The Sound of Music vs. Reality

[katherineH]

I was watching the sound of music last night and there is a scene between Sr. Maria and her Mother Superior, during which Maria apologizes for singing outside of the convent.  Are there certain communities that don't allow sisters to sing except during prayers, or is this one of the many liberties taken in the film? I also noticed that during the chapel scene, Mother extends a blessing making the sign of the cross over the sisters like a priest would, which made me chuckle. 

[NadaTeTurbe]

I knew a sister who was, before Vatican II, in a very strict, apostolic, community. They were forbidden to sing, dance, run, outside, and they could be punished for smiling (she left before her first vow and join a cistercian monastery). So, it could have been true before Vat II, but after ? I don't know. 

[AveMariaPurissima]

To me, the no singing thing sounds like either pre-Vatican II or Hollywood.  Or maybe was she simply apologizing for singing without asking permission first?  (It's been a while since I've seen the movie and I don't remember exactly how the scene goes.)  I don't really know for sure...

I have come across Mother Superiors blessing their Sisters...I believe the idea is that the superior is able to bless them because she has a spiritual authority over them, similar to a mom or dad blessing their kids. 

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

I would venture that most more traditional style communities don't allow singing outside of choir and recreation. We don't sing and hmm while we work or in the shower. Sr. Maria of the Cross (RIP) who was our "Maria" never totally learned not to and would start singing something as she walked down the hallway or while she was cleaning!

Before Vatican II there were Benedictine Abbeys who had "mitered Abbesses" and were like bishops and so blessing the sisters in that way would be totally in keeping with her office. Actually, in times past, mothers and fathers would bless their children in this way. It's not the same as a priest but it is totally allowed. 

[SophiaMaria]

Yes, there  are many communities that do not  allow singing outside of choir practice or prayers or recreation as a community. So one would not be permitted to sing while they worked.

[Spem in alium]

As far as I know we do not have any prohibition against singing, but Sisters just don't really do it. However, we do sometimes like to sing when we're having a good time (a few months ago I was in the car with my superior, my director of formation and another Sister, and we were just singing along to the radio). I like to sing hymns while doing my laundry.

My superior blesses us (with a cross on the forehead, not in the way it's done in SOM) when we are leaving for a retreat or home visit. 

[vee]

It depends on the community of course however Id say that it is still common for there to be some sort of blessing especially at the end of the day.  It may range from a Sister simply sprinkling holy water on each cell door to this description of how they do the blessing at the Iron Mountain Carmel. 

For us, then, Matins is said later in the evening and actually is the first part of the Divine Office for the following day. The clock now strikes ten and the community leaves the choir in silence; we kneel in the corridor just outside the choir as one of the Sisters sounds the clappers and gives a short spiritual thought for us to reflect on while preparing to retire. The Prioress then gives each Sister the traditional night blessing with the words “May the all-powerful Lord grant you a peaceful night and a perfect end.” In response I make the Sign of the Cross and, as a token of obedience, kiss the Scapular she extends to me.

http://www.cloisteredlife.com/carmelites/

[Gabriela]

It definitely depends on the community:

 

[NadaTeTurbe]

Sister Cristina 

[dominicansoul]

I started singing "Don't Stop Believing" while doing dishes at the DSMME mother house during a feast day and before you knew it, all the sisters in the kitchen at that time started singing along while finishing our duties...

Of course, you had those who started to hum the musical instrument parts, the bass, the guitar, the Sister washing the utensils banged them on the sink for the drum parts, etc...

It was like a real life musical...!

[PhuturePriest]

When I visited a Franciscan community, we would kneel down to the guardian (Franciscans don't have superiors, but guardians) and he would bless us every time we were going to split up. This happened regardless if the friary guardian was ordained or not.

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

I started singing "Don't Stop Believing" while doing dishes at the DSMME mother house during a feast day and before you knew it, all the sisters in the kitchen at that time started singing along while finishing our duties...

Of course, you had those who started to hum the musical instrument parts, the bass, the guitar, the Sister washing the utensils banged them on the sink for the drum parts, etc...

It was like a real life musical...!

Yes, it was a feast day. That is different.

[PrayerSupporter]

This reminds me of Mother Mary Francis's book A Right to be Merry. In it she tells the story of a doctor who was treating an ill nun (and this was when the doctor came to the convent and donated her services). One day after treating the nun -- who, the doctor knew, had a lovely voice -- the doctor asked the nun to sing a little song. The nun was a little embarrassed and said that she was not allowed to give away a song due to their vow of poverty (and obedience, I would think). The nun quickly added that if the doctor asked the Mother Superior for permission for her to sing her a song she was sure she would let her. The doctor paused, thought about what the sister said, but then did not ask the Mother Superior for the sister to sing the song. She said that the fact that the sisters expressed poverty in this way was more beautiful to her than if the sister would sing the song.

Now I'm not doing a very good job telling this story -- Mother Mary Francis does it so much better -- but I hope folks will check the book and read her much better spiritual explanation of their vow of poverty and giving away a song.

 

Edited October 27, 2015 by PrayerSupporter

[elizabeth09]

To me, the no singing thing sounds like either pre-Vatican II or Hollywood.  Or maybe was she simply apologizing for singing without asking permission first?  (It's been a while since I've seen the movie and I don't remember exactly how the scene goes.)  I don't really know for sure...

I have come across Mother Superiors blessing their Sisters...I believe the idea is that the superior is able to bless them because she has a spiritual authority over them, similar to a mom or dad blessing their kids. 

It could just be Hollywood.  Most of the Captain`s children from his first wife, were renamed.