at sister anna's feet: an old nun and a young nun break the holy rule to help the poor

by Eileen O'Toole

Spurred on by her Irish Catholic upbringing in the 1950s, Eileen Tegins decided to enter the convent and become a nun at the young age of seventeen. Almost immediately, she ran smack up against rules, regulations, and arcane practices that ran counter to her free-spirited nature. Deciding this life was not for her she tried to escape, not once but three times in the first year. During the second year in the novitiate she was assigned to a mission where she would meet the person who would change her life forever. There, the elderly mother superior, Sister Anna, taught her how to develop her true spiritual self. As the years passed, her work taking care of those who lived in the poverty-stricken Brooklyn neighborhood of her parish and beyond, brought her much joy and solidified her commitment to being a nun. However, all that would change when she was reassigned to a wealthy parish on Long Island. No longer allowed to attend to the poor, her life in the convent became unbearable. She knew the only way she could be true to herself and to the mission instilled in her by Sister Anna was to escape. But the decision was a lot easier than the deed.

Genres: Religion

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2010

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I first heard Eileen O'Toole's story on the NPR Snap Judgment podcast series in the episode called "Gratitude," and I was blown away by this nun's bravery, courage, and strong sense of self. I was truly inspired by her experiences and insights; her words actually moved me to tears.

However, the editors of Snap Judgment were MUCH more adept at capturing her story and creating a flowing narrative. This book is a serious disappointment in comparison. Don't bother reading it. Just listen to the podcast.

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Goodreads Giveaway. Thank You!
I heard about this book on NPR and I so wanted to read and understand Eileen O’Toole’s journey,but what a disappointment. There was no in-depth how or why. There were so many unanswered questions. Sentences jumped around the page. Thoughts were started discarded and then picked up many pages later, never to a deep thoughtful end. Not a favorite book, in fact, I just can’t recommend it to anyone.

[Carol Osborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it had more depth in many of her stories, but it was an overall good read. I'm even interested in following up with her "My Life After The Convent".

[Jason Prodoehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found the premise of this interesting, and the writing simple and clear, I just didn't love the book. I appreciated the family background the author gives in explaining why it was hard for her to leave the convent. I also appreciate not being able to do what you want to do because you have societal and family pressures directing you to conform. Still, I would have appreciated more stories about what it was like in the convent.