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| The Brothers Residence, 2009 |
I just read a Times post about a community of aging nuns. It immediately conjured up images and experiences from my project about the Christian Brothers in Santa Fe. A few years ago, amidst the loss of their longtime residence and move, I was able to speak with the brothers as they watched their lived change. Reading this, I feel able to better understand the nuns and their situation- emotionally and financially. The difficulty in finding any support to keep on, in particular when in the midst of aging, makes me take in some perspective today. Most of the aging orders live in humble surroundings in the first place. The Brothers were unable to provide enough income to sustain themselves, and had to move out, and eventually in with another community. Often brothers talked about these financial woes, until the conversation led back to belief. Belief is what was left in the end, and love for god and each other as individuals within the community. It was the only way to keep on.
I sympathize now with these women, as they bring up all the other struggling orders trying to find the next steps. It would be interesting to connect with women versus men as well, photographing their spaces, talking with them about their rituals at this particular time. Aging, moving, and watching a way of life slowly fade away- with grace these aging men and women figure out ways to keep afloat.
Read the piece by Jane Gross in the Times here
