6 Uplifting Films About Nuns

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Over the years, there have been many one-dimensional, stereotypical depictions of nuns and religious sisters in film and television. These women – who have devoted their lives to God – have frequently been portrayed as stern, overbearing figures who prefer disciplining children to encouraging them. Their joy and humor seem to be non-existent, their faith seems to be superficial, and their own personal struggles aren’t revealed. But most people who know nuns/sisters realize that these are not accurate portrayals of these women.

And how many films show the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that some women had to overcome in order to become nuns? How many show the struggles others face in discerning whether or not they’re truly being called to the vocation? Finally, how many explore the complex challenges and struggles these women face as they live out their vows in their daily lives? There certainly aren’t an abundance of films that address these issues.

Fortunately, however, there are a handful of engaging films that have been produced that reach beyond the stereotype. They feature characters that are nuns/sisters who are multi-dimensional, vibrant people who make a positive difference in the world. With outstanding performances, film direction and screenwriting, they also shine a spotlight on the power that faith can have in our lives and the lives of those we encounter. Here are six such films that are uplifting and inspiring. Although they were made in different eras, they all have an appeal that is timeless. These films have had an enduring impact on many audiences around the world.

Lilies of the Field

United Artists

“Lilies of the Field” was released in 1963 and was based on the novel by William E. Barrett. In it, an affable, independent construction worker and handyman meets a group of religious sisters, when his car overheats in the desert. They give him the water he needs for his car, but they believe that God sent him to answer their prayers. They believe he’ll build a chapel for their community. Not realizing that the sisters don’t have any money, he agrees to do some repairs for them. But because of his kindness and the sisters’ faith, he decides to stay longer to help them.

Not only is the film groundbreaking in that it led to Sidney Poitier becoming the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, it’s a touching, gentle film that demonstrates how faith can unite us. Its representation of religious sisters is also remarkable. While the Mother Maria character – who’s the first to believe that Sidney Poitier’s character was sent by God – sometimes appears ungrateful, her true appreciation for Homer’s kindness and work and her platonic love for him is revealed in subtle ways. The sisters are also portrayed as tremendously faithful, selfless and tenacious.

The Bells of St. Mary’s

RKO Radio Pictures

Like “Lilies of the Field,” “The Bells of St. Mary’s” is an Academy Award-winning film that is gentle and heartwarming. It’s the sequel to “Going My Way” and was released in 1945. It features Bing Crosby as a priest and Ingrid Bergman as a nun. When Father O’Malley becomes the new priest at St. Mary’s school, his views immediately clash with those of Sister Mary Benedict. But in their own distinct ways, they each help a troubled new student from a broken home, and they each help a greedy tycoon to undergo a miraculous transformation – causing him to make a decision that saves the beloved school. In the process, they learn to respect and appreciate each other and their differences.

The film shows the amazing impact that forgiveness can have on people’s lives. It also celebrates compassion and faith. And it does so while portraying nuns as caring, understanding people. Ingrid Bergman’s character exhibits not only strength and discipline, but also a humble attitude, a willingness to put the wellbeing of others first and a maternal type of love for the children at the school.

The Sound of Music

20th Century Fox

“The Sound of Music,” another award-winning film, was released in 1965. The iconic musical was inspired by the true story of Maria von Trapp, an Austrian woman who wanted to become a nun but was sent by her convent’s reverend mother to become the governess for a widower’s seven children. After falling in love with the widower and questioning whether or not she was called to be a nun, she realizes that she was called to the vocation of marriage, instead. The family then flees Austria to escape the Nazis.

The film reveals a couple of the challenges that postulants face as they prepare to become nuns. In Maria’s case, not only was her personality not suited for a cloistered life, but she unexpectedly fell in love and wanted to become part of Captain von Trapp’s family. It took courage for her to walk away. The film also shows the courageousness of the nuns at Maria’s former convent, when they help Maria and the family escape. Their bravery and that of the entire von Trapp family still inspires audiences to stand up for what’s right, in the face of persecution, and to have hope for a better future.

The Trouble with Angels

Columbia Pictures

In 1966, “The Trouble with Angels” was released. It’s a coming of age comedy that takes place at a Catholic girls’ boarding school that is run by nuns. The film revolves around two mischievous teens and their interactions with their classmates, their teachers and the Mother Superior. Throughout their high school years, they mature, and their dreams change. The most mischievous girl gradually changes her ways, because she feels called to become a nun.

While “The Sound of Music” showed the difficulty women face in accepting that they may not be called to become a nun, “The Trouble with Angels” explores the opposite situation. The teen character never wanted to become a nun until she felt called to become one. She’s even, initially, rejected by her best friend for pursuing such a holy life. The film reveals how difficult it can be for young women to leave their previous dreams behind them. But it also exhibits the joy they can experience after embracing their calling.

Bakhita

Ignatius Press

“Bakhita,” an Italian film that was released in 2009, tells the story of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Captured and enslaved in Sudan when she was a child, she was severely abused and suffered at the hands of her first four “owners.” Although the last two families treated her like a trusted servant, when she and the child she took care of had to stay with the Canossian Sisters in Venice, Italy – during a family move – she realized it was where she was meant to be. She found the courage to boldly but peacefully stand against racism and injustice to achieve her dream of becoming a nun.

The film illuminates how vital it is for some women to become nuns and how much suffering some go through before they can pursue their calling. It shows how Mother Josephine Bakhita became a Daughter of Charity in 1896 and brought kindness and compassion to many children and adults.

Sister Act

Buena Vista Pictures

Released in 1992, Sister Act is a comedy film that was so popular that it later became a musical, which has been produced on Broadway and at legendary theatres around the world. In the film, Deloris Van Cartier (played by Whoopi Goldberg), a lounge singer, witnesses a murder committed by her boyfriend – who’s a member of an organized crime family. To protect her, the police hide her as a nun in a convent, where she joins the choir and helps them to reinvigorate it.

Even though it’s a fish-out-of-water comedy, “Sister Act” generally rejects the stereotypical portrayals of nuns that were mentioned earlier. Instead, it shows how flexible, good-natured and good-humored nuns can be. And although it’s purely fiction, its over-the-top characters frequently exhibit the joy nuns feel in doing God’s work. And the nuns’ musical numbers in the film are fun and rousing, without mocking our faith or our traditional Catholic hymns.