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This comment area is closed to new submissions. Visit ITVS.org to continue the conversation about this film.
05/22/2008
Alan Owens
Ann Arbor, MIchigan
INDEPENDENT LENS show about SISTERS-PORTRIAT OF A BENEDICTINE COMMUNITY said many things to me I think what it said most is that they are a transitional group. As one Sister said "they are moving from one old model to a new model." This is what the show captured best.
Furthermore, they seemed beyond simply a school or a sorority, and just learning. The sisters were aspiring to be a practice. They seemed to be a trade or a police woman; and want to have serious communicatons with the entire world-including God.
Finally, the Sisters were saying they wanted a modern expression of love. I learned a great deal about this modern Sisterhood. They even had a website. They didn't seem to have trouble finding recruits. They are prepared for death.
02/28/2008
maggie
tampa, florida
This may sound simplistic, naive, unrealistic, whatever but I have observed over the years that there are NO REAL ROLE MODELS AMONG THE 'NEW NUNS'. There ARE some women who just naturally draw young people to them but one of the points made by a group discussing this situation: wearing 'civilian' clothes makes them just 'one of the bunch'---traditional garb is special, (maybe not the most comfortable!) and attracts even the youngest girls to these traditional women.
02/11/2008
Sumiko Honda
These sisters do not represent traditional Catholic idea of nuns. They represent the failed model of the Vatican II "updated, progressive, femminist and radical" nun.
In many USA Orders of nuns, and in Europe and elsewhere, it is those Orders which have bought into extensive updating instead of keeping tradition, adopting lay clothes instead of keeping the holy traditional habit, and espousing radical agendas (femminism/women priest issues, justice and peace and protests instead of strict rules and prayer, and abandonment of traditional works (teaching, nursing, missions, or cloistered contemplation) in favor of social action which are aging and dying out very rapidly. This Benedictine house of nuns represents all the dissident/femminist/liberal model as described above. And thus they are dying out.
Today, it is the "old fashioned" model of nuns from 50-60 years ago that young people want. Prayer, penance, strict rules, disipline, the traditional habit, devotions, Latin, loyalty to the Pope and Catholic teachings.
These are all big attractions to young people (men and women). What these Benedi
ctine nuns espouse is not.The model of "Church" epitomized by these aged sisters is a failed and dead model born of the spiritually bankrupt reforms of Vatican II, which have been soundly rejected by the younger generation. These nuns should learn to accept this and return to traditional religious life, or accept the inevitable as they are....a fast road to extinction.
5/5/07
Amy
Duluth, MN
I find it disheartening to read the negative feedback from people who have never met these
amazing women. Yes, there is change, but can that be all bad? In order to survive they
need to focus on change. Also, there are some sisters who still wear at least part of the
"traditional" habit. Perhaps having a discussion with these amazing women is what some
really need to do to truly understand the way they think.
2/6/07
Michael Laschober
St. Louis, Missouri
This film is such an inspiration to me. I have watched it a good hundred times and
continually learn
from it. I am writing a musical play (The Darwinians) about a community of scientists.
This film has
been my muse. It has defined "community" for me. It has set a tone, a presence, that I
aspire to. As
a work of art, I consider this film a masterpiece. The superposition of "death" and "new
sisterhood"
in the final segment is stunningly beautiful. I watch it over and over and over.
The music ties everything together so magically. Being unfamiliar with the music, I
unsuccessfully
tried to pause the film in hopes that I might be able to read over their shoulders as they
sang in
the chapel. In short, I am very, very grateful for this film. It has enriched me as a
person and as
an artist. If I have any success with my musical play, maybe I will be able to pass on the
film's
riches to others.
1/17/06
Kathy Fetzer
Leesburg, VA
I saw the film for the first time this evening and was delighted throughout the broadcast.
As a
graduate of St. Scholastica and an elementary school operated by the sisters, I am the
lifelong
beneficiary of these generous women. It was marvelous to see former teachers -- and
amazing to see
sisters, such as a renowned artist and a chemistry professor, serving meals to the
homeless. While
the film focused at times on the "self" issues, I know how unselfish these women are. I am
rather
appalled by commenters who bewail the fact that these sisters have indeed come into the
20th/21st
centuries. The film clearly showed their commitment to daily prayers and sacred music, so
I am
puzzled as to how their "holiness" escaped some of the viewers. While all religious
communities are
dwindling, that is no reflection on the Benedictine Sisters of Duluth. They are to be
admired for
all that they do to continue following the Rule of St. Benedict during trying modern
times.
1/3/06
Kathleen
Thank you for this film about a wonderful group of nuns who have taken on the challenge of
being
witnesses to Christ in this modern world. Religious life as it was lived over 40 years ago
will
never be the same. However, my personal experience with these women suggests that they
have
preserved the essence of Benedictine life.
12/29/05
Frances Shahar
I wonder if Christians can truly understand the ephemeral loveliness of the monastic life.
Many of
us non-Christians who try to live a life that reflects faith and holiness are constantly
confronted
with mundane realities. The Sisters in 2006 are trying to combine the traditions of the
community
with the material and open world they live in.
I think the Sisters deserve enormous credit not criticism. This documentary is another
example of
the unique intellectual and spiritual gifts given by PBS and programs such as Independent
Lens.
Reflection on choices not predicated on market research and consumerism is not presented
on
commercial television. I hope that Independent Lens continues to cultivate work like this.
12/28/05
Darla Olson
Hoboken, New Jersey
What a pleasure to watch this film. Thank you so much for airing it. I had the privilege
of taking
courses at the College of St. Scholastica 30 years ago with Sister Claudia Riehl. She
remains, to
this day, one of the most influential persons that I have ever met in my life. I know she
is unaware
of this and probably doesn't even remember me since it has been so many years. The point
is that
these women have enormous impact in what they have chosen to do with their lives. I was
very
fortunate to have come in contact with them for a brief time. Thank you Sister Claudia for
your
insight, wisdom, support, and inspiration.
12/27/05
Michael J. Huberty
Minneapolis, MN
Kudos to the film makers who brought us the story of the Sisters of Saint Scholastica. And
kudos to
the sisters themselves who exemplify what a life of faith is all about as they struggle to
adapt to
an ever-changing world. I admire and respect their adherence to tradition, while at the
same time I
like their willingness to take risks, to try new things, to venture down unblazened
pathways. It
hardly matters whether God is She or He; what matters is that we have people like the
sisters who
remind us that the search for God is a vital part of human life.
12/27/05
This was an EXCELLENT film. I am amazed at how well, and how thoroughly, you covered the
depth and
breadth of the individuals within the community; each striving to follow Jesus through the
teachings
of St. Benedict.
The sisters themselves rekindled in me a deep desire to draw ever closer to Jesus, and to
ask Him
where that is taking me.
THANK YOU for the respect, balance, and candor of your film. And thank you, sisters, for
the same.
12/27/05
N. M. Schilz
Winona, MN
Your documentary illustrated perfectly-- and on a more vivid scale for me personally-- the
mentality
of some current religious orders and of those who participate in them. I found the way
they lived
their lives together very interesting, but it seems that is all that they did together:
live. The
life of a monastic is to be centered on prayer yet very little of their lives seemed to be
devoted
to their singular call. The sisters were more intrigued with leaves and flowers than
concerned with
holiness. They live together and that is all. Some paint, some tend the garden, others
cook, but
they are all focused on the liberation of their femininity, the release of oppressive
religiosity
given way to some earth-philosophy, that they ceased to be nuns at all.
When I first stumbled upon the program, it took me a good long time to understand what I
was
watching. There was no talk of God; there was no mention of spirituality. Then I heard
talk of
Mother-God, and life giving spirits, and realized their lives were more dedicated to
making a
politic statement about religion than of praying unceasingly as intercessors for the
wayward world.
Instead they have decided to become less like a religious community and more like...
well...
everybody else.
It is these sorry religious orders that dishearten some and are a cause of annoyance to
others; but
their kind is dying out. Scores of young women, truly devoted to Christ and his Church,
are joining
religious orders to seek a life completely devoted to Jesus as a Bride is to her husband.
These
"Benedictines" sought more companionship from each other than from their Divine Spouse.
And to top
it off, they've abandoned the teachings of Catholicism, the prayers and rubrics, to create
their own
neo-Christianity-- complete with Buddhist bells and incantations.
These sad orders that pretend to follow the rule of Saint Benedict, picking and choosing
the lines
that agree with their own brand of earth-conscious spiritualism, are the new wave of old
news.
Notice the little mention of the Pope or the Magisterium? Notice the lack of recitation
from
Benedict's rule, or the sheer ignorance thereof? These orders will fade; they will not
morph into
the New Age, non-celibate free-for-all that modernists seek for political gain. The Holy
Spirit
guides those with true callings to true religious orders who follow the teachings of the
true
Church-- there are no exceptions.
12/27/05
Kenjiro Shoda
Philadelphia, Pa.
This film, though a documentary clearly has an underlying agenda. Unfortunatly, this
agenda is to
sympathize with the radical liberal dissenting model of religious sister .Unfortunatly,
this model
transformed many religious Orders of nuns after Vatican II , destroying traditions
centuries old and
replacing it with a vehicle existing only for social change, femminism and radical reform
of the
Church, which in turn turned to dissent and disobedience.
The last 40 years have shown the Catholic Church that this type of religious sister was
almost
immediatly rejected by the Catholic faithful, and by those already in religious life or
those
seeking admittance to it. The reforms and aggitation for more change drove hundereds of
thousands of
sisters and novices away.
In light of these lessons of the last 40 years, the average faithful Catholic can have
little
sympathy for a once flourishing monastery of 500 sisters sixty years ago, to a tiny
remnant of 120
still bent on a liberal agenda which has failed.
Look around the country and the world, and you will find many solidly orthodox and
traditional
Orders of sisters still wearing the "old fashioned" nuns habits and maintaining a strongly
traditional prayer life attracting many more canidates than they can handle.
These Benedictine sisters in Duluth would do well to return to this example.....if they
wish to
survive for much longer as a viable religious community.
12/27/05
Marlene G.
Illinois
Wow. What an inspiring documentary. It was very interesting to get a peek into the daily
life at a
monastery. I have to say that my way of thinking of nuns definitely changed for the
better. I used
to think they were grumpy old women with rulers who didn't have a sense of humor.
Believe it or not, what really got my attention was that the nuns grew to be so old!!! To
me that
signals that they are really on to something when it comes to how a person should live.
They seem to
have a very healthy balance between work, play, and quiet reflection time. I also think
that it does
a lot of good to live in such a close-knit community, always knowing you are surrounded by
friends
and doing activities together. I moved to the U.S. from Sweden about 10 years ago, so I
really miss
my social network and know the importance of it. (Any grammatical errors or spelling
mistakes are
due to the fact that English isn't my first language).
It was very moving to see the nuns volonteer at the hospital and talk to the old, sick,
and lonely,
these poor people don't just need medical help but also someone to just talk to. Doing
rewarding
things like that probably also contributes to the nuns' long lives, since they can feel
good about
helping somebody.
As far as the changing times, I think they are doing the right thing. For example, it
made me happy
to see that they now embrace diversity as opposed to uniformity. People are different, and
I think
that it is only healthy to learn to live with each other and learn from each other instead
of trying
to force everybody into the same mold - or worse - reject everybody that aren't just like
yourself
and automatically think you are better than them. I also thought it was reassuring to see
that even
nuns have their differences and quarrels, it made them seem more human. And I just loved
that some
of the nuns thought of God as a she!! How refreshing!
I can certainly see why some people choose to live in monastries. I wish there were more
alternatives to similar types of living, not for myself (at least not at this point in my
life), but
there is so many lonely people out there with no close friends or relatives, or purpose in
life, and
some of them would probably increase their quality of life dramatically if they had
somewhere like
that to go. I think it would be a good thing if some places would be more "open", where
they for
example allowed married people to join, have their own belongings and were able to choose
if they
wanted to live there or not. There might still be a place for strict, old school
monastries for
those who prefer that kind of thing, but it would be good if there was different type of
establishments too so that it would fit everyone.
My only problem would be that I'm not the slightest bit religious! So if a non-religious,
open-minded community existed that wasn't too hard core, I could definitely see myself
joining at
some point in my life.
So, bottom line... Religious or not, I think we all could learn from those sweet
nuns.
/Marlene, 30 years old from Sweden
12/27/05
Carefree, AZ
I couldn't help but be disappointed in this program. As someone who feels called to the
religious
life, this community seemed quite slackened in its practices and prayer. The outside world
should
not penetrate these houses and convents. The Carmalites and Salisians I know aren't
letting it
happen to them, so why the Benedictines? I think it's rediculous that one of the sisters
would even
suggest that women with families could participate in the convent. Maybe I just read into
it worng,
but I must say that this program has slightly tarnished my view of the Benedictine order.
12/22/05
Lyrae W. Becker
Thank you, Independent Lens, for affirming, even emboldening, an inexplicable desire
within my heart
to become a nun!
I'm not even Catholic! Yet!
Oh, gawd! My family will flip out when I tell them about THIS!
Oh, but I must be very weak and easily distracted! Because the fire that inspires me to
join is
already going cold. Might have something to do with the fact that I'm still raising
children...
No sense in getting too excited, I guess. Yet!
Eek! I can hardly wait!
12/22/05
Ryan Yarborough
Duluth, Minnesota
Yes, the film did change my view of the nuns. I am currently a student at the College of
Saint
Scholastica and I was never fully aware of their talents and their contributions to
society. I think
the film did an amazing job showing the sisters for what they really are and the college
as a great
institution.
12/22/05
Gerrie and Tom Collins
East Norriton, PA
We viewed the film with growing confusion, then embarrassment for the older sisters, then
just
sadness. "God is a she"? Chanting the liturgy like some Buddhist meditation? How sad for
the older
sisters to see the community hijacked into whatever it is now. Isn't there some higher
authority to
ensure communities don't morph into things like this? Did not John Paul II warn
communities and
parishes not to use "inclusive language" for God? Couldn't the sisters at least have noted
to the
viewing public that they no longer were following Catholic doctrine?
12/22/05
San Antonio, TX
This film only confirmmed what I already suspected about religious life in America. It
seems after
Vatican II many traditional religious orders somehow thought that throwing away the
traditional ways
was the right thing to do. Off went the habits, next the ancient customs of their order
and in its
place a modpodge of made-up rituals became the norm for many. The idea of referring to God
as
"mother" is just plain silly. God is our Father as Jesus taught us in His prayer. One
sister
referred to her order as a "microcosm of the world". Perhaps she would have been more
accurate if
she said ...of the Church, instead. It's confused as well!
12/22/05
Mary C. Phillips
Tiffin, Ohio
The "nun's story" was great! It is the story of all religious orders today. But I agree it
will
re-invent itself. These and all orders of women
are strong, faithful, and amzing in using their "gifts.
At ages 80 & 74, my husband and I now reside on the campus of the Sisters of St. Francis,
Tiffin
OH, Independent Living Homes. We see first hand how empowering theses sisters are! Being
included/invited in so many of their religious and other activities has revitalized our
lives.
Peace.
12/22/05
Roseville, CA
What a great documentary comment on the pathetic results of the havoc brought by 40 years
of
modernity through the "spirit of change" embraced by these nuns after Vatican II. Compare
this story
of a dying monestary to the untold story of YOUNG girls who have rejected this hollow,
modern,
transendental, Mother-God, Kumbiya worship and are joining real vibrant Traditional
Benedictine
Abbeys in droves. Check out the website for the Benedictine Oblates of Mary among others!
12/21/05
Jeffrey Dale Burris
Odessa, FL
Aside from due kudos to all involved in the making of this feature, I commend the nuns for
maintaining their way of life. How I wish I could be the new caretaker of the "outside"
grounds. How
I'd like to assume the place of the man who previously served these nuns. I've experience
and would
certainly offer any expertise in return for boarding, as to further my respectful
understanding of
God -- the fellow who just married me to my bride.
12/21/05
Adrian Yanez
Loveland, CO
I thought the images of a funeral at the end was a great metaphor for what is happening to
many
communities that are dying of a self inflicted wound of modernity. Nuns who confuse
Trancendetal
meditation for aka centering prayer for true contemplative prayer being the most fglaring
example.
12/21/05
Kathy Fahrion
Duluth, Mn
Thank you so much for respecting and honoring this wonderful group of nuns. I have found
the silence
and celebration of prayers at St Scholastica to be healing and am especially grateful for
Sr.
Martha, my on and off again, spiritual director.
The only problem with this film is that it is too short.
As for the changes taking place in the community, the Benedictine community has been a
healing
constant in world changes. I will continue to rely on their faith and devotion to God and
the
Benedictine way.
12/21/05
catherine claytor
ann arbor michigan
Two responses: why didn't the film give the whereabouts of the Sisters of Saint
Scholastica. I sense
it was filmed in Duluth, on the high hills above the city facing east over Lake Superior.
Yes?
Also, yes, I do believe women who are older, who have been wives and mothers can indeed
enter the
and serve deeply and with focused energy. Perhaps age and coming from the "outside" world
is even a
positive. Thank you for a very well made and fascinating film.
12/21/05
Fr Timon Costello, Capuchin
Alamogordo N Mexico
I just finished listening on TV to your documentary on your life. It was well
done.
I liked the "hope" that you portrayed. I also liked the variety of life styles and dress
that it
showed.
I am 47 years a priest and I like the changes.
You are to be congratualated on this fine documentary. I would hope you would get
positive
feed-back from this.
12/19/05
Scott
Winnipeg
It is sad to see the religious life and the life of nun's in particular, change so
drastically in
only 40 years.
As mondernized communities are fading away, it is consoling to know that others that have
resisted
modernity are growing and attracting many new members. For example the traditional
Dominicans
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