Modest traditional habits are proper and edifying reminding the wearer of their vocation but just wearing a habit does not make a nun a true nun. Vatican 2 and its mind sweeping errors caused confusion, loss of true vocations and the destruction of the true Mass. To Jesus through Mary.
This "vanishing" is their own fault. The contrast shown in this video between the times past and present makes this perfectly clear: the silent black and white video clips and photographs of the sisters past have more charism than what you see and hear from these modern sisters. Wearing the habit shows not only their dedication but also shows other women (potential vocations) that they even exist.
The Gathering Place is a service that is desperately needed because we have given up on our poor, our hurt and our mentally ill. It is cheaper to throw them into the streets and let organizations like the Gathering Place do their best. It speaks to the cruelty in all of us that we have allowed this to happen to the least of us.
As a British Kiwi whos only been to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, Its so interesting hearing how British/Irish the people of Newfoundlands accents are?
My Nan and Pop spoke a dialect very similar to west country, England. That’s where most of our people are from. My other Nan was “Irish,” and sounded that way.
Its interesting, sad of course. The lack of all the pre vatican II trapping is not attracting to me. There are tens of thousands of women in my age group that found nothing that resembled sisters or nuns when we were in our 20s and 30s looking for religious life. By my 40s, liturgically ancient by that age, the internet and a few obscure new orders were being founded. Today, it is the next generations who are forging ahead with new communities, interestingly that have those attractive qualities: common prayer life, common work, and symbols of community life such a the habit.
It is complex what happened to religious communities after Vatican II. I spent 27 years in the convent and left. I sometimes say I'm a casualty of Vat II. I entered in 1957 and lived through all the changes and the creeping modernism. Now at 82 I am renewing the spiritualiity, my 'first love' that I learned in my first years of religious life.
I’m a Franciscan friar presently living in Chicago. We are also an aging group but still bringing younger vocations. I loved watching this documentary and am genuinely moved by each of the sisters and the people they’ve touched. I was a police officer in S.F. Ca., for 20 years but wanted to serve people from a more faith-based place. Religious life (communities) has given me the support to do that for the past 25 years. These women are truly sisters!
This was a wonderful presentation,but sad.I was once a nun in Canada,although I am an American.There are still women religious.There are new orders that are growing, not at the speed of the 50s and 60's but they are growing and doing wonderful work.
The Pope got rid of the habit. I was in Catholic Grade School in 1963. The older nuns did not shed their habits. The young, new nuns did, and they did not stay nuns long.
It is so sad, the only thing these women can do is disappear, because they are no longer Catholic nor do they have the Catholic faith, it is sad after a life consecrated to God they do not even believe in Him. God will give vocations to congregations faithful to the Catholic faith and will make the unfaithful ones disappear as happens with these women who no longer even know what they are
What a load of rubbish....these women devoted their lives to the service of the Church and kept the faith. You should be ashamed for the comment you made!!!
This is such a sad documentary - not simply because these sisters are dwindling, but more so because they seem to have lost their original faith and seem to have given up somehow. They never talk about their relationship with Jesus, and we never see them praying or worshipping. Even though they are clearly the most generous hearted, compassionate women who serve and bless the poor, they seem lost somehow, even to the extent that they can't be certain of what the Bible says about what comes after death. There seems a lack of hope. I feel sorry for them. It's very clear why they have had no new vocations for 25 years.
I grew up in a small steel town southeast of Pittsburgh. I attended Catholic grade school and was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. They were absolutely wonderful! It's so sad to see all of the convents closing. It really makes me angry how pope Francis is closing a lot of the contemplative orders like the Philadelphia Carmelites.
When these orders were founded in the Middle Ages and after, that is exactly what women did, The foundresses insisted that they wear the garb of the time period to blend in.
Nuns should wear their habits & veil, it sets them apart & special . No wonder no young women are joining them cose they look ordinary like any other women. I know of other orders who are still flourishing cose they keep their habits & veils & simple prayerful lives
Ken, I think you are brilliant. Your play on light and dark, your knack of shining your camera into the souls of your subjects and capturing the essence there is spellbinding. I grew up with the Sisters of Mercy and you portrayed the best of their dying ministry. All of my experiences with them were not positive but I was thoroughly captivated for your entire presentation.
It is clear that they deliberately killed their Order. They lost the Faith, probably because of the way they were forced to worship. The good sisters left and those who stayed were "Left."
It's Vatican II , it's not Catholic, the Freemasons installed their antipope Angelo Romcalli AKA John XXIII, who was a Freemason, who brought back banished Giovanni Montini and elevated him to Cardinal so that he could become Paul VI. He was not only a Freemason but a homosexual and luciferian. The evidence is irrefutable. To anybody that knows the Catholic faith which is everything before 1955 it shouldn't be a surprise as the Freemasons plan was exposed sometime ago and numerous popes have railed against the Masons to keep Catholics alert. But now there is this pagan Masonic religion with antipopes which are mere puppets of the globalists
SO impressive, interesting life story of the sisters. Life is not always stars, moon and flowers. We are unique a human being. The sister does not regret that they are brides of Christ. They are happy.
I'm sorry to say that, but no wonder thave have no vocations. Evidently, they threw themselves at the modernist mania, took aff their habits, watch TV whenever they want and nearly like lay women. They are so confused: one on them says Our Lady died, another one doesn't like that nuns consider themselves brides of Christ. Who whould join the convent where a life is almost like a path of a regular lay person. It would be more honest on their part if they transformed into a group of beguines. Well-made documentary, though.
Yeah ! She should shown rather some place for prayer like "Garden of Gethsemane" in Newfie style or Stations of the Cross instead of acidic Evolution Garden. Maybe God said "STOP!" ? :)
Oh Dear, it was my first sad impression. Those brides of Christ have no bible truth having spent their lives on saying rosaries etc It's an excellent picture of a false catholic religion with all respect for these elderly women.
@@bellabella9181 How did you come to the conclusion that they are being disrespected for their views? It sounds like you are disrespecting those of us who did share views for our views....no? Notably, I never shared any views. I made a comment based on the Sisters statements. Also, they know more about what exactly that we who commented do?
@@servantsofthegospel6388 apparently you didn’t hear the people who shared about the difference the sisters made in their lives. If you’re looking to save the world, it was done 2000 years ago.
The ones who still have it in them should wake up and go back to how they were. Community life, habits and go back to living the founders rule of the order. Come on sisters wake up regroup! The council has failed terribly. We need to wake up and salvage what we can. GOD HELP US! 😢
When I was little I wanted to be a Sister. I still do. But I am LGBT (not here to debate, I'm not an activist I'm a human) I still love the Catholic Church. I appreciate the works of mercy, the tradition, the history, and the philosophy. It all calls to me. We live in a time of vast polarization. However, we also live in an age where most people get to learn about Nuns in Newfoundland if they wanted lol. We can connect to people all over the world. In some ways there is too much dissonance in people, too much division, too much hate often in the name of God. We are people, we don't sit in the seat of judgment. If given the chance one day, I still would want to be a Sister. But in the meantime, Im going to try to prepare myself for a life where I can do nothing but help people, regardless of a habit. I wish these convents tried for more members, but I also understand. Amazing people.
I loved these nuns and your film. Firmly planted in reality practicality and grace. Your inquiry about not actively recruiting was interesting. I honestly think all the recent allegations of abuse and misogyny in the catholic church is a big part of this decision or non decision. They are strong fierce women and I think they have actively decided in this modern world a religious order is not a environment for young women.
This is almost heart breaking. I suspect one of the reasons for the lack of vocations may be that with so many changes, many religious orders don't look much different from secular life. The more conservative religious orders don't seem to be suffering from a great lack of vocations. No one has ever really found the happy middle.
Your island will always need men and women following a religious congregation. You have done so many wonderful and meaningful work in the community. You have shown Jesus love through your actions. You are never too old.
"Fruits" of Second Vatican Council I would say... No vocation for over 25 years, no discipline, theology more protestant or even mix of Christian beliefs and some weird stuff from 60's/70's I mean...no vocation is quite understandable there is almost no prayer life there and they look more like social workers. Well if i can be social worker and live in many communities or alone vs living whole life in one religious order or even in one place the result is easy to predict. I'm speechless about no vocation program there.. it's like religious parent do not want to teach about God his/her kids. Some might say it's a sign of lack of faith.
I feel if the nuns would have kept their habits they would still be having vocations now they wear earrings and jewelry look like anybody where is the poverty
You lost me when you said "what SHE ..😢.. Say what you want, but that is not biblical. " And God said..."He is not for me is against me".. Please, oh, merciful Savior to shed light on us all...❤
The one Sister who claims that they aren’t getting vocations because of middle class opportunities for women is full of it. The new and more traditional orders like Dominicans of St Cecilia are overrun with vocations. That’s to name just one order
@@1951kvk Poverty is not destitution. They dress and live in the world in which they are ministering. There is no intrinsic value in yards of linen and veils.
She is not wrong. The numbers of entrances and retained entrances sharply declined when women were able to be more present in the workplace. Yes, individual communities have high vocations but prior every single active order would have yearly novitiate entrances of 50+, cloistered orders 10-15+.
There was a time when married women had to have innumerable children - I am happy to be a wife and mother, but frankly endless pregnancies sounds like a ghastly life. Life in the convent might be preferable to that purgatory! The service orders would have been attractive to women who wanted to be professional teachers and nurses.
After these brave women gave their lives to the church, they were told by the pope that they were no more special or beloved than any parishioner. 90,000 nuns left their convents. The men had kicked them out of their own religion and calling.
I don't know if that was the intention of the pope, but men of the church certainly played, and play, a huge part in the demoralization of Catholic women. I left and became Episcopalian. Freedom is a breath of fresh air in the Episcopal Church in the US.
Vat2 demanded the Religious Orders (men and women) rethink their reason for being and conform themselves to the "spirit of Vat2". That spirit was a spirit of rebellion and faithlessness and disregard for the past. Ergo - they began to think of all that was previously precious and sacred in low esteem. And Habits were tossed (some literally), Community Life was abandoned, prayer and spiritual life went out the window, and people left in droves and new ones did not come anymore. Religious life was not meaningful nor that much different than any other. Faith was lost, and these Communities adopted the spirit of the world and oversaw their own destruction. That they are blind to the loss is testimony to the thoroughness of the dissolution.
The match that was soken of near the start was the very Word of God. In the beginning God said..."Let there be.." John 1:1-14..says: 'in the beginning was the Word & the Word was with God and the Word was God!...and the Word became flesh & dwelt among us'. Sadly all this religiosiry was man made not God ordained. The Bride is made up of true blood brought fllowers of Christ..men & woman..the true Church. We are not to have stutues as idols..and Mary should not be prayed to or lifted up any way that does not glorify Christ. Such blasphemy really what is done with the scriptures. Sad what some went through to seemingly dedicate their lives to Christ..when the New Covenant if grace was about believe, repent & have faith..faith like Abrahams! She was Jesus earthly mother & Im sure shell have a good position in heaven but not now to have such a position.
I was confused watching this because none of these nuns are wearing any habits. How are people to know they are nuns, when you can't outwardly see their vocation? It's the first time I've ever seen nuns that don't wear habits. 🤷♀
People who join a group because they have cute outfits are not motivated by the right reasons. The same applies to soldiers and police officers who love the attention that the public gives to people wearing costumes.
@@kesmarn It's not the habit in itself, it's what the habit represents: discipline, focus, history, community life, shared endevour, visibility, selflessness, timelessness, the blending of work and prayer, and most of all being set apart for God. These are great things to aspire to, and would attract new sisters.
Thank you for this video. I realize it’s quite old, and perhaps most of the older nuns have died. However, although the work they are doing is remarkable- in my opinion- it seems that they’ve lost the main purpose of their original Order. God Bless all of them for their good works. Senior (80). 🇨🇦🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🤔💐
It's not the habit (or lack thereof) in itself, it's what the habit represents: discipline, focus, history, community life, shared endevour, visibility, selflessness, timelessness, the blending of work and prayer, and most of all being set apart for God. These are great things to aspire to, and when they ditched the habit they seemed to dave ditched the rest too.
I am grateful this Doc was made to Honour The Sister's .However I don't think it was helpful for the presenter to of spoken about The Fact the Sister's where the last as some see the Sister's has family let The Sisters to speak about this.
6:45 a niece of a religious sister can identify that the television is an older model, but she has no idea--no clue--who the Virgin Mary is. There it is! There's your answer -->This is why these communities are folding: the faith was not handed on to younger generations.
The brand name lives on even if no more nuns join. The schools, old age homes and hospitals that were established in the golden age are managed by ordinary people who send money to the nuns.
Perhaps alot of factors that leads to decline of vocations. It is aleays a call to discern well bringing back basic and essentials in religious life. The young people are looking for more meaningful in life . Many people look also for some visible signs knowing that they somebody to share with there concerns
Lovely ladies. That said I would be devastated if my daughter said she wanted to be a nun. I’m not alone many mothers want their daughters to live a full life with grand babies to love. Today a woman can do & be anything they want We can see where men are falling back in the US bc the majority of college kids are in fact woman.
So you're saying you would be devastated if your daughter was called by Christ to be his bride? This is the problem today, people forget there is a life beyond this one that is more important, and that is eternity. That's why there is vocation shortages, not because you can't get married as a religious, but because people no longer have their priorities straight and don't put God at the center of their lives.
@@mariekatherine5238 exactly and people don't get that the worldly career will pass away, however the religious vocation follows you into Heaven and if God is calling a person to the religious life, he will certainly ask at judgment how did you serve me and increase my kingdom?
They no longer wear their habits and disregard traditional Catholic values. The trappings of traditions are important. Eventually, you lose your "branding". You re just like everyone else.
The faith and promise that drew these women to religious life was crushed by John XXlll and further destroyed by Paul Vl and Vatican ll. Only God Himself knows the good that good religious women have contributed to this world.
Firstly the Christian faith(born-again believer in Christ), is about Jesus Christ the son of God..the very Word of God who is God-John 1:1-14. And secondly..Jesus died & rose again. He being the only one.. God incarnate came to earth to die for the sin if the world..man's. Thirdly-Mary has been idolized when God said no one is to have idols before Him. She was not supernatural in anyway..she stood at the foot of the cross with the disciple John & could do nothing to save Him. Having statues of Mary is idolatry. She has a blessed role but Jesus made sure to not elevate her.
God and Jesus are no longer needed. They were needed to get people to donate money to get the orders established. But once established, the orders can continue without God or Jesus.
The misery they have caused my ancestors was unknown, as they didn't talk about it. My Aunt Sarah was a Matriarch of the Songhess & King Freezier Grandaughter. She was interned to Sardis, B.C. She was the 1st person to win back the Right's of The Traditional Mask Dance in 1950. And 1st person to have open ❤ heart surgery in 1964. My GGGrandmother Tossimitsa Edenshaw was a Chief's daughter from the Haida Gwaii. She was interned to Kuper Island, while my Grandfather Captain James Douglas Warren was picking up body's around Vancouver Island in his Steamships. My GGG survived to be the oldest native to die on Vancouver Island in 1931 at 104.
You did this to yourselves, you gave up the habit! I had the Presentation Sisters in grade school and worked with the Sisters of Mercy. Granted, the habit needed a redesign, but you went too far.
I wonder if it ever occured to any of them to seek discernment from the bishop of their diocese or another religious order. What I see are sisters that had poor guidance, they neither look or sound like nuns.
Cosmic Garden / Yoga ????...What I found really sad was that not one of the sisters, when questioned about dying, without exception, all seemed to be at a loss ... Jesus says in His word, ''to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord'' ... Not one of them ever mentions Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour ... what a sad reflection on what some perceive to be Christianity, their hearts are in the right place but NO ONE will receive salvation by works...Good people do not go to heaven - believers (in the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross) go to heaven
At the last judgment Jesus will not ask us whether we believed in Him. He will ask whether we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned. Don't believe me? Find it in the Gospel.
The Redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the Cross..."It is Finished"...Jesus to the thief on the cross: "today you will be with me in Paradise"...poor women...sadly lost.
There is a difference between Nuns and Religious Sisters. Nuns are cloistered and live in a monastery under a law of strict enclosure. The rest are properly called "Sisters."
I am somewhat surprised that it is the women themselves who are choosing to not have women come into the Sisterhood. A person could argue that it is not them but the reality is, it is their choice not to recruit and that is the death knoll. Then again, if we look at women in general today, it was women's groups who fought and spent tens of millions in court to destroy women's sports by insuring biological males had the right to compete against women. For me the most poignant moment in the video was 44:20 . She summed up life today in those few words.
You will find in truth that woman athletes are fighting against trans women competing against them. Not competing in general, but 100% not against a biological female. Even the famous tennis player Martina Navratilova who was cached by Rene Richard’s who is a trans female and whom also now agrees she shouldn’t have been aloud to compete with woman. This has zero to do with the nun story, I’m just guessing here but are trans phobic?
@@christinasornbutnark1208 It has all to do with the Sisterhood and my analogy works perfectly. You just prefer to ignore truth and reality and inject your narrative of being the victim. As for your attempt to silence me with your hate label, that just cements your inability to respond to my factual comment without being a spiteful victim. Fact: The Sisters are by their own admittance in the video insuring that their lifestyle and lifes work is killed off by choosing not to promote it. A self defeating action the same as Female Sports is being killed off by women who fought to insure its destruction. While women may be fighting against it presently, Fact is they did not in the beginning and further to that fact, Women and Feminist Groups funded the court cases to insure that men were able to compete in female sports. Now go play your victim games with someone who is afraid of your hateful labels. As a member of the LGBTQ2STT community, I am used to weak minded people like you trying to silence me.
