A Change of Habit - by Sister Monica Clare (Hardcover)

About the Book

The author traces "her journey from a glamorous career in Hollywood to a convent in New Jersey, told with dry wit and her knack for one-liners, bringing alive her soulful story of finding solace in a sisterhood of women, where she slowly shed a lifelong habit of people pleasing, and where she also transformed the convent culture to allow for expressiveness, warmth, and more straightforward communication"--

Book Synopsis

The soulful, hilarious memoir of a chronic people pleaser who surprised everyone in her life by abandoning an unfulfilling career and marriage to join a convent--and learned how much we stand to gain when we fully embrace our authentic selves

In her twenties and thirties, Monica Clare was a talented but exhausted photo editor who spent her days getting yelled at by clients who were often strung out on cocaine and megalomania. For years, the voice calling her to a simpler, quieter life had been getting louder. As a little kid, she'd seen Audrey Hepburn in The Nun's Story and thought: That's me. That's how she found herself straightening her habit nervously as she walked into a convent, preparing to live alongside eleven other sisters who'd taken the same vow of poverty and celibacy . . . indefinitely. Could a chronically fidgety, pop culture-obsessed woman of the world ever fit in? she wondered. And why did the other nuns seem so cold and disapproving?

As the months went on, she realized the other nuns were shy, not unfriendly--much like herself. The culture at the convent discouraged giving compliments or even saying "please" or "thank you," since acts of generosity were to be freely given and received. But when Monica rose to the role of Sister Superior, she got the policy against compliments changed. Relationships started to blossom, first awkwardly and then more easily. Who would have predicted that Sister Christina, the one she thought had deeply disliked her from the start, would turn out to be a huge hugger? Or that they'd spend entire afternoons trying to keep a wild turkey from running amok in their community garden?

Equal parts tell-all and rallying cry, A Change of Habit reveals how much we can say yes to when we stop laboring to prove our worth to ourselves and others. In her role as a spiritual counselor, Sister Monica guides people from all walks of life toward resisting the false promises of capitalism, finding healing in small acts of nurture and connection, and ultimately, restoring themselves to a place of wholeness, all while living in this gorgeously messy world of ours.

Review Quotes

"A Change of Habit follows the arc of Sister Monica Clare's career with irreverence and sincerity. . . . Her book [confirms] the warmth--and fragility--of her new community."--The New York Times

"[Sister Monica Clare is] honest, funny, and--one gets the feeling as the pages turn--true. This is a book to remind you that it is never too late to be the person you are meant to be."--Spirituality & Practice

"An inspiring and hilarious tale of joyful transformation, A Change of Habit will make you laugh, cry, and think deeply about your life. You probably won't become a nun, but Sister Monica Clare's remarkable story will show you how to face your struggles, access your courage, and find meaning in life's most unexpected turns."--Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

"Sister Monica Clare's A Change of Habit is a surprising, compelling memoir that will reaffirm your faith in people--and maybe even yourself. With humor, warmth, and deep reverence for the power of that little voice inside, Sister Monica Clare shows us how everyone's journey might be different, but if you keep the faith and keep listening to yourself--and God--you will arrive at the proper destination. I recommend this book to anyone who feels like a fish out of water or who needs a little love, and a little faith, right now."--Sister Helen Prejean

"[Sister Monica Clare's] memoir is a testimony of both her steadfast commitment to God and her long, hard struggle to conquer her own demons. A forthright tale of pain and healing."--Kirkus Reviews

"A poignant and good-humored account of [Sister Monica Clare's] path toward nunhood . . . This tender autobiography offers encouragement for any reader who's struggled to find their place in the world."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Sister Monica Clare is the Sister Superior at the Community of St. John Baptist, an Episcopal convent based in New Jersey, and a spiritual counselor specializing in religious trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Before becoming a nun in 2012, she worked as a photo editor in L.A. and performed in an acoustic rock duo and an improv comedy troupe.