The Ear of the Heart: An Actress' Journey From Hollywood to Holy Vows (77 page)

Earl Holliman and I were the guests of Monsignor William A. Carew (to my right) at the audience with Pope John XXIII in the Hall of Benediction. This was the moment when, just as the pope passed by us, his slipper fell to the floor and Monsignor Carew took advantage of the interruption while the slipper was retrieved to introduce me as the American film actress portraying Saint Clare in the film on the life of Saint Francis. His Holiness smiled and took my hand and called me “Chiara”. I’ve been asked if his calling me “Chiara” might have influenced my decision to enter religious life. Who can tell
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“
Miss Dolores” shortly after entrance into the monastery. I’m wearing the blue denim work habit Reverend Mother Benedict designed in the manner of the typical outfits of the local workers
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At my Clothing on June 29, 1964, when I received the name Sister Judith. Maria Cooper and Jan Shepard were my godmothers. My friend Father Salazar came from Los Angeles to lead the procession to the chapel. I was uncomfortable wearing a wedding dress, which was the custom then, because I felt it was not appropriate to the step I was taking; it was premature. It was the last time the traditional wedding dress was worn in the Clothing ceremony at Regina Laudis
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In 1980, walking with Lady Abbess on the hill that would become the site of our church

With Father Mike Doody, whose counsel I sought often. Doesn’t he look like he could be in a John Ford movie
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My brother Martin brought his daughter Dolores, who is my namesake, to meet me
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Maria Cooper visited frequently, wrote almost daily in the early years. She was a great help. I looked upon her as a true sister
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Sister Ozanne spends most days up in the tree tops. With her special work habit, she could easily be taken for Peter Pan
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We needed signs to mark the abbey property, and nobody wanted to put up something that said, “Keep Out”. Our signs were designed by Brother Iain and Sister Cecilia to be beautiful, while at the same time a gentle deterrent to trespassing
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The number of ways Brother Iain Highet has served the Community would be difficult to enumerate. For starters, he worked on the ponds and streams, landscaped vulnerable places against erosion, took care of the beef herd and got the hay in twice a year. He led us on walks (here with Mother Jadwiga, Sister Maria Evangelista, Mother Dorcas and Mother Cecilia) to survey our land
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