SISTER WENDY BECKETT’S “THE ART OF LENT”

Here’s how this week’s arts and culture column begins:

Sister Wendy Beckett (1930-2018), a contemplative nun and consecrated virgin, delighted audiences worldwide during the 1990s with her BBC documentaries on the history of art.

Born in Johannesburg, she moved as a child to Scotland; in 1946 she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a teaching order, and earned a degree in English Literature at Oxford.

She then returned to South Africa and in spite of her “constant longing to pray,” lived an active life of teaching from 1954 to 1970. When she began to have stress-induced heart trouble and epileptic seizures, she was given permission to return to England. There, in solitude and silence, she found her true vocation. 

READ THE WHOLE PIECE HERE.

Comments

2 responses to “SISTER WENDY BECKETT’S “THE ART OF LENT””

  1. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Heather,
    I would have studied Art History at university if I thought I could have made a living at it but chose a different career path. I always appreciated Sister Wendy’s insights and loved to hear her genuine enthusiasm as she spoke about various pieces of art. I found it interesting that just yesterday I read about a contemporary of hers, Sister Rachel Gregory, better known as Ruth Burrows. It would have been a joy to have been a fly on the wall during some of their conversations!
    https://www.networknorwich.co.uk/Articles/677754/Network_Norwich_and_Norfolk/People/Obituaries/Renowned_author_and_former_Quidenham_prioress.aspx

    1. HEATHER KING Avatar
      HEATHER KING

      Yes indeed, Dave! They were both serious contemplatives. I have written of both Sister Wendy and Ruth Burrows for Magnificat. The latter has a number of books on prayer. For Sister Wendy, the prayer led to art; the art led to more prayer…we can all participate in both, no matter our station in life. And yes, Sister Wendy is still a joy to listen to and behold. No sharp edges. Total acceptance and love, no matter the artist…thanks so much for the link.

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