miserere55 Posted November 27, 2013 Posted November 27, 2013 Another great book is Barefoot Journey: autobiography of a Poor Clare Nun, by Sr. Felicity.
Pia Jesu Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 Everyone absolutely must go read Rumer Godden's In This House of Brede, there is an amesome edition by Loyola Classics. It's a saga about Benedictines in England and is based on the nuns at Stanbrook Abbey. Amazing, amazing book. The movie totally messes up the plot and message which is about forgiveness, surrender, and all the messy womderful things that make us human. It's also interesting because it's about Catholics in England and their struggle to survive during the reforming years. Amanda. The 1975 movie (starring Diana Riggs) is still worth seeing--and is one of the best film adaptations (of a book) that I've seen. Given its 105 minute viewing time, the plot development works!
miserere55 Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 Yes, I think every future nun should read/watch the movie: In this House of Brede, I love the movie, even though it is different in some ways from the book? I have the movie, but haven't re-read the book in many years. Doesn't she end up leaving the convent in the book? But the movie has her staying in the Order. I could be wrong
BarbTherese Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 Along with "A Right to be Merry", my best read was "Unveiled: The Hidden Life of Nuns" (C.L. Reed) http://www.nunsunveiled.com/reviews.html Publishers Weekly March 2004 Although the title of this book hints at a possibly salacious expose, Reed offers a generous, loving and thorough treatment of contemporary North American nuns. What is most arresting about her portrait is the tremendous diversity among the women she profiles. In one chapter, we meet habited, cloistered Passionist nuns who rise at 2 a.m. to pray, flog their bare skin, and speak for only one hour each day; they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with activist sisters who teach in universities, work as prison chaplains or minister to drug addicts in urban safehouses. Reed acknowledges that the numbers of active women religious are down to almost a third of what they were in the mid-1960s, and that their average age today is a superannuated 69. However, she doesn't allow these grim statistics to tell the entire story, introducing us to sisters so dedicated and fascinating that we become optimistic about the future of women religious. Reed, a non-Catholic, writes from the best tradition of investigative journalism, but she doesn't pretend to be unmoved by the stories of everyday heroism displayed by the women she describes, and chronicles her own spiritual journey throughout. Dallas Morning News Review: Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns Cheryl L. Reed May 22, 2004 Many of the newly released nun books are formulaic. They either trash nuns as hopelessly archaic or put them on a pedestal that's unrealistic. Ms. Reed's book stands apart. This remarkable project, a labor of five years, neither trivializes nor stereotypes, but poignantly portrays the lives of women who chose this spiritual path. Ms. Reed, a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, traveled the country to observe more than 300 nuns from 50 religious orders. She lived with hem and followed their routines, even when it meant community prayer during the wee hours of the morning. She met habited nuns and feminists, lipstick nuns and social justice advocates, stern autocrats and warm, welcoming women. Many of the nuns talked candidly about obedience, faith, sexuality and the male hierarchy. Some saw themselves as models of holiness. Many more said they were striving to lead lives of holiness and were not necessarily better at it than others. Ms. Reed shares telling moments with the sisters, but doesn't sensationalize. It's masterful storytelling built on painstaking research. With the number of nuns declining, Ms. Reed's work will remain a lasting chronicle of a significant moment in the American Catholic Church. S.H.A.
darcy15 Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 Yes, I think every future nun should read/watch the movie: In this House of Brede, I love the movie, even though it is different in some ways from the book? I have the movie, but haven't re-read the book in many years. Doesn't she end up leaving the convent in the book? But the movie has her staying in the Order. I could be wrong Hi In this House of Brede is one of my favourite books.I have lost count of how many times I have read it. It has also very recently become available on Kindle. The film is not bad, but it misses out a great deal of the story - probably due to time constraints. It was filmed at real convents in Ireland and England. Dame Philippa stays in the order, but is sent to Japan to set up a new foundation as Prioress. Everyone should read the book - lots of detail abour Abbey life, and a very heartwarming story.
marigold Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 (edited) Hi In this House of Brede is one of my favourite books.I have lost count of how many times I have read it. It has also very recently become available on Kindle. The film is not bad, but it misses out a great deal of the story - probably due to time constraints. It was filmed at real convents in Ireland and England. Dame Philippa stays in the order, but is sent to Japan to set up a new foundation as Prioress. Everyone should read the book - lots of detail abour Abbey life, and a very heartwarming story. I loved it. It's one of the few books that made me feel like I was there - whenever I think of it, I see the halls, the gardens and all the different nuns as though I actually know them. It's beautifully written. For my part, I'm recommending The Scent of Holiness: Lessons From A Women's Monastery. If you ever wondered about Orthodox monasteries, start here :) Edited November 28, 2013 by marigold
Pia Jesu Posted November 28, 2013 Posted November 28, 2013 Good to see your post, Marigold! I also found your March, 2012 (excellent) recommendation of Letters to a Beginner by Abbess Thaisia. Those interested in Orthodox vocations can view the Foreward to the original edition at: http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/letters_intro.aspx
AveMariaPurissima Posted November 30, 2013 Posted November 30, 2013 A Right to Be Merry is, of course, awesome. I also read and liked the book, And Nora Said Yes. That one is probably out of print, though.
miserere55 Posted December 1, 2013 Posted December 1, 2013 A book I just finished reading is a great book for anyone interested in religious life: An Unquenchable Thirst, by Mary Johnson. She had been a Missionary of Charity for 20 years and writes about her llfe in that community. It isnt a book, like many ex-nun stories, that is angry and bitter. It presents the Sisters in a good light, but is honest and heartfelt and she discusses her own shortcomings as a sister. It also gives a little insight into Mother Teresa on a personal and intimate level. I went on an extended "Come and See," with the Missionaries of Charity at one time. I lived with their aspirants and postulants in the Bronx. They live a very harsh life, based on third world poverty, with a complete denial of self. Their life is abject and, I felt, very lonely. I was not fit for that life, it would have been too hard for me..........and I have, in monastic life, gone barefoot in the winter months, slept on a board for years, kept daily silence, ate rotten foods, perpetual fast, took the discipline, etc., etc., etc., And yet I found the Missionaries of Charity life to be too hard. Good Book!!!
VeniJesuAmorMi Posted December 1, 2013 Posted December 1, 2013 I mentioned this before on Phatmass in another thread, but the book, "Following The Path of Divine Love" by the Discalced Carmelites of Cerro de los Angeles and La Aldehuela, Spain about Saint Maravillas. It was translated by the Buffalo Carmel. This book is great for information about life in Carmel along with letters to her from her spiritual director and letters from Saint Maravillas to her Sisters with very good advise. Its a great read especially for those discerning a Discalced Carmelite vocation. I know it can be purchased online and also at the Buffalo Carmel gift shop and the Brooklyn Carmel gift shop; not sure about other Carmels but there is a very good chance it would be there. :)
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 2, 2013 Posted December 2, 2013 Let Him Do It Life of Maravillas de Jesus, O.C.D. by the Discalced Carmelites of Cerro de los Angeles and La Aldehuela, Spain translated from Spanish to English by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Brooklyn, NY 1979 This is a very good book and it chronicles the foundations of Mother Maravillas of Jesus in Spain and India.
Nunsuch Posted December 2, 2013 Posted December 2, 2013 Does anyone remember the many books edited by Fr. George Kane, such as "Why I Entered the Convent"? He had several about sisters, as well as one for priests, one for brothers, one for missionaries, and one about converts. These are from the 1950s, but touching and varied stories. And then there's the legendary "Bernie Becomes a Nun," about a woman who entered Maryknoll. She was recently interviewed on ANunsLife.org--she's still in Maryknoll, and spent many years as a missionary in South America. While some of what is in these books is a bit dated, obviously, the sentiments are quite good, and still fun to read. A more recent book is the memoir of Mother Delores Hart, OSB, who went from Hollywood to Regina Laudis. Very interesting!
miserere55 Posted December 3, 2013 Posted December 3, 2013 Hi Nunsuch, Thanks for taking me on a walk down memory lane!!! I attended a catholic all-girl, college prep High School. I had wanted to be a nun since 2nd grade, but in junior high that went away and I wanted to be other things. In my 11th grade English class, we had to write research papers. One day, we went to the library to do research and while looking for information, I discovered the book, Bernie Becomes a Nun. After that, every time we went to the library, I read more of that book (because for obvious reasons I couldn't check it out). That is the book that made me want to become a nun again, and it was a very old book, although an OLD one! I was sixteen then, and I have never stopped wanting to be a nun.
Nunsuch Posted December 3, 2013 Posted December 3, 2013 Miserere55 (and others), you may want to listen to the podcast with Sister "Bernie": http://anunslife.org/podcasts/in-good-faith/igf003-in-good-faith
Nunsuch Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 Miserere55 (and others), you may want to listen to the podcast with Sister "Bernie": http://anunslife.org/podcasts/in-good-faith/igf003-in-good-faith
Golden Years Posted December 6, 2013 Posted December 6, 2013 Published in 1942, In Praise of Nuns, An Anthology of Verse, ed. by James Hayes is excellent. Includes poetry written by nuns as well as poems about nuns. http://www.amazon.com/IN-PRAISE-OF-NUNS-Anthology/dp/B000LZA34C If you buy it through Amazon don't forget to go through the PM link :saint2:
miserere55 Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 Hi Nunsuch....thank you so much for the link to the podcast with Sr. Bernie. I had no idea that the book was actually based on a real person. :hehe2:
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