The Ear of the Heart is the story of Mother Dolores Hart transition from Hollywood actress to Benedictine nun. This book, published by Ignatius Press, has about 400 pages and contains pictures of Mother Dolores before and after her entrance to the monastery. This holy woman does not give your typical pious account of her life but instead gives her readers a honest account of her life. Mother Dolores' story is inspiring and I believe will especially touch many young readers, I know it did for me.
Mother Dolores did not have an easy life. Both her parents would divorce at a young age, which made her childhood very unstable. Her family was not Catholic but she was enrolled at a Catholic school and it was from there that she would first have that encounter with God. She describes a moment where she asks her teacher for bread but instead her teacher mistook that for her wanting to be Catholic. This event started her life in the Catholic faith. Now confirmed in her faith she decided to take up acting which was her passion. She would land leading roles in big time movies and co-star with people like Elvis. She shares an interesting story where Elvis wanted to ask her out to dinner but she declined because she wanted to focus on her work. Eventually the life of Hollywood was not fulfilling her and she felt God was calling her to be a Benedictine nun at the Abbey of Regina Laudis. There she shares her stories of adjusting to monastic life especially in a time before Vatican II when monastic observances were really harsh. Mother Dolores would prove to be an important member of her community who brought many fresh ideas to her community even when others were suspicious of her.
Why do I like Mother Dolores so much? I believe she is a good role model for young people out there trying to follow their dreams. She did not see her faith in God as an obstacle in acting. As an actress, Mother Dolores had a strong relationship with God and ask Him to guide her in her career. That to me is important to remember and that is that God does not get in the way of our plans but instead always trying to make us live life to the fullest. Eventually her time in Hollywood would come to an end due to her heart telling her that she should enter the monastery. She kept her faith strong in the monastery as she would face a strict old fashion observance of monastic life. Mother Dolores would adjust but at the same time her new and fresh ideas would change the environment of her monastery for the better. She knew her gifts and she did not want to suppress them inside the monastery. Instead she gave glory to God of being herself even in monastic life. Great book!
