Here are some more photos from Iwona Biedermann’s series Beyond the Veil:

Sunday Service – Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Convent

The Felician Sisters Sunday Service – Mother of Good Counsel Convent

Bible Reading – Mother of Good Counsel Convent

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth praying with Rosary and time during meditation

Beyond the Veil Series
Beyond the Veil series portrays the private moments in the lives of Catholic Nuns in Chicago. At the end of the XIX century, Polish Nuns arrived in small numbers to greet the growing wave of Polish immigrants and their families. The Felician Sister, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and The Sisters of the Resurrection opened schools, hospitals, orphanages and retirement centers. They provided much needed assistance to emigrants and played a major role in preserving the heritage of the Polish immigrant community in Chicago throughout the XX century.

Many of the Sisters in the photographs have known each other and lived together for the majority of their lives. They were teachers, nurses, political activist, chefs and artists. “They served the need of their time” and now the number of sisters is growing smaller and older. The Sisters who I have met are women who made the choice to serve God by serving others through contemplation and action. Getting to know them and following the rhythm of their daily activities – from moments of contemplation, prayer or religious service, to moments of afternoon bingo or an evening card game – revealed glimpses of our shared human experience.