Special Intentions

by Mary Pat Kelly

Describes the story of the life of Margaret Mary Lynch, a young nun living in Ireland during the 1960s, and her decision to leave the convent and find another path to God.

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me understand the upheavel in the Catholic Church, especially regarding nuns and priests, once the results of Vatican II were put into practice. In the convent, many very young women saw all the rules change, and it was extremely uncomfortable for them. Many left.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my book group selection for March. I probably would not have read it otherwise. Sister Maura's experience is so far from mine that I constantly found myself asking "why would you want to do that?"

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought back many memories.

[Tom Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thinly disguised autobiographical novel. It rings true to me especially the conflict between the traditionalists and the progressives in the American Catholic Church regarding the Civil Rights movement. I was a Catholic high schooler at that time and I remember being told," It's not your problem. Stick to your own kind." But others said it's important for you to read Black Like Me and see what I it is like to be black in America.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out interesting but then just got a little too preachy and Hallmark special'ish for me.

[Helen]

Irish/American girl enters convent in mid-west in 1962 - leaves in 1968 after assassination of Bobbie Kennedy. Good account of period as Vatican II takes effect