Immaculate

"Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee."

"Blessed art thou among women"

"and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus"

"Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners"

"Now and at the hour of our death."

"Amen."

No, no.

No, no!

No, no, no!

No!

"Help!"

Help!

Help!

No, no, no!

Help!

Please...

help.

"No!"

"Help! Help!"

I'm sorry, but how much longer will this take?

I've got to take my vows tonight and I really can't be late.

- Do you speak English? - Sorry for the wait.

It's extra work now when someone arrives

without a return ticket.

Parli italiano?

I ask if you're learning Italian.

Oh, I'm trying, but it's a lot harder than I thought.

Mm.

So this convent they bought you the ticket?

Mm-hmm.

You're very young to be a nun, aren't you?

What a waste.

Look at her.

It's a different life, yeah?

It must have been a hard decision.

I don't think of it like that as a decision.

Very well.

I hope you find what you're looking for, Sister Cecilia.

Sister Cecilia Apologies.

- I'm Deacon Enzo, come with me. - Thank you.

- "How much longer?" - We're almost there.

Right this way, Sister Cecilia.

Sister Cecilia!

Reverend Mother.

Your eyes radiate the light of the Holy Spirit.

Like the angels delivered you straight from the heavens.

We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival, my dear.

I'm sorry.

She says you're pretty.

Grazie I'm Sister Cecilia.

Isabelle.

Isabelle, will you please show Cecilia to her room?

I have to help our sisters get ready for tonight's celebration.

Mind your place and do as I ask!

Let me show you to your room.

Our Lady of Sorrows was founded in 1632 as a refuge for elder sisters

before their transition to heaven.

- It's really beautiful. - Yes, it is.

- Buongiorno, sorelle. - Buongiorno.

And we work hard to keep it that way.

Our sister's final days should be

a pleasing environment to help distract from all

the sickness and suffering.

All of this, it was built on the catacomb of St. Stephen.

Catacombs?

It's off limits.

Hello, Sisters.

- This is our new novice, Sister Cecilia. - Ciao.

The one in the wheelchair her tumor has metastasized.

So we expect her to meet God by the end of the week.

You talk about it so casually.

Death is a part of everyday life here.

Have you seen my daddy?

Yes, let's go find him, shall we?

It's best to just play along with their delusions

unless they get violent.

Be careful of this one She bites.

I'm sorry.

Living quarters for the caretakers are down there and upstairs.

Morning prayer begins at 5:00 a.m. communal meal is after.

And if you have any dietary restrictions we cannot accommodate them.

And this room is yours.

Thank you, Sister.

I feel honored to serve alongside you.

- You're very sweet. - Thank you.

I don't mean that as a compliment.

I'm sure this must feel very romantic but this is our life.

And I promise you, work is hard physically and emotionally.

So if you're here to find yourself there are easier ways.

I'm not.

Tonight, you do not have to take your vows.

You can still go back and God will forgive you.

I think he has sufficiently prepared me.

The ceremony will start at 1700 in the chapel.

Don't be late.

- Oh, ciao. - Ciao.

- I'm sorry. - No, it's fine.

I'm Cecilia.

Oh, I'm Guendalina You can call me Gwen.

My room is there.

Where in the States are you from?

- Just outside of Detroit, Michigan. - Mm-hmm.

- Are you from around here or... - Closer to Milan.

You're far from home.

Yeah, my parish closed.

Did the priest get in trouble?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no nothing, nothing like that.

Just low attendance.

And that church was my family, my home.

Leaving, I felt pretty lost.

But then Father Tedeschi he reached out to me.

Yeah He has a talent.

Sniffing out broken birds.

Oh, I didn't want to offend you.

I think that maybe we are all head cases or runaways.

Which one are you?

Both.

Next time if you want you can lock the door.

Thanks.

Sister Cecilia.

Father Tedeschi, it's nice to meet you in person.

We all feel so blessed to have you here.

How's the Italian coming along?

Così così.

It's fine I will translate for you.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us rejoice, for the marriage of the Lamb has come

and his brides have made themselves ready.

Sorella Cecilia.

Sister Cecilia.

Do you promise to follow Christ more closely by living a life devoid

of material possessions?

Do you promise to free yourself from the demands

of a human relationship and follow with joy

when he shall come again...

A vow of poverty chastity, and obedience?

I do.

May God give you the strength to fulfill your vows

faithfully and joyfully.

May you shine his light for the world to see.

- "How are you feeling?" - Full.

Yeah, we don't... We don't really have anything

like this back home.

Cecilia, this is your home.

I know, I know.

I felt the same way when I started here.

I didn't grow up wanting to be a priest.

My first career was in sciences, biology.

I was almost two decades in and I couldn't

understand the world any better than back when I was in Sunday school.

And then God showed me a path.

He brought me here.

This is where I was meant to be.

I'm sorry I'm so sorry.

Two glasses in and I can't stop talking about myself.

- I'm so sorry. - No, it's OK.

- It's OK. - What about you?

I imagine it was a difficult decision.

I mean, yes it seemed so far away.

But the opportunities back in the States...

I didn't feel like that's what God saved me for.

- If it's too personal... - No.

When I was 12 years old there was this part

of the Saginaw River that would always freeze over.

And no matter how cold it was I would always walk out onto the ice.

And I would do this thing where I took my gloves off

and I would place my hands right on the ice, and...

And I would hold them there until I couldn't feel anything.

I don't remember the ice breaking.

I just, I remember this sharp pain of cold.

The paramedics they tried to revive me

but my heart stopped for almost seven minutes.

That sounds terrifying.

I know God saved me for a reason, but...

I guess I'm still searching for what that reason is.

Now will you... Will you excuse me, please?

Ciao?

Are you OK?

I'll go get some help.

Cecilia.

Reverend Mother, I'm so sorry.

- I heard her crying and... - It's OK.

Sometimes we get caught up in emotion.

You have a question.

All right.

What is this place?

Saint Helena, Mother of Constantine...

brought this back from Jerusalem.

Here.

He suffered on the cross.

Suffered? This is the...

Yes.

For you, for us, for our sins For our salvation.

We suffer.

In the name of His love.

It is a gift.

Suffering is love.

Are you alright, Sister?

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.