Sister Wendy Beckett

Anyway, she comes across as being happy. I don't think she would if she was truly living a selfish lifestyle.

What's wrong with a selfish lifestyle anyway? So long as you don't take from, or harm, anyone else?

I like Sister Wendy. I've got a lot of respect for her too.

Mishap, you say you don't think she's doing anyone any good. That may be true for you, but if she's spending her life in prayer then those who believe may feel that she is.

I don't understand why she is/was selfish. That suggests that she has done something at the expense of someone else. She is a hermit who is protected by the Carmelite nuns. It may not be your belief but it is hers. She has spent her life in the service of God and the world.

By the way, I do not think that prayer is pointless, even though I do not think there is anyone listening. I have appreciated the prayers of those of my friends who are religious as I know it means that they are thinking of me and wishing me well, when times are hard.

This lady was the subject of an article in a Sunday paper a few weeks ago. She did say that she found it difficult to get on with people and could not possibly have coped with marriage.

To be honest I do not think she is doing anyone any good and she has "copped out" of real life and engaging with her fellows. But I do not begrudge her that - she is not doing anyone any harm, which might have been the case if she had tried to go against her nature and get on with people.

There will always be the "lighthouse keepers" of this world who function better in isolation and if she has found a harmless way of doing so then that is fine.

For those of us who do believe in prayer, it seems to me she is doing a great job. And she did make the point that many activities can be interpreted as prayer. I remember, some years ago when life was rather difficult, hearing a radio programme in which we were reminded that given the distribution of contemplative Religious orders and their way of life, someone somewhere will be praying for us. I found that very comforting at 3 am when I couldn't sleep. And I've learned a lot from Sister Wendy's art programmes over the years.

From what I could gather from the programme this morning, she gave up teaching in her 30s, so was living a life of prayer long before she was 82.

Mother Theresa had many critics, I wasn't one them because I felt that overall she did much good work with the starving and homeless in Calcutta.

You compared her to the ultra orthodox.

I don't understand why an 82 year old who earns her living and spends her time in prayer could be called selfish.

Of course if you think prayer is pointless that is a matter for you, but it's no more selfish that watching the TV or listening to music.

I'm not troubled by her MiceElf - just commented that it seems a rather selfish lifestyle - I'm sure she's a lovely lady!

Also, I didn't say she she had influence - was referring to the situation in Israel.

She is 82

Oh I caught a glimpse of her on the telly yesterday [has she got a programme on at Christmas?] so she's been on my mind as well. I actually thought she was dead . Given that I'm having a rubbish time at work at the moment you've given me an idea . Might phone in and say I'm not coming in due to stress but I'll pray for everyone!

I'm not quite sure why you are troubled by a harmless eccentric - I've just looked at the Wikipedia entry about her, and she has, in the course if her life, been useful and given pleasure to many through her art interpretation. As for influence, the lady has none. She is not attached to any religious order any more and earns her own living. There are a lot of single ladies who do just that.