Sister Rose's Passion

Sister Rose's Passion, directed by Oren Jacoby and released in 2004, is an engaging, inspirational documentary that delves into the life and works of Sister Rose Thering, a determined and devout Dominican nun. The film, which won the award for Best Documentary Short at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Documentary Short Subject in 2005, offers a compelling view into Sister Rose’s relentless fight against anti-Semitism.

The narrative opens by presenting Sister Rose's early life. Born into a typical Wisconsin farming family in 1920, she was raised in a devout Roman Catholic environment peppered with a measure of anti-Semitic belief prevalent in the culture during that time. Pursuing religious service from an early age, it was during her novitiate training that she first encountered claims of Jewish guilt in the death of Christ. This piqued her curiosity, leading her on a journey of research and discovery that would consume most of her life.

The film presents Sister Rose as a trailblazing academic, highlighting her master’s thesis on the portrayal of Jews in Catholic teaching materials. A footage-rich memoir showcasing archival clips, personal photos, and interviews – paints an intricate picture of Sister Rose’s determined exploration into this academic field, a study quite unusual for both her gender and her faith at that time. The results of her research became a significant catalyst for change within the Church, causing substantial revisions in Catholic teachings and even playing a role in the groundbreaking changes from the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s that dramatically shifted the Church’s position on its relationship with Judaism.

But the film doesn’t stop at showcasing Sister Rose’s academic prowess. It also puts her activism under the spotlight. Sister Rose was not solely content with her research influencing change within her own faith community. She was driven by a broader vision to expand interfaith understanding, and her mission took her to classrooms and communities, spreading knowledge and combating prejudice. Following her retirement from the Seton Hall University faculty, she continued to be active in promoting Holocaust education in high school curriculums across the U.S., ensuring future generations would remember the horrors of the past and work towards a future free from bigotry.

Sister Rose's Passion deftly explores the role of faith in creating both division and unity among different religious communities. It offers a novel perspective on the uneasy history between Judaism and Catholicism and underlines the crucial necessity of dialogue and mutual understanding between the two faiths. More broadly speaking, the narrative underscores the general theme of overcoming prejudice through knowledge and understanding, bringing forth a universal message that echoes far beyond the interfaith context.

A recurring element in the film is the depiction of Sister Rose’s outspoken nature. A force to be reckoned with, her fearless dedication to truth and justice shines as she navigates various panels, talks, and conferences, standing up against deep-seated prejudices. Her passion for justice, which gives the documentary its inspiring title, is a lifeforce illuminating the narrative.

Director Oren Jacoby makes effective use of interviews, archival footage, and personal testimonies to weave his compelling narrative. Interspersed throughout are interviews with Sister Rose herself, providing personal anecdotes that add depth and emotional resonance to the story. Critics have praised the film's mixture of inspiring personal interest story and social documentary, applauding its poignant portrait of a woman who challenged the status quo to fight for justice.

In conclusion, Sister Rose's Passion delivers a profound exploration of the power of faith, unity, and transcending prejudice, embodied in the remarkable life of Sister Rose Thering. The narrative, while chronicling the personal journey of a determined nun, simultaneously addresses a broader discourse on the role of religion in cross-cultural understanding and unity, making for compelling viewing.