyond the story itself, there is much in the reporting of the story that fills me with a variety of emotions, from amused to perplexed. Here we go:
Headlines
Man Robs Nun, Earns Free Trip to Hell
I am rather fond of this headline even though it is theologically suspect.
Thief stole nun’s purse but not her faith
Not so fond of this one though nice attempt.
Quotable Quotes
“It’s worse than stealing candy from a baby.” – bystander
I’m not sure exactly what the parallel is here … nuns as helpless babies?
“Hal joins us live with reactions from the Sisters of the Convent.” – Fox
Granted, most folks don’t really know how to refer to us, our “religious garb”, or our dwelling places. Kudos to those who do try. This one was kind of a mash-up between how to name the sisters and how to identify their dwelling place.
“A Nun is robbed while fully dressed …” – KTLA TV
I’m sorry but this one just kills me. He of course finishes the sentence with “in a religious habit” but by then it’s just too late!
What I really like about this story is the story within the story. After the sister was robbed and later interviewed by the police for details, the officers decided to chip in to purchase Sister Mary a new purse, a scarf, and a gift card.
That earns them a free trip to heaven in my book.
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Join the A Nun’s Life community for prayer at 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone). We’ll be keeping Sister Mary, her sisters, and the officers in our prayers. Right after prayer we’ll have our very first ever Food Podcast on the topic of Thanksgiving food, meal prayers, recipes, music, and more!
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{ 6 comments }
OOOOOOOOH NOOOOOOOOO!!!
“Earns a free trip to heaven”, Julie? I can just hear my Protestant friends now… (j/k)
One of the funnier parts of the movie version of Dead Man Walking was when the cop pulled Sr. Helen over, and then discovered that she was a nun. He said to her, “You know, last year I gave a ticket to a guy who worked for the IRS. The next year I was audited. Have a nice day, Sister.”
This is a wonderful piece sisters
Prayers to both Sister Mary Gabriel De Leon, and the thief. May the thief have a conversion.
Those sisters look like the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Poor sister! However, she did incur temptaion by not keeping her purse on her. I like to keep my purse slung across myself and UNDER my jacket.
As for the lame coverage, it doesn’t surprise me. Sometimes I want to crawl through the TV screen and volunteer as a consultant to the local media to set the record straight!
The free trip to hell takes me back to Spring 1981 when Pope John Paul II was shot. The words express trip to hell were on everyone’s lips. John Lennon had been mudered a few months before and the president Ronald Regan was shot but a nut John Hinkley who had a crush on the actress Jody Foster. It really felt like the world was going to hell in a handbasket. I’m glad sister is okay and it’s nice to hear the officers had respect for nuns and wanted to give her some kind gifts.
Interesting story.
I find it interesting how this is seen as a reprehensible act when the sisters: “never blamed the suspects for doing anything wrong.” Before joining the Capuchins I had someone skip out on paying me money; it took a long time to let the incident go.
It takes a certain person to rob a nun, but also takes a special person to forgive.
(I love your blog and added it to my blogroll!)