DP/30: The Real "Philomena" and her daughter, Jane

Judi Dench stars in Philomena, the true-life story of Philomena Lee, who is searching for her son who was sold to Americas in Ireland by the nuns who took her in when she became an unmarried pregnant woman. The movie (directed by Stephen Frears and co-written and co-starring Steve Coogan) is getting loving reviews and word-of-mouth. But here is the opportunity to meet the real Philomena Lee, accompanied by her daughter Jane. They spoke to David Poland about the movie, the real experience, and the differences.
Shot in Los Angeles, October 2013
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[@sm3296]

Appalled at this interviewer who thought her having other children would cancel the pain of losing her firstborn. A mother never forgets a child no matter how many she had.

[@samanthab1923]

Do you know it’s true you can’t replace them but I swear my parents would have stayed together after the loss of my sister. They were still young enough. My dad was ready to have a vasectomy reversed. There were 5 of us & right before my mom was going back to work she had a scare.

[@glendacolman9041]

You could have a hundred more children but not one of them would be your first born and not one of them would be that child. If a spouse died, no one would go up to the survivor at the funeral and say "don't worry about him/her, you will forget them, you can meet someone else".

[@samanthab1923]

@@glendacolman9041 Many have done it. Survivors of Oklahoma City bombing & the parents of Something about Aunt Diane. I never would have thought about it at the time but with age & my own child & can see it. My son has had his own loses with his dad & grand dad dying but he is also aware of my brother, sister & Dad who died before was born. He

[@aleanbh3808]

Yes he doesn’t get it. He thought her being aged18+ would make a difference. Shows his lack of basic research

[@sarahbyrne8501]

It’s a common reaction amongst the medical profession in Ireland, when my boy died, the doctor who carried out the autopsy, came to see me, and whilst eating a sandwich, asked me did I have any other children… I answered yes, … his response was , that’s good - it will keep you busy… Ireland, the isle of saints scholars, pedophiles, and rapists. And that’s just the clergy. Never will the Catholic Church fool the Irish like they did. That’s why they shipped in refugees from the eastern block, and ex-colony’s in Africa. Cause ain’t nobody joining the cause from the native Irish. And thank the gods for that. ❤🇮🇪

[@lookingupwithwonder]

My dad was given up to foster homes in Ireland in 1942, he was severely abused, in 8 different orphanages in the first 7 years of his life. A child needs to be with the people who love them.

[@leroylang2453]

+Rebecca Gray Sorry to hear about your dad. The abusive behavior and the guilt and shame that these warped people instilled in children and adults should never be forgotten.

[@zestead814]

@@leroylang2453 long live guilt and shame!

[@gummiberryjuice]

My grandpob was born in a workhouse in 1925, and when his mum died when he was 2 he was taken to Styal cottage homes orphanage, which is now a women's prison, so you can imagine what it was like. They still find toys hidden behind bricks where kids would hide them so they didn't get taken away x

[@standup2982]

@@gummiberryjuice that's heartbreaking 💔

[@gummiberryjuice]

@@standup2982 my grandpob only had 2 toys in his whole life. They were given to him by older boys who left the orphanage (at 14 for apprenticeships that we're set up for them my grandpob didn't know when his birthday was until his 14th birthday when they shipped him out with his birth certificate). He had roller skates that he hid in the wall, until someone found them and stole the wheels, and a little Christmas tree decoration that he kept under his pillow to take out and look at at night 😭 x

[@paulalane2176]

When I was growing up, all we knew was that Michael (Anthony) was adopted. We were his West Coast cousins from California. We didn’t know all the particulars, or at least I didn’t. When we heard there was a book and a movie about his adoption, we of course went to see the movie. It was my aunt that adopted Mary and Michael. The movie was such a tear jerker, especially for me since he was my cousin. Didn’t really know anything about this. All we knew is that he was adopted and that he started to learn how to read when he was two. We were informed that he was a very bright boy. He became a lawyer. He turned out to be a very successful young man. It’s heartbreaking that the two of them, Michael and his mother, never got to be reunited. And it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

[@lovetotrav]

Paula Lane Wow! What a shock for you watching the movie! I'm soooo curious about Mary. What ever became of her? Did she ever meet her biological mom or become curious about her roots when the movie was released? There isn't any info. on her after the movie. Do you know what ever happened her? Thank you for your comment/reply.

[@gillianstapleton8566]

😢💔💔💔

[@standup2982]

Thank you Paula, it's so heartbreaking, those poor Mothers and children.

[@rr7firefly]

Michael was a student at the University of Notre Dame. Do you know much about his life there? I'm asking because I spoke with someone who lived in Badin Hall during those same years and he wondered if Michael was a fellow hall resident who he only knew in passing. This was before Notre Dame went co-ed. It's a bit ironic, I think, that he went to school at the home of the Fighting Irish.

[@glendalandry-campbell7352]

Did Mary ever find her mother?

[@ingridbergli6216]

[@aughalough1]

I didn't know anything about this so I decided to do some research and here's what I found: First off, the movie was written by a Scottish actor who watched the Channel 4 special one night and was outraged at what he saw. He didn't research the validity of the story nor speak to the women who gave their testimonies, but he wrote a movie about them. The movie is actually stated as a work of fiction, not a non-fictional or even a historical work. The "based upon a true story" phrase is overused and usually quite loose to the real stories. Actually, if you watch until the end of the movie and let the credits roll through, there's a disclaimer at the end stating the characters are "entirely fictional". Example of this would be "An American Haunting" it's based upon a true story but pretty much the only thing similar in the story and the movie are the names of the people. The supposed true encounters never happened except for one and even that was exploited over what the true encounter was. Half of what happened in that movie wasn't even true and the other half that was, was barely. Second, the Magdalene Institute was started as a way to get women off the streets because of the prostitute problem in Ireland. Many women couldn't be hired for a job because of the promiscuous life they led and as unfair as that may seem, that was the time period back then. If you were unmarried and got pregnant, you either married the man who got you that way or you were thrown from the family. Women who were promiscuous were usually disinherited from their families and thrown into the streets to fend for themselves. The Sisters of Mercy started the Magdalene Institute to allow prostitutes, unwed mothers and abused women and girls a place of refuge. They were allowed to leave as they pleased once they were old enough and there are quite a few reports of that as well. Many came back though, as they had no other place to go. Third, these institutes weren't only ran by the Catholic Church, the Church only founded it. They were spread throughout qute a few continents and other church sects ran them as well (they weren't really an organized organization, but quite sporadic). There was even one in San Francisco until the late 1930's. The movie only makes it look like it was only ran by the Church and made them look cruel and evil, which may have not been the case. Unfortunately, there isn't much known about these places, though glass on top of the walls to avoid escaping women was certainly not true. I can only go by what I've found, the Catholic Church did come out and apologize to anyone who might've been abused and did pay compensation to those who were abused. I ask though you think about this: In 150 years of these Asylums in use, there were over 30,000 women placed within them for varying reasons. Yet there was never a mutiny though the nuns there were outnumbered 5 to 1, if not more, and many of the women there joined the Sisters of Mercy once old enough--freely, might I add. These supposed abused, overworked and poor women joined with their supposed captors and worked to abuse and imprison others the same way they had been without feeling an inkling of remorse, guilt or sorrow. Also, if you committed some heinous crime like this, would you sell your property to a real estate agent knowing what lay behind those walls? Certainly not, but the nuns did, they sold the land and didn't try to hide anything, if they were those unmarked graves wouldn't have been found. Right? I'm not saying that it didn't happen, but I don't believe we have the whole story and there's more to this than what "The Magdalene Sisters" shows. Actually, there's less I should say but it's a pity, this movie has made a mockery out of something that should've been taken seriously. He's thrown people into outraged accusations and placed a large amount of propaganda out there for Anti-Catholic organizations that will now use this to pollute people's aspect upon the Catholic Church while the validity of the situation is still undecided. I believe if this really did happen, then it was an isolated incident, not a world wide conspiricy the Catholic Church was trying, and horribly failing, to cover up. The reason there was no pay was because for their work they received room and board, clothes, food and a place away from the harsh conditions beyond the Institute. As for the compensation, the Catholic Church has already paid it to those who showed signs of abuse and the likes. I just thought I should post what I found for others to see that the movie isn't correct, not even close so please research it.www.straightdope.com/columns/0504... www.lariat.org/AtTheMovies/old/ma... www.geocities.com/Heartland/2964/...

[@mrsadjepong]

aughalough1 it's not right that you are here writing a long passage to discredit the experiences of many Irish women who were hard done by their church and government. The discrepancies in the movie does not take away from the horrendous experiences many of the Magdalene women faced. There a lot more stories out there that testify to the mistreatment of women in these institutions. Many weren't even in the laundries because they had committed a crime. Any were put in these homes because there was a fear that they might end up with child.

[@ookaminukiba]

aughalough1 Are you actually serious? This type of story is true and it happened to thousands of Irish woman, my grandmother almost became one of them. Have some respect. Jesus Christ this woman's story is true, these asylums abused woman and made them suffer for stupid reasons, for fuck sake you could be put into one if you were considered pretty in case you'd get pregnant if you weren't married. You could be put into one if you were sexually assaulted, if you were a girl kept in an orphanage because your mother was one of the "Maggie's" you could be put into the asylum. You could be sent to one for any stupid little reason. So much horrible shit happened and the Catholic church hasn't done shit for these women and others who were abused by the church. Woman and children were even killed in these places, unmarked graves were discovered on the grounds of some of these asylums and there were unknown woman buried in these graves that weren't on any records kept by the nuns. Only about 2 years ago a sewerage tank was found containing the skeletal remains of almost 800 baby's on land that was part of a Madeline asylum orphanage that had been sold off. Don't you dare disrespect these woman and children who were put though hell in these places.

[@namimusic4157]

aughalough1

[@aughalough1]

Alanna Butler-Gallagher, You say "woman and children were killed in these places in unmarked graves and no records were kept by the nuns." Your statement simply repeats the prejudices that lead to the original articles - unsubstantiated nonesense. Single mothers in western societies were once forced to give up their children for adoption - this was undertaken by many state run institutions as well as those run by religions. State orphanages and adoption agencies did exactly the same. This was well known to the community and had widespread support at the time. Of course, these days we leave children with dysfunctional families where they are maltreated and killed by their own parents.

[@ookaminukiba]

aughalough1 Are you actually serious? Woman and children were literally killed in these places, how is that prejudice. Do you think it was a good thing for children to be taken away from their mothers because they were single? Just because it was supported at the time doesn't mean it was a good thing to do or that it was right. Sadly some children are left with dysfunctional families, it's always been a thing regardless of time or where you are in the world, it's not just a problem now.

[@oldtired1127]

May God gives you peace

[@kurdiberwari1444]

How i can find Miss Philomenia could someone tell me ?!

[@LithaMoonSong]

I'll have to assume 38 nuns gave this video the thumbs down....??? Who does that? This dear woman is quite brave coming forward to expose the crimes of the Catholic church.

[@MarieBleakley-do5cw]

My mum was one of the children of Ireland born in a workhouse convent, she never knew her real mother , she was taken from her , I always think about my grandmother Mary Brennan.who she was ? Where did she go ? What was her life ? Did she think of my mum ? My beautiful mother passed away 3 months ago three weeks off turning 90 never knowing her real story. My hope is they are united in heaven . My greatest wish is to find their story in my life , where do you start , everyone is so secretive 🙏🙏🙏

[@deniseboden1984]

😢😢sorry for your mum and your family and ofcourse your granny 😢

[@sharon95576]

Thank you so much for your true story. It means a lot to me cos i was also adopted out at birth as my biological mother was 16 years of age and un-married when i was born. I was born in Nelson, New Zealand in the year 1963. My mother was told she had to sign the adoption papers early in her pregnancy by her parents. There is much more to my story BUT this isn't about me... this is about Philomea Lee who i respect greatly. Thanks again.

[@AmorCreaseLabourLawConsu-sm8wv]

😢❤

[@MoM-do7js]

I too was adopted out of Sean Ross Abbey, born in 1958 and sold by these demons to my wonderful parents in Illinois, USA . Never was able to know my biological mom 😢

[@PoshMonsterTV]

She is such a strong, amazing woman! Her story fascinates me- I listened to every word she said. Those awful crimes committed against un married pregnant women were unforgivable!

[@tomthx5804]

What the hell are you talking about? did you not understand what she said? 1) she had sex with a boy she hardly knew. 2) she got pregnant 3)her family threw her out 4) the nuns took her in when nobody else would 5) she agreed that what she wanted to do was give up the baby and have the nuns adopt the baby out, never to be seen by her again, 6) the nuns adopted the baby to america 7) An author later claims the nuns stole her baby and sold him 8) the nuns did not take money for the adoption 9) hollywood lies and makes a movie

[@zephyr056]

The nuns were paid by the state to run their homes. The nuns did not take money for the adoption but if the new parents did not make a donation the adoption probably would not have happened.

[@Bambi-ru7kl]

The nuns denied a dying man who had gone to them for information, more than once, about his birth mother and also never told his mother about him trying to find her knowing this would be the last chance for them to see one another. That is unforgiveable.

[@standup2982]

@@tomthx5804 fuck off.

[@shonajordan1553]

@@zephyr056 they got money for adoption yes. They’d sell women’s babies without their consent

[@givemespikeplzorauto4426]

This went on until later than you would think. A friend of mine from Kerry became pregnant in the 90's, and went to a convent rather than tell her family she was pregnant at 18. She told her family she was working in England, but she was really in a convent in Ireland. She would write letters about her supposed working life to her family, and the nuns would send her letters to a convent in England. The nuns in England would post her letters back to Ireland to make it seem like she was really living in England. (So they would have an English postmark on the envelope.) After a while my friend's family became suspicious, and decided to visit her in England. At that point my heavily pregnant friend and the nuns made a plan to pretend she had been transferred to a job on the island of Jersey, making it much harder for her family to visit. From then on, all of her letters were sent from Ireland to Jersey, and back to her family in Ireland with a Jersey postmark. She had her baby in Ireland, and was given three weeks upon the leaving the convent to come back for the baby. As soon as she went back to Kerry from her 'work' in England, her family knew something was wrong. Within hours of her return to the family home, they were in a car on the way to Dublin to get the baby back. That baby is now in her 20's and she is adored by her family and friends. Love to all of you who have gone through similar circumstances. XOXO

[@mulu2132]

That's a happy ending. That isn't necessarily a continuation of the circumstances philomena went through though. Perhaps because society isn't as strict, or the church no longer had such a strong influence over state/government policies? Because we know ambitious people (those looking to make money) who have connections in government, or a sense of impunity, will almost always throw caution to the wind when trampling on people's human rights

[@ruthsayers1163]

Thank God you were allowed to keep your baby. So many people weren't.

[@Tipperary757]

I found the movie a little too flippant in some ways. In fact, I thought they portrayed Philomena as a bit ditzy when she was worldly in many ways through her difficult work. She has done a great service by going public although I think the movie did not expose the horror of the mother and baby homes. I know Philomena speaks kindly as she doesn't want to be ostracized. This movie could have done more show dimensions of an organized system to have mothers raise their babies to age two, always knowing they would be taken away. They had no control. This would affect them for the rest of their lives, not to mention the lives of their children. The nuns worked actively to keep mothers and children apart forever -- diabolical.

[@52RKaren]

Tragic story and it happened to hundreds of young women. My aunt was in such a place in Canada and I have been unable to get any justice or records from the Catholic Church or from Justin Trudeau's office. This interviewer failed to bring out the depth of how the Church deceived Philomena for years, regarding her son. It's disgusting.

[@rcg9573]

All organized religion is based on deception and fear mongering. This story is just one of thousands of examples that proves that.

[@onewotldgovernmentonlywhen9044]

Tell your aunt to have a DNA test with all companies.

[@onewotldgovernmentonlywhen9044]

This also happened in The USA even of married people

[@melissamechele]

I so love hearing the TRUE story. God Bless Philomena Lee.

[@dorothylynnteskeymason8220]

We must teach our Girl children and grand children of the urgency of the male sex drive!

[@antoniosilvestro2494]

A sad film but I could forgive too.

[@vandahuman8522]

In my family we had a couple of girls who fell pregnant put of wedlock, BUT these young girls were not sent away, or referred to as an embarrassment to the family, the family rallied around and the young girls and their babies were looked after. The Catholic Church, Priests and the Nuns have a lot to answer for not only for the way these young mothers were treated but also for all the young children that were physically and sexually abused by the nuns and priests, and those who were shipped off to all corners or the world without family consent, also the young children who were abused by the priests and the Vatican knew all about the abuse and did nothing except to send pedophile to another county, city, village. I detest the Catholic Church, priests etc and all they stand for.

[@sheilanixon4479]

My Uncle, born in 1906, was adopted by his aunt and her husband ,who could not have any children, His young parents aged 16 and 17 ,eventually married ,but never had any other children. The adopters took my uncle to London , and his parents could not find out where he was. My uncle only found out the truth when he got married in 1933.

[@ruthsayers1163]

Not all catholics are bad, there are some really good ones. It was the way things were done in Ireland, and apparently in other countries, at that time, and at other times as well. I'm not trying to excuse it, because what those nuns did was really bad, but I don't think people need to hate the whole of the Catholic Church because of it. There are good and bad people everywhere. Some Catholics are really amazing.

[@elsedutch4972]

@@ruthsayers1163 catholics are part of the system, no institution without enablers!, but not every catholic is evil, just utterly naive to believe the dogmas of Rome

[@YTfancol]

Lovely woman. Her daughter is awesome, too. What a cruel thing she had to go thru. Spain is full of similar cases and they are only being discovered now and one nun went to trial.

[@selah71]

During the time I lived in Spain when a military wife, we helped an orphanage ran by nuns by giving food and money. One day the nuns offered us to take a little girl, she was 5 years old, for the weekend and we gladly did. It was winter. The orphanage didn't have heat and it was so chilly some girls fingers and lips had tinges of bluish color. The thick walls damp. So, I was thrilled to take her to our place that offered comforting warmth and a warm family atmosphere. Then, we'd be offered two girls and couldn't say no. They were a delight and became friends with our children of the same age. It all seemed natural at the time. Now, I look back at how naive I was and wonder how the nuns could offer to send children off with people for even a few minutes, let alone days. They NEVER asked for ID or even our address. I shudder to think the possibility they sent children off with people who may have treated the girls horribly to abuse. The nuns knew us because of how we'd helped a long time, but still! I can only hope that the girls were always safe.

[@kyldy]

No one should ever apologise for a life. having a child is never a "mortal sin". This is a real sad thing and happened so many times. Stolen children.

[@deecee9548]

Just came across this... having watched the film, and now this, I would really love for Jane to write a book about the journey to make this happen. She seems strong - like her mum - and I am pretty sure that her investigation skills would help so many others. Essentially, I am saying 'thank you Jane for loving and supporting your mum through this. It's so touching to see how Philomena refers you with love and admiration'. I think Jane has her own story to tell regarding this journey, and one which would equally compelling

[@heartnotes7005]

This almost happened to myself when I was 16 and pregnant award of the state. I ran and had my child under a different name and social security number and stayed in hiding until I turned 18 than I went to court to claim maternity on my Son. This story could have been an reality to me and was very emotional for me to watch. This is such a story of heartbreak and gut wrenching pain missing her Son. I so wished for a better ending of the story for her and her son, and she is def a inspiration to me especially when she forgave the Sister...I know I could have not.

[@AmorCreaseLabourLawConsu-sm8wv]

😢❤

[@blueskybelyr]

The film left me in pieces, and it's such a joy to see how witty and fun and clever the real person is, even as I adored her in the movie. Being from Ireland, the whole aspect of Catholic guilt and the constraints of Irish culture - especially back in the era of the 50s - it really resonated with me. It's a colossal tragedy that so many families were split apart and kept from one another, and I agree with Philomena that it's something that should be talked about more, if not to make those culpable accountable, then to reunite the mothers and children. It's terribly sad that Michael/Anthony and Philomena never met again, but hopefully some other families will have happier endings. Maybe even thanks to Philomena and Martin's efforts to bring this issue into the light.

[@lisawassberg8455]

What is the title of this film and what channel is it on . Watching form UK. Thankyou..

[@lookingupwithwonder]

She is saying that she was a nuisance by crying and being heartbroken for having her baby taken from her. She was not a nuisance. She was having a NORMAL reaction. I am heartbroken just hearing this story.

[@tomthx5804]

Did anyone ask the nuns their side of the story? no. you are an idiot

[@Lucyinthskyy]

Tom thx they have no right to 'their story' regarding other peoples live. What are you on?

[@lightpostfilms9721]

Tom, Kindly go fuck yourself.

[@Montrosesister12]

Rebecca Gray girl I would’ve broken out somehow. Someway somehow this girl would’ve been gone!!!!!!!!

[@gondwanaland3238]

@Chrissie 1950 Thousand English Pounds.

[@scottiew7276]

I am an adoptee who has recently been reunited with my mom after 47 years of adoption-separation. The horrors of adoption are quite real and though I was adopted right from birth my mother has told me about some of the pain that she also had to endure because of the horror's she had to go through....I think that I need to see this movie but my mom has decided that it would be too painful for her! I am ELATED that I found my mother and she is AMAZED that I "came home" as I am the ONLY child that she ever allowed herself to have because of the Trauma involved in her decision.....Thank you Philomena and Jane for sharing your story! RIP Anthony!

[@bambi96677]

Scottie W Bit of respect though for family brought you up !

[@mariaalfaro5870]

You are so lucky to have found your mother that you are both alive!!!!

[@soeffingwhat]

Scottie W So many "pro-life" people say to choose adoption over abortion. I would prefer to say the same to be honest, but its not always easy. Can I ask what you think as an adoptee?

[@florenceobrien2822]

Shocking film but true evil witches of nuns hope burn in hell

[@rosarivera2360]

@@florenceobrien2822 what's the name of this movie?

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

And she helped those tormented souls in the hospital for 30 years. What a marvellous lady. 💞

[@19irving]

Wow, she kind of reminds me of my mother, another old Irish lady the same age. My mother didn't go through what she did, but she had a baby die who she wasn't allowed to ever see or mourn properly. I don't know that she has ever had true closure. He is buried in a mass grave w/other dead babies in NY where we grew up, although they do list all the names buried there, so it's not like they totally disappeared.

[@IrishMags100]

I love my Irish heritage but this part of it makes me so ashamed but it was all the fault of the Catholic Church. Philomena you are an amazing person and as is your daughter you have been trough so much heartbreak but I’m sure Anthony is your guardian angel watching over you. R.I.P. Anthony and God bless you and your family Philomena 🙏🙏💚☘️😢😢

[@audreyheil]

The scene where Anthony is taken away in the car and is looking out of the back window ... it couldn't be more poignant if it were made up, such a wrenching scene ... what heartbreaking years this young woman had in the convent.

[@marinarozenkevich6736]

I just cannot believe this happened only 60 years ago....Thank you so much for sharing your story. I hope it will help some children and parents find each other

[@LadyPercy.]

As a Roman Catholic women with Irish and Italian ancestry I am heartbroken for these ‘Magdalene’ women and their children. Is it little wonder that Irish women are now at last able to raise their voice and are so bravely demanding what every other women in Europe has been entitled to for years. I’m not advocating abortion on demand here, but for women to have open access to education and sexual health services. The women of Philomena’s era were treated and discarded by church, state and sometimes family in the most cruel way. My heart weeps for Anthony and his mother who were robbed of finding each other. Although the book and film differ slightly from the actual truth it has finally given Philomena her voice.

[@MrKennethAGray]

Totally evil the church should pay for this ,after all they made a lot of money from selling these poor children.

[@nutsyb4327]

What a lovely woman. It's such a tragedy that her son died before she looked for him but at least she got some closure and to learn about his life. She can be happy that he had a good life.

[@Riana.dS.]

It is indeed very tragic that nuns lied to both Philomena and her son. Absolutely shocking. They could have met and spent some time together, before his death. So terribly sad.

[@melliecrann-gaoth4789]

@@Riana.dS.disgusting

[@cathsutton1490]

I have just watched this film, Thank you Philomina for sharing your story,Anthony will be watching over you now and always lovely lady...

[@JacquiQ]

My mother was Catholic. She gave me up to adoption when she was widowed and pregnant to a boyfriend she had. She never told her next husband or her children ..the shame...it was all about the shame. I feel so deprived that we never knew eachither that we were kept apart so cruelly by a system that told me I was the daughter of some strangers. I get on with my life but I can never get back all those years I never had my mother in my life, never knew her name, never knew where she was, never knew my story, never knew anything about my any of my family. Cruel and not Christian at all. Thank G*d things are different now.

[@nickyjones2709]

They used religion to control people, while they committed all sorts of evil acts on vulnerable little children. May God judge them accordingly.

[@dily44]

I went to a convent school and I witnessed first hand how cruel the "Sisters" could be. I could never understand how they called themselves Brides Of Christ. There was an orphanage attached to the school and those children were treated so bad. I have just finished watching the movie Philomena and my heart is broken for what she went through. Her Son was taken from her twice. What little happiness they could have had together was cruely denied them by these so called Sisters

[@tomthx5804]

You are a liar. your picture shows a young woman far to young to have gone to those schools

[@BadcatV]

Tom thx oh bless - it's the apologist - again.

[@dily44]

@@tomthx5804 A liar? I was born in 1964 your ignorance is beyond belief and it's people like you who walk around with blinkers don't want to know the truth so jog on

[@dily44]

@@tomthx5804 Also I never said I went to THAT school. I said I went to a school taught by Nuns and some of them were very cruel

[@rcg9573]

It’s amazing the evil that humans have done to other humans for over 1,000 years in the name of religion.

[@Mantus77]

Her story 💔is so heartbreaking! I can only imagine, the pain she would’ve felt wondering about her son for all those years🤧 and also for all the Irish children who were taken away from their mothers. This makes me SO MAD.. May God bless her soul and that of her family, especially her beloved son. RIP Anthony! ❤️

[@TheBirdGeek]

I saw the movie today and it was extremely powerful and moving. It is heart-wrenching. I am so grateful to Philomena for sharing her painful story which she kept private for so many years.

[@susancarlin1821]

I’ve read the book and seen the film I find it heartbreaking. Wrong on so many levels and they had the audacity to remove her son then send her to look after other children. It never ceases to amaze me how human beings can hurt one another . What a wonderful lady xx

[@rcg9573]

It’s amazing the evil humans will do in the name of religion, particularly Western religion. Been going on for centuries.

[@janettedavis6627]

The movie has a lot of lies the nuns did tell her he was dead. Unfortunately her family would have been secretly behind the adoption Many of these children never had the mother visit them ever abandoning the child freed them up to marry and have other children. I know a girl she never saw her mother once she went in . She married very well when she contacted her mother 27 years later she was married and had other children but didn't want to know her first child.

[@terri6854]

No, they did NOT tell her that. If they had she would never have agreed to the journalist going to America to find her son.

[@samanthab1923]

Those nuns are pure evil. I sensed it as a kid. Gave me the creeps. I was young for my grade, Sept. 21 birthday. So Catholic school was out until 3rd grade. They were frightening with those man glasses.

[@evelynhall3274]

What a beautiful mother and devoted daughter what an amazing inspiring story 🤗

[@noreenbuckley5870]

It's hard to be leave how different it was then I was their and sad to think how your baby was the awful price you had to pay for not been told the facts of life. We were all so brain washed. I was told to wash my body wit my eyes closed as a young girl I washed so fast as we were told it was a sin to look at your body it's all so Sad

[@AnabananaBeauty]

What an extraordinary woman! I could never forgive the evil those nuns committed! Shes a better woman than most. God bless her x

[@noeleen5250]

thinking the same thing ..I would have drop kicked that nun through the window...and I am Irish "Catholic"..

[@tomthx5804]

your an idiot who believes a fake story

[@standup2982]

@@tomthx5804 you sound like a Catholic priest.

[@moirapettifr7127]

Omg the nuns! They used to have such unlimited power against little children and parents. In 1963 when I was in gradeschool in a New York catholic school *which I shall not name). It doesn't exist anymore and it is impossible to track down those nuns who abused us so badly. Gdd they were mean ladies and honestly today we could sue them for what they did. I've met meaner people but these nuns were not meant to be around little children! Horrid women.

[@zeldalang4923]

What an amazing woman you are. I think your right your story will hopefully enable others to find their lost families.

[@beatnikrn2945]

I haven’t cried in a long while over a movie, but this one had me bawling. As we get older we realize what sort of pain people went through for such a senseless and outdated principle. My biological children were born in Thailand, and at the time I had a difficult time trying to get their passports, and to get them out of the country. (You don’t realize how hard it is for an American parent to get on a plane with two Asian children until you see it first hand). At one point someone from the immigration department said I would need to go back to the US, then return for them once the paperwork was straightened out. I made quite a scene at the airport telling them that I was not leaving this country without my children. (There is a future book/movie in this that my children may one day be telling). So I could only imagine her helplessness and grief. God bless you Philomena.

[@ruthsayers1163]

What happened after that? After you said you weren't leaving Thailand without your children?

[@AmorCreaseLabourLawConsu-sm8wv]

😢❤

[@moirapettifr7127]

I want back to the Catholic school I attended for the 2nd and 3rd grades. My memories are of being scared and cold. Even my mother wondered why they sent those nuns to teach children - as they were so cruel and provided us nothing in the way of group activities, art or music. We sat at individual desks all day not allowed to wee or play. Anyway, the school was closed with absolutely no information at all. They went into hiding for good reason! Those nuns were terrible terrible women, without exception. Edited to add that the two parish priests were later "sent away" as well. (I think I got my revenge as I got pinworms one year and spread it to the entire class, hopefully to the nuns as well lol!)

[@bigjulie3714]

Two class ladies... calm and logical. Well done plus a great +++ movie

[@harrypotter347]

She is a great woman and I LOVED the movie! I do feel sorry for all that those girls went through. Those nuns should be at least ashamed of what they did.

[@tracynasidka-ciccone6733]

My grandmother Norah Mary Tracy was in that home where my mother was born in 1945 and put into foster care to a wonderful family.

[@Melzmum]

Good on this lady for abandoning the Catholic religion. What despicable people they were! I speak from experience as I was raised Catholic and also abandoned the faith decades ago. I feel such sorrow for 'Philomena' . My heart breaks for her and the millions of others in a similar situation. Personally, I could never forgive the nuns had it been me in this situation.

[@janettedavis6627]

In the movie she didn't abandon her faith. Philomena admits her father didn't want her or the child. Don't blame all on the Nuns.

[@laurie113]

I will never forgive the nuns I knew🇨🇦

[@roryobrien4401]

Abuse is not the sole prerogative of the Catholic religion. I'm not trying to defend the Church, goodness knows I haven't darkened the door of a Catholic church in years and have no intention of ever doing so, but I could ask you about the abuse that took place at the Kincora Protestant boys home in Northern Ireland for a start. Evangelicals are even worse, because they are convinced they have a divine mission to behave despicably. The problem is religion, regardless of whether it's Catholic, Protestant or Muslim. Maybe it's time we all grew up.

[@rosamariamendoza1466]

​@@roryobrien4401Thanks for putting my thoughts in your comment.

[@kristinebailey6554]

Agreed! Since when are nuns and priests' experts on child birthing and raising? Gee what could go wrong? These people kicked their pregnant daughters to the curb to save face! And then expect a religion of any kind to shoulder the responsibility.

[@NobodyOwens_72]

The daughter is beautiful in every way .x how clever to follow that process x

[@d.m.8911]

Yesterday i saw the movie, at the end of the movie i realized that it is a true story.i could not believe this, i did not want to to believe this awful story had really happened. i read the whole night about this, and saw the video of the irish parliament when the apologize was spoken. it is unbelievable how the katholic church handles this, they dont even want to pay for the victims. ireland, a beutiful country with a bloody shamed terrible church until today. God bless you, Philomena. And i mean God bless you, not church bless you. The church is not god, and the katholic church with this story is coser to hell than to heaven.

[@tomthx5804]

You idiot

[@ravenblackhawke]

What a brave strong beautiful woman!

[@frogmouth]

She looks fantastic. And such a humane perspective. A triumph of the human spirit. It's really amazing how moral corruption develops, is entrenched, and then defended by the Church.

[@habitualmasticator]

I'm a Philomena baby, and one good thing that's come from it was that I got to tell Imelda May about it and it got me a hug from her

[@plato12000]

Such strong, courageous women! Sad, but inspirational!

[@bozm9961]

How do they sleep at night ,do they even ever look at the mirror?.what the Catholic church continues to do is outright evil.

[@GirlyDragons]

The movie is completely different from the book (I'll leave it at that as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone), but both are fantastic.

[@cormacfriel7892]

NachtHexe (MTB) Yeah, the film is her story and the book his. I tell people that it is the best example of a film/book but equally as good as each other. They support each other and compliment each other but don't compete to outdo each other. Both great

[@johneyon5257]

i lived thru those times - remember it wasn't just the catholics who were harsh on unwed mothers - sure they had the convents with which to perform these atrocities - but other churches simply prevailed on their congregation to do the ugly deeds

[@sheilanixon4479]

While all this was going on in the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland ,and in Great Britain, Protest6antChurches were helping the mothers and their babies .Some babies were adopted out, but many mothers were encouraged to keep their babies and found help to start better lives. The work of these Church-based organisations was and is better than the services provided by local authorities . Their work is often bogged down by Social dogma ,and burocracy.The work of. Spurgeons , Barnardos and The Church of England Childrens Society continues to this day.

[@johneyon5257]

@@sheilanixon4479 - not talking about individual churches and their smattering of aid and comfort - i'm talking about broad based stigma attached to mothers and babies born out of wedlock - as someone who lived thru those times - the stigma emerged from every christian denomination - protestants don't get a pass - i lived among them as well as among catholics - and saw that ugly attitude prevail

[@patriciaharte8113]

I watched the movie. God bless you Philomena. Your story is so poignant.

[@Zeitgeist6]

Saw the movie just then and loved it. Seeing the real Philomena tell the real story is also very interesting and enlightening. I kinda knew about what happened with unwed mothers back in the day in Ireland from the Magdalene Sisters movie so hearing her tell that different orders were involved in similar things was quite unnerving. Anyway she seems like a wonderful person in real life judging from this interview. Good sense of humor as well.

[@mauramerry7649]

J9

[@rubydawn1]

so many that are adopted do not know that so often the mother had no control over if she kept the child. So many mothers look for their children. This was not just in Ireland and not just in the years that her son was born.

[@stephanienewhouse2056]

When I was a child in NY in the 70's my best friend 3 doors over had a series of 'au pairs'. I never noticed at the time, but many years later the mother in the family told me they were all unwed teen mothers waiting to have the baby to be adopted out. The family was extremely Catholic and involved with the church. Their own two children, my friend and her younger brother, were adopted through a Catholic agency.

[@veronicagreenaway6842]

Brilliant lady, my own mother was there around same time, took me over 35 years and had to deal with Sr Santo as well, bad nun. When I eventually found out who my mother was , sadly she had died.

[@Mantus77]

I’m so sorry to hear! 😢😢😢❤️ omg this so heartbreaking!!!!!

[@standup2982]

I'm so very sorry for your loss Veronica.

[@MajellaRS]

Formidable woman...the only actress that COULD play her is Dame Judi Dench.

[@jbarbara7164]

Philomena, what a wonderful women you are.and I know excally how you felt.im going through the same.I raised my grandson till he was 2 1/2 years old.I brought him home from the hospital he only weight 3 lbs at birth and a little over 4 lbs when I got him from the hospital.he was adopted out before I knew anything about it.a year later I finally got tosee my baby again.the adopted mother let him back in my life.then 3 years later she had me to move to the little town she lived in so she didn't have to drive 30 minutes to bring him.I moved (ofcoursed i moved)that was in sept.2011 then in march 2013 she came picked him up and that was that.no reason why just one day said she couldn't stand me and took him away.so I know the hurt. im still in the little town praying id see them passing by or in the grocery store anything.im always wondering what she told him or telling him why grandma is no longer around.its very painfull.

[@PROXIMASTARMAN]

Thousands of Parents and Grandparents are suffering the same thing every year usually at the hands of Lying Social workers and Family court Judges who rubber stamp almost anything the SS put in front of them. Fostering and Adoption has become big business in the UK. it doesnt take a genius to realize there is very often an Agenda behind such cruel calculated actions.

[@kateheron9318]

Barbara Johnson 6

[@biancanevernever4511]

This lady has such dignity and no apparant anger towards her experience. Someone to learn from. I've lived with nuns in boarding school (when I was 6 years old through age 10) and mother superior came through in a sitting with a medium. Here is what she said: "I feel on behalf of the four of us we owe you a great deal of apology. We didn't know any better." It helped tremendously and I understood the times very well.

[@marionedmondson6191]

So good to see her happy!

[@marilynalexander5446]

I am so sorry that this happened to you and hundreds of others, you are a strong woman and definitely no sinner more sinned against bless you

[@terri6854]

When people consider themselves to be absolutely good and absolutely right, they give themselves license to do things that are absolutely bad and absolutely wrong.

[@marieconroy8769]

That has since changed with the freedom of information act in 2001. Adoptees can access their records now.

[@Ginger32]

It doesn't help for closed adoptions or falsified records though.

[@thatsthejobbb8587]

Records need to have been kept in some sort of decent order for that to be the case....

[@MoM-do7js]

Thank you Philomena Lee for allowing your story to be public. I too was born in Tipperary, Roscrea Ireland and adopted from Sean Ross Abbey, born in 1958, flown over to the US in 1960, Sept 10. I love listening to your story as I’ve never been able to find or know my biological mom. 😢 Now 65, I may not ever until heaven 💫☘️

[@nickyjones2709]

Don't give up hope.❤

[@MoM-do7js]

@@nickyjones2709 thank you so much 😊 That is so kind of you 🕊️🌹

[@nickyjones2709]

@@MoM-do7js your more than welcome love ♥️♥️

[@LinoCoria]

This breaks my heart.

[@forzaroug8864]

Her story is just simple amazing.. the movie its even better.. I love all from this.. thanks for sharing this Philomena ... much love

[@Charhartman1988]

Why is this interviewer laughing so much. What a put-off. I couldn't listen to the whole thing..

[@scottiegirl2041]

What a remarkably brave woman.

[@josephamego1528]

first shown in 2013, how I missed it I don't know it's one of the very few best films that the BBC have shown in a long time, The outcome of the film was totally different to what I expected, you know the scenario mother searches for long los son, mother is reunited with lost son, how wrong could I be, Superb acting from both Judy Dench and Steve Coogan, Steve along wit a Jeff Pope wrote the screen play Coogan also produced it, Credit should be given to the investigating reporter Martin Sixsmith who wrote the book in 2009, I also noticed the young chappy in the pub bar the thin featured one was out of Ballykiss Angel. On the whole this screen play was the best that I had seen on any tv channel, the film it's been said has been put forward for a factual award and quite rightly. Question; is there any on going investigation into the Nun's activities at the time, because if there isn't there should be, The attitude of both the Catholic Church and the Nun's can be smelt around the world, The arrogance of these people is unbelievable, They were nothing less than children traffickers and slave labour louts.

[@beafillier7103]

josephamego1528 j

[@tomthx5804]

You moron the church took her in when no one else would, the movie was made by an atheist, they say the movie lied about it all so they could attack the church, what the hell is wrong with you people.

[@annecepela2896]

F

[@suzannenapolitano5480]

@@tomthx5804 Poor dear, Catholicism, has over 90 errors in there doctrinal statement, it's a known fact, it's false Religion, with twisted lies, now there are people headed in the false way, don't you believe we need to know the Truth, we can't stay in denial/ error, anymore, GOD loves us to much, for that, follow the LORD and not false/ cult Religion s dear, you be better off in the end.Pray for your deliverece/ healing , true Salvation, Mercy over you 🙏

[@Paul5520]

I think steve coogan has Irish connections so I’d imagine that was part of his motivation 🇮🇪

[@lilwil-ns3uo]

I love her strength. I also went through something similar, not quite as tragic. The emotions are the same none the less.

[@blatttman]

Thought the film was very moving but I have to say it's a little shocking hearing what dramatic licence the film makers took. So a sister told her about her son's death not as portrayed in the film, does make you suspicious of the film makers motives, especially as Philomena's daughter in the above interview points out the reality was also different from the book. Still, Judi Dench and Steve Coogan are both excellent in the movie.

[@tomthx5804]

The movie was a propaganda hit job by a nutcase atheist coogan, married multiple times with many children by several different women, produced by Harvey weinstein the anti catholic pervert who attacks women.

[@NobodyOwens_72]

Philamena Lee is beautiful like her son ,Anthony x

[@rickwoolf123]

I would like to lobby the Vatican to consider that Philomena is a living saint. God bless you Philomena you have all the attributes Jesus entreated everyone to aspire to.

[@bridecolbourne1305]

Heartbreaking true story a courageous woman ! Why would anyone hit thumbs down ? Perhaps those who were apart of such atrocities ??

[@slavicadamjanovic9535]

I cried so much watching this movie and wanted to find out about her son and his search to find his mother.

[@fati8473]

yes, she is such a courageous woman!

[@zeldalang4923]

Bless you Philomena. I'm sad they done this to you.

[@lanles]

I went through a similar thing I wasn't the only one as I think there were 50 of us in the home in the same boat.

[@Mantus77]

😢💔💔💔

[@becca5100]

"Out of wedlock" why does no one say, "pregnant - by WHOM??? Why is the ultimate perpetrator always left out of this discussion?!?

[@suzannasmith4114]

This is a sad story, however, people fail to realize that times were different then. My mother would tell me about how shameful it was for a woman to have a baby out of wedlock. The majority of men, if they got a woman pregnant would marry them. She would tell me that when someone got married people would count on their fingers how many months until the couple's first child was born. If it was less than 9 months people would snicker to each other. Society, not the Catholic church, felt this way. There was not a big welfare system like there is now, as a matter of fact, most families were barely scrapping by let alone a woman alone with a baby. In those days, there was no having babies out of wedlock and the taxpayers funding you.....you were on your own, and held accountable for your actions. As I said before, whether Protestant, Catholic, or atheist society had different unwritten rules then.

[@gilliangrant8764]

Very well said Suzanna Smith. Not to mention that the film portrayed those nuns as bitter, evil old hags and Philomena never said they were anything of the sort!

[@Mantus77]

So very true 💯

[@mikeparle1381]

Susanna Smith thank you for your truthful comment. All of thse tragic crisis pregnancies have to be viewed through the public attitudes and prism of the time - the 1930's, '40's, '50's & '60's. If not then you will never understand the real pressures of those hard times. So, so very different from today's world.

[@shonajordan1553]

@@gilliangrant8764 there definitely were evil old hags as well though let’s not forget that. Many children were abused, starved, sold away without their mother’s consent. Horrific stuff

[@rcg9573]

BS! Most of these “godly” Catholic Churches used the children they had stolen from their mothers as slave labor. FACT! Particularly in the Irish Catholic Church “wash rooms” where stolen children were regularly worked 10-12 hours a day under abysmal conditions. When stolen boys turned 14 they were essentially auctioned off to capitalists by these same “good and godly” Catholic Churches as cheap labor. Spare me your bullshit that these churches were loaded with good nuns or women. No truly good individual would willingly take part in such obvious abuses and crimes. And that of course is where religion steps in. More humans have committed more evil acts against other humans using their twisted religious beliefs as a justification for their acts than any other cause over the past 1,000 years. The Catholic Church just like all other western churches is essentially nothing more than a tax free criminal enterprise promoting hate, ignorance, the stripping of individual rights, fear mongering and lies. This story is just one of thousands upon thousands that proves it!

[@andreapersin3027]

In Argentina hundreds of women were tortured and their sons were kidnapped,this happened to us too,unfortunately

[@soeffingwhat]

Yep, well thats what happens when a Religion is given too much Power.

[@patdove7710]

I. Saw the movie liked it very much. Love this video what a wonderful and down to earth the real Philomena is loved listening to the real story.

[@teresawall6995]

It was very sad my x was born in the same place

[@HoIIyApple777]

Great interview. I wonder if Mary ever found her birth mother.

[@kathabbott13]

HoIIy Apple777 m7

[@lovetotrav]

Me too!!! I tried Googling info but couldn't find any. Michael & Mary's cousin left a comment on here 4 months ago & I just messaged her asking if she knows whatever became if Mary, if she ever became curious & searched for or found her mother. Glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this!

[@becca5100]

The woman bears the shame, and the suffering. Where is the male?

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

This was such a good movie!

[@mollybrown465]

My heart goes out to Philomena and her family. I’m sorry you had to go through this. I became a single parent in 1989 and even then it wasn’t the thing to do, but I kept my daughter and she’s 34 now. I’m also sorry about the reporter, he knew absolutely nothing about you and he should have had the experience and the tact, which he didn’t. Kind thoughts to you x

[@annebrady8788]

Heartbreaking to see what all of these poor people had to go through, in holy Island, as it was called " dont know why " absolutely disgusting.

[@Codysimpforev]

What a wonderful, but sad story. Bless you Philomena

[@mygalfriday]

What a sweetheart!!!

[@mygalfriday]

What a sweetheart! !

[@PaullyMiller]

I think the film was great, but the real story is just as interesting. One could almost accuse Coogan [who I like as a performer a lot] of artistic ego in making his character the person to do so much of the work that actually Philomena's daughter did. However, I do think the dynamic contract between his atheist view and her faithful one is a strong component to the film story.

[@katewoodhouse9637]

I can not understand why the journalist is laughing all the time ... it’s not a Hollywood fiction, it’s a dramatic real story , I find it untactful !!

[@marywilliams9415]

I'm curious to know whether Mary ever made contact with her mother?

[@marywilliams9415]

Also, was Michael's biological father ever traced?

[@kendylbigelow3097]

She has been through hell. Those stupid nuns ruined her life forever.

[@Jlevin1955]

Ed Michael adopted by a Dr. Hess from Rockford, Illinois? So was his sister Mary. They were our neighbors and I used to play with them. Mary ran away several times.