Shelly Pennefather followed her calling from basketball fame to a life of service | SC Featured

Shelly Pennefather was a gifted basketball player at Villanova, but she walked away from the game and the pro's in favor of a different calling. It was a calling to a life in the monastery, a calling that left her friends and family a quarter-century away from her warm embrace.
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[@liamwaldron7719]

That’s my aunt she is legendary

[@kennythomas2516]

Shes in a cult

[@agirl2317]

She incredible!!!

[@icetea4me]

I remember her at the Griffiss AFB Gym in the 80s.

[@aaliyahhenderson1888]

have you went to her monastery?

[@liamwaldron7719]

@@aaliyahhenderson1888 yes i see her once a year

[@jing-jing6832]

God Bless you sister! You made me cry. I was sick here in my room. You just give me hope not to give up. ❤🙏🇦🇺

[@sabrehohoho7681]

pray for you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TheGohbomba]

Go to natural remedies follow the greatest gives us on earth , many plants , herbs , fruits , grains and nuts too are contain medicinals benefits for human just try, and technique breathing properly from wim hoff method can cure sickness , good lucks all the bests

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Wow! What a story of a most gifted, successful pro basketball player, embracing a life that is so far different as to be on another planet. Her smile on meeting and greeting her family after 25 years tells the story more clearly than words ever could. Her life of sacrifice and prayer is a gift to us all.

[@kendrickcollins548]

Very emotional story. I couldn't resist the tears in my eyes when everyone gave her a hug.😢

[@hiccups55]

Me too😢

[@mangafq8]

Mother Dolores Hart walked away from being an award winning actress on stage and screen back in the 50s to become a cloistered Benedictine. These are exemplary people, that's for sure! That said, with this order, being able to hug loved ones once every 25 years, is pretty austere. God bless them and all of us

[@KAP615615]

The sacrifice of a sister and a her family is truly inspiring! Thank you to ESPN for covering this!

[@bethfreeman5142]

I just showed this video to my high school theology students this week when were studying the monastic life. Thank you for the incredible storytelling ESPN! It is a very moving story of sacrifice and leaving a life behind.

[@leo11190]

How emotional for her mom…. I cried too.

[@jordankendall2705]

Nothing like a well done feature story. This is why journalism is so important, these stories deserve to be told.

[@caridadrodriguez8623]

I know the Pennefsther's. They are a wonderful family.

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

I'm Catholic, so I completely understand. Some orders are very strict and demand that you follow God for life. I was fortunate to watch her play in the 1980's, she was truly the best player in the world at one time.

[@kyriemaranatha6590]

How Jesus and Mary choose us is always a mystery. Please pray for us sister

[@bro8974]

God's call cannot be easily explained, but it is so real.

[@gwijotube]

Wow, this made me tear up. May God bless you, Sr Rose-Mary and your family. So emotional watching this - that hug with her Mum was too precious. A very holy family - may God bless you all. Please pray for us Sister. In the Name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[@timmurray5245]

That's awesome God bless her

[@gailadams9294]

Surprised reading some negative comments. Waste of time? A life spent with Jesus in prayer… wow. Have you ever noticed how peaceful the faces of nuns are? There is a reason… Me: Carmelite Secular! Joy!!!

[@deonwilson4044]

I don’t think all of the negative commentators understand what is a vow and and especially who it was made with, it’s says much of what type of a person Shelly is

[@feaokautai7354]

Beautiful Religious Calling Life for Jesus Christ ❤❤❤

[@icetea4me]

I remember her playing pickup basketball at the Griffiss AFB gym in the 80s.

[@avapowell3053]

It's her life and her choice. SHE isn't doing any complaining!! Obviously, this nun is happy. We all live our lives as we see fit, and don't care what anyone else thinks.

[@daviddaniel438]

God bless you all family

[@PeterSolarchannel]

Respect.

[@renafielding945]

The monastic life is a death to the world, a martyrdom.

[@phutisam1686]

A martyrdom to the flesh and perpetual resurrection to the soul.

[@anthonymcnamara6306]

Yes , is it called the white martyrdom.

[@MisspEC]

Amazing

[@Starboy-lc6ck]

Mad Respect

[@dexterbernard2701]

I recently saw a movie (The Nun's Story. -'59) starring the late Audrey Hepburn dealing with this subject.

[@denicesanders4586]

She wasn't in such a strict life though. The book was much more in depth than the movie. I thought I wanted to be a nun at one point in my life. I'm happy I didn't become a nun now. I would have been cheating holy father.

[@stayhappylittlemermaid]

Glow, goal, grind focus on that!

[@pat9577]

Beautiful. Praise God

[@tyrose4419]

Why in the thumbnail she look like she bout to spit the hottest bar of 2020 ?

[@JTE26]

So good

[@elijahtchilembe-mpovie2715]

This was deep.

[@JERSEYTOMATO]

Intense and deep

[@yl5020]

@@JERSEYTOMATO I was not prepared for it to wreck me lol

[@melissaflick9041]

Brutal.

[@lynnpalmer4674]

❤God bless you Sister

[@LeppardLadyRN]

To each there own, but to me this is absolutely crazy!

[@milart12]

@ChristianTheCatholic Its obvious, isn't it?

[@tomy8339]

I greatly admire the dedication. However, the rules governing family are purely man made. How does it glorify God to have a once a year embrace with your family? I say this as a Christian myself.

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

⁠@@tomy8339 Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

[@TheGohbomba]

Congrats , amen

[@DENOEHONER]

Wow this story made me Cry. So Sad... I feel 4 the Mother God bless her soul...

[@dariuslynard158]

This is extremely selfless, I wish her and her family all the best. I wonder if she misses the game though.

[@mangafq8]

No doubt she does.

[@denicesanders4586]

I wonder if she misses her family and even a brief touch from them. God bless them all.

[@jakestanley52]

She had a quick release.

[@cdewey5115]

I don’t understand the order not allowing attending parent’s funerals and not allowing hugs except for every 25 years. I keep asking myself, “what is the purpose of this”? How did they decide on 25 years vs 5,10,15 or never? I would really like to know. I am a Catholic and I have no idea where this rule came from. I can’t begin to imagine the sacrifices her Mom has made over the years.

[@9036164689]

The purpose i would say is in sharing the pain and suffering with that of Jesus Christ. Its called Redemptive Suffering if i'm not mistaken.

[@cdewey5115]

Thanks for your answer! That now makes perfect sense

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

[@MB-yr2dz]

I am sure God,if he exists, would not be happy to see this family ruined.Yes, serve him but not this brutal way towards her Mother..This is over board life.

[@mamiro59]

7:00 There are many more strict orders especially traditional.

[@l-kin3480]

Can you name me a few? I've been looking for strict orders

[@madeleinepodesta3181]

poor clares are not the strictest religious order. they're fairly average for enclosed orders.

[@nonoyyonon8228]

😢😢😢

[@mringram]

Wow

[@smithfan22]

Very admirable.

[@goatjames9670]

thats tough fam, i mean tough

[@29chhangte]

I don't understand much... But i hope she goes to heaven..

[@johnschultz8372]

hope?

[@29chhangte]

@@johnschultz8372 hope is all i can. I'm not the one to decide....

[@terryhenderson3424]

Heaven ? How do you go there ?

[@johnschultz8372]

Terry Henderson acceptance of jesus christ

[@johnschultz8372]

Terry Henderson Jesus

[@bconn8452]

You're all crazy to think this should be normal...WHY would you willingly leave your entire family??? What GOOD did that provide for you or humanity?

[@hatesinnottothesinner526]

There is no language to speak the truth "We lost control of the epidemic. We died physically and mentally, and we didn't know what to do, all the solutions to the earth were gone, the only solution in the sky."

[@northerners2828]

Sister shelly

[@barbarachrvenak8231]

Move on nay sayers. This site is not for you.

[@lynnpalmer4674]

❤

[@PhilipJ0708]

This was posted a recently. Good article but twice?

[@videogameboutique2196]

Yeah, i remember seeing this a couple months ago on ESPN on youtube.

[@afriend621]

3:51. Haha ! That's funny !

[@D.Wagner2]

Who?

[@lynnpalmer4674]

❤❤

[@geovannyleonardo9658]

Don't understand why she left the game tho. Someone pls elaborate on that. Mind you im from Philadelphia ao villa means something and i never heard of this person idky seems like they try to hide her a compliments

[@GaryTurbo]

The same people who bash on her for being a nun are the same people who dont watch women's basketball

[@tyronejones1082]

Gary Turbo Is there a problem with not watching women’s basketball?

[@GaryTurbo]

Theres a problem with bashing her when you have no interest in watching her in the first place

[@tyronejones1082]

Gary Turbo What does bashing her for being a nun have anything to do with women’s basketball lol

[@gabe80517]

Man sacrifice is real, when God speaks

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

This woman interpreted the results of a women’s Japanese basketball game as God’s will. That’s dumber than any athlete thanking god helped them win a sporting competition. If there is a right way to interpret religion this certainly isn’t it. She’s clearly hurt people that care about her to join a religious cult.

[@gabe80517]

@@MrRyan-wu4jx I don't agree in what she has done, but the "sacrifice" is great, and regardless of how you feel, she chose to follow her path, and you have to respect that, its her relationship with God, not yours

[@MultiBearsfan54]

"A calling that left her friends and family a quarter-century away from her *warm* embrace." Lmao what a way to say "hug"

[@smithfan22]

Its an eloquent way of saying it. Expresses the emotion of the moment.

[@MultiBearsfan54]

@@smithfan22 not really, more or less just describing the definition of hug. Eloquent i feel like aplies more to like say using the word epitome instead of saying "the best example" Generally the goal is to use less words than necessary not more...

[@smithfan22]

@@MultiBearsfan54 they're illustrating the beauty and power of the moment.

[@berniewilliamson4823]

I'm sorry...I don't understand how anyone given health and strength, and a wonderful family - can rationalize putting it all aside. A gift from God, just put on a shelf. To what end? The God I know doesn't need His children to suffer and sacrifice. He gave us a precious gift, and I truly believe his greatest joy is seeing us LIVE it. I don't understand the waste of a lifetime, when so many are denied that opportunity. This makes me sad...

[@juliedavid2601]

I totally agree with this comment...surely it is a "religious cult"..I find all enclosed orders strange but this is ridiculous..Julie

[@panmeliarrows7509]

Of course, you wouldn't understand because you're not called and chosen for that life - it's only between Shelly and God. All the things/talent she acquired, it was all given to her by God. Her love for God was that great that she accepted her calling and was willing to leave all the worldly things behind, all for God's greater glory. Nobody forced her to follow that way of life.. she found joy and peace in it. Within the 25 years of living a contemplative life, she would've left the convent already if this wasn't for her. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways that no human intellect can fathom. Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?"

[@johnkamei3681]

The Son of God died as sacrifice for greater god.

[@starlight4662]

@@juliedavid2601 To those who understand, no explanation is neceesary To those who do not understand, no explanation could make them understand. That is the way of Almighty God.

[@Lerian_V]

@@starlight4662 Coach Harry aptly nailed it.

[@darktremor172]

Sheldon Cooper and Penny had a baby

[@sleepynative9132]

Wack

[@Coachlen24]

@6:03 describes her sacrifice. The God I know would be like, “chill Girl.. no need for all of this”

[@dansedevie123]

No need, but when you are in love you do crazy things! And it is a response to God's sacrifice and generosity.

[@saintxiv9045]

I’m here for a PE assignment lol

[@bullymaguire6722]

What fame did she have

[@Netburner23]

@@d23squad86 she was one of the best players in villanova's history

[@jsilva7005]

you're so insightful Coronavirus 2020. You know nobody cares about women's basketball.

[@loseweightfastandsafely7406]

What a shame she cannot hug ger mom byr ince in 25 years

[@PrettygirlMisha]

Why they only sleep for no more than 4 hours. 🤔

[@dawgpost90]

Because God doesn't have time for science and logic.

[@smithfan22]

@@dawgpost90 science has never been 100% absolute

[@selfishstockton6123]

Sehraad Ahmed Starting with yourself

[@selfishstockton6123]

Sehraad Ahmed K. But you’re still delusional about your own beliefs. God bless tho

[@frisco61]

Four hours at a time, it’s probably broken up for night prayers.

[@Coachlen24]

She is allowed a precious embrace…. “Allowed” …. So sad. She sacrificed everything for a God that would be cool with her just being a regular nun

[@saritapaloma8426]

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

[@tudo4451]

Crying on a saturday

[@davidprice7162]

"WNBA" and "fame" is a contradiction of terms. She was a "Larry Bird type player" if Larry couldn't dunk or shoot a 3 pointer.

[@Salvation7]

She didn't have to do that. Jesus clearly said no matter how positive you are you can't please God. It's suppose to be a general sacrifice of desire not a strict one. Doing extra is self-rigjteousness

[@ericmeng4857]

Who ???

Why Crying?

[@lawslugger]

My cousin did the same thing, she got kicked out though. This isn’t a religious thing. This is like joining the westboro Baptist

[@BottingIsWhatIdo]

So why did she really do this ? And why couldn’t she be touched and talked to ??

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

She joined a cult.

[@liamwaldron7719]

She joined what is called a cloistered monastery and takes vows of privacy chastity and obedience

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

@CJ P. yeah that 8 year old burner account with my actual name lol. I don’t think you even know what that means.

[@rjchilds84]

Well we know who doesnt have the Rona.

[@pandemicmbm9176]

Extreme much but if she's happy then do it ✌

[@nellydavis7645]

I don’t think what she venture into was a religious place. This seems like a cult. Why would she not be able to touch her family and one meal a day?Her poor family.

[@kennythomas2516]

Yes. It is a cult, The apostles in the bible never behaved this way.....neither did Christ Just the traditions of men.

[@audreamcgee3463]

@Nelly Davis the thing is a cult is really easy to join and difficult to leave. Catholic monasteries are very difficult to join and easy to leave. I believe with this order she lives with them for 7 years discerning, and praying before making her final decision. I’ve never heard of a cult with a 7 year discernment period. No one is keeping her from her family. Those are the rules for that specific order and again she has 7 years to decide if that is the life she desires.

[@kennythomas2516]

@Prasanth Thomas yes I'm sure, the holy scriptures say in Acts chapter 2 verse 45 they sold there possessions and gave to those who were in need.. So the believers did own property, they weren't broke, busted, and disgusted as you supposed, what they had in common was Christ .

[@kennythomas2516]

@Prasanth Thomas these people?

[@kennythomas2516]

@Prasanth Thomas the word nun, is not in the Bible, neither is the Catholic religion. We can't compare traditions of the Catholics to the word of God, because God is not like man.

[@OdditiesOffcial]

Molly should take note and do this! I bet Stephen A, Max and Jalen don’t show up to hug her after 25 years! 😂🤣😂

[@thatboydre8649]

Wasn’t like she was going to make a lot of money doing anything else

[@gregoryhines7]

How awful

[@smithfan22]

She sacrificed for faith. To many that may be awful, but it does take courage and strength to do what she did. I respect and admire her.

[@lonelygoner2012]

the ugly side of faith

[@frisco61]

Swift_Arsonist huh?

[@christianurberg6139]

Wow this is really selfless, but does god want this, i don’t think so, I respect this but I don’t respect the people who are locking her up and starving her

[@nellydavis7645]

Christian Urberg I so agree and keeping her away from her loved ones.

[@100shaunnor]

Religion is so weird lol

[@pandemicmbm9176]

Yes 👍

[@cjsmith5787]

Please stop letting Merrill narrate these stories. She’s horrible at it and distracts from the story/ doesn’t even bother to learn correct pronunciations

[@smokeynypd]

Scrambling for content huh

[@Dollar-zb2ik]

smokey nyc what day are you putting out new content again?

[@NihselV]

This is wrong in all levels. God is the Maker of Everything. You can be a representative of him, even as a basketball player. She should have stayed, accepted Christ, and gave the Word.

[@liamwaldron7719]

DaNihsel who are you to say what God wanted her to do she knew God’s call and she admits you shouldn’t make deals with God

[@NihselV]

@@liamwaldron7719 Satan can pretend to be God and lead people astray. If His call is not aligned in the Scripture that was given to us, then danger will happen. This is exactly what happen in the Garden of Eden. God blessed Adam and Eve and told them not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, but let astray by the serpent (Satan).

[@mikek6612]

Selfishness masquerading as selflessness. She obviously felt bad about being a lesbian....so selfish to do that to your mother. No respect for this lady

[@smithfan22]

Did the story mention she was a lesbian?

[@idm8833]

That sounds more realistic.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

smithfan22 she abandoned everyone for a lesbian cult.

[@liamwaldron7719]

Mike K you don’t know how this works haha

[@decarlosrogers4146]

So she joined a cult

[@D.Wagner2]

Uh....that's a cult...

[@liamwaldron7719]

D.Wagner learn about people fear what they don’t know

[@theprintsofdarkness7104]

Do people really believe the priests don't sleep with some of the nuns?

[@frisco61]

ThePrintsOfDarkness you think that’s the reason why she decided to dedicate her like to God? Because she had no other options? lol

[@theprintsofdarkness7104]

@@frisco61 nooooooo not at all😂....just curious as to how some people look at priest and nuns. Definitely not a knock towards her. As far as Shelly, I would never criticize someone's spirituality whether I subscribe to it or not.

[@liamwaldron7719]

ThePrintsOfDarkness they don’t live together

[@liamwaldron7719]

Bro it’s called a cloistered monastery

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

So basically she abandoned everyone she loved to join a lesbian cult.

[@liamwaldron7719]

Mr. Ryan not really buddy do your research it’s called a cloistered monastery

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

Liam Waldron thats a cult buddy. Everything described in this video described a cult. She was clearly mentally ill thinking winning some meaningless basketball games in Japan was a sign from God to make drastic life altering changes. This woman’s aging loving mother has seen her just twice in the past 30 years, her family and friends were hurt by her, if there is a god I don’t think that’s what he’d want. The lesbian part is just my speculation based on her being a woman’s basketball and deciding to live in isolation with only other women but this is a cult. This is a nonsense poorly done feel good story, Shelly Pennefather isn’t even the woman in the picture in the thumbnail, that’s her little sister she abandoned.

[@fabiobonetta5454]

Nah that'd be the wba

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

William Waldron I understand this. It’s nonsense.

[@hyenachief5562]

I don’t care what y’all say that’s a man🤔👍🏾🏹 can’t trick me lol might trick y’all 👍🏾🤣😂🤦🏾‍♂️

[@kathy3178]

I don't get it. How does hiding from the world make you more holy than someone who is out helping others. None of those things she is doing makes any kind of impact in the world. They are just empty religious works.

[@Lerian_V]

Why not do a google search and read up on religious orders?

[@axlrosegnr]

I feel so sorry for her family that she got sucked into a cult. So sad.

[@laurenflowers2023]

Catholicism is hardly a cult. These women pray for all of you who cannot or will not pray for yourselves.

[@christinew4108]

​@@eireannemerald1382would you do it?

[@rogeralmeida9933]

she is also praying for people, who call this a cult, that they one day see the light.

[@MaximilianMalevolence]

This woman is a quiet disgrace. She has reduced life to a horrible joke. She obviously needs therapy.

[@nellydavis7645]

MrNattydread2010 quite

[@liamwaldron7719]

MrNattydread2010 how so I’m interested

[@c3dmf4s]

Such a bizarre choice... 🤷‍♂️