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The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Nuns: Mother Hildegarde and Sister Tracy Kemme

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Mother Hildegarde and Sister Tracy Kemme

Nuns: Mother Hildegarde and Sister Tracy Kemme

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Nuns: Mother Hildegarde and Sister Tracy Kemme

What goes on behind the closed doors of a convent? Two nuns from Australia and US explain

Two women in religious orders in the UK and the US on what they have lost and what they have gained

Kim Chakanetsa is in candid and intimate conversation with two women who have made the life altering decision to enter a religious order. 

Mother Hildegarde is a nun in a silent, cloistered Catholic convent that overlooks London's Hyde Park. Originally from Australia, she entered religious life at 35, giving up her family, friends and name. She says she wanted to wear a habit, but found obeying the monastic 'rule' very hard to begin with, and as a self-confessed chatterbox she also really struggled with not talking! Fifteen years on she is comfortable leading a life spent in prayer and contemplation, and says although this life involves sacrifice, it is worth it.

Sister Tracy Kemme is 30 and took 'first vows' with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in the US last year. Tracy made the heart-wrenching decision to break up with the love of her life to pursue her vocation, because even though he was everything she wanted, she realised that still was not enough for her. She says that society portrays religious life as giving up a lot of things. "I think people have unease with the fact that we don't have sex. We take a vow of celibacy, we take a vow of poverty and a vow of obedience and that's pretty counter cultural. But who would do that if that's what it's really all about?".

(Photo: Mother Hildegarde (L) and (R) Sister Tracy Kemme)

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