nun stories

I just watched Audrey Hepburn in “The Nun’s Story.” It’s a 1959 film based on a novel which is in turn based on the true story of a Belgian nursing sister. I’d never heard of this movie before, truth be told. But I was perusing the video store aisles yesterday and it jumped out at me.

All I can say is wow. And unlike most theatrical and cinematic portrayals of nuns, this one allows you to see the real human struggles and faith journey of Sister Luke from postulant to novice to temporary professed to final profession and, eventually, to realizing she needs to leave the community. There’s lots in between … a detailed portrayal of living the “holy rule” in pre-Vatican II days (lots of kneeling and kissing of the floor – I hear similar stories from sisters in my own community) … training as a nurse … serving in the missions in the Congo … making friends … questioning and wondering how best to serve God.

The ending scene is quite powerful. As the NYT describes it:

The Nun's Story ends with a long, silent sequence in which Sister Luke divests herself of her religious robes, dons street garb, and walks out to an uncertain future. There is no background music: director Fred Zinnemann decided that "triumphant" music would indicate that Sister Luke's decision was the right one, while "tragic" music would suggest that she is doing wrong. Rather than make an editorial comment, the director decided against music, allowing the audience members to fill in the blanks themselves.

Discernment is a life long journey, and when you get down to it that’s what this film is about. We’re all on our own journeys, and if we’re honest we don’t know where our paths will take us. In the journey of faith you need to trust in God, listen to your heart and be open to the Spirit.

In religious communities, people come and people go. That’s a hard thing to come to grips with, especially when you’re in the steps of incorporation. You don’t want to think about the possibility of leaving when you’re just entering! But it happens. The best thing I think to do is realize that we are all indeed on a journey.

Last summer I was privileged to attend a groovy sisters’ former members reunion. In the olden days, when someone left they were never heard from or contacted again. Which I bet is what happened to Sr. Luke once she walked out that door. I’ve appreciated the attempt in my community to heal those wounds and realize that even if they’ve left vowed membership, they are still a part of the story of the community. A number of former members have become associates. And one of my weekend sister housemates is a former member who later became an associate and is now a vowed member again.

Rambling thoughts … which I should stop and get back to some purging and sorting. Times have certainly changed. Sr. Luke took nothing with her to the convent. I’m trying to simplify my life, but I’ve still got clothes and books and paper and such to sort through. Some I’m giving away, some I’m storing, some I’m taking to Novitiate with me. Tough as it would be to really give it all away, it would make it a little bit simpler!