“Get thee to a nunnery”

7 responses to ““Get thee to a nunnery””

1. 

   *ivo*

   Nov 1, 2004 at 10:09 pm

   Wow…

   Reply
2. 

   angry shock

   Nov 6, 2004 at 5:55 am

   You know, J, something strange happens to me with this photo and that´s why I didn´t make any comments before. Let me see if I can explain myself, these mixed up feelings…

   I´ve found this photo wonderful and very intimate from the first impact. Technically speaking. As an aesthetic act. However, the subject is so sad (for me at least) that after enjoying the view of its precious beauty I felt bad with myself somehow. Knowing the facts of what I was actually witnessing, I thought: how could I be tasting its beauty while the ones involved there are in pain? Because, even when the Nun is happy for her choice (let´s assume this as true) surely her family (perhaps all
   of them) cannot be happy with their girl´s election.

   So, that´s why until today I didn´t comment on it. It was confusing. Maybe its solemnity also worked in me. Anyway, as the photograph itself, let me tell you again that it is a wonderful piece of art.

   …Hope I did not bore you with this 😉

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3. 

   jurvetson

   Nov 6, 2004 at 6:09 pm

   thanks! This is one of my favorite photos, but in a poignant way….

   As the context sinks in…. the decorative bars, from wall to ceiling, keep echoing in my mind.

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4. 

   angry shock

   Nov 6, 2004 at 8:51 pm

   you said the word: "poignance". That is the overwhelming feeling.

   Those beautiful forged bars are all a metaphor, a deep digging symbol… and, geez, a total oximoron, aren´t they?

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5. 

   tempo

   Feb 7, 2005 at 5:51 pm

   Ditto all that. There are precious few new nuns being inducted these days, so this shot is quite a catch. Just saw the shocking the Magdalene Sisters, and I’ll never look at nuns or nunneries the same way again.

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6. 

   MaryAgnesLamb

   Jan 25, 2007 at 12:19 pm

   Just a note contra. Not all nuns or nunneries are "the Magdalene sisters"–I personally know some delightful women who are cloistered contemplative nuns. In fact, most religious are not "the magdalene sisters". Not to say that human beings in every situation, throughout history , don’t manage to commit terrible abuses. We do.
   Some of us do it wearing a religious habit, which is a shame. God forgive them and have mercy on them for the terrible wrong that they do. But don’t paint everyone with the same brush, please.

   Various communities have various rules for family visits. Some more liberal than this, some about like your description. How many adult children move away and seldom, if ever come home?

   Some families are quite delighted to have a daughter dedicate herself to God in this this way–some even pray for this grace. Some who are not delighted at first grow to be happy or at peace over time. And, I am sure, some are never reconciled to it. Hmmm, pretty much like every other free choice made by an adult child.

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7. 

   Saint Catherine

   Mar 11, 2007 at 7:19 am

   Actually, the numbers of vocations are rising. I know several nuns well, and they are kind,loving people! I think the beautiful grille means that their separation from the world is a treasured thing, not something ugly.

   Reply