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Perpetual Nun Surveillance

by Sister Julie on September 6, 2011 J.M.J.A.T.

in NUN 101

Ever since I began thinking about the possibility of becoming a Catholic sister, I have been on perpetual nun surveillance. I delight in spotting nuns hither and yon — in churches, in supermarkets, on bicycles, on airplanes — wherever and however they are!

I’ve honed my nundar over the years, deftly discerning the Catholic sister or nun living and ministering in the midst of the world. It’s not as easy as you think, even with the sisters who wear external expressions of their consecration such as with a type of habit, a ring, a substantial cross or rosary, or other form of expression. There’s such wonderful diversity of our world in terms of cultures and religious traditions and personal expression that it takes great skill — and a bit of holy inspiration — to discern whether that veil is worn by a nun or other religious person, that rosary is a fashion accessory or a religious community’s custom.

What I love about nun surveillance is that I get to see what other sisters and nuns are up to and how they live and express their charism (see Ask Sister episode AS082 for more on charism). I have to restrain myself from bolting over to sisters and nuns unknown to me to say, “Hey, I’m a sister too! What’s up? What kind of nun are you? Where are you from? What do you do? Who’s your founder? What’s your charism and mission? How’d you become a nun?” As you can tell, that might be a bit overwhelming. Thank God, nuns do not carry tasers.

I believe in the sisterhood of all sisters and nun. I feel a special bond, much like married parents might like connecting with other married parents or engineers bond with other engineers (Look! she has a stainless steel ring on her pinky too!). No matter our charism or ministry or way of dressing or theology or spirituality, we have a connection that I find encouraging and delightful.

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The nuns are going to a screening of The Might Macs (movie featuring Cathy Rush and the Immaculata IHM Sisters and the legendar women’s basketball team) tonight and will be doing a review by blog and podcast later this week. As a result, we need to move prayer up to 5:30 p.m. CST (your time zone), a half an hour earlier than usual. Hope you can make it!

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{ 12 comments }

Marg September 6, 2011 at 10:05 am

Great spin on people watching, SJ! But I have to tell you that I’ve been mistaken for a nun quite a few times…BY nuns! I get a big kick out of it, actually!

Marsha West September 6, 2011 at 10:53 am

(me, too)

Sister Julie September 6, 2011 at 11:33 am

LOL You both look like nuns! When you both went to the airport for a pickup during the NL Summit, I told the person at the airport to look for a car that has two people that look like nuns in it! She knew EXACTLY which car to go to!

Marsha West September 6, 2011 at 7:57 pm: Should I include this information on my resume when applying for entrance? Will it be effective in convincing a vocation director to open the door? Hmmmmmm . . .

Teresa September 6, 2011 at 12:22 pm

I too have developed a “nundar” and get quite excited whenever I see one. Marg and Marsha you would both make great nuns

Marg September 6, 2011 at 1:09 pm: Thank you! We are complimented! LOL!
Marsha West September 6, 2011 at 7:58 pm: I’ll put you down as a reference, Teresa.

Marcia September 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Marg and Marsha, I agree that you already have the ‘nun look’ going on…and yes, I did spot you two at the airport right away . I find that I am developing the nundar too – I am always a little amazed and amused when I get it right! Perpetual Nun Surveillance – I love it! Thanks for sharing, SJ.

Sue1 September 6, 2011 at 1:38 pm

I know exactly whay ya mean SJ,surveillance can get tricky,even within an order! Recently I spent 9 days at the CSJ Motherhouse,and since the weather was so fantastic (cool) we’d sit on the porch in the eve and chat and it was interesting seeing lots of people coming home from work or shopping or whatever,wearing all
different types of clothing and jewelry was sometimes surprising who was or wasn’t a sister.Might interest you to know,lots of sisters do “surveillance” cause everyday,everytime I was introduced to a sister,by my friend,the first question to me was are you a sister?? or just hello sister, I guess like my friend said,”it’s cause they see you staying here,think you moved in” but it was great everyone accepted me and my ideas as I did them.I can see how great it is to live in community,such great support,but in conversation I heard lots of sisters say how they enjoy meeting others sisters anywhere too,you are far from alone in surveillance!!

marla September 6, 2011 at 3:23 pm

i can spot a nun from 100 paces. and i’ve been mistaken for a nun, too, repeatedly. it’s very interesting. i have not had to hold back from asking all those questions, though, and i feel a kinship, but not the same as yours! i love nuns, and especially you, jules!

KrissyLou September 7, 2011 at 4:21 pm