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A nun, a priest and their vows

The passionate life of Catherine Butler-Burns: a nun for 42 years until at age 60 the moment came for a new beginning.

Catherine Butler-Burns decided to become a nun aged 17. It was a shock to her parents, they weren’t especially religious by Irish standards of the time and until then Catherine had been having a lively teenage social life. But she chose to take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience because the women she saw β€œsaving the world” were nuns.

Catherine took on a role teaching speech and drama at a Catholic school in Scotland where she met a priest called Father Michael. There was evidently an emotional connection between them but it was never openly acknowledged.

She lived and worked as a nun for 42 years then - aged 60 - she made a momentous decision. And what would become of the love that had been stifled for nearly thirty years?

To get in touch with the programme, or to share your personal story, you can email us at: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk

Image: Catherine Butler-Burns
Credit: Catherine Butler-Burns

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Nov 2021 20:00

Broadcasts

  • Wed 24 Nov 2021 09:00
  • Wed 24 Nov 2021 20:00

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