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Can nuns be celebrities?

 Can nuns be celebrities?

Have you ever heard of these famous religious sisters? Hint: you may have seen them on TV!

Just learned about Mother Dolores Hart! She used to be an actress and made headlines for being the first person to kiss Elvis on film, but during her role in the movie “Francis of Assisi” she had a deep calling to become a nun! What an amazing story.

Who says that nuns can’t simultaneously strive for authentic holiness AND use their God-given talents in the public eye?

Sr. Cristina Scuccia

Sr. Cristina Scuccia has a talent for music. An Italian Ursuline nun, she possesses such an incredible voice that she took to the stage in 2014, winning that year’s season of The Voice: Italy. During the show’s finale, after learning that she had won, Sr. Cristina led the entire arena in the Our Father, on live television. Her victory granted her a record deal with Universal Music Group. She will continue to touch many hearts through her musical talent and her life witness.

Mother Dolores Hart when she was an actress

Before Mother Dolores Hart answered God’s call to become a nun, she was an actress. And not just any actress… In the 1957 movie Loving You, she was the first woman to kiss Elvis Presley on screen. Five years later, after nine more films and  life of Hollywood stardom, she had a deep conversion experience, which included a conversation with Pope St. John XXIII while she was filming Francis of Assisi. Dolores then stunned the world by announcing that she was leaving Hollywood to become a cloistered nun. As a Benedictine, Mother Dolores founded an open-air theatre near her abbey. Over the decades, she has helped countless young people find spiritual growth through the truth-seeking beauty of the performing arts. She also remains a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, an extraordinary position to help influence the culture!

And of course, we can’t forget the most seasoned TV nun of all time: Mother Angelica.

Mother Angelica

Mother Mary Angelica is best known for her regular appearances on EWTN, the Eternal Word Television Network. She joined the Poor Clares in 1944 and established Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in 1962. During that time, she hosted meetings on topics related to theology, prayer, and issues facing modern Catholics. As their popularity grew, she began to record these talks for sale.

Gradually, she expanded her creations to a radio talk show, books, and videotaping her talks, which culminated in the launch of EWTN. This Catholic television network has grown to be a top channel for believers and non-believers alike. Today it reaches over 300 million households in 145 countries around the world.

We may often think that religious sisters live uneventful lives, but these fascinating women prove this misconception false. They illustrate how we can use our talents for God’s glory, no matter our state in life. And thanks to Mother Angelica, we have a library of rich content that speaks with clarity, practicality, and humour about how to live our Catholic faith to the fullest. 









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