People are always asking good questions here at A Nun’s Life. Here’s a question from Harrison that I thought I’d share with you all …
I am not a catholic, but I love your blog. It’s very refreshing in the midst of excessive online trash. I was just wondering you’ve ever seen the episode of The Golden Girls where Sophia becomes a nun. It’s hilarious. Do nuns get silly when they live together or is it all serious all the time? What do you ladies do for fun?
Hi Harrison! Thanks for hanging out on my blog. I loved watching Estelle Getty!
I can assure you that we are not serious all the time! We all have our moments of silliness that we share with one another and with others. Most people see the “professional” side of us which might include humor but usually not so much silliness. But, as my friends can attest, we do have fun and we can be pretty silly at times (I write this as I laugh at The Simpsons episode which ends with God, Buddha and the Colonel enjoying KFC popcorn chicken in heaven).
What do we do for fun? Oh, it’s pretty random. I personally am amused at the oddest of things. I’m laughing hysterically at geeky jokes by friends on Facebook while I watch The Simpsons (I multitask). My nuns are also some of the funniest people I know. There are a few of them that tell THE BEST stories. Seriously, you can’t make some of that stuff up! I’m going home next month for meetings at our IHM Motherhouse. Since it’s a multi-day event, they’ve scheduled a “Pub Night” with games, yummies and beverages. If you’ve never seen a group of nuns rumble over Wii or a game of no-holds-barred euchre, then you haven’t lived.
Really, though, nuns have fun in many of the ordinary ways that you have fun in. We like to joke, have fun, be silly and quirky and enjoy people’s company.
Now back to The Simpsons …
Archived Comments
- October 24, 2008 at 7:48 am
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That episode of the Golden Girls is hilarious! Sophia’s interview with one of the nuns is a riot – the Sister comes over and shows Sophia these ridiculous ink blots, and asks “so, what do you see here?” And Sophia tries to say what she wants to hear, so she’s all “I see the Blessed Virgin Mary perched on a throne, etc” and Dorothy is there and she starts yelling “Ma, you’re making this up!” Sophia ends up joining and driving the mother superior crazy by keeping her room messy and starting poker games (and cheating at them). The end of the episode is thoughtful though, as Golden Girls episodes usually are – we find out that Sophia joined the convent because she missed her dear friend who had recently passed away, who was a nun. She asks Dorothy, “but…if I’m not a nun, then who’s going to take Sr. Agnes’ place?” To which Dorothy replies, “nobody can take her place, just like nobody can take your place.” *sniff* I love the Golden Girls.
Now on to the important stuff: You have a Wii at the motherhouse??? I am so coming over. Can you play parking wars on a Wii? I’m glad to hear nuns have fun, though I’m not sure why people would think otherwise? I mean, some people are more fun-loving than others, but I don’t see how that’s related to being a nun?
- October 24, 2008 at 9:15 am
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Oh, they definitely have it on Netflix. I’ll find out the season for you. Of course, I also have all eight seasons of the Golden Girls, so you can always borrow it from me! And yes, I think a Wii mention should be a central part of any vocational package.
- October 24, 2008 at 10:25 am
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My classmate Mago instituted an impromptu Joke Night, an we’ve tried to keep up the tradition, especially after an ice cream social (Laughter lowers blood sugar–it’s a fact!) We’ve also had some killer Bunco nights, cut throat Skip-bo tournies, tennis and volley tennis matches, Texas dance lessons, and countless sing-alongs. We had a former provincial that lived to be 103, and she held court every Sunday night with the most serious Canasta game as long as she could. Every Wednesday night is community game night. We’ll have to ask Santa for Wii. It will make a great addition to our vocation brochures!
- October 24, 2008 at 8:41 am
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Wow! A Wii at the Motherhouse! If we lived closer, I’d bring my daughter over for a vocational visit! I never saw that episode of The Golden Girls but I bet it was a real hoot. I adore that Simpson’s episode. It had me in stitches! It’d be great to post. Hope you can find it on Netflix. dee
- October 24, 2008 at 11:47 am
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I have come to discover that “nun fun” is unlike any other fun.
- October 24, 2008 at 1:05 pm
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I just wanted to comment about the ‘fun’ issue because just Monday night my husband and I were at a live performance of the Phantom of the Opera and during the intermission, I observed two nuns in lovely habits talking to another couple in the lobby. I have just recently begun reading this blog and I want to thank you for presenting that nuns are real people with a devotion to God, not cookie-cutter stereotypes. I shared some of this blog with my husband and we now have a newfound respect that comes with understanding for nuns. Ordinarily I would have been very shocked and extremely curious to see nuns at an event like that and assumed they did not actually go inside and watch the program progress but after reading your blog, I was excited! It sounded as though they were having a lovely conversation and seemed very bright and happy. After reading your blog, I now know that not all nuns wear habits but I am very glad that these two in particular did or I would not have known that they were nuns and had that confirmation that yes, nuns are real people and approachable by everyone else. It may not seem like much or perhaps it may seem silly, but seeing them in public, mingling with “the rest of us” warmed my heart. Thank you for your blog. I will continue reading and maybe more of the questions that I didn’t know I had will be answered. God bless.
- October 24, 2008 at 3:37 pm
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Gayle: “Nunfun is unlike any other fun.” What exactly do you mean by that? Inquiring minds want to know!
- October 27, 2008 at 6:31 am
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Oh, gosh, what do I mean by that? I find a certain indescribable quality in the fun I have with my Sisters. I have found myself immensly enjoying activites that prior to community I did not find as entertaining. For instance, activities that might not have been as fun with other people are hysterical with my Sisters. Karaoke, for example. A simple board game or game of spoons can have us in hysterics. I have fun with other friends, but nun fun seems to be its own special brand. Why? Holy laughter? Joy? Being willing to be ourselves and savor the moment? Yes, I think so. Does that help?
- January 22, 2009 at 2:31 pm
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Hi Sister Julie, I just discovered your blog today, and I love it. I’m in RCIA to become Catholic this year, and I try to learn what I can about the faith. I never expected nuns to blog, so lately I’ve been scrounging the internet to find nuns and priests to see what their take on life it. I love it!
In regard to this post though, I really related to it in a way. I used to be in Youth Ministry in the Southern Baptist Church, and I attended a strict Southern Baptist University. No one ever expected us to have fun, what with the abstinence from drink, drugs, and sexual activity. But we always had AMAZING fun, especially in the dorm or at a church camp! Thanks for your perspective
- August 5, 2009 at 6:21 pm
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I recently spent a weekend with the Petites Franciscaines de Marie in Québec City, Canada and we had a blast. Just sitting around talking and telling jokes. Making beautiful music together and enjoying each others company. Nuns do know how to enjoy life.
