"The Nun's Story" is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that sheds light on the life of a nun in the Catholic Church. The film, directed by Fred Zinnemann, is based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Hulme and stars Audrey Hepburn in the lead role. Kathryn Hulme's 1956 book, The Nun's Story, chronicles the journey of Belgian Gabrielle van Mal as she becomes a nun in the 1920s, works as a missionary nurse in the Congo, and leaves her convent after seventeen years during the Second World War to volunteer for the underground resistance. [1]
The film centers around Gabrielle van der Mal, played by the legendary Audrey Hepburn, who decides to join the convent of the sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary. As she goes through rigorous training and becomes a full-fledged nun, Gabrielle faces various challenges and conflicts that test her faith and dedication to the Church. The movie portrays her struggles as a woman in a dominant religious institution, encounters with other nuns, and her service as a nurse in the Belgian Congo.
One of the film's most striking aspects is the portrayal of the role of women in the Church. The movie shows nuns' struggles in a patriarchal system that limits their freedom and agency. Like many other nuns in the convent, Gabrielle is expected to follow strict rules and submit to the authority of the male priests and bishops. She is not allowed to question their decisions or express her own opinions, and her individuality is suppressed in the name of serving God. I did find her decrement throughout the movie motivating. Though she endured her share of suffering and selfish desires, she shows the fluctuations of a religious sister discerning God's will, for she can look for the good life.
Despite these challenges, Gabrielle remains committed to her faith and calling as a nun. She performs her duties with great devotion and selflessness, and her spiritual journey is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. Audrey Hepburn delivers a powerful performance, conveying her character's inner conflicts and emotional struggles with nuance and subtlety. Not until World War II, sister Luke takes leaving the convent seriously. The movie does a lovely job of showing her desire to please God until she relies on her call to serve the wounded outside the convent.
One of the most exciting aspects of "The Nun's Story" is the historical context in which it is set. The movie takes place during World War II, a time of great upheaval and conflict that profoundly impacted the Church and the role of women within it. The war significantly impacted the Church, leading to changes in how it operated and the role of nuns and priests in society. Since humans construct, maintain, and change religious orders, I observe monasticism changes by exploring individuals' roles. In her article Sonja Bezjak says, "But as Stark and Finke put it: "doing the work of a teacher, nurse, or social worker was never seen as having special religious rewards." These were: "the separated life in a religious community, the daily devotions, the habit which resulted in instant recognition and special treatment by a laity who acknowledged the greater holiness of the religious" [2] The war had a significant impact on the Church, leading to changes in the way it operated and the role of nuns and priests in society.
Many religious institutions were forced to close or operate underground during the war due to Nazi persecution. Like many other organizations, the Catholic Church had to navigate a complex and dangerous political landscape, and nuns played a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and support to those affected by the war. In "The Nun's Story," we see Gabrielle serving as a nurse in the Belgian Congo, witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of war on the local population.
Overall, "The Nun's Story" is a captivating movie that portrays a woman's role in the Church. It raises crucial questions about the limitations and expectations placed on women in religious institutions and challenges the viewer to reflect on the meaning of faith, devotion, and individuality. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring these themes. It is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a nuanced portrayal of a woman's journey of self-discovery in the Catholic Church during World War II. It offers a unique perspective on the role of nuns in a historical context and highlights the challenges they faced in a patriarchal system.
[1] Buerkle, Darcy. The Nun's Story: 'True in Its Essentials. Gender & History, vol. 30, no. 3, Oct. 2018, 611.
[2] Manning, Christel J. "Women in a Divided Church: Liberal and Conservative Catholic Women Negotiate Changing Gender Roles." Sociology of Religion, vol. 58, no. 4, Winter 1997,
[3] "The Nun's Story." Turner Classic Movies. Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. 1959. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16107/the-nuns-story/#overview
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