Brides of Christ
Diane, a young woman growing up in mid-1960s Australia, walks away from her fiancé to join a convent after being sure she has a calling to the faith. The Catholic Church and its followers are struggling with huge changes. The Pope has died, there is war in Vietnam and mandatory conscription, there is the Vatican controversy on abortion and contraception, and the face of the Church as a whole is changing. In this 6-part story, Diane faces her own demons and must finally decide whether she can teach what the Church preaches, or if reconciling all of the contradictions of the faith and upholding her vow of obedience are simply impossible for her.
- 1991-1991
- 1 season
- A+E Networks
- Drama
Diane, a young woman growing up in mid-1960s Australia, walks away from her fiancé to join a convent after being sure she has a calling to the faith. The Catholic Church and its followers are struggling with huge changes. The Pope has died, there is war in Vietnam and mandatory conscription, there is the Vatican controversy on abortion and contraception, and the face of the Church as a whole is changing. In this 6-part story, Diane faces her own demons and must finally decide whether she can teach what the Church preaches, or if reconciling all of the contradictions of the faith and upholding her vow of obedience are simply impossible for her.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 1991
Episode 1
Diane
55 mins
Shortly after her father's death, Diane Markham walks away from her fiancé and chooses to enter the convent. From the beginning she has difficulty; she fails to get along with her postulant mistress and she has a particular friendship with another member of her order, Veronica. Diane wants to focus on the gospels instead of the Church fathers. After her novitiate, Diane is transferred to another convent, much to Veronica's grief.
Episode 2
Frances
55 mins
After their novitiate is completed Sister Catherine (Diane) returns to Santo Spirito Convent School to the joy of Sister Paul (Veronica). Sisters Paul and Catherine are teaching teenager Frances, a loner who has difficulty at school. Her parents are divorced and her mother plans to remarry. After the Bishop says no to Liz and Roger marrying in a Catholic ceremony, the two plan to marry in a Civil ceremony. After getting permission from Mother Ambrose, Frances, Sister Paul, and Catherine attend the wedding, but Sister Agnes and a few of the students find out. Liz and Frances are ostracized by the nuns and students with the exception of Sisters Paul and Catherine and Rosemary and Brigid. Thankfully, all wrongs are righted when Frances gets the lead in the school play and is confirmed into the Catholic faith. Frances is very happy to have two good dads, a great mum, and two best friends.
Episode 3
Ambrose
55 mins
Vatican II causes turmoil in the Order with its instructions for change and simplification within the Church; a lay teacher arrives at the convent.
Episode 4
Rosemary
55 mins
Rosemary, a student at the convent school, struggles with her own awakening independence and education about her sexuality, from which she has been sheltered.
Episode 5
Paul
55 mins
While Mother Ambrose is in Rome, Agnes is in charge. She asks Catherine to teach the official line against contraception and Catherine begins to find the compromises she is forced to make as a nun almost overwhelming. With Brenda Fricker as Sister Agnes, Sandy Gore as Mother Ambrose, Josephine Byrnes as Sister Catherine, Lisa Hensley as Sister Paul, Stuart Finch as Father Riordan, Russell Newman as Brother Louis, Keith Holloway as Lawrie Tierney, Hayden Samuels as Andrew Tierney, Michael Winchester as Martin Tierney, Craig Black as James Tierney, Nic Gazzana as Frank, Rose Frasca as Sylvana, Salvatore Coco as Joe, Barbara Corapi as Gina, Tracey Tainsh as Helen, Ned Manning as Sean, Peter Loncar as Teseriero, Timothy Dufore as Baritone Singer, David Hoey as Ross, Antonio Mirabito as Rocco, Andrew Farrugia as Luccino, Petrina Warlow as Teacher, Penny Stehli as Sister Patrick, Beth Champion as Sister Clare, Joy Hruby as Sister Polycarp, Connie Hobbs as Sister Pierre, Irene Rowland as Sister Perpetua, Ann Fay as Sister Innocent, Michelle Pettrigrove as Sister Francine, Mary-Ann Henshaw as Novice Denise, Naomi Watts as Frances Heffernan, Kym Wilson as Rosemary Fitzgerald, Melissa Thomas as Brigid Maloney, Kirsty McGregor as Caroline, and Vanessa Collier as Jacinta.
Episode 6
Catherine
55 mins
Agnes, in charge while Mother Ambrose is in Rome, asks Catherine to teach the official line against contraception, and Catherine begins to find the compromises she is forced to make as a nun almost overwhelming.