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What are nuns like? Watch this!
Question for you … If you had to summarize — or perhaps symbolize — what Catholic sisters and nuns are really like, what mainstream movie would you use to do that? What aspects of the movie would you point to as being particularly nun-esque? Note: The movie does NOT have to have a sister or nun in it!
Pray about it. Think about it. Then tell us about it using the comment section below or send us an email, Facebook, or Tweet and we’ll post it here!
For starters, here is Dead Man Walking (1995) with Susan Sarandon playing real-life nun Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ. One of the best portrayals of Catholic sisters today.
The aspects I particularly like are how the movie well portrays Sister Helen as a woman of prayer, justice, and community. Her story is definitely unique (as are all of ours) but it points to some universal characteristics about being a Catholic sister or nun. The care for all of human life, even life that we’ve deemed “unredeemable” is one of the most remarkable aspects of this film. Sister Helen lives out and is portrayed as living out what Cardinal Bernadin called “a consistent ethic of life“. This consistent ethic of life is one that you’ll find reflected in many religious communities.
Okay, now your turn! What’s a movie you’d use to symbolize what nuns are really like?
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{ 4 comments }
I can’t think of any other movie that has a more realistic portrayal of religious women.
I like how the movie portrays sr. helen’s faults, too, particularly when she realizes the deep need of the victims’ families, too.
i love the portrayal in strangers in good company; the nun no one even knows is a nun, but i did, even before she said so (and the actress was, indeed, the nun she portrayed). i recognize undercover nuns in real life, too.
Some more comments from Facebook …
Colleen: I’m thinking “Sister Act,” if it’s not too inappropriate!
Sarah: Trouble with Angels …vor Bells of St. Mary- both oldest but goodies
Jay: The Singing Nun or The Nun’s Story – but there aren’t too many modern movies that give a modern post Vatican II perspective
Greg: Charlie’s Angels, maybe from an unconventional backround but always on the right side & know how to get the job done
Carolyn: How about “The Help” it is a powerful story where the young woman is instrumental in encouraging the help find their voice. Is that not what we are about as religious women, bringing out the dignity and encouraging individuals. Each person is precious and loved for who they are.
Kristina: The true story of the song of Bernadette movie.
Sabrina: City of God and Dead Man Walking.
Zeke: (Kinda) Mainstream movie: Forever Strong. Aspects particularly nun-esque: I love how the movie shares Larry as a man of faith and family (community, team, etc.). His life focus is on others and he is a firm believer that service, honesty, hard work and dedication can help a team succeed. His life is deeply linked with the lives of so many that; he is the star neither of the movie, nor a star on the pitch (field) nor the one demanding attention by yelling from the touchlines (sidelines) yet he is driven to make a difference. He influences others to live with honor and integrity, by being a living example of how to live life with honor and integrity. He, also, teaches all to focus on the “final score of life” (ex. 5 Championship Strategies for Sustainable Success), as he encourages discipline on and off the field, and requires service, honesty, hard work, and dedication from all his players. A couple of my favorite Gelwixisms are: “Practice doesn’t make perfect, practice makes permanent”, “”It doesn’t matter who scores, it matters that we score”, and “I want you to be forever strong on the field, so that you will be forever strong off the field”. Perhaps other than Larry having an unrivaled winning rugby record – I feel the above is also reflected in many religious communities. Kia Kaha, Larry!
one of my top 25!