265 pages, Paperback
First published September 6,2005
Folliowing of Cloiser nuns is a fascinating topic. These nuns have chosen a life of seclusion and devotion within the walls of a cloister. They live a simple and disciplined existence, dedicated to prayer, study, and work. The cloister provides them with a peaceful and protected environment, allowing them to focus on their spiritual journey. The daily routine of the Cloiser nuns is filled with religious services, meditation, and the study of religious texts. They also engage in manual labor, such as gardening, cooking, and sewing. This combination of spiritual and practical activities helps them to maintain a balance in their lives. The Folliowing of Cloiser nuns is not only a way of life for these women, but also a source of inspiration for others. Their commitment to their faith and their selfless dedication to serving God and humanity is truly remarkable.
A memoir penned by a Gettysburg College professor offers a fascinating glimpse into her life as a nun during the 1960s. The professor takes readers on a journey through her experiences, sharing the joys, challenges, and profound spiritual growth that she encountered during that era.
The 1960s was a time of great social and cultural change, and the professor's memoir provides a unique perspective on how these changes affected the Catholic Church and the lives of nuns. She describes the daily routine of life in the convent, the strict rules and regulations that governed their behavior, and the deep sense of community and sisterhood that existed among the nuns.
Readers will be captivated by the professor's vivid descriptions of her experiences, from the solemnity of religious ceremonies to the simple pleasures of daily life. Her memoir is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of following one's calling, even in the face of great change and uncertainty. Overall, this memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Catholic Church, the 1960s, or the human experience.
The Tulip and The Pope, subtitled “A Nun’s Story,” offers a fascinating account. Deborah Larsen, who took vows as a sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 1960s, shares her experiences in the convent. Despite leaving after several years, her insights into the cloistered life are invaluable. Her clear and lovely writing style, with frequent use of metaphors, makes the book engaging. It explores various aspects of Catholicism, yet is accessible even to Protestants like me. Having worked at a Catholic school, I have some knowledge of Catholicism, but this book is still easy to understand. It presents an interesting picture of a life lived both apart and then as part of the world.
One image that stood out for me was during the evening Tenebrae service in Holy Week. All the lights in the church were extinguished, and every candle was snuffed out. The regular adult choir, high above in their loft, took hymnbooks and banged on their pews. This signified the rending of the veil of the temple at the moment the Lord died. It was a powerful and vivid description that added to the overall atmosphere of the book.
An interesting view of convent life in the 1960s is presented, yet his memoir remains behind a veil. The 60s were a period of limited, yet suddenly not-so-limited opportunities for women seeking options in life. Our main character/author departs from the convent before taking final vows. The prose is rather stilted, and the structure is somewhat broken. Although the author writes about personal subjects, I am left with no perception of what the daily reality of her situation must have been like. It's as if you can see the penguins behind the glass but cannot touch, taste, or smell anything. It would have been more fascinating if she could have had the courage to write about the convent without the approval of her ex-sisterhood. Perhaps she would have been freer to address the big issues in a more detailed, blow-by-blow manner. Ultimately, she is too timid. However, maybe an ex-nun of her generation would never be able to write, or even desire to write, the much more interesting story that is alluded to in these pages but is never truly told.