Being a nun offers me the best of both worlds: prayer and service to the poor | Letter

In a refreshing departure from stereotypes, one young woman found her calling as a Franciscan nun, embracing the dual benefits of contemplative prayer and hands-on service to those in need.

For Sister Sophia Rose, two years into her vocation, the traditional notion of life behind monastery walls is far removed from reality. Her order is active, rooted in service to the poor, with a diverse range of ministries including soup kitchens, homeless shelters, medical support, and emergency food distribution.

"I've found that this life offers the best of both worlds," she reflects on her unique experience. While participating in daily prayer and communal living, Sophia also immerses herself in the vibrant city of London, fostering an authentic balance between spirituality and community engagement.

The rise of interest among younger women in religious life is undeniable, with many opting for active orders that prioritize practical service over contemplative cloistered life. As Sister Rose notes, this vocation encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences - from mixed communities to apostolic and fully active orders - each with its distinct way of fulfilling one's calling.

A timely reminder comes from Emma Beddington's recent column, highlighting the significance of Convent Wisdom in breaking free from negative stereotypes associated with nuns. Her work serves as a testament to the diversity and depth of religious life, as Sister Rose aptly puts it: "Not everyone called to religious life flourishes behind monastery walls."

In an era where misconceptions about this calling persist, writers like Emma Beddington and Sister Sophia Rose are providing much-needed clarity and insight into the multifaceted world of women in religious orders.

I gotta say, I love how Sister Sophia Rose is living proof that nuns aren't all about prayer and hymns . It's so cool that she gets to balance her spiritual side with serving the community – it's like, you can have your cake and eat it too, right? The fact that more young women are exploring active orders that focus on service is a total win . It's time to break down those stereotypes and show the world what these women are truly capable of . And kudos to Emma Beddington for speaking out and sharing Sister Rose's story – it's a reminder that everyone's path to spirituality is unique .

I just read this article about one of those Franciscan nuns and I'm kinda surprised how normal her life is ... I mean, she's still a nun but she's out living in the city, helping people, and praying too. It's like she's not stuck behind some door or something! I think it's cool that more young women are into this active thing now. They're not all about sitting around, praying all day, it's actually really hands-on. And I love how she says you don't have to be in a monastery to be spiritual. It makes me think maybe we can learn from them and get out of our own bubbles a bit more?

just thinkin' about sister sophia rose's story is so inspiring she's showin' us that spirituality doesn't have to mean isolatin' ourselves from the world, but instead can be a powerful way to serve and connect with others too... maybe we could all learn from her example?

I'm so glad to see more young people finding their way to serve others! I mean, who doesn't want to make a difference in the world, right? It's awesome that Sister Sophia Rose is killing it as a Franciscan nun and showing everyone that there's more to this life than just praying all day. I love how she's balancing her prayer time with community service - talk about living two lives! The fact that young women are looking for active orders that combine spirituality with hands-on work is a breath of fresh air. It's like, we don't have to choose between serving others and following our hearts. We can do both! And I totally agree with Emma Beddington's column - it's time to break free from those negative stereotypes about nuns. Sister Rose is proof that this life comes in all shapes and sizes, and that's what makes it so beautiful!

So I've been reading about this young woman who's part of a Franciscan order in London and she's totally breaking the stereotype that nuns just live in monasteries all day . This Sister Sophia Rose is out there doing actual hands-on service, like running soup kitchens and homeless shelters, which is amazing. And it's not just her, I've been seeing more young women getting into active orders who are all about making a difference in their communities.

I think this is awesome because it shows that religious life isn't just for some monks who live in the desert . These orders are diverse and there are so many different ways to serve and make a positive impact. And I love how Sister Sophia Rose says she's found the best of both worlds – she gets to do her daily prayer and stuff, but also get out into the city and interact with people.

It's like, we need more of this kind of visibility and representation because let's be real, not everyone is cut out for monastic life . Some people just want to serve and make a difference in their own way, and that's totally okay. And I think writers like Emma Beddington are doing a great job of shedding light on this and showing that religious life is not one-size-fits-all.

Anyway, it's always interesting to see how different people approach spirituality and service, and Sister Sophia Rose is definitely an inspiring example . Maybe we can all learn from her example and find our own way to make a positive impact in the world .

I think it's so cool that we're seeing more young women embracing active orders that focus on service - it's a total game-changer! I mean, people always picture nuns as living in some medieval monastery with no human interaction, but Sister Sophia Rose is proof that it doesn't have to be like that. She's out there making a difference in her community and still finding time for daily prayer and reflection. It's all about balance, right?

can you believe how outdated the website looks again ? i swear, they need a complete overhaul... i'm trying to read about this inspiring story about sister sophia rose and her life as a franciscan nun but all i can think about is how ugly the layout is . and don't even get me started on how slow it takes to load... anyways, back to sister rose - isn't it amazing that she's breaking free from those stereotypes and showing everyone that religious life isn't just for cloistered monks? but seriously, can we talk about the website's search function later? it's like they took a step back in time .

I'm loving how Sister Sophia Rose is defying traditional expectations of nuns living in monasteries . It's awesome to see her finding a balance between prayer and community service – it's not just about wearing a habit, it's about making a real difference in people's lives . And I completely agree with Emma Beddington that Convent Wisdom is breaking free from those negative stereotypes . We need more stories like Sister Rose's to show the world that religious life isn't one-size-fits-all and that women are finding their own unique paths to serving others . It's a refreshing change of pace, and I'm excited to see more young women exploring this calling !

You know I was reading about this young woman who's now a nun and it really made me think... she's doing exactly what our kids need more of - helping others! It's not just about praying all day, but also getting out there and making a difference in the community. I wish we could see more of that kind of service in our schools and communities here too. We could really use some more compassion and kindness.

The beauty of modern nuns is that they're not just stuck in the past, but actually living life on their own terms. I mean, can you imagine being a nun and still getting to enjoy all the perks of city life like attending concerts or trying out new restaurants? It's amazing how Sister Sophia Rose is making this work for herself and her community.

It's also really cool that we're seeing more young women drawn to active orders that prioritize service over just praying all day. I think it's awesome that they're not being pigeonholed into these traditional stereotypes of nuns being stuffy or boring. The world needs more people who are passionate about helping others and living a life of purpose, regardless of their vocation.

The thing is, people still have misconceptions about what it means to be a nun. Like, we think they're all old and grey or that they spend their days knitting sweaters for the poor (although, let's be real, who doesn't love a good sweater?). But Sister Sophia Rose and others like her are proving that this calling is so much more than just that.

It's not about conforming to some idealized notion of what it means to be a nun; it's about living a life that reflects your values and passions. And if that happens to involve serving the poor, praying daily, or engaging with your community in meaningful ways, then that's all the better!

I mean think about it... we always see nuns as old ladies with habits, but who says that's all there is to it? It's so cool to hear that this young woman, Sister Sophia Rose, is living her life on her own terms - praying and serving at the same time. It just shows that being a nun doesn't have to be like something out of a movie.

And I love how she's not stuck in some boring monastery either... she's actually out there making a difference in her community. I think it's awesome that young women are starting to look into religious life and finding ways to balance spirituality with practical service. It just goes to show that everyone's path is different, even if we're all on the same journey.

I've been reading a lot about this lately and it's really inspiring... so many people are still stuck on these old stereotypes of nuns being isolated and boring. But Sister Sophia Rose and others like her are proving us wrong!

I mean, can you imagine dedicating your life to serving others, but still having that moment of peace and connection with yourself? It's like, our society is so focused on productivity and achievement, we forget that true fulfillment comes from being present in the world around us. Sister Sophia Rose is proof that there's more to life than just a 9-to-5 job or even a monastic routine - it's about finding balance and purpose in your own unique way

And I love how she breaks free from the traditional stereotype of nuns being all about prayer and no action. It's like, we need more people out there living their values and making a difference in tangible ways. We can learn so much from Sister Rose and others like her - that true service is about showing up for others, but also being present for ourselves

It's funny how this column reminds me of my own thoughts on community and connection. I think we're all searching for that sense of belonging and meaning, but often get caught up in our own individual pursuits. Sister Rose's story shows us that it's okay to explore different paths and find what works for you - even if that means breaking free from expectations

I love how Sister Sophia Rose is defying stereotypes by living a modern, active vocation . It's so refreshing to see a young woman embracing contemplative prayer and community service in equal measure. I'm also loving the fact that she's not bound to traditional cloistered life - her experience sounds like a perfect balance of spirituality and engagement with the world outside. The rise of interest among younger women in active orders is definitely a good sign for the future . It's time we stop perpetuating negative stereotypes about nuns and start celebrating their diversity and contributions!

omg i mean come on 2 yrs into a convent and she's still living her best life out in the city lol. i guess its good that people r getting away from that whole cloistered life myth but like who needs soup kitchens when you can have a good ol' fashioned night out ?