A Nun's Life

You are invited to A Nun’s Life web event featuring Sister Sandra Schneiders TODAY

The Nuns — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:01:49 +0000

Join us today for a live broadcast of In Good Faith, a conversation exploring God’s call in everyday life hosted by A Nun’s Life Sisters Maxine and Julie.

Guest: Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM

Sister Sandra is a leading authority on Catholic women’s religious life and a renowned author. She is professor emerita of New Testament Studies and Christian Spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley.

Topic: Exploring God’s call in everyday life. The sisters talk with Sister Sandra about her call as a Catholic nun as well as her call as a scholar and theologian. We’ll discuss her work with the Gospel of John and how biblical spirituality can help us in our daily quest for God.

We welcome your questions for our guest. Please submit them using the comment box below or you can type them in the chat room during the live broadcast.

On Air: Today from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Central Time (your timezone)

Where: www.aNunsLife.org/LIVE

Details: The broadcast is free and open to the public. You can tune in from any place you have internet access. We also have a chat room for you to use during the broadcast in order to connect with one another and with us.

If new to A Nun’s Life podcasts, the podcasts are basically like tuning into a radio program, but instead of broadcasting it on the airwaves, we broadcast it on our website. All you have to do is visit our website and make sure the volume on your computer is up.

Our monthly program features guests who are nationally known for their ministry in spirituality, religious life, and discernment. We’ll look at how our guests understand their own life as a calling and discuss a variety of perspectives on living faith and call in everyday life. The show airs on the first Thursday of the month from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Central Time.

Upcoming Shows

October 7, 2010: Dr. Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history at Maxwell School of Syracuse University, where she also holds appointments in the departments of religion, political science, and women and gender studies. She is a leading expert on the history of women’s religious life in the United States.

November 4, 2010: Sister Bernadette Lynch, MM, the subject of the book, Bernie Becomes a Nun (1956). She has served as a missioner for many years in Peru, El Salvador and Guatemala and also has worked with families affected by HIV/AIDS.

December 2, 2010: Father James Martin, SJ, author and culture editor of America and author of the new book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. He writes for a number of publications and is a regular commentator on religion and spirituality for major media networks.

Are nuns the “spouses of Christ”? When roses arrive at the convent, the sisters reconsider

Sister Maxine — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:06:33 +0000

Just the other day a large vase of incredibly beautiful roses arrived at the convent, to our great surprise and delight. The flowers were a gift from the Divine. Really. The card that came with them said so. It was signed, “Love, Jesus.”

The roses truly brighten our day. Every time we see them, we smile. Partly that’s because we love a good mystery. (OK, so I tried to convince the florist to tell me if Jesus had another name, like a name on a credit card, but nothing doing. I think the florist enjoyed the mystery too!).

The roses also make us smile because they remind us of conversations we’ve had with people about images of God and their meaning. On a recent Ask Sister podcast, we were asked about God imagery in religious life. Sister Julie and I don’t espouse the “spouse of Christ” image in terms of our relationship with God. For us, other images better express our connectedness with God. Sometimes the spouse imagery can tend toward the literal. Sister Julie and I don’t really expect Jesus to bring home flowers at the end of the day. But when roses appear, it’s really wonderful!

There is no doubt in our mind that the appearance of the roses was an act of God. Sister Julie and I will continue to admire the beauty of the roses – God’s goodness expressed through creation and in human creativity, kindness, and sense of humor!

BTW, Sister Sandra Schneiders has written a lot about the topic of spousal imagery in religious life. She’ll be with us on a live podcast this Thursday. (FYI if new to A Nun’s Life podcasts, they are basically like tuning into a radio program, but instead of broadcasting it on the airwaves, we broadcast it on our website. All you have to do is visit our website and make sure the volume on your computer is up.) If you have a question for Sister Sandra, please write it in the comment box.

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Join A Nun’s Life Community for prayer today via our live podcast “Praying with the Sisters” and chat room. Just before 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone) join us at http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE … more info on that page.

Filling the Void

Sister Julie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:07:38 +0000

For the last few months, things haven’t always felt that right. Now I know why. I had a void in my life and now it is filled. Yesterday I had my regular (semi-regular in my case) dentist check up appointment. I mentioned that one tooth in particular was still giving me a difficult time. Linda, my ever faithful dental hygienist looked kindly at me and then at my tooth. “Did you know that you lost your filling?”

Now I’m new to this whole “filling” business. As you might recall, I had my first cavity less than a year ago. Sadly my hopes for tuning in more radio stations with a silver filling were not realized. So I don’t know when or where or how I lost my little silver dude, but it’s gone. Linda and the dentist were ever so gracious in taking the time to give me a new filling. This time, white because the material allows you to use adhesive. Trust me, a hot glue gun pointed at your mouth is an unnerving experience.

So we’re going through the whole filling thing and I tell them that I’ve definitely experienced pain and discomfort from this tooth. I tell them that its kind of feels like it’s always there, a general malaise if you will. Then Linda says to me, “Well of course you are feeling that way. You have a void and it’s exposing the inside. We need to fill the void.”

For a split second I thought I was in spiritual direction … then whirl of the drill and the smell of steaming adhesive sobered me up. But for a moment there, I thought wow, there’s a lot to be said for that metaphor of having a cavity — a void — and filling it. Sometimes the stuff we fill it with just doesn’t work (e.g., silver fillings DO NOT tune in more radio stations) and can even adversely affect us. We have to find the stuff that’s really going to stick, adhere to our hearts and souls and bring us peace.

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How will you live the Gospel today?

Sister Julie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:45:19 +0000

That’s right, I’m talking to you. No, not the person behind you. You.

Will you live the Gospel in the way you hold your child or attend class or shake hands on a business deal? Will you speak a word of compassion or console a broken heart? Will you reflect the love of Christ to others, even those who annoy or anger you? Will you celebrate the dew glistening in the morning sun? Will you take a moment to breath a prayer of gratitude?

In what way you are living the Gospel today?

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AS039 Ask Sister – vocations to religious life, pink bunnies, temporal punishment, and more!

The Nuns — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:26:09 +0000

AS039 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on August 27, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: vocations to religious life, images of God, respect for other religions, pink bunnies, temporal punishment and forgiveness, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!
Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

What is temporal punishment and does it mean I’ll still be punished even though I’ve gone to confession and been forgiven?
What is the best way for a Christian to address the controversial issue of plans for building a mosque near the World Trade Center memorial in New York City?
What are some ways or images that you use to view your vocation? (e.g., marriage with Jesus, covenant relationship with God, etc.)
Can God be imaged in different ways? What does this mean in terms of our own relationship with God and spiritual growth?
Why are bunnies pink? (a deeply philosophical issue!)

We welcome your insights and conversation on these topics and more by interacting with us via the chat room during the live broadcast.

Do you have a question for us? Call our toll-free Voicemail Hotline at 888-703-4732 and leave a voicemail for us with your question. Be sure to give us your first name and city from where you are calling. We’ll play your message and respond on the Ask Sister podcast. You can also send us an email or comment below. In whatever way you contact us, please know that your last name, email address, and any other private information will be kept confidential.

PS132 Prayer – August 26, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:37:34 +0000

PS132 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 26, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 145:2-7 and Matthew 24:42-51. Feast day: Saint Pandwyna. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Checking out discernment retreats

Sister Julie — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:55:43 +0000

The IHM Sisters of Monroe, Michigan (my nuns!), are co-sponsoring a discernment retreat in the Toledo, Ohio area. It’s for younger women who are thinking about religious life. If you are (or know someone who is), why not check it out. Here’s a link to our IHM Vocations blog “IHM Calling” with the information on the discernment retreat.

Retreat in the foothills of the Rockies - a hike at Castlewood Canyon State Park (2004)

So what’s a discernment retreat all about anyways?

Well, religious communities offer many different kinds — some for women (or men if a religious community for men) who are discerning that particular community and some (like the one above) are more general so you can get to know a variety of communities. There are also retreats in general offered by retreat centers that are for anyone who is in a discernment mode, be it discerning a life commitment or a ministry or just in general. Many of these are facilitated by spiritual directors who are well trained in the area of Ignatian spirituality and discernment.

A discernment retreat, like other retreats, is set in a prayerful mode and is primarily directed at helping retreatants become more conscious of how God is moving in their lives, how God is calling them. A discernment retreat typically offers time for prayer, reflection, and input on how to discern (e.g., helpful tips and tools, insights from our faith tradition, etc.).

For retreats that are specifically for folks discerning a call to religious life, the retreat typically has more focused input on religious life. There may also be input on the particular congregation that is offering the retreat. This includes an introduction to the life and mission of the community, the kinds of ministries, the story of the foundation and lived tradition of the community.

Retreatants typically have the chance to meet with sisters and talk with them about discernment in general, religious life, and/or the community itself. There may also be an opportunity to talk with a spiritual director or to share conversation with the other retreatants.

Attending a discernment retreat does not mean you are “signing on the dotted line” or that you are in an “exclusive relationship” with a community. It just means you are serious about checking things out and learning more about how God is calling you. You don’t have to commit to anything. All you have to do is be open to allowing the Spirit to be with you, surprise you, challenge you, and inspire you!

A great place to find listings of discernment retreat opportunities is the opportunities section of Vision Vocation Network.

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PS131 Prayer – August 25, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:11:42 +0000

PS131 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 25, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 128:1-6 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18. Feast day: Saint Louis of France. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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On the road with the NunCam for Morning Meditation

Sister Maxine — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:00:42 +0000

On today’s bike ride meditation, I took a country road and thought about God’s good creation, and how we are part of that. I meditated on the second account of creation in Genesis (Gen 2: 4-17), where God creates the human from the earth. Then God breathes the breath of life into the human.

Breathing is a creative act by God, one that I’m really grateful for as I bike, and as I live for that matter! So for today, I will be especially conscious of how I am God’s breath in the world. I will try to be a stellar representative of the Good Creation all day, in all my words and actions. That’s easier to do sometimes than others. So, if I’m tempted to be impatient waiting in a line somewhere, or to get frustrated if my work projects don’t go as expected, I’ll take a deep breath and remember how it feels to be part of the Good Creation.

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PS130 Prayer – August 24, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:13:20 +0000

PS130 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 24, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 145:10-18 and John 1:45-51. Feast day: Saint Jane Antide Thouret. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Sweat Equity

Sister Julie — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:35:33 +0000

Happy Monday! Today I am going to spend the day helping friends with some work involving power tools, felling dead trees, and other duties as assigned!

Manual labor is my friend and I have always taken comfort in the way one must give oneself completely to the task — body, mind, and spirit. There is great wisdom in the Benedictine phrase “ora et labora” — pray and work. It’s something we can practice in any of the work we do. And while I love my various ministries, I also find great satisfaction in “sweat equity” … allowing the physical work of my hands to count towards something, to contribute to a greater good, to be personally cleansing and renewing.

So what’s your favorite form of “sweat equity”? What about it inspires you to give it your all?

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AS038 Ask Sister – file cabinets in the image of God, vows human made or God made, religious brothers, nun terminology

Sister Julie — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:58:17 +0000

AS038 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on August 20, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: file cabinets in the image of God (do animals or rocks have souls?), vows human or God made, religious brothers, nun terms, obedience and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Are the vows that Catholic sisters and nuns take made by God or by humans?
Do file cabinets have souls?
Is the vow of obedience always understood strictly?
What are some of the distinctions between the terms nun, sister, consecrated virgin, and lay sister?
Are brothers the male equivalents of sisters and nuns?

PS128 Prayer – August 19, 2010

Sister Julie — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:34:36 +0000

PS128 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 19, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 51:10-19 and Ezekiel 36:23-28. Feast day: Litany of the Pets. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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God and Dog – and a Litany of Pets

Sister Maxine — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:03:09 +0000

Just the other day I came across my copy of The Hound of Heaven. It’s a poem about God’s untiring pursuit of us, a chase inspired by God’s great love. The poem was written around 1900, by Francis Thompson.

The hound image made me think of a song that one of my sisters recently told me about, “God and Dog.” Like the poem, the song is also about God’s persistent love, which takes many shapes in our life, such as our pets.

So today I give thanks for pets, especially Abby and Bailey (two of my favorite dogs) and of course Chloe the Convent Cat. Do you have a prayer of thanksgiving for a pet you know or one you fondly remember? If so, please add their names (in the comment box below) to our Litany of Pets! We’ll pray the litany at prayer tonight.

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PS127 Prayer – August 18, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:18 +0000

PS127 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 18, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 23:1-6 and Matthew 20:1-16. Feast day: Saint Helen. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Mark your calendars! Two new interview-style programs coming your way!

Sister Julie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:29:19 +0000

With two new podcast series starting in September, Sister Maxine and Sister Julie are bringing you the most interesting people and topics around spirituality, ministry, discernment, social media, vocations, and more!

In a few short weeks, we are launching two new monthly podcast series. These live, interview-style programs will be broadcast live on our website. You are invited to join the conversation with us and our guests via our chat room during the live show. You can also submit questions ahead of time for our guests.

Here’s a glimpse of the two programs:

In Good Faith features guests who are nationally known for their ministry in spirituality, religious life, and discernment. The program will run every first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. CST.

Our first show will be on September 2, 2010, and feature Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM. Sister Sandra is a leading authority on Catholic women’s religious life and a frequent contributor to Catholic periodicals, as well as a renowned author. She is professor emerita of scripture spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley where she teaches courses such as biblical spirituality, Christian spirituality and religious life.

On October 7 we’ll be talking with Dr. Margaret Susan Thompson, a professor of history at Maxwell School of Syracuse University, where she also holds appointments in the departments of religion, political science, and women and gender studies. Peggy is the leading expert on the history of women’s religious life in the United States.

We’ll be adding more information to the In Good Faith program page and our podcast schedule soon!

Digital Ministry focuses on using Internet technologies and social media for ministry. The program is a mix of things covering technique, technology, and theology in order to enhance one’s capacity to do ministry, to witness to the Gospel in everyday life on the Internet. The program will run every second Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. CST.

Our first show will be on September 9, 2010, and feature Ms. Lisa Hendey, founder and editor of CatholicMom.com, author of The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul, freelance writer, and website designer. Lisa is one of the leading figures in Catholic social media today.

On October 14 we’ll be talking with Father Andy Alexander, SJ, and Ms. Maureen McCann Waldron, partners at Creighton University’s Collaborative Ministry Office and Online Ministries. Father Andy and Maureen have done extensive ministry in tending to people’s spiritual hunger in the digital world.

We’ll be adding more information to the Digital Ministry program page and our podcast schedule soon!

We are able to provide these programs free to listeners because of sponsor support. If you would like to sponsor In Good Faith or Digital Ministry, visit our Become a Sponsor page for more information.

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PS126 Prayer – August 17, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:32:21 +0000

PS126 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 17, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 32:26-29 and Matthew 19:23-30. Feast day: Saint Myron. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Leaders of U.S. Catholic Sisters: Living and Proclaiming the Good News

Sister Julie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:10:34 +0000

The Leadership Council of Women Religion (LCWR) held its national assembly this year in Dallas, Texas (August 11-14, 2010). The gathering was an opportunity for education, reflection on issues pertinent to religious life leadership, networking, prayer and celebration.

Among the highlights of the week were the following:

Our own Sister Margaret Brennan, IHM received the 2010 LCWR Outstanding Leadership Award. Sister Margaret, a theologian and former LCWR president, played a key role in the renewal of religious life following the Second Vatican Council. In her response she gave testimony to the founding spirit of LCWR and its continued ministry and mission. (Download the full text of her response GIFT… In gratitude … and awe: A Response)

Richard R. Gaillardetz, PhD of the University of Toledo, spoke on the fidelity of Catholic sisters to the vision of the Second Vatican Council, noting that the tensions sisters are experiencing with the church hierarchy have significance for those not in religious life as well. “The way you respond to the ecclesial tensions you are experiencing right now will be a witness to all Christians, instructing all of us in how to most fruitfully and productively respond to the inevitable ecclesial tensions that we undergo,” he stated.

M. Shawn Copeland, PhD of Boston College emphasized that the prophetic ministry of Catholic sisters is critical for the future of the church. Noting that the Catholic tradition is in crisis, she asked, “How are we to live in the presence of God in this time of disappointment and diminishment? What are we to do in a situation in which nothing seems to be moving forward, when life-giving possibilities for the future seem foreclosed or beyond immediate realization? In such a situation, prophetic ministry not only is needed, it is imperative.”

In her address to the assembly, LCWR president Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA urged the body to claim its role in the church. She said, “We do not have to mimic our founders to find the answer about how to articulate our ecclesial role. The Gospel will show us what to do, how we must act with the attitude of Jesus who emphasized an inclusive love of all in right relationships. We take our power from the Word of God.” (Download Sister Marlene’s full address Called to Hope as Prophets, Artists, Healers, & Lovers)

Before the close of the assembly, Sister Mary Hughes, OP of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, New York, assumed the office of LCWR president for 2010-2011.

(sources: Leadership Council of Women Religious and Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; see also US Catholic article LCWR Members urged to maintain ‘hope in the midst of darkness’)

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PS125 Prayer – August 16, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:34:21 +0000

PS125 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 16, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 32:18-21 and Matthew 19:16-22. Feast day: Saint Roche. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

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How can we respond when confronted with provocative images in art?

Sister Julie — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:20:03 +0000

Question from Sally about Lady Gaga’s video “Alejandro” … see my earlier post Lady Gaga and her use of Catholic and nun imagery.

I’m also curious of the controversial un-catholic video and meaning of that song so I researched. [I found a site that] could be of help though there are indeed several interpretations. It shows the “satanic” elements in the video. Personally, I somewhat felt disgusted. Children usually get drawn to her music because the beat is really cool but there are hidden meanings which might be opposed to catholic teachings, and the videos are really obscene-too sexual and violent-which may be too much for young minds to bear and understand. It may seem to be an ordinary video for them but their perception of sexuality,which is one of God’s precious gifts to us, may be subconsciously distorted….

As Catholics, what then could we do with these things??

First let me say, the video in general is not my cup of tea. And, it is not something I’d want my young nephews or cousins to experience. That being said, I also wouldn’t want them to experience some great masterpieces of religious art that include images of violence, sex, and religion too! It’s just not something they ordinarily can appreciate (in the artistic sense) or comprehend, as you put so well. I’m not trying to equate Lady Gaga with Caravaggio but I do want to give a little room for art (low or high) to provoke, inspire, challenge, create. Such art, however, must be appropriately available but, perhaps, not mass marketed to impressionable minds and hearts.

What can we do? First, each of us has to be aware of how our own actions, beliefs, and attitudes about sex, violence, and religion are shaping those around us. Impressionable persons may be affected by music videos to an extent but more so by the people they are around 24/7 and the people they love and trust and the organizations that are guides for them in their life. I see this happen in my nephews, and I am so grateful for the way that their parents have loved and raised them.

Second, we must be willing to experience and talk about the things to which impressionable persons in our lives are being exposed. We must be grounded enough, self-aware enough to be able to enter into discussion about it or even to make a couple of well-placed comments. This does not mean blanket condemnation of artistic expression because often that is read not as love and care but as “you don’t get me” or “you don’t care about me”. It means being able to understand why the person is attracted to something, in this case a song and video, affirming the good that we see (e.g., the “Alejandro” video has some great choreography and dance), and engaging the more questionable images and words used (e.g., do you think that the relationships shown are good and life-giving?).

Third, although we are dealing here with artistic expression, we must be very clear about “real life”. We must take a firm stance against all acts of rape, murder, discrimination, and any form of violence. These are never acceptable and we must take due care to protect the life and dignity of every single person and community.

Personally I am not fond of any images, however artistic, that portray rape or murder or violence. Even as an adult with a decent grounding in life, I find those images devastating. At the same time, I know that for many people in the world, this is their lived experience. When I am confronted with these images, it leads me not to bury my head but to pray, to be in solidarity as much as I can with people who have experiences such as rape, or discrimination because of gender or sexual orientation, or who live in fear of violence to themselves or to their loved ones. I live in hope that my life and my responses will be ones of compassion and help in navigating the good and the tough aspects of life.

Where do you stand with all of this? What experiences have you had that can shed some light on this? We’d especially like to hear from those of you who are parents or caregivers for young ones and deal with this every day.

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AS037 Ask Sister – lies and sins, women Doctors of the Church, having a religious life without being a nun, weekend with the IHM Sisters

Sister Julie — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:10:27 +0000

AS037 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on August 13, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: lies, sins, and truth; women Doctors of the Church; having a religious life without being a nun; hanging out with the IHM Sisters, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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If a nun or a sister goes along with what she knows to be a lie, what is her sin?
How does a person become a Doctor of the Church and why are there so few women recognized as Doctors of the Church?
If it’s not possible for me to become a nun, what kind of religious life can I have other than being part of my church choir and handbell chorus and attending Mass regularly?
Can you tell us about your weekend at the IHM Motherhouse for Jubilee and Final Profession?

Feast of Saint Jeanne de Chantal

Sister Julie — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:05:06 +0000

Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Jeanne de Chantal who, with Saint Francis de Sales founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady, or Visitation Nuns, in 1610.

Stained Glass window from Visitation School, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Saint Jeanne was an amazing woman — a wife, a mother, a spiritual mentor, and a religious. Her life is a testimony to faith, to love for God, to service of others, and she opened herself to being personally transformed through all of the events of her life.

Her life experiences “opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life. Her commitment to God impressed Saint Francis de Sales, the bishop who became her director and best friend. Their friendship started before they even met, for them saw each other in dreams, and continued in letters throughout their lives.

With Francis’ support, Jane founded the Visitation order for women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. She even accepted a woman who was 83 years old. When people criticized her, she said, “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I’m on their side.” She believed that people should have a chance to live their calling regardless of their health.” (source)

I like Saint Jeanne, I like her a lot because of her deep commitment to God. She opened herself to be “more than”, to acknowledge but not get stuck in the contrarieties of life nor the conventions of life! She opened her door to people who were poor, even when she was living on a tight budget. She forgave and even befriended the person who killed her husband. She founded a religious community for those thought too old or sick to be a religious, a community which celebrates its 400th anniversary this year.

We have much to learn about following Christ from Saint Jeanne de Chantal. And thankfully for us, we have not only her life witness but some of her writings and sayings! Here are some great quotes.

Follow your own way of speaking to our Lord sincerely, lovingly, confidently, and simply, as your heart dictates. (Source: Letters of Spiritual Direction (Classics of Western Spirituality))

In prayer one must hold fast and never let go, because the one who gives up loses all. If it seems that no one is listening to you, then cry out even louder. If you are driven out of one door, go back in by the other. (Source)

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PS123 Prayer – August 11, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:25:34 +0000

PS123 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 11, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 113:1-6 and Matthew 18:15-20. Feast day: Saint Clare of Assisi. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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On the road with the NunCam for morning meditation

Sister Maxine — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:43:32 +0000

One of the places that I encounter God is in nature, God’s good creation. Early morning bike rides are a way for me to immerse myself in the beauty of the natural world, to feel at one with it. Thought you might like to come along for the ride, via the NunCam.

Where are some of the places that you are most at peace, where God is most present to you?

We’d love to hear from you and chat about the places that you are most at peace, where God is most present to you. Comment below!

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PS122 Prayer – August 10, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:04:35 +0000

PS122 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 10, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 112:1-9 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-10. Feast day: Saint Lawrence. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Nuns: Two Thumbs Up

Sister Julie — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:23:46 +0000

Film critic Roger Ebert wrote a great piece on attending Catholic grade school. In Mary we crown thee with blossoms today (Chicago Sun-Times, August 4, 2010) Ebert recounts his experiences at Saint Mary’s Grade School in Champaign, Illinois, including stories about the Dominican nuns who taught him.

We [were] taught by Dominican nuns who knew their subjects cold, gave us their full-time attention, were gifted teachers and commanded order and respect in the classroom. For eight years we were drilled on reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. Periods were devoted to history, geography and science, taught from textbooks without visual aids or any other facilities. We learned how to write well, spell, and god knows we learned how to diagram a sentence. And we looped away at the Palmer Handwriting Method, neatly writing JMJ at the top of every page, for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who would bless our lessons, but not always.

…

The school building had a basement for Sister Ambrosetta’s first grade room, the cafeteria and the gymnasium. The gym was just slightly larger than a basketball court, and had two or three rows of seats across one of the short ends. Pads under the baskets protected us from crashing into the walls. Our coach was the tomboy Sister Marie Donald, who tucked up the hems of her habit and dribbled and shot better than any of us. She taught second and third grades on the second floor, and it was there we had what passed for school band practice. She passed around triangles, tambourines, ratcheted sticks, maracas and wooden blocks, and we formed a rhythm section to pound, scrape, ding and rattle along with music on 78 rpm records. Fifth and sixth grades were taught by Sister Nathan, a fresh-faced favorite who usually seemed amused by us. We took this as a sign of favor.

…

Sister Rosanne, an immensely kind woman, very smart about current events, taught seventh and eighth grades. Sister Nathan, a great favorite with the students, taught third and fourth, and then moved right along with us to fifth and sixth. I can’t account for second grade; in my memory, Sister Ambrosetta only taught first, but maybe we were all so young we seemed the same to one another. The school was supervised by Sister Gilberta. To be sent to the principal’s office was a special damnation. We feared her, because we feared the feeling of guilt. None of these nuns were “strict” in the sense usually meant. They simply assumed we would behaved, and for the most part we did. No sister ever laid a hand on any student as far as I know. Nor did they raise their voices. It was an orderly school. We regarded the nuns with a species of awe, because they were the brides of Christ and had the entire Roman, Catholic and Apostolic Church backing them up.

Read the full article, and some of the comments too! One of Ebert’s classmates who is pictured in one of the photos even comments!

Use the comment box below to offer your thoughts on Ebert’s piece. We’d love to hear from you. Let’s get the conversation going!

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PS121 Prayer – August 9, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:40:05 +0000

PS121 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 9, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 148 and Matthew 17:22-27. Feast day: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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The Long Blue Line

Sister Julie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:39:19 +0000

A great story from our IHM Community in IHM Archives Notes v1.4 (August 2010).

Jerome Van Develde, a keen observer of human nature, on one occasion characterized the pickers. “The postulants eat, the professed talk, and the novices work!” (Continuum 9-6-1991)

Jerome Van Develde, an IHM employee and friend for a lifetime, supervised the gardens/farm on the back of the IHM campus.

Often during the summers when hundreds of IHM Sisters were “home” in Monroe over the summer break, Jerome would send the message that the strawberries, currents, apples, cherries, or beans, were ready to be picked.

Then, after supper, a long line of sisters stretched all along the lane going back to Stewart Road could be seen walking out to the designated picking areas; and then later, often around 8:30, the same line could be seen headed back to their residences at the Academy, Motherhouse or Hall of the Divine Child.

Flatbed trucks, loaded with the harvested crops testified to fruits of the evening’s work.

"The Long Blue Line" of IHMs picking strawberries

During those years, there was a popular film about life at the U.S. Army’s academy, West Point, where the cadets wore grey uniforms. It was called, The Long Gray Line.

More than once, an observer of the sisters going to and from their picking chores referred to their traipse as that of “The Long Blue Line.”

* * *

Although I would have loved working side by side with my sisters and with the earth, I’m pretty sure I would have been a wilting flower on a day like today (hot and humid here in Chicago area). Still, I absolutely love how our IHM community has been and continues to be “down-to-earth” both literally and figuratively!

Does your religious community or one close to your heart have a similar history? What does this say to you about the community, it’s mission and way of being with God?

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Prayers for the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Sister Julie — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:11:29 +0000

Please keep the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in your prayers.

Sister Denise teaching in South Africa, 2006

Sister Denise Mosier, OSB was fatally wounded in a head on collision on Sunday, August 1 while riding with two other sisters as they were coming home to Bristow, from the convent in Richmond, for the sisters’ annual retreat. Sister Denise died at the scene of the accident.

Throughout her monastic life, Sister Denise was an educator, a spiritual mentor to women in formation, a retreat director, and an advocate for peace and justice. Her love of liturgical music, movement, and hospitality flowed into the community through her artful use of liturgical dance at special events celebrations.

In the car with Sister Denise on August 1 were Sisters Charlotte Lange, OSB and Connie Ruth Lupton, OSB. They were both badly injured in the accident and were immediately air lifted to Fairfax Inova Hospital. Sisters Charlotte and Connie Ruth … remain in critical condition. (source: Benedictine Sisters of Virginia website)

The sisters also ask for prayers for the driver of the other vehicle, Carlos Martinelly Montano, and for his family.

The sisters have been in retreat this week and today celebrate the Mass of Resurrection for Sister Denise. Michelle Boorstein of The Washington Post has a good article about how the retreat (to which Sisters Denise, Charlotte, and Connie Ruth were headed) provides an amazing backdrop to all that has happened this week (Under God: Forgiveness at Benedictine nuns’ silent retreat, August 4, 2010).

Even in their mourning and in the silence of their retreat these sisters continue to be a message of hope and Good News and healing and reconciliation. Our prayers are with you, dear sisters.

PS120 Prayer – August 5, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:53:00 +0000

PS120 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on August 5, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 51:12-19 and Jeremiah 31:31-34. Feast day: Dedication of St. Mary Major in Rome. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Final Profession of Vows of IHM Sister Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz

Sister Maxine — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:39:50 +0000

Sister Julie and I have finally caught our breath after last week’s whirlwind of meetings and festivities at the IHM Motherhouse. The grand finale of the week was the profession of final vows of Sister Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz, who lives in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. During the ceremony, Maria Antonia committed herself to “poverty, chastity and obedience for the rest of my life” (these words are often accompanied by a deep breath…).

The reading at the ceremony was from Luke 4, in which Jesus read the words of the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of our God is upon me: because the Most High has anointed me
to bring Good News to those who are poor.
God has sent me to proclaim liberty to those held captive,
recovery of sight to those who are blind,
and release to those in prison—
to proclaim the year of our God’s favor.

The words were very fitting for Sister Maria Antonia. Living out the example of Jesus, she brings Good News to some of the most vulnerable citizens of Juarez through her ministry. She serves in Paso del Norte Human Rights Center, which helps to protect the rights and safety of women and children who are confronted by violence.

In the next couple of days, Sister Julie and I will post photos of Sister Maria Antonia’s profession ceremony on the A Nun’s Life Facebook page. In the meantime, we continue to celebrate her commitment and her life among us as our IHM sister y hermana!

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Jubilee Hangover

Sister Julie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:35:41 +0000

It is Wednesday morning and I am very, very tired! Sister Maxine and I have been at our IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, Michigan, for all of last week through the weekend — and what a celebration it was! We had Mission Unit meetings (clusters of about 12-20 IHM sisters and associates), retreat, talks by Father Tony Gittins, CSSp, Ask Sister special edition podcast from the Motherhouse, visitors from A Nun’s Life community in person, festive meals, prayer in solitude and in solidarity, cookies from Cakes by Stephanie (to die for), Jubilee Eucharistic liturgy and celebration, and the final profession of vows of nuestra IHM hermana Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz, IHM (more on her profession mañana).

It was truly a graced time, but I for one am exhausted! But it is a good exhaustion, one that reminds me that living life to the fullest, savoring every moment, working and praying and celebrating together — these all are good things that reflect who we are and whose we are.

For today, I’m going to catch up on some work and emails and sleep — but with lots of inspirations, ideas, and memories to accompany me!

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AS036 Ask Sister – SPECIAL EDITION – IHM Sisters talk about their vocation, prayer and ministry plus respond to your questions

Sister Julie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:37:05 +0000

AS036 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on July 30, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Special IHM Sisters Edition. Topics include: vocation stories, prayer and relating with God, ministry, and responses to questions from listeners.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

This is a SPECIAL EDITION episode as we broadcasted live from the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, Michigan. We were joined on air by two of our sisters — Sister Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM, Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College, and Sister Katherine Collard, IHM, Director of Liturgy & Adult Faith Formation at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Plus you’ll hear the live studio audience of IHM Sisters and Associates and some folks from A Nun’s Life community who were visiting.

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

Could you each tell us a little about your ministry?
When did you first think you might want to be a nun?
What do you find helpful in your prayer life? What might you recommend to others?
Why does God feel so distant sometimes?

The Meaning of Mission Today

Sister Julie — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:40:17 +0000

The IHM Community has been meeting since yesterday and we’ve been privileged to have with us Father Anthony Gittins, CSSp, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans).

Gittins is a professor of mission and culture at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. For the past twenty-five years he has with and among homeless women on the streets of Chicago and in a shelter. For seven of those years he was part of Genesis House – a community where women struggle to escape from prostitution (from CTU website).

Here are a few of my thoughts from the presentations (any inconsistencies are mine, not Gittins):

MISSION. Gittins has been talking about mission and what it means to today. He started off by saying that mission is not what we do, it’s not even what the church does … mission is what GOD does. So it can be difficult to define “mission” exactly because it is caught up in the mystery of the triune God which we can never really fully comprehend or explain.

EVANGELIZATION. Evangelization is often connected with mission but again, it’s neither ours nor the church’s. Evangelization is the work of Jesus Christ. This is more than mere proclamation. Jesus’ evangelization certainly included proclaiming the Good News but to really understand what evangelization means, we have to look at the WHOLE of Jesus’ life. So let’s look at what Jesus does … he walks around, talks with people, receives from others, serves, asks questions, teaches, cries, rejoices. In all of these things Jesus evangelizes.

DISCIPLESHIP. So what are we to do if mission belongs to the Trinity and evangelization belongs to Jesus? Our job is discipleship. All we can do (and all is everything) is learn from Jesus, learn from what Jesus does. We cannot just pick one or two things of that Jesus did and say it’s mission — that’s just making up our own thing. We are called to learn from Jesus’ whole life. “If you want to be my disciple you have to do it my way; I’ll show you how; walk around with me day by day.”

Gittins says that we do not have a mission, but that God’s mission has us. What does this mean for you?

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God’s Good Creation

Sister Maxine — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:43:54 +0000

Sister Julie and I are at the IHM Motherhouse, where I took this photo in front of the building. If you look closely, you can see the Motherhouse in the background, and the steeple of the chapel peeking out above the trees. As a congregation, the IHMs have done a lot in regard to caring for the earth. When we renovated our Motherhouse a few years ago, we installed geothermal heating and cooling and reclaimed literally tons of building materials for reuse.

We also did prairie restoration. Looking out at all the wildflowers, I’m thankful for God’s good creation. Until about the mid-1900s in Catholicism, there was a strong belief that holiness was achieved by separation from the world of matter. But since then, the church has turned toward the world, recognizing that it is a place of great holiness. That’s one reason why the IHMs and many other Catholic sisters are deeply committed to caring for the earth.

What are your favorite practices for caring for the earth? Great ideas are worth sharing! I’d love to hear about your ideas about recycling, organic gardening, solar power, and other ways to care for God’s good creation.

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Nun Wonderland

Sister Julie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:31:36 +0000

I am home. Yesterday Sister Maxine, a friend, and I traveled from Chicago to Monroe, Michigan, for a week of nun goodness. I am so happy to be home. The minute I set eyes on the front lawn with it’s well-trod paths cut through tall grass and wildflowers, the brick motherhouse with the sun reflecting off the windows, and the trees and birds and sounds and smells that I know to be home. And yes, nuns. Lot of them. I am so delighted to see my IHM sisters. The vast majority of our sisters are home from across the globe for three days of contemplative reflection followed by a big community celebration of Jubilee and Final Profession.

Honestly the excitement and joy of being home at the IHM Motherhouse never gets old. I am reminded each time about when I first came here, about all of the goodness of my sisters, about how cool it actually is to be an IHM Sister. I outgrew the “honeymoon” phase pretty quickly but what I never expected was to continue to keep this sense of joy in all of my interactions with my community and the ways we collectively relate to God and live the empowering mission of Jesus Christ.

Sister Helen Mekeal, IHM (right), is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year -- that's 75 years as an IHM Sister!

Today I am running some errands, writing a blog post, and then getting ready for my Mission Unit meeting (our community of 400+ sisters is organized into smaller units in which we learn, pray, and work together on our IHM mission and direction). Our IHM associates are also part of our Mission Units. We have a great group and good agenda for today. In our group are 3 sisters who will be celebrating their Jubilee this weekend. A Jubilee is the anniversary of when a sister entered or professed vows in her religious community. We have a big celebration each year in July for sisters celebrating their 25th (silver jubilee), 50th (golden jubilee), 60th and 75th (diamond jubilee) anniversaries. Click here for names and awesome photos of the IHM Jubilarians for 2010.

Well, I better run now and get myself prepared. Be sure to join us for tonight’s prayer podcast — Praying with the Sisters — live from the IHM Motherhouse. Just before 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone) tune into http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE … more info on that page.

PS113 Prayer – July 26, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:33:23 +0000

PS113 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 26, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 32:18-21 and Matthew 13:31-35. Feast day: Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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AS035 Ask Sister – forgiveness and moving on, nuns as missionaries, religious names of sisters, habit pockets and more!

Sister Julie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:48:19 +0000

AS035 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on July 23, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: forgiving someone who has hurt us and not getting stuck, nuns as missionaries, religious names of sisters, habit pockets, home altars, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

How is it possible to forgive someone who’s hurt you, and to move on?
What is the historical reason sisters received a religious name? What is the practice today?
Do you have a home altar? What do you think about them? (see Sister Sarah’s blog post on this topic)
What’s the difference between a regular nun and a missionary nun?
Was it ever the custom that nuns were required to hide their hands in their habits all the time? What was the rationale?

PS112 Prayer – July 22, 2010

Sister Julie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:46:22 +0000

PS112 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 22, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 36:6-11 and John 20:1-2,11-18. Feast day: Saint Mary Magdalen. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Prayers for all people affected by AIDS

Sister Maxine — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:12:28 +0000

The International AIDS Conference is underway in Vienna this week. Over 20,000 people from more than 180 countries are there. Some of the news from the conference is very encouraging, such as the report about a new gel that shows great promise for protecting against HIV.

AIDS activist and singer (one of my favs) Annie Lennox calls funding for AIDS research a “human rights issue.” See http://www.annielennox.com

The study was conducted among South African women by two South African researchers. South Africa has one of the highest AIDS rates in the world. The Wall Street Journal said that the gel is unique in that “it is the first time an HIV-prevention method controlled by women, who bear the brunt of the epidemic in Africa, has been shown to work.” There’s still a lot of clinical work to be done in regard to the gel, and hopefully it will be successful. If it is, women in South Africa and around the world will be better able to protect their own health.

In the meantime, I continue to pray for the people at the conference who are working to end the stigma and the suffering of HIV/AIDS. I also pray for those who are directly affected by HIV/AIDS – people who have AIDS, their families and loved ones, their communities.

I especially keep in mind my friend Tim, who died of AIDS several years ago. May he rest in peace. Please mention other people affected by AIDS for whom you’d like to pray.

For prayer and reflection resources about HIV/AIDS please see the website of my IHM Sisters.

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PS111 Prayer – July 21, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:45:05 +0000

PS111 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 21, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 71:1-6 and Matthew 13:1-9. Feast day: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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PS110 Prayer – July 20, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:58:15 +0000

PS110 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 20, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 85:2-8 and Micah 7:18-20. Feast day: Saint Apollinaris. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

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Who is God for you?

Sister Julie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:02:28 +0000

What is God like for you? How do you image God and do you experience God? I’ve been thinking about these questions since yesterday when I was on a panel with other young religious speaking to new vocation directors. A sister asked us to describe who God is and has been for us through our discernment and journey into religious life.

I responded with how I have come to know God as a God who is here with and among us. A God who is not “way up there”, remote from us, but in the think of things, present to us in even our darkest moments. A God who speaks all languages including (more often than not!) language that is not overtly religious. Jesus not only personified this; Jesus incarnated this. Remember how he taught … “Learn a lesson from the way the wildflowers grow. They don’t work; they don’t spin. yet I tell you, not even Solomon (a biblical king) in full splendor was arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29)

Then this morning I read today’s reading from the prophet Micah …

“What god can compare to you?
You take away guilt,
you forgive the sins of the remnant of your people.
You don’t let your anger rage forever,
for you delight in mercy and steadfast love.” (Micah 7:18)

Who is God for you? How do you experience God in your every day life?

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PS109 Prayer – July 19, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:35:34 +0000

PS109 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 19, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 50:5-9 and Micah 6:1-4,6-8. Feast day: Saint Macrina the Younger. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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I’d claim Kathleen Turner as one of my people!

Sister Julie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:44:55 +0000

One of my favorite actors, Kathleen Turner, is currently starring as a Catholic sister in the play “High” at TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut.

“High” Synopsis

SISTER JAMISON CONNELLY (Kathleen Turner) is a drug and alcohol counselor at a Catholic rehabilitation center, having successfully treated most who have sought her guidance. But when the Chief Administrator, FATHER MICHAEL DELPAPP (Michael Berresse), brings in CODY RANDALL (Evan Jonigkeit), a troubled drug-addicted hustler whom he assigns to her care, Sister’s unyielding convictions are ultimately tested.

HIGH explores our faith and the belief in miracles. And despite the medical statistics that prove only one-third of those afflicted with alcoholism and drug addiction will ultimately recover – the question remains: can people really change and do miracles still occur?

In an interview with Kathleen Turner, Joanne Greco Rochman of the Republican-American asked her, “So what’s a sex symbol like you doing playing a nun?” “I’m a foul-mouthed, nasty nun,” answered the actress with a devilish laugh.

The interview continues:

“The play has a lot to do with belief and redemption,” she explained. “It’s about surrendering one’s self to a higher power,” Turner said, adding that she was not sure whether or not she buys into this, but it’s something she wants to explore.

“I’ve listened to testaments and I know that this works for people. I don’t know how I feel about it all. I think I took the role in part because I want to pursue this faith issue. I am a faithful person, but not in organized religion,” she said. …. “It’s a fascinating concept to me,” said Turner. “If it’s true, then anyone can be healed.”

You can see another interview with Kathleen Turner on Fox CT:

I am VERY sad that I am not able to see this. I would love to see Kathleen Turner, number one, and number two, how this story of Sister Jamison unfolds. If you’ve seen it I’d love to hear what you thought (the play goes through August 22). If you know the producers, ask them if I can get a DVD!

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AS034 Ask Sister – Wikipedia entry on nuns, waiting to become a sister, is God angry with me?, having a college degree prior to entering, prayer, discernment advice

Sister Julie — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:37:23 +0000

AS034 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on July 16, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: Wikipedia entry on nuns, waiting to become a sister, is God angry with me?, having a college degree before entering, prayer, discernment advice.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

What do you think of the Wikipedia entry for Nun?
What can I do as I wait to begin the process to become a Catholic sister?
Do I have to have a college degree before I enter religious life? What about people who can’t afford to go to college?
Do you think God is mad at me because I should have become a nun?
Is it required to go to daily Mass when you are discerning or to go to confession more often?
What things are not recommended for a person who is discerning?
Is there any point in praying for specific things if all we need to say is “thy will be done”?

PLUS: An update from the novelist mentioned in last week’s Ask Sister podcast.

PS108 Prayer – July 15, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:13:45 +0000

PS108 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 15, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 102:13-21 and Matthew 11:28-30. Feast day: Saint Bonaventure. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Honoring Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Sister Julie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:51:39 +0000

Normally a pilgrimage is when people set out on a journey to visit sacred places and holy people. But this pilgrimage does it the other way around!

Catholic News Agency, Jul 15, 2010 – Relics of Blessed Mother Teresa are scheduled to visit several cities across the Midwest this weekend, as part of a tour of the United States and Canada. The tour is being held in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the sister’s birth on August 26.

The relics are in the care of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded by Mother Teresa, and include her sandals, crucifix and rosary, as well as a lock of her hair and drops of her blood contained in reliquaries.

The tour has already traveled through Boston and Baltimore, among other cities, and is scheduled to make stops in Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota in the coming days. (source)

In two days, Mother Teresa’s relics will be present at Saint Mark Church in Gary, Indiana, not far from Sister Maxine and me. Mass time is 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. We are hoping to make it there and if we do, we will share our experience with you. Has anyone else had the opportunity to see the relics?

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PS107 Prayer – July 14, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:12:15 +0000

PS107 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 14, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 105:2-7 and Matthew 11:25-27. Feast day: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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All-Star Nuns

Sister Maxine — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:16:07 +0000

The annual All-Star baseball game was played last night here in the U.S. The two all-star teams were made up of players from a variety of major league teams and were chosen by the fans, managers, other players, and coaches.

I saw only the very end of the game. But it got me to wondering, if there was an all-star team for religious life, who would I choose? And how would I decide? It would be difficult. For one thing, sisters don’t have stats the way baseball players do – no RBIs, no ERAs, no stolen bases. Plus, there are thousands of sisters, and they do lots incredible things in the world, such as environmental work, prison ministry, hospice care, disaster relief, and much more.

When I thought about my own all-star nun team, the roster overflowed. Plus it tended toward the personal — toward sisters who deeply influenced my life. So let’s see, my first choices included lots of IHMs. No surprise there. Meeting the IHMs changed my life. Being an IHM continues to change my life. Others all-star nuns on my roster … at first base, my grade school teacher Sister Thomas, who helped me learn how to read. At second and third bases, Sister Sara and Sister Barbara, who instilled in me a great love of literature. At shortstop, Sister Coralita. The list goes on and on.

If you had an all-star nun team, who would be on your roster? I’d be interested to hear your line-up!

* * *

It's a big change of pace for Sister Magdalene, S.S.C.J., of San Antonio, Tex., as she steps in determinedly to slam the ball in a ball game at the Davenport Ranch, all over the U.S., attending special summer classes at St. Edward's University, were invited to the ranch for a day's outing. They relaxed on their day off and played volleyball as well as baseball. July 2, 1963 Austin, Texas, USA

PS106 Prayer – July 13, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:10:41 +0000

PS106 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 13, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 48:1-8 and Matthew 11:20-24. Feast day: Saint Henry II. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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A Nun’s Life Ministry 2.0

Sister Julie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:26:09 +0000

Are you ready for A Nun’s Life Ministry 2.0? Like the Kindom of God it is “already but not yet”! We’ve redesigned the site, added a new podcast series (plus another new series on the way), started broadcasting via a live video stream (“I see nuns!”) for Praying with the Sisters and Ask Sister, and upgraded the chat room. Plus we’ve done lots of behind the scenes things with technology and organization.

Tomorrow you will experience yet another new moment in A Nun’s Life history. Sister Maxine (whom many of you know via the podcasts and various events) will be joining me as a blogger! Sister Maxine will be blogging right here every Wednesday about anything related to a nun’s life — which covers just about everything! I am delighted to have my IHM sister and A Nun’s Life partner as a sister blogger. To welcome Sister Maxine, please be sure to stop by the blog tomorrow and join in conversation with her, me, and other visitors!

Let us know what you’d like us to write about on the blog or talk about on the podcast! What social media or form of technology would you like us to use or use more of (see icons at the top of the sidebar for links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and RSS)?

Our mission continues to be helping people discover and grow in their vocation, that is, their life’s calling, by engaging questions about God, faith, and religious life. Through this we also raise awareness about who Catholic sisters and nuns are today. Your prayers, support, and donations are greatly appreciated.

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PS105 Prayer – July 12, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:08:13 +0000

PS105 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 12, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 50:8-23 and Matthew 10:34–11:1. Feast day: Saint John Gaulbert. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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All Life is Sacred and Connected – Sister Paula Gonzalez, SC

Sister Julie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:50:24 +0000

Sister Paula Gonzalez is a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati and the founder of EarthConnection. She was recently featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer in the article Nun marries science, spirituality: Teaches that all life is sacred and connected by Shauna Steigerwald (July 11, 2010).

A few of my favorite quotes from the article …

On vocation:

… the daughter of two teachers was “a curious little kid” who learned to read at an early age, skipped first grade and was bumped from third grade to fourth, finishing that grade level when she was only 7. She came to the College of Mount St. Joseph on an academic scholarship in 1948, graduating with a bachelor’s in biology in 1952 at age 19. But even at that young age, Gonzalez knew that her life’s calling lay in religious service. She entered the Sisters of Charity two years later, in 1954.

“It just hit me like a ton of bricks, and that was it,” she said. “All of a sudden, I knew.”

On care for God’s creation:

Much of Gonzalez’s reverence for the natural world was instilled by her father, who was raised on a farm and taught his own family to grow food. From his Spanish heritage, he taught her the concept of “La tierra es bendita,” “the land is holy.”

“My father was truly a person of the soil, which got through to me,” said Gonzalez, who calls her own garden her “spiritual director” and cites her spirituality as another contributor to her concern for the planet.

What do you think of the article? What are ways that you recognize “all life is sacred and connected”?

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Please consider offering a donation to A Nun’s Life for our continued ministry. See the blog post We need your help.

AS033 Ask Sister – choosing from the many religious orders, nuns and orphanages, vows essential to religious life?, a novelist’s nun character

Sister Julie — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:22:28 +0000

AS033 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on July 9, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: choosing from many religious orders, nuns and orphanages, vows essential to religious life?, a novelist’s nun character, age to enter, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

With so many religious orders to choose from, how do I begin to make sense of them?
Is it possible to become a nun and to own an orphanage?
Is it true that not all religious orders profess the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience? Aren’t these evangelical counsels required for religious life?
Is the nun in my soon-to-be published novel a plausible character?
What is too young or too old to become a sister?
Do I need a visa to enter a religious community in a country in which I do not have citizenship?

PS104 Prayer – July 8, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:50:36 +0000

PS104 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 8, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 80:2-16 and Hosea 11:1-9. Feast day: Blessed Eugene III. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Sister Patti Robinson, CSA – mom, gramma, and nun

Sister Julie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:42:23 +0000

There are so many ways that people move into their calling from God. For some it may be that one vocation gives way to another. That’s what happened with Sister Patti Robinson, a Sister the Congregation of Saint Agnes, a mother and grandmother, who began thinking about religious life after a major turning point in her life.

“Sixteen years ago, my life changed drastically,” said Sister Patti. “My husband died unexpectedly and my priorities began to change. A few years later, I moved to Tulsa and went to work for a large Catholic hospital. I became very active at church, especially in social justice, but I continued to feel incomplete.

“I sensed an unexplainable desire for a deeper transformation,” she continued. “The spiritual path is a long one and takes many different directions but I have found religious life and CSA in particular to be an incredible community of women religious. We call one another to spiritual authenticity and integrity without denying each other the right to forge her own unique journey with God. Our vows unite us together and we become one as we gratefully share our combined gifts with others.”

Check out the full article Mother will profess final vows as a nun in the Fond du Lac Reporter (July 7, 2010)

I love Sister Patti’s quote at the end of the article because it busts a stereotype about nuns from popular media that often shows nuns as mean and repressed. Says Sister Patti about her life and professing final vows as a religious sister: “I feel blessed and fulfilled and I thank God for the abundant love in my life.”

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PS103 Prayer – July 7, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:46:42 +0000

PS103 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 7, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 105:2-7 and Matthew 10:1-7. Feast day: Saint Ethelburga. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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We need your help

Sister Julie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:42:11 +0000

A Nun’s Life Ministry is the home of daily blog posts and live podcasts; a community of spiritual seekers and friends; the Vocation Forum for people exploring God’s call in their life, the Community Forum for 24/7 conversation on topics of your choice; resources on discernment, becoming a Catholic sister or nun, prayer, spirituality, Catholic faith, and religious life; connections to religious communities across the globe; and last but not least, “the nuns” – Sister Maxine and Sister Julie (and don’t forget Sister Chloe the Convent Cat!).

We’ve recently crossed the 1,000th blog post mark, added a brand new podcast on ministering using social media, redesigned the website, and planned a few more surprises! We are growing and expanding to continue to serve the online community, to raise awareness about the adventure of religious life, and to walk with people on their spiritual journeys.

We are at a critical moment in our growth and we need your help to continue so this ministry. As we grow we need to tend to our budget for all the stuff that makes A Nun’s Life possible. Please take a moment and donate to A Nun’s Life Ministry.

There are two ways you can donate now:

1. Donate with a credit card or PayPal account:

2. Send a check to A Nun’s Life Ministry:

A Nun’s Life Ministry
PO Box 44
Steger, IL 60475

For any donation above $10 we will send you a highly collectible A Nun’s Life bumper sticker that can be affixed to pretty much anything! Just make sure to include an address we can send it to! (Colors are a bit more purplish than what is shown in the image.)

Please know that any support you can offer is greatly appreciated. Be part of this exciting, innovative way of living the Gospel today!

PS102 Prayer – July 6, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:43:57 +0000

PS102 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 6, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 115:3-10 and Matthew 9:32-38. Feast day: Saint Maria Goretti. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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A Great Ad for Becoming a Catholic Sister

Sister Julie — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:53:08 +0000

Sister Maxine and I recently visited the exhibit Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America which is currently at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, Ohio, until August 28 (it then opens at Ellis Island on September 24, 2010. It was FABULOUS!

One of my favorite pieces of the exhibit was this advertisement from Mother M. John Hughes (1831-1897) for the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aberdeen, South Dakota:

We offer you no salary; no recompense; no holidays; no pensions; but much hard work; a poor dwelling; few consolations; many disappointments; frequent sickness; a violent or lonely death.

While other visitors’ responses ranged from amused to shocked, I have to say I was rather edified! In fact, it kind of made me proud to be a Catholic sister! (P.S. Our thanks to Sister Danielle of the Immaculata IHMs for giving us a heads up about this part of the exhibit!)

What does this advertisement say to you? How might a similar ad be phrased for today?

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PS101 Prayer – July 5, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:41:35 +0000

PS101 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 1, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 145:2-9 and Matthew 9:18-26. Feast day: Saint Anthony Zaccaria. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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AS032 Ask Sister – a young person thinking about religious life, parental caution, nuns in other Christian traditions, bringing a dowry, a vocation story

Sister Julie — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:37:24 +0000

AS032 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on July 2, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Guests: Immaculata IHM Sisters. Topics include: considering religious life, telling parents, other kinds of nuns, having a dowry, vocation story of Sister Julie.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

During this podcast Sister Maxine and Sister Julie were joined by cohosts Sister Rose Bernadette and Sister Danielle, both IHM Sisters from Immaculata, Pennsylvania. Our gratitude for the wonderful hospitality of all the sisters at Villa Maria House of Studies.

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

What advice do you have for a 15-year-old feeling called to religious life? Also, my mom wants me to become a mother not a nun. What should I do?
Are there nuns in Christian traditions other than Catholicism? What are they like and how would I find one?
In “The Nun’s Story,” Audrey Hepburn’s character was required to bring a dowry when she entered the convent. Is that common today?
What is Sister Julie’s vocation story? How did she discern her calling to become an IHM sister?

PS100 Prayer – July 1, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:35:12 +0000

PS100 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on July 1, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 19:8-11 and Matthew 9:1-8. Feast day: Blessed Junipero Serra. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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The Fencing Sister: Suburban Chicago nun skilled with blade

Sister Julie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:41:01 +0000

For a minute, I thought that the Chicago Tribune had discovered Sister Maxine flinging kitchen knives as she prepared for dinner, but no such luck.

Suburban Chicago nun skilled with blade by Casey Toner (Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2010) is an article about Dominican Sister Dorothy Solak who coaches fencing at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. The article explains how she got into fencing as well as her thoughts on the art of fencing. I also appreciate that the writer of this article included Sister Dorothy’s experience of being a sister. Here’s a quote from the article about her decision to become a nun.

Solak said she thought about becoming a nun when she was 13. The idea became more tangible when she started working full time.

“It’s like a nagging feeling you have, like there was something more I wanted to be involved in, that I would want to give my life to in a more intense way,” Solak said.

She joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in 1976 after she visited the Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield. She took her first vows in 1979 and her perpetual, or lifelong vows, in 1984.

“It’s more of a feeling within yourself, within your heart,” Solak said about her decision to become a Dominican nun. “I think it’s true in the same way if you find the right guy. You know it’s the right one for you. You can’t explain it intellectually. It’s a feeling, a feeling you are in the right place.”

Be sure to read the entire article Suburban Chicago nun skilled with blade. Share your thoughts with us!

And also, be sure to join us tonight for Praying with the Sisters LIVE podcast. We are on the road and staying the next couple nights with the Immaculata IHM Sisters in Pennsylvania. Last night two sisters joined Sister Maxine and I for our prayer podcast and a few others were in the chat room. Also this is our 100th prayer podcast episode! YEA! Not to be missed!

Who Were the Nuns? English Nuns in Exile from 1600-1800

Sister Julie — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:06:26 +0000

At the Conference of the History of Women Religious today I attended a presentation by Dr. Carmen Mangion of the University of London. She presented the project of her colleage Dr. Caroline Bowden. The project is called Who Were the Nuns? and it is a prosopographical study of the English convents in exile in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Scene from the Painted Life of Mary Ward. Mary Ward and some of the first seven Companions setting sail for Flanders.

Who Were the Nuns? project is “a comprehensive study of the membership of the English convents in exile. That is, the period between the opening of the first English convent in Brussels to the nuns’ return to England as a result of the French Revolution and associated violence. Most were enclosed convents, in theory cut off from the outside world. However in practice the nuns were not isolated and their contacts and networks spread widely.

Why did the nuns have to go into exile? Well, Catholic nuns, monks, and clergy were not exactly welcome in England at the time. In fact monasteries and convents were forcibly disbanded, and it was illegal to establish any new ones. (See Wikipedia on Dissolution of the Monasteries for more information).

As a result, “vast numbers of Catholics left their home country for the continent including many men and women religious and men and women with a religious vocation. Some of them found a new haven in Spain, Portugal, Italy or Bavaria, but northern France and the Southern Netherlands were particularly appealing to these Catholics in exile. The English Carthusians were the first to settle themselves on the continent in 1559, later followed by many other religious communities of men and women. Forty years later the first ‘English convent’ for English nuns was founded in Brussels. About a dozen others were to follow in the next fifty years, most of them enclosed and contemplative, but often hosting prestigious boarding schools for children of the English Catholic elite.” (source)

Dr. Bowden found that “twenty two convents were founded on the continent and around 4000 women were professed. The convents became significant cultural centres, fostering the education of Catholic girls, making collections of books, commissioning works of art and maintaining substantial buildings.” The sisters, and their legacy, survived despite exile, wars, and natural disasters.

It is a fascinating study and project and I hope to learn more about it. I encourage you to check out Who Were the Nuns? project website.

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PS099 Prayer – June 30, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:33:14 +0000

PS099 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 30, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 50:7-17 and Matthew 8:28-34. Feast day: First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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A Question of Habit: Images of Catholic Sisters and Nuns

Sister Julie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:46:12 +0000

The Conference on the History of Women Religious has been great. Yesterday we had a preview of a soon-to-be published document called A Question of Habit: The Curious Image of Nuns in Popular Culture by Dr. Bren Ortega Murphy of Loyola University Chicago. I wrote about A Question of Habit project when it was in its early stages back in 2008 when Dr. Murphy gave a lecture at Loyola.

The documentary is fabulous and Dr. Murphy not only provides an excellent portrayal of women religious in the United States, but she gives a commentary on the fascination of U.S. popular culture with nuns. Examples of this fascination include images of the demonized nun (Nunzilla); the sweet, childish nun (figurine); and the sexualized nun (Areala).

These images can be found in novelty stores, on TV and in movies, in our kitchens, in advertising, and pretty much all over the place.

For good or for ill, these images dominate what most folks (including Catholics) think about Catholic sisters and nuns.

A few questions for you …

What do you think of these kinds of images? What are both the positive and negative messages that these images convey? What are the images or words you’d use to describe a sister or nun?

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PS098 Prayer – June 29, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:31:27 +0000

PS098 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 29, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 19:2-5 and Matthew 16:13-19. Feast day: Saints Peter and Paul. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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PS097 Prayer – June 28, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:29:35 +0000

PS097 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 28, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 50:16-23 and Matthew 8:18-22. Feast day: Saint Irenaeus. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism

Sister Julie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:13:58 +0000

This week I am attending the Conference on the History of Women Religious. Last night was the opening night which featured the documentary Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism. “Interrupted Lives is a one hour broadcast documentary that explores the plight of Eastern-rite and Latin-rite Catholic Sisters under Soviet domination from the end of World War II to the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Filmed on location in Ukraine, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the United States, the lives of these sisters offer powerful testimony of their deep faith and courage. Undeterred by evil forces surrounding them, they continued to live their commitment to religious life.” (www.interruptedlives.org)

Joining us were the executive producers are Sisters Margaret Nacke, CSJ, and Mary Savoie, CSJ, both Sisters of Saint Joseph of Concordia, Kansas. They spoke about their experience of making the film and they responded to questions from the audience after the film.

I personally was blown away by the documentary. I had no idea that Catholic sisters suffered so much. Yet their faith and their sisterhood kept hope alive through it all. Here is an overview of the sisters’ experience from the documentary’s website www.interruptedlives.org.

While not all of the activities listed below applied to every Sister and community in every country, the experiences were nonetheless widespread:

Sisters’ schools, hospitals and motherhouses were seized by the state and turned over to secular uses with little or no compensation;

Sisters were denied the right to assembly and to accept and train new members;

Sisters were forced to work on state collective farms, in factories and mental institutions;

Sisters’ teaching and nursing certificates were revoked and they were forbidden to work in these “helping

professions” for fear of contaminating and influencing others with their beliefs;

Sisters were imprisoned or sent into exile in Siberia as political punishment for resistance, assisting or hiding priests, arranging Masses, meeting with youth, or evangelizing children in the faith;

Sisters in some countries were forbidden to wear their community habits and veils;

Sisters were forced to live secretly in ones and twos in apartments as laywomen, compelling them to gather and meet undercover;

Sisters joined congregations through an underground network in which they did not know the identities of other “Secret Sisters” for fear of accidentally revealing and compromising others;

Sisters professed vows secretly in small, intimate ceremonies, usually in the middle of the night, for fear of police detection; vow papers were often signed, witnessed and burned so as to leave no evidence;

Sisters were kept segregated by the state in “concentration convents” with limited access to family and friends;

Sisters suffered imprisonment, exile, torture, deportations and police surveillance.

I encourage you to learn more about the sisters and the documentary. After you’ve had time to view the trailer and check out the website, please share your thoughts here.

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AS031 Ask Sister – Mary a mere saint? being a nun a waste of time? spiritual v. religious? am I called or not? a vocation story

Sister Julie — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:08:34 +0000

AS031 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on June 25, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: is Mary a mere saint? is being a nun a waste of time? spiritual v. religious? am I called or not? the vocation story of Sister Maxine, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

Does the Catholic Church consider Mary a mere saint?
Have you ever felt that being a sister you wasted your time? Have you ever thought that you cheated yourself?
Is it okay to be spiritual but not religious?
How do you know if you are called and that it is not just an idea of yours?
What is Sister Maxine’s vocation story? How did she discern her calling to become an IHM sister?

Storm Chasing Nun

Sister Julie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:39:47 +0000

Sister Maxine’s first words to me were, “Tell folks in the chat room we’ve got to go because the storm is hitting.” The thunder rumbling overhead and the preternatural meowing of Sister Chloe the Convent Cat confirmed Sister Maxine’s warning to me. Her second words were, “I’m going outside to get a video of this!” The power went out for a good 30 seconds and then flickered on and off for a bit. Did this deter our storm chasing nun? No, more important in fact to get good footage!

So while I unplugged everything and readied Chloe’s tornado emergency bag (food, water, that sort of thing), Sister Maxine shot this video. It’s just minute before it got really dark and settled into a beautiful storm!

After the storm Sister Maxine took this beautiful shot.

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Join A Nun’s Life Community for prayer today via our live podcast “Praying with the Sisters” and chat room. Just before 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone) join us at http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE
… more info on that page.

PS094 Prayer – June 22, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:23:25 +0000

PS094 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 22, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 48:2-11 and Matthew 7:6-14. Feast day: Saint Paulinus of Nola. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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PS093 Prayer – June 21, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:21:14 +0000

PS093 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 21, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 60:3-13 and Matthew 7:1-5. Feast day: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Lady Gaga and her use of Catholic and nun imagery

Sister Julie — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:23 +0000

I am tragically amused at the media coverage of Lady Gaga’s bizarre use of Catholic and nun imagery in her video Alejandro. Up for debate is not the video itself (others more musically and artistically savvy than I have written much on this) or Lady Gaga herself (I happen to think she is quite talented). What I want to know is what is up with our response to this video? Can someone please explain to me in small words why we are more upset about misused Catholic and nun imagery than about the images of violence and sexual assault in the video?

Lady Gaga is a skilled provocateur … perhaps we are missing her real point.

AS030 Ask Sister – cultivating patience, personal opinion v. official church stance, right- and left-brain discernment, entering novitiate

Sister Julie — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:00:01 +0000

AS030 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on June 18, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: cultivating patience, personal opinion v. official church stance, right- and left-brain discernment, entering novitiate, and more!

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

Subscribe to A Nun’s Life Podcasts:

Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

How do I become a better “patience person”?
What does a believer do when personal opinion on a “hot topic” issue (like women priests, abortion, gay and lesbian issues, immigration) differs from the official church stance? Can a believer have a different view and still be Roman Catholic?
Can we turn our backs on people who gay or lesbian?
Is discernment a right-brained or left-brained activity?
What might my first year of novitiate look like?

PS092 Prayer – June 17, 2010

Sister Julie — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:30:33 +0000

PS092 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 17, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 97:1-12 and Matthew 6:7-15. Feast day: Saint Emilie de Vialar. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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PS091 Prayer – June 16, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:29:06 +0000

PS091 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 16, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 31:20-24 and Matthew 6:1-18. Feast day: Saint John Francis Regis. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Following Claire – Dave O’Mara’s amazing tribute to his aunt, a Catholic nun

Sister Julie — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:28:39 +0000

I absolutely love this guy!

Have you ever come to a point in your life when you wanted to do more? More to help out those in need, more to develop yourself and most of all….more to make a difference? Well that time is now for me. My name is David O’Mara and I am just your average guy looking to make a change. I have spent years volunteering for one of the best philanthropic organizations in the United States, Real Options for City Kids, otherwise known as R.O.C.K. This is an organization that works tirelessly to help create physical and educational development programs for underprivileged kids in San Francisco. They have changed the lives of many young boys and girls and are about to help change mine.

I grew up in Modesto, CA and had the privilege of knowing someone who committed her entire life to helping others. My Aunt Claire was an educator, a missionary and most of all a wonderful role model for me and my family. She has spent her entire life working to better the lives of others. It is in her honor that I have made the decision to embark on this two month journey. I have left my job and will be riding my bike across America to raise money to support the R.O.C.K. cause. Am I a seasoned cyclist you ask? No. Have I done this before? No. Am I a little bit nuts? Probably. This is my chance, however, to make a change. I realized that I have the capacity to do something that could truly change the lives of others. Yes, it will be a challenge. And, yes, it is a big risk – but, if Aunt Claire taught me anything, it’s that the joy you get from enriching the life of someone else is worth every sacrifice that comes with it. Wish me luck! Here’s to you Aunt Claire…. – Dave O (from Dave’s website, Following Claire)

Now meet his 88-year-old great-aunt, Sister Claire O’Mara, OSU, an Ursuline nun and missionary. Writes Dave, “For most of her adult life, she was an educator and missionary in Latin America and in the Bronx. She dedicated herself to working with the poor and less fortunate wherever she was. She was always steadfast in her commitment to her beliefs and values. In 1995, New Rochelle College honored her, along with Rosa Parks, as a “Woman of Conscience.””

Dave is currently somewhere in Kansas on his trek from California to Washington, DC.

I highly encourage you to check out Dave’s website Following Claire and also to keep an eye on him via Twitter and Facebook. Please consider supporting Dave in his mission — he needs help along the way — donations, a place to stay, a cyclist to keep him company on the road, help spreading the word through the Internet and media!

Pretty cool guy, eh?

* * *
Join A Nun’s Life Community for prayer today via our live podcast “Praying with the Sisters”. Just before 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone) join us at http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE
… more info on that page.

PS090 Prayer – June 15, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:27:20 +0000

PS090 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 15, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 51:3-16 and Matthew 5:43-48. Feast day: Saint Germaine of Pibrac. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Dates for our new Digital Ministry Podcast

Sister Julie — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:31:26 +0000

We are delighted to announce dates for our new Digital Ministry Podcast! More details on topics for each episode will follow. (NOTE: Initially, this podcast was called Social Ministry podcast)

The Digital Ministry Podcast focuses on using Internet technologies and social media for ministry. The podcast will be a mix of things covering techniques, technology, and theology in order to enhance one’s capacity to do ministry, to witness to the Gospel in everyday life on the Internet.

The Digital Ministry Podcast will begin on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at 3 p.m. Central Time and be held monthly on the second Thursday. It will be a 60-minute live broadcast which you can access at http://aNunsLife.org/live. We also have a chat room for you to use during the broadcast in order to connect with one another and with us.

The current schedule for 2010 is as follows:

Thursday, September 9 at 3 p.m. CST
Thursday, October 14 at 3 p.m. CST
Thursday, November 11 at 3 p.m. CST
Thursday, December 9 at 3 p.m. CST

Check out our full podcast schedule and join us for other podcasts such as Praying with the Sisters, Ask Sister, and Feature Podcast.

Also, we have also created a discussion forum for you to interact with one another any time of the day or night! Visit our Community Forum and look for the topic “Digital Ministry Podcast Listeners.” The forum is available now.

If you’d like to be on our mailing list for more information about the Digital Ministry Podcast and other A Nun’s Life Ministry news, enter your info below:
** If you’ve already signed up for the podcast via this blog post, then no need to sign up again!

If you have ideas for possible topics or persons to interview, let us know! Comment below!

PS089 Prayer – June 14, 2010

Sister Julie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:21:37 +0000

PS089 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 14, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 5:2-9 and Matthew 5:38-42. Feast day: Saint Methodius I. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Is multitasking good for the spiritual life?

Sister Julie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:08:07 +0000

As I write this post, I am cleaning my office, answering email, eating breakfast, and checking my Facebook page. I think it’s safe to say that I am a multitasker, and an unrepentant one at that. At some level, I like to think that this is a good thing, that I have the ability to do lots of stuff at once. But I also know that it isn’t always a helpful thing as I’m not always fully present to the thing I am doing or to myself or others involved in the task.

I think that "Mother of God Three Handed" is a good patron saint for multitaskers. This particular icon was written by Father William McNichols, SJ.

My nun Sister Jean sent me an article that has sobered me up a bit about multitasking. The Downside of Multitasking highlights some of the real problems of multitasking.

The study compared college students who did a lot of multitasking with those who did very little…. It turned out that the students who did the most multitasking weren’t very good at it. The more they multitasked, the worse they were in terms of being easily distracted and filtering out irrelevant information. [The basis for the author's comments is a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences called Cognitive control in media multitaskers (July 2009).]

From a spiritual point of view, I wonder what this all means in terms of our capacity to engage in prayer. Are we too busy, too fast-paced to recognize God in our midst? Do we miss God’s call to us to help someone, to take note of something, to pause for prayer because we are in multitask mode? Or, can multitasking help us to “be everywhere when we see so many needs” (to quote our IHM co-founder Father Louis Florent Gillet)? Can a healthy notion of multitasking be built upon our tradition of practicing “contemplation in action”, of making our work and our relationships a prayer, of “praying without ceasing” as Saint Paul tells us. And with all our multitasking, where is there space for other kinds of prayer such as solitude and silence? Can we know really what contemplative prayer is if it is merely one task among a multitude of others?

How does multitasking affect your spiritual life? Is it easy or difficult to practice a more contemplative life in the midst of a face-paced world?

AS029 Ask Sister – prioritizing religious communities to visit, a worried mom, steps in becoming a nun, semi-supportive parent

Sister Julie — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:25:52 +0000

AS029 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on June 11, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: prioritizing religious communities to visit, a worried mom, steps in becoming a nun, dealing with a semi-supportive parent, and more.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

When you were discerning how did you prioritize what orders to go visit?
Do you have any advice for dealing with a mom who doesn’t seem to realize how important my calling is?
What are the steps in becoming a nun? (see our article How to Become a Catholic Nun)
How do I relate with my daughter when my husband and I are worried about her enthusiasm about becoming a nun?

PS088 Prayer – June 10, 2010

Sister Julie — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:14:15 +0000

PS088 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 10, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 65:10-13 and Matthew 5:20-26. Feast day: Blessed Henry of Treviso. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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What will you do to make the world a better place today?

Sister Julie — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:42:12 +0000

What will you do to make the world a better place today? Let us know using the comment box below!

PS087 Prayer – June 9, 2010

Sister Julie — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:08:22 +0000

PS087 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 9, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 16: 1-11 and Matthew 5:17-19. Feast day: Saint Ephrem. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Holy, Holy, Holy Bat-Hymn

Sister Julie — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Found this via MailChimp and I love it! What’s your favorite Batman and Robin moment? I’m rather partial to “Holy Knit One Purl Two!” although I also like “Holy Return from Oblivion!”

An Amazing Nun’s Life

Guest Blogger — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:46:13 +0000

My Nun’s Life
by Sister Pat Aseltyne, IHM

Greetings from my “nun’s life”, a life that has almost completed the journey (65 years of Vowed Commitment). Sister Julie and I belong to the same IHM Community. Sometimes we think that we must be at total peace before we can believe that the Spirit is with us. If this were so I would not be completing this amazing nun’s life journey.

My life has carried me far and near; from Monroe County, Michigan, where my father happened to have grown up to Chicago, Washington D.C., and back to Michigan. The best part of the journey has been relating to so many people in so many ways — as a teacher, a school principal, a counselor, and now as coordinator of an outreach program.

At present, I live and minister in Houston, Texas. My worship place is Rice University Catholic Student Chapel. My ministry place is with a small agency called Casa de Esperanza de los Niños (House of Hope for little children). The people I meet here are from economic extremes; the rich and the poor and the Casa staff in between. As we touch one another’s lives we get that feeling of wanting to become a part of life together. So, those who have an over abundance, wish to help us to help others who are under nourished in so many material ways. Most of the poor among us seem to have an inside track to the Heart of God where they find so much comfort in their dire circumstances.

The rich wish to connect with me because my life takes me into the midst of poverty; usually to places where most people do not wish to go. They know that I know who the needy are. The poor wish to connect with me because they know that I care about them and so there is a mutual love that inspires courage. I find it difficult to put this into words because the truth is so deep in our souls once we experience this mutual desire to see one another as equals – each in need of something that the other has and wishes to share.

As I think back on joys and struggles in life I realize the place of the Spirit. Most meaningful to me has always been Jesus’ word that he would send His Spirit to nourish our Spirit. Though we may seem old to others, we are still young in Spirit. I do have a quandary about why others expect us “oldsters” to slow down just because we keep adding numbers to our age. Remember the song, “Young at Heart”? That is exactly how most of us want to be perceived. So, please keep this in mind when you meet up with someone who looks like they are a little “withery” or “dithery” in mind or body or both.

What do you hear in Sister Pat’s words that can apply in your own life? What Word from Jesus or one of the saints or holy people of God nourishes you, inspires you?

PS085 Prayer – June 7, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:04:08 +0000

PS085 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 7, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 121:1-8 and Matthew 5:1-12. Feast day: Blessed Anne of Bartholomew. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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How do we know God is seeking us?

Sister Julie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:00:16 +0000

Did you know that God is seeking you? Yes, you. The very one reading this blog post. God seeks each one of us in the midst of our everyday life, not necessarily in a lightening bolt or a choir of angels or a miraculous alignment of clouds. Here’s a selection from the book May I Have This Dance?: An Invitation to Faithful Prayer Throughout the Yearby Joyce Rupp which was recently published in National Catholic Reporter.

How do we know when God is seeking us out? Many times God is seeking us when we sense the following:

restlessness within or an unnamed loneliness

a hunger for bonding

questions that keep surfacing

sudden awareness or clearer vision about life’s meaning

an unexpected sense of deep contentment or peace

darkness that has the aura of mystery or searching

a desire for greater truth

a hopefulness that rises in one’s spirit

a yearning for justice

an overwhelming awareness of God’s mystery

a bonding with beauty

Sensing God’s calling to us is a first movement. How we respond to God is a next question.

How do we know when we are seeking God out? Again it is not always a known or certain thing, but some aspects I [Joyce Rupp] have experienced are:

willingness to sit and listen with the unnamed stirrings within

the disciplines of reflecting, pondering, meditating

confrontation of fears, anxieties, concerns

deliberate decisions to go deeper

owning and claiming one’s inherent goodness

savoring the beauty of creation

entering into situations that involve risk and struggle

actively bonding with a community or others who seek God

welcoming the goodness in others

Read more of the article Seek and Find (National Catholic Reporter, June 4, 2010).

Sister Joyce Rupp, a Catholic sister belonging to the Servites (aka Servants of Mary), ministers as a writer, spiritual and retreat leader, and hospice volunteer (more info at Sister Joyce Rupp’s website).

What questions do you have about how God is seeking you out or how you might respond? What have you experienced in your walk with God?

* * *
Join Sister Maxine and Sister Julie and the A Nun’s Life Community for prayer today via our live podcast “Praying with the Sisters”. Just before 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone) join us at http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE … more info on that page.

AS028 Ask Sister – distant from God, loved ones who don’t get the nun thing, attracted but can’t see myself as a nun

Sister Julie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:11:39 +0000

AS028 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on June 4, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: feeling distant from God, relating to loved ones who don’t get the nun thing, being attracted to religious life but unable to see self as a nun.*

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

* NOTE: This podcast was recorded on the road and without our usual equipment.

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Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

Do you ever feel distant from God?
I want to become a nun but people I love disagree with me. What do I do?
Can you take A Nun’s Life live shows on the road?
I have a boyfriend, a past, and health issues, yet I keep being drawn to become a nun even though I can’t see myself as one. What advice do you have?

Message of Catholic sisters from across the global

Sister Julie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:20:00 +0000

In May 2010, some 800 international women religious superior generals met in Rome under the auspices of the International Union of General Superiors (UISG) to ponder the twin themes of mysticism and prophecy. The following statement was issued after the conference and “aims to express the spirit, intent and direction of the organization for the next three years through a series of public commitments” (Thomas C. Fox for NCRonline.org). Here is the statement in full:

“I know the fountain well that flows and runs… though it is night”
(St John of the Cross)

THE FUTURE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE IS IN ITS MYSTICAL AND PROPHETIC FORCE

“My soul is thirsting for God, the living God” Ps 42, 3

During this Assembly:

We, 800 superiors general coming from 87 countries, have quenched our thirst together at the Fountain of life, the God of Jesus Christ, source of our joy, our hope and our strength.

We commit ourselves to:

Rediscover anew and listen to the Fountain which speaks in our hearts, through others and through creation.

Draw water from the Source of our charism and rediscover the dynamism of our first call.

Taste and share together the Word and the Bread.

Promote a constant dialogue between the Word of God and the events which happen in our world.

Invite others to come and drink at the Fountain.

“If you consider me a believer… come and dwell in my house” Acts 16, 15

Like Lydia, a listening and faith filled woman, we are invited to open our hearts and our homes and to remember the living waters of our baptism.

We commit ourselves to:

Create a new style of mystical and prophetic life, open and hospitable, inclusive, respectful of differences and acknowledging the richness of other cultures and religions.

Recreate the art of living in common, marked by deep human relationships, a listening heart, empathy and non-violence in order to be witnesses of Gospel values.

Focus on initial and on-going formation in order to unify the mystical and prophetic dimensions of our consecrated life.

Live in harmony with the whole Cosmos and to dwell respectfully on this Earth.

“Put out into the deep… and cast your nets…” Luke 5,4

We have become aware that we should not fear the night of the deep waters.

We commit ourselves to:

Courageously identify the “nights” of the Church, of society and of our congregations.

Discover the sparks of light hidden in the heart of violence, poverty and the lack of meaning.

To open our eyes to discover new paths of light in the darkness of our world: in the precarious situation of women, the existential restlessness of the youth, the consequences of war and natural catastrophes and the extreme poverty which leads to violence.

Offer as consecrated women a ministry of compassion and healing.

Build inter-congregational networks at local and international levels, involving the laity in order to initiate different projects and to work for the transformation of unjust structures.

Go beyond the frontiers of our respective charisms and to unite ourselves in order to offer a mystical and prophetic word to our world.

Engage in truthful dialogue with the hierarchical Church at all levels in order to achieve a greater recognition of the role of women.

As Mary, let us remain awake and vigilant,
constantly searching for the Fountain that flows,
certain that It will be found, although it is night.

Click here for a PDF of the statement as well as more information on the 2010 UISG Conference.

What strikes you about this statement? What is something that you hear in this that you can incorporate in your own life? What does this say to you about the possibility of religious life?

PS083 Prayer – June 2, 2010

Sister Julie — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:50:45 +0000

PS083 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 2, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 123:1-5 and Mark 12:18-27. Feast day: Saints Marcellinus and Peter. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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PS082 Prayer – June 1, 2010

Sister Julie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:47:50 +0000

PS082 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on June 1, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 90:2-16 and Mark 12:13-17. Feast day: Saint Justin. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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The “Sister Mary” Naming Custom

Sister Julie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:23:32 +0000

You may notice that many Catholic sisters and nuns have the name “Mary” included in some form in their religious name. In a recent edition of our IHM Archives News (May 2010), our intrepid archivist Donna Westley looked at this custom in the IHM tradition. (Today we use our baptismal names as our religious names so “Mary” or its derivations are present only if it was originally part of one’s baptismal name). Here’s some of that article along with additional details I gleaned from my email conversation with Donna.

Why take on a religious name? A new name in religion signified a commitment to a new way of life. For more info, check out our earlier blog post responding to Lou’s question What is the reasoning behind a nun or sister choosing a religious name?

Why the name “Mary”? Our IHM Congregation has a special devotion to Mary which has manifest itself in various ways throughout our history up to today. Co-founder Father Louis Florent Gillet, CSsR wrote about our special relationship with Mary in the original IHM Rule of Life: “The principal Patroness of the Institute will be the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate, whose feast is celebrated the eighth of December.” The dogma of the Immaculate Conception had just been issued in 1854, just 9 years after our congregation’s founding.

The earliest commentary on the constitutions and customs that Donna found was written by Mother Gertrude Gerretsen (1864-1869). She writes:

“Devotion to the Mother of God has always been dear to religious persons. But as this congregation is immediately under her protection and as she is (under God) its principal protectress, the sisters shall always have the warmest and most affectionate devotion to her; regarding her in a special manner as their Mother and the great model they are obliged to imitate, that by her intercession and under her powerful protection they may be enabled to fulfill the obligations of this holy Institute and implant Jesus Christ in the hearts of the children they are charged to instruct.”

Mother Gertrude goes on in detail about specific devotions: rosary, novenas, celebration of feasts, the month of May, etc.

What was the Sister Mary custom with IHM Sisters? The name of Mary, although not always spoken or written at the beginning of our religious names, was always formally there until 1920.

Indeed, a page in co-founder Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin’s Notes Regarding the Foundation supports the longstanding nature of this practice. Referring to receptions and professions, she says.

“I will now give the religious names of those 12 Sisters: Igidius, Johanna, Gerard, Liguori, Agnes, Anthony, Ignatius, Xavier, Stanislas, Colette, Gertrude, Clara, it is not necessary to say that every one had the name of Mary preceding the other name as it is customary with us.”

Looking over the religious names of members in our IHM congregation from the beginnings in 1845 and up to the 1920s, it appears the majority of sisters had a single name, preceded by Mary, Maria, Marie, or just the letter “M.”

In 1920, Sister Margaret Mary (Anna) Look was the first Monroe IHM to have a name that did not have “Mary” at the beginning. In a letter written to archivist Celeste Rabaut, IHM, on November 9, 1984, Margaret Mary explained, “St. Margaret Mary was canonized in May 1920. I was received into the community July 22, 1920, and given the name Sister Margaret Mary—coveted by many previously but not given out because ‘Mary’ preceded all names up to that time.”

After Margaret Mary, others began to have Mary, Marie, or Maria as the second part of their name. We also began to see Latin names like Cor Mariae, Beata Maria, Maria Pacis as well as titles like Marie de Lourdes and Mary de Montfort, Marie Rosary and Mary Immaculate given as religious names.

In the Marian year (1954) almost all the postulants received were given a name with Mary, Marie, or a title of Mary — not just that initial “M.

If you have a Mary naming custom in your community or personally, let us know!

AS027 Ask Sister – fasting, the First Official nun meeting, virgin-ness, imaging oneself as a nun, vocational calling, and more

Sister Julie — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:40:54 +0000

AS027 Ask Sister podcast recorded live on May 28, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Topics include: fasting, the First Official nun meeting, virgin-ness, vocational calling, bride of Christ and other ways to image oneself as a Catholic sister.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

Subscribe to A Nun’s Life Podcasts:

Ask Sister podcast is a live podcast where you have the opportunity to engage with us and ask questions about nuns, prayer, religious life, or pretty much anything in between!

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this Ask Sister podcast:

What other ways can one image oneself as a Catholic nun other than “bride of Christ”? How is this connected to one’s image of God?
Does a person have to be a virgin in order to become a Catholic sister or nun?
What was your first official meeting like with a nun?
What is fasting and what place might it have for us today?
What do I do if I’m married but feel called to religious life?

PS081 Prayer – May 27, 2010

Sister Julie — Fri, 28 May 2010 04:13:10 +0000

PS081 Praying with the Sisters podcast recorded live on May 27, 2010. Sponsored by aNunsLife.org ministry. Scripture readings: Psalm 100:1-5 and Mark 10:46-52. Feast day: Saint Augustine of Canterbury. Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. CST.

Click PLAY below or right-click here to download the MP3.

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Taking off your outer garment

Guest Blogger — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:56 +0000

Taking off your outer garment
by Sister Paula Cooney, IHM

I was recently privileged to share a reflection by Ron Rolheiser, OMI on “Creating Sabbath Space in Our Lives” with a group of elder women religious. His suggestion was a new and challenging insight into Jesus’ washing of the feet at the last supper.

The gospel of John tells us, “Jesus, knowing that he came from God and was going back to God, took off his outer garment…” Jesus was able to let go of all the stuff that wasn’t really essential – his outer garment – to minister to the other.

So we asked ourselves: “What are the “outer garments” that we think are essential that keep me from freely washing the feet of the “others” in my life? Democrat/Republican? Gay/Straight? Islamic/Christian? Pro-life/Pro-choice? Pro-immigration/Anti-immigration?

One of the sisters reflected, “It wouldn’t be so difficult if everyone would become vulnerable but it’s really hard if you are the only one doing it.” Another shared, “If I could only remember that “the other” is just like me – one who has come from God and is going back to God!”

I wonder what our world would be like if everyone “took off their outer garment?”

Paula Cooney, IHM, is an IHM Sister who is currently in ministry to the retirement community of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange, California.

* * *

Check out a clip from a video of Ron Rolheiser, OMI, on
Creating Sabbath Space in Our Lives.

***

Join A Nun’s Life Community for prayer today at 6 p.m. Central Time (your time zone). Praying with the Sisters is a live podcast where we pray the scriptures together and our prayer requests via the chat room at http://aNunsLife.org/LIVE.