How to create a ‘Nun World Order’
By: Christina Troup
Special to The Examiner
April 9, 2009
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| Decades of service: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was formed April 14, 1979, as a new breed of community activism. (Courtesy photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Pain, suffering and constant sacrifice — they’re all part of being a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence.
“Being a sister is a commitment, an obligation,” says Sister Edith Myflesh, abbess [president], at-large board member and mistress of the Web. “We take vows to ourselves, to our fellow sisters, to the order and to the community. Those vows represent a promise to promulgate universal joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and serve the community. And each sister honors and lives those vows to the best of her ability.”
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, political and social activists who proudly proclaim, “Go forth and sin some more,” have defined San Francisco for the past 30 years.
Born on the night of April 14, 1979, when three men with loaned habits took to the streets of the Castro, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence developed into a new breed of community builders, activists and fundraisers for those in need. Their focus is on equal rights, abolishing bigotry and hatred, and health education.
Through May 7, the San Francisco Public Library documents the history of these 21st-century nuns with “Under a Full Moon: 30 Years of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a show of artifacts, records, press releases, photographs, habits and other objects that detail how these queer community-activist nuns came to rock San Francisco.
The anniversary of the sisterhood extends beyond just a historical recap. A number of festivities are planned for April, most notably the annual Easter celebration in Dolores Park, which would be far from complete without its requisite Hunky Jesus Contest.
From four members to 70 in San Francisco and about 600 worldwide, the sisters have made an indelible mark on The City and beyond.
In its 30-year tenure, the mission of the nonprofit has not changed so much as how it’s fulfilled. Last year, the all-volunteer organization brought in almost $200,000 and gave out almost $80,000 to the community; there are plans to give another $30,000 this Easter.
Part of becoming a sister involves spending time in the archives, digging through the files, photos and ephemera.
“Under a Full Moon,” says Sister Edith, offers viewers “a sense of 30 years of the Sisters’ history: our highs and lows, our evolution and development as an organization and as a group of people.”
IF YOU GO
Under a Full Moon: 30 Years of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
When: Through May 7
Where: James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, third floor, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.
Admission: Free
Contact: www.sfpl.org/news/exhibitions.htm
Note: “Nun World Order: The Sisters’ 30th Anniversary Celebration” is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Dolores Park; for details, visit www.thesisters.org
