Nun leaves her convent after 20 years: "I found my soul mate"
Not all people are made to live the same type of life. Of course, it is true that the common destiny of most people is to work and raise a family, for example. It is a social pattern and it is true that the primordial instincts of human beings leads us in a specific direction: to find another person and then procreate with them. To achieve this, various elements are needed, and among these we include a certain degree of economic independence usually secured by having a job.
The story we are about to tell you about is very different from these "parameters" we have just described.
via Insider
Todd Ehlers/Flickr - Not the actual photo
Monica Hingston is a woman who has made a unique choice in life - actually, she's made more than one. Since she was a child she was indoctrinated by a very religious, Catholic in values such as altruism, compassion and faith.
Little more than a teenager, the young girl became very religious herself: "I went to a parish school and the nuns were my teachers, but they didn't limit themselves to just instructing us. They invited me and some friends to the convent to lend a hand and the atmosphere there was incredible. I was enchanted by their friendly manner, especially when they joked and laughed with each other".
Engaging in these voluntary activities was an opportunity for Monica both to assist the needy - making her feel fulfilled and happy - and a way not to ask herself some decidedly uncomfortable questions.
Pickpik - Not the actual photo
In fact, the girl had realized that she was much more interested in female company than with being with boys. The convent was like a stimulating, busy environment and was able to keep these thoughts out of Monica's mind. Later, Monica got married. Married, yes, but to Jesus: the procedure at the time consisted of the woman being dressed in a wedding dress, holding the traditional black nun's robe her in hands. This ceremony was Monica's "admission to the convent," the inaugural ceremony of one who has taken vows and consecrated themself to the Lord. In short, Monica became a nun.
After 21 years in a convent, Monica decided to take a year's sabbatical. She traveled to Chile and founded a center with two other sisters to assist women in need.
During the sabbatical, Monica met another nun, Peg, and soon a more-than-platonic relationship developed between the women.
"I don't want you to leave and return to your convent, but I'm afraid to ask you to stay," Peg confessed to Monica one day. Monica realized at that moment what had happened: they had fallen in love with each other.
The couple had their religious vows dissolved and moved to Torquay, Australia to live happily as a couple free to express their love. Their dream was to get married, even though they were well aware that this could not be done in a church: the laws of the time had also been tightened, banning same-sex marriages. Monica also begged her cousin, Cardinal George Pell - at that time Treasurer to the Pope and staunch conservative, to change his mind and help them fulfill their wish to be allowed to get married.
The two women failed in this endeavour but shared many wonderful years, in harmony and great serenity together. Theirs is a moving story that reminds us that we should always follow our hearts.
