Nun to go around... So spare nun, and want nun!

How often do you see nuns? Perhaps not too
often. While visiting the last three California Missions (I have toured all 21 now), I came across a group of nuns wearing habits frolicking happily about the grounds of Mission San Juan Bautista.

It is unusual that in a world where worldly attire, flashy make-up, fancy hairdos, expensive jewelry, and enormous high heels, you find pure unabashed souls in the midst. I had to take a picture of these ladies for memory's sake and to remind me of what else? Simplicity!

I grew up Catholic and baptized at age five under the watchful eye of my parents and well-to-do godparents whose duty was to look after my future, in case mom and dad could not (customary baptismal duty not enforceable by any law). But seven years later, I seemingly suffered from an epiphany at a Catholic church when I was asked to pray to a wooden saint and tell my sins to a priest who would easily forgive my transgressions with a few required Hail Maries. After hearing such nonsense, I turned agnostic from 12 to 18, but when I attended a Baptist college I converted because studying the Bible there turned my spiritual questions to the right track of beliefs.

Anyway, back to the nuns... Aspiring to be a nun belonged to my parents era, not so much in mine, and I know of distant family members who joined the Catholic servitude. One of my older sisters inquired about the lifestyle, but did not apply or was told not a chance sister! (I'm having fun with her story, I truly don't know the answer). But let me tell you that becoming a nun is not a dying breed, it is something to aspire if you can handle simplicity and if God called you to it.

In Arequipa, Perú, I twice visited a famous monastery, Santa Catalina Monastery, and was taken aback by the convent that was built in 1580, enlarged in the 17th century, and was still used by nuns. Last week, my daughter visited a Himalayan monastery (quite different from Catholic ones, but nevertheless enthralling) and came out with awesome experiences.

As an avid photographer, I enjoy taking "opportunistic" pictures and the frolicking nuns was a shot I could not pass. So I leave you with the photo and a quote found on the net: "Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn."-Fulton Sheen.

~ Did someone say, Amen? 

 ElenaMartina.