Film in Class: The Nun

In class, we watched a documentary called, “The Nun,” while watching the documentary; I started to think about the discussion in previous classes regarding the differences between spirituality and religion. I find it very interesting how certain people feel the need to be completely devoted to a certain religion, while for other individual’s, spiritual will suffice. In this documentary, The Nun in the documentary decided to devote her life to religion during a later point in her life. By the time she had made the decision to become a nun, she was in her fifty’s, married, and three kids. However, she felt that something was missing in her life, and she needed to devote herself to a certain religious practice.  

While watching this documentary, many things arose which I found particularly interesting as a result of how devoted this woman was to her practicing religion. Certain things which struck me as particularly interesting are the following; the nun habitually recorded her daily sins in a journal, the nun prayed on a consistent basis, she also lived in a monastery which posed various questions; such as, why do people feel the need be so devoted to one particular religion; furthermore, what specifically makes one begin to fathom or realize their true or purpose on earth?

            The overall successes of the nun in documentary are very impressive, she managed to find herself, raise a family, and serve as the director of a choir of the monastery. While she did indeed give up a tremendous amount to change her life, it seems as though she is extremely content with her current state in life; in addition to the direction of where her life is going. While such a change in one’s life could possibly bring personal and emotional distress, I commend the nun for making such a change in her life.