Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Sister Nancy Ruth, Life-Professed Member of the Order of St. Andrew, Hudson Valley, New York


Paul Hoecker, Nonne im Laubgang von Dachau, 1897

Every time Sister Nancy Ruth turned on the television, a nun would be waiting. “Movies, TV showsjust something about nuns whenever I’d turn on the TV. Every time,” she says. She took it as a calling to become a nun, but her family responsibilities meant she couldn’t live in a convent. “So I prayed about it. I said, ‘God, you know what my situation is. I can’t go into a convent, I can’t be cloistered.’ The very next day, I opened a magazine called the Anglican Digest, and there was an ad for the Order of St. Andrew. He answered my prayer.” She’s been a nun with the Order of St. Andrewwhich allows its brothers and sisters to live independently, hold jobs, and marryfor 17 years, and she became life-professed in 2000. In addition to her responsibilities within the order, she works as a pharmacy technician. We talked about the inherent femininity of a habit, the way our clothes might advertise our values, and where a gal can get a good vodka tonic. In her own words: 


On Femininity
I don’t think being a nun requires you to be unfeminine. I feel very feminine in my habit. I generally don’t dress for anyone but myself, so the idea of going out and trying to impress somebody else through what I wear just isn’t going to happen. Me in a strapless evening gown was never going to happen, whether I was a nun or not. It’s not because I don’t ever feel girly or sexy, but that form of sexiness isn’t going to be who I am.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever consciously tried to feel sexy. I’ve experimented a little bit more now that I’ve lost some weight; I’ve experimented with showing a little skin. Like, I have a dress that shows more cleavage than I’ve ever shown, and it’s a little uncomfortable to wear because it exposes more than I ever have in my entire life. But I found the right undergarment that gives the right kind of support, and I found the right necklace to go with it, one that sort of covers a lot of the area. The outfit isn’t necessarily revealing, but the effect is more intentional than anything I’ve worn before. I’ve survived! People have liked the look.

Makeup depends. Fingernail polish should be clear or very pale when you're in habit. Most of the sisters wear at least foundation. I normally wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, but in habit I don’t wear any makeup at all. My eyes are one of my better features, so I like them to stand out. It’s just a way to feel girly, I guess. In the summertime I wear mostly dresses. They’re comfortable and cool without pantyhose, but I also wear them to feel girly. Feeling girly to me might mean a little bit of eye makeup, jewelry, perfume. My hair is short now, but I never had to cut my hair because I was a nun. I was worried about that because I had long hair when I first became a nun, but if you can keep it under the veil you can have your hair long.

Still, I don’t consider myself particularly feminine, at least not that classic Southern belle kind of feminine. I’ve always been very capable and strong, physically too, and I just couldn’t imagine acting like I wasn’t capable for any length of time. But as a nun, the first thing people see is that I am a woman. Having been mistaken for a boy on more than one occasion, it’s sort of nice to be seen as definitively female. Being a nun is a very traditional female role, and it’s an empowering role. People tend to think of nuns as being disempowered, but they’re not, not in my church. About the only thing I can’t do that a priest can is the actual mass, the different unctions, that sort of thing. But I can do sermons, I write homilies. I can counsel if someone asks meit’s not as formal as it would be with a priest, but I don’t feel in any way limited as a nun. Women can be ordained in the Episcopal Church, but I was called to be a nun; I’m not called to be a priest. In college, a professor put the words “I am” on the board and had us finish that sentence three times as a way of defining ourselves. I don’t remember what I put then, but the answer now would be: I am a nun, I am a woman. I am an Anglican would probably be the third one.


On Wearing the Habit
The first time I put on the habit, it was like stepping into my own skin. It was wonderful. The order was probably the very first group I’ve ever felt comfortable with as quickly as I did; within two hours of meeting everybody I felt so comfortable. And it’s still comfortable to be with the order, and to wear the habit. When I put on the habit, it’s like putting on a hug. It almost feels like I’m physically being held by God at those times, more so than when I’m in my street clothes.

I used to joke that I became a nun so I didn’t have to make a choice about what to wear. And there are times when I’d really just rather live in the habit. One of the things I love when we get together as an order is that for four days, that’s all I wear. It’s interesting in those situations because someone will say “sister” and we all turn around! But it’s wonderful because we know each other’s personality more than we know each other’s looks. Depending on when each of us get up in the morning, there are some sisters I’ve never seen out of habit. So you have to look beyond the looks; you have to know the person. It’s a little different with the guysthey’re all wearing habits but they don’t cover their heads, and hair is such a distinctive feature on people. But even with them you get to know the person as opposed to the looks, and it’s a perfect example of how you can be friends with members of the opposite sex, even when you’re both heterosexual. Some of my best friends are brothers.

As a nun I represent my order, and I represent Christ, so there are things I can’t do. Like, I absolutely cannot smoke. It’s not officially written down, but when your mother [in the order] says no smoking… And we can drink, but we cannot get drunk. Our order meets twice a year, and before I moved and was closer to the order I’d fly up. We’d all go to one of the airport bars and you’d see six or seven of us, all nuns and priests, sitting around drinking. That was probably pretty funny to seeus stepping up to the bar and saying, “Can I have a vodka tonic?”

The habit has left me feeling not particularly self-conscious about my body. I’ve never hated my body or anything; I’ve been comfortable with myself for a fairly long time. But I’ve lost 80 pounds since 2009, mostly for health reasons, and it’s a nice feeling to look at old pictures of myself and see the difference. I suppose I feel more positive in that respect. If body image comes into play it’s more that I can say I look good, as opposed to just feeling comfortable. I tend to hide my body a lot, and you could say that maybe being in the habit does that as well, but it’s also like being the only pink bead in a bowl full of black beads. You stand out in a habit. So I don’t really think of it as hiding my body. When I started wearing the habit, I stopped being the fat lady. Instead I became the nun. It frees you up from a lot of society’s expectations; you’re exempt as a nun. You don’t have to be a part of a couple; you don’t have to be that certain societally defined form of sexually attractive. You can be by yourselfyou’re expected to be by yourself, or with a group of nuns. So even though I stand out, I also feel less conspicuous. As a nun it’s not quite as uncomfortable to be alone.


On Modesty
Modesty is a Christian belief, in part because Christianity is about loving God and loving others as you love yourself. Being humble and not putting yourself first is probably the hardest thing a religion asks you to do. But at the same time, you have to value yourself before you can value others. So you dress in a way that shows you value your body, that your body is not out there for someone else to exploit. I see a lot of girls who dress in a way that looks a bit like they’re exploiting themselves. Sex is so much more intimate than whatever you’d wear to a bar. It’s so much more meaningful that I can’t imagine selling it that short, being that blasé about it. Your clothes are an advertisement of yourself: How do you value yourself? Are you modest? Are you for sale? The idea is that if you value yourself as a person, your clothes will reflect that. You’ll make yourself up because you want to feel good about yourself; you won’t wear makeup if you don’t really want to. And you’ll never make yourself up like a fool.

There might be some religious rules about not wearing makeup, keeping your head covered, not wearing jewelrybut that has more to do with showing off and being proud. In my case, I cover my head because it’s part of the habit, sure. But it also takes away from people looking at me as a sexual person. When I’m wearing my habit, I’m advertising that I’m a nunI’m advertising that I’m not really supposed to be seen as a sexual person. I’m supposed to be seen as more of a religious person.

I consider myself married to God. I’m not wearing my wedding ring today; the ring has gotten too big, and my last ring guard fell off this morning and I can’t find it. Nuns in my order can be married, but your very first commitment is to God, before anything else. But I’ve never really thought about dressing for God, because God knows your heart. God knows me naked. He knows me naked physically and emotionally and spiritually. He knows all the dark secrets, even ones that I don’t want to know for myself, and the fact that he still loves me is important. When people say to take pride in yourself, what I take from that is that God created you individually as you are, and you’re a good person, and he loves you as you are. Does that mean you shouldn’t get better? I mean, God loved me when I was 265 pounds, and he doesn’t love me better now that I weigh less. My love for God helped me say, “God made something really good and I’m screwing it up”; I really wasn’t treating my body well. But when you’re talking about appearance, there’s not really any changes I would make for God. I dress in habit, okay. But living as he would want me to liveshowing love to others, being humble, treating others with love and acceptance and patience even when it’s hardI guess that’s how I dress for God.

56 comments:

  1. Amazing. Absolutely amazing, Autumn. And much, much gratitude to Sister Nancy Ruth for allowing us this view into an experience of the world known to only a few.

    Oddly enough, the first conscious thought that ran through my head this morning was "It's not about the clothes." But now I feel compelled to add "Except when it is." The ways in which our clothes, these artifacts of culture, become constitutive of us will never cease to fascinate me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's interesting to me how Sister Nancy Ruth's experience illuminates our own--how much we each wear our own "habits"--something that signals what we are to the world. (And I love that that was the first conscious thought that ran through your head in the morning. I try to pay attention to that kind of thing--the first thought of the day. Of course, I also kept a dream journal, so don't take it from me, I'm a hippie.)

      Delete
  2. Amazing post! Thank you for sharing this perspective with us.

    I especially loved the part about nuns going to the bar and this quote, "The idea is that if you value yourself as a person, your clothes will reflect that. You’ll make yourself up because you want to feel good about yourself; you won’t wear makeup if you don’t really want to. And you’ll never make yourself up like a fool."

    Perfect!

    Also, Sister Nancy Ruth should go get her ring resized. I wore my engagement ring with a ring guard for a year and a half and it is much more comfortable now that it has been resized!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll pass on the info to Sister Nancy Ruth!

      That quote struck me as interesting. I disagree with where she's going--I think that oftentimes what I might call tackiness is actually nerve. A reader e-mailed me to gently question the notion of being "made up like a fool," the idea being, who determines foolishness? But the Sister's larger point I'm on board with--that the ways in which we value ourselves will show through our self-presentation. They might not be understood in the way we wish them to be, though, is what I'd add, and that privilege is an enormous part of that interpretation.

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful post! I really enjoyed this glimpse into a little known world. Thank you to Sister Nancy Ruth for sharing your unique perspective on beauty and dress! You speak with such insight and grace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn, I'll pass on your kind words to Sister Nancy Ruth. Thank you for reading!

      Delete
  4. I loved this post - props to you, Autumn, for seeking out new and valuable perspectives!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kjerstin! I started out seeking unusual voices because I thought they'd just be interesting, but the more I do these interviews the more I realize how much those "unusual" voices actually speak to a more universal experience.

      Delete
  5. What a fascinating read. She sounds like an extraordinary lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cameo, she absolutely is. It's the sort of thing where I think many of us are interested in nuns but don't really know how to approach them or would think it rude--it was neat to talk with Sister Nancy Ruth because, hey, "Nuns! They're just like us!"

      Delete
  6. This post is so fantastic! It really made me re-think many things. Especially the part "It frees you up from a lot of society’s expectations; you’re exempt as a nun. You don’t have to be a part of a couple; you don’t have to be that certain societally defined form of sexually attractive."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't she great? I loved that part too. It can be a very strong way of really defining yourself in this world, you know?

      Delete
  7. This is really quite similar to how I feel as a Muslim woman who wears the hijab (the head covering). I find the similarities interesting, and the differences in reaction to our choices in clothing also quite interesting. Perhaps it is because people often think Muslim women are forced to wear the hijab when in fact it is more often than not a completely voluntary choice, for the same reasons (modesty etc) the sister talked about above...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yassmina, I was thinking of the hijab as well when talking with Sr. Nancy Ruth, and in fact I met her at an interfaith gathering where the hijab was one of the topics being discussed. I'm very interested in hijab and modesty and what it means to be covered; if you ever want to discuss this more I'd love to chat with you. You can drop me a line at the.beheld.blog@gmail.com.

      In any case, pleased to "meet" you!

      Delete
  8. It contains truly news. Your website is very valuable. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This particular post is really very interesting. It has a really great peace of Data, I enjoyed very well with this particular blog it has very useful information I like to much the style of this Article. Pleasure thanks for the share and stuff

    ReplyDelete
  10. Its wonderful blog really very nice site and blog facility.every title is very nice and very fatastic concept. Thanks for sharing the information.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The information and the aspect were just wonderful. I think that your viewpoint is deep, it’s just well thought out and truly incredible to see someone who knows how to put these thoughts so well. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks a lot for one’s intriguing write-up. It’s actually exceptional. Searching ahead for this sort of revisions.
    kraan accessoires

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very useful article for me, there is more information I have is very important. Thank you!
    Pre Marriage Courses

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the post and i am surprised. the way of ex-planing is very good manner.
    kraan accessoires

    ReplyDelete
  15. Really important written content. the information that you shown is hard to faith and many superbly i liked the way you afford things here. GED Online Program

    ReplyDelete
  16. U . S . basketball company was a strong unstoppable force while in the early plus mid nineties nonetheless things currently have changed and also its particular invincibility is already gone. 12 players who'll represent the usa team can be announced they usually have significant tasks plus expectations in front. www.scorespro.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I got knowledge from your web site.it's a reputable great report.
    KLEBE BH

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice Post keep continue your work really appreciating work great post and thanks for sharing informative post.

    Visit : Online High School Diploma

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, I think now I have a strong hold over the topic after going through the post. The subject that you have discussed in the post is really amazing; I will surely come back for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I found this post very exciting. I think you will have any other post on this topic? I am also sending it to my friend to enjoy your working style. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I just got to this amazing site not long ago. I was actually captured with the piece of resources you have got here. Big thumbs up for making such wonderful blog page!
    verhuisbedrijf zoetermeer

    ReplyDelete
  22. Really satisfactory post. I simply staggered on high your web log and fundamental to say that I get amazingly delighted in yearly your web log posts. Any approach i will have the capacity to be subscribing to your expand which i achievement you parade an alternate time a little while later.

    ipl live score. ipl 2015 live streaming. ipl live streaming.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Computers themselves, and software yet to be developed, will revolutionize the way we learn.keukenblad composiet

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am very happy to be here because this is a very good site that provides lots of information about the topics covered in depth. Im glad to see that people are actually writing about this issue in such a smart way, showing us all different sides to it. Please keep it up. I cant wait to read whats next.
    badgarnituur

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nice one, there's truly some sensible points on this website a number of my readers might realize this useful; i have to send a link, several thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  26. thanks for sharing this wonderful article with everyone ...
    clash of clans hack tool

    ReplyDelete
  27. It includes the details of fifa u20 world cup 2015 live streaming
    fifa 2015 live stream

    ReplyDelete
  28. he levelling off experienced in April was due to numerous factors, including currency exchange rates and travel costs, as well as competition from other destinations
    copa america live stream sony six
    copa america schedule
    copa america 2015 live stream canal 13
    copa america live stream espn

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is a nice post in an interesting line of content.Thanks for sharing this article, great way of bring this topic to discussion.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sharing best article is not easy for every writer, But a professional writer can easily, yes you are also a best writer, I am seeing your all post are very informative and also covering related topic clearly, Thanks for share best article regards Love Sms Shayari Google Gravity Space
    thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sharing best article is not easy for every writer, But a professional writer can easily, yes you are also a best writer, I am seeing your all post are very informative and also covering related topic clearly, Thanks for share best article regards Love Quotes Love sms
    thanks again

    ReplyDelete