TWO NUNS ON A BUS

by Naomi

Monday 18th August 2025 7:04 am

Two nuns on a bus

a quiet island in the middle of a chaotic sea

I sat down beside them

a stranger in a bustling world.

One held a rosary

her finger moving over the beads with grace

The other had a worn bible open in her lap

her eyes tracing the lines of a passage I couldn't see.

The bus rattled

the world outside a blur of cars, buildings and people

but in the space of our three seats

there was a profound sense of calm.

The noise of the city faded away

replaced by the presence of the two women lost in their faith

I wasn't praying or reading

but their peace became my own.

I found a moment of stillness

a reminder that

even in the most ordinary of places

you can find a deep and unexpected peace.

Comments

Naomi

Mon 18th Aug 2025 14:43

Hélène, that's a beautiful and powerful comment. Your story about your aunt and her order is incredible. It speaks to a kind of spiritual integrity. The fact that they chose to remain a spiritual community even when invited back is a testament to their strength and devotion.
The cruelty that some children faced shows that sometimes for every story of enlightenment and peace, there can be a story of abuse.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and moving reflection Hélène

Naomi

Mon 18th Aug 2025 14:32

Uilleam, what a profound difference in experiences.
It's wonderful that your family has those fond memories, and it sounds like a truly serene environment.
It's heartbreaking to hear about the suffering others endured.

Hélène

Mon 18th Aug 2025 12:01

I love this poem Naomi. I was washed in peace as I read it. My late aunt was a nun in Southern California, USA. She and her order of nuns were so wonderful and enlightened that the Catholic church couldn't handle them in the 1960's; they were de-canonized (not recognized by Rome) for quite some years, & when Rome finally liberalized & invited them back in to good standing, they respectfully declined & remained simply a spiritual Catholic community. My aunt was a calm, wise, beloved teacher at an all-girls Catholic high school. (Like Uilleam, I too was taught by nuns & I heard of some who were cruelly abusive to kids who did not tow the line.) Thanks Naomi for sharing this wonderful poem!

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Mon 18th Aug 2025 11:05

My mother, who spoke fondly of them, and myself up to about the age of 5, were schooled by nuns-a peaceful and contemplative kind of life, I seem to remember. Whilst other children suffered at the hands of what I can only describe as psychopaths.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

TWO NUNS ON A BUS

Comments

Please consider supporting us