I Met Sister Leah (sheiscatholic)

[ChristinaTherese]

[quote name='DiscerningCatholic' timestamp='1352920797' post='2509935']
Random question about that: Are sisters obligated to keep their ages secret too, or just their baptismal names?
[/quote]
I know I've heard the baptismal name of at least one sister, so I think it's just a matter of it not being important. And I don't remember Sr. Teresa's baptismal name anyway. Amy, Anna, Gertrude (not that one ) . . . I don't know.

As far as ages, I [i]think[/i] I've seen nuns' ages, too. But I'm not sure. I [i]do[/i] know that we had a jubilarian priest (His golden jubilee! 50 years of priesthood!) at our parish on Sunday (Yes, he's a priest not a sister, so I can't draw set in stone statements.) and I calculated his age at about 82, so it wasn't like he kept it a secret. As far as saying their ages, I think that once you get to a certain age it doesn't matter any more, and it isn't generally good manners to ask a woman her age, so that's probably why you don't hear them.

[mantellata]

Lil mon' Generally speaking it is considered rude to ask a Sister her age or her baptismal name. (General social etiquette here) While individual Sisters may proffer such information I know that you would make many uncomfortable. It is not that it is a huge secret but it is more an issue of respect. I know that when I was a Sister and young people would ask for my baptismal name I would try to lighten the situation by saying "you will have to ask my mother" or my age by saying "seven-hundred-and-eighty-two". (Please understand I am not considered "old" by any standards and then.. I was in my twenties). I generally, personally don't mind announcing my age - usually because it helps garner respect due to my youthful appearance. I know as a Sister, being asked my baptismal name was like being asked by a stranger for something that was very personal to me and belonged to my private life with my family. Over-familiarity if you will.

[emmaberry101]

[quote name='DiscerningCatholic' timestamp='1352920797' post='2509935']


She seems so sweet from all of the EWTN programs she shows up on. Definitely DOESN'T fit the "grumpy old nun" stereotype.

Random question about that: Are sisters obligated to keep their ages secret too, or just their baptismal names?
[/quote]

I religiously watch Truth In the Heart, which stars the DSMME, and a Sister specifically said in an episode: "Sometimes students in my classes wonder why my parents gave me a boy name. Sister Mary David is not the name my mom and dad gave me when I was born. You'll have to find out in Heaven what my birth name is, though!" (Note: She teaches 1st grade, hence the childlike language)

Professed DSMMEs are not really supposed to give out their birth names.

Also, I don't know my Sisters ages because most of them have lost track of it! They don't celebrate birthdays (it's a large community and birthdays would overlap with other Sisters' feasts/jubilees/etc). Even in a community that did celebrate birthdays I don't think they generally give out their age. In religious life, the Sister focuses more on how long she has been in community than her age. You can often roughly calculate their ages because most are not secretive at all about how long they have been in community. (I always add ~20 to this number). I am glad Sisters do this, because its common knowledge that Sisters generally look way younger than their actual age! I thought Roswell's Mother Abbess was 20 years younger than she is. It's the joy!

Edited November 20, 2012 by emmaberry101

[OnlySunshine]

I remember when I was staying with the Carmelites DCJ in East Chicago and I went with Sr. A. to pick up a baby who had been sick at the hospital in South Bend, IN. She had to show the nurses her Drivers' license and I caught a glimpse of it. I thought Sister was in her early to mid 30s and it turns out that she was in her mid-40s! I couldn't believe how young she looked! She told me of the old adage that once the habit is on, the Sister stops aging.

Sr. I. from the Motherhouse had gray hair (you could see it under her veil) but no wrinkles on her face. She was beautiful.

[Lil'Monster]

Weird......I don't think it is rude if someone asked me how old I am.........


Why don't the Sisters just tell their age.......maybe cuz if they said it they might curse themselves by looking older?



I usually tell people how old I am....I don't really care....or they guess how old..............and besides I don't look my age at all.....and I see people's jaw drop once I tell them how old I am..hahaha


I look a lot younger than I really am!

[emmaberry101]

[quote name='Lil'Monster' timestamp='1353471068' post='2514026']
Weird......I don't think it is rude if someone asked me how old I am.........


Why don't the Sisters just tell their age.......maybe cuz if they said it they might curse themselves by looking older?



I usually tell people how old I am....I don't really care....or they guess how old..............and besides I don't look my age at all.....and I see people's jaw drop once I tell them how old I am..hahaha


I look a lot younger than I really am!
[/quote]

No, Lil Mon, it's because Sisters generally focus more on how long they have been in the community (their 'Sister age') rather than their physical age, even if the community celebrates birthdays. (Although communities that don't celebrate birthdays (like the PCCs) celebrate when a Sister reaches 70-she gets frosting on her cake as the extra special birthday gift.

[Lil'Monster]

Nice....


Besides I will probably look age-less in my vocation..whatever it is..marriage or religious life


When I was 19....my second cousin thought I was 12 or 13........


But she was a blonde so it didn't matter.....


Normal people would have guessed that I was 15 or 16 during that time..................

The oldest age someone ever thought I was.....18 and this was a month ago!

Edited November 21, 2012 by Lil'Monster

[Chiquitunga]

Lil'Mon, that's awe.some!!!! I met someone recently who knew her in "real life" before she entered too, woohoo.....