Cristina Scuccia, who as Sister Cristina became a household name in Italy, said the strictures of convent life had become too much, particularly after the death of her father, when she longed to spend more time with her family.

She first came to prominence in 2014, when as a 25-year-old nun, she won the television talent show belting out the Alicia Keys hit No One. Read more

Sr Cristina's very first video performance joins the list of social media's who's who including

• adorable animals,
• a multi-million dollar Super Bowl commercial,
• the iPhone 6 Plus bend test, and
• Simon Cowell's "Bars & Melody" golden buzzer act in Britain's Got Talent.

When The Voice judges asked the pop-singing nun what the Vatican would think of her appearing on popular TV show, the young nun was initially uncertain.

"I don't know.

"I'm expecting a telephone call from Pope Francis, certainly.

"Because he exhorts us to go out, to evangelise, to say that God does not take from us, but rather gives us more," she continued.

The fully habited nun, who this year shattered stereotypes with her voice and stage presence last week fulfilled her dream and met Pope Francis during the Holy Father's general audience in St Peter's Square.

Pope Francis and Sr Cristina chatted, shook hands, and she handed him a copy of her self-titled album, which includes a cover version of Madonna's classic song "Like a Virgin".

The Pope received the CD and responded with a smile.

While some Italian bishops privately questioned her behaviour appearing on the TV show and romping around the stage in a full habit, the whole Italian Bishops' Conference recently went public with criticism calling her "Like a Virgin" performance a "commercial ploy".

The nun defended her decision saying the song was "prayer-like".

Sr Christina's version of the song has received more than 4 million views on YouTube.

The singing nun is slated to perform at the Vatican's Christmas concert along with singer Patti Smith.

Sources

• Washington Post
• Crux
• Huffington Post
• The Voice
• Image: L'Osservatore Romano

Earlier this year, Sr Cristina achieved worldwide fame when she won Italy's version of The Voice.

Sister Cristina, 26, says her version of Madonna's pop song is a "testimony of God's capacity to turn all things into something new" as well as her personal calling to be a nun.

In Sr Cristina's video of the song, there are none of the raunchy moves Madonna included in the original version.

Sr Cristina said: "I wanted to transmit calmness and poetry. I really think we succeeded."

When Madonna's version was first released 30 years ago, some called for the song to be banned because they believed it — and the original video clip — promoted sexual promiscuity and undermined family values.

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Wearing her black habit and a crucifix, Sr Cristina Scuccia eventually beat three other competitors with a convincing 62 per cent share of the popular vote.

She closed the show by saying the Lord's Prayer.

"The last word of thanks, the most important, goes of course to him in heaven," she said.

"And my dream is to recite a Padre Nostro together . . . I want Jesus to enter into this."

One of the songs she sang in the final was "Flashdance . . . What a feeling".

She sprang to fame in March when, in a blind audition on the show, she sang the Alicia Keys hit "No-One".

Video of her performance went viral on the Internet and since then has received more than 50 million hits on YouTube.

Her win sees her receive a recording contract offer from Universal, but she has said she wants to go back to her life in a convent near Milan.

"I will go back to my priorities - prayer, waking up early in the morning, school service," she said.

She reportedly also said she would leave it to her superiors to decide if show business is an appropriate career for a nun.

Sr Cristina defined herself as a "humble servant" and ascribed her sudden success to a "thirst for joy, for love, and a message that is beautiful and pure".

Her performances have drawn criticism from some traditional quarters about whether such "exhibitionism" is appropriate for a nun.

Other viewers have said her wearing her black habit on the show was a gimmick to attract attention.

But the Vatican's cardinal in charge of the Pontifical council for Culture, Gianfranco Ravasi, posted a message of support for her on Twitter after her win.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10) #suorcristina," it read.

When Sr Cristina first appeared on the show, she said she had been inspired to do so by Pope Francis, who has asked nuns and priests to "come out" of their churches and convents and spread the word of God.

Sources

• New York Daily News
• The Tablet
• The Guardian
• Image: Billboard

I noticed on my Facebook newsfeed a story about an Sr Cristina Scuccia, an Italian member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family, and her stunning performance of "No One" (originally by Alicia Keys) on the Italian version of the popular tv show, The Voice.

Her voice, enthusiasm, and spirit brought the crowd to its feet and tears to the eyes of at least one judge. Watch here.

Soon after watching, I came across an article in "The Atlantic" questioning the enthusiastic response of the crowd and wondering to what degree they were excited by the novelty of the scene, rather than by a response to the performance or to a genuine value of seeing a vowed religious in this context.

These are strong questions arising from a legitimate concern that our society of spectacle embraces even (or perhaps especially?) religiosity in a way that does not, at the same time, invite reflection and allow for the possibility of deep transformation toward God. Continue reading.

Source: Daily Theology

Image: Daily Theology

Sr Cristina Scuccia, a member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family, wowed judges on the Italian version of the TV show "The Voice".

Her audition has gone viral, with more than 3 million views on YouTube.

Clad in her black habit, Sr Christina performed a punchy rendition of Alicia Keys' "No One".

It brought forth wild cheers from the audience and moved one judge, Italian rapper J-Ax, to tears.

Answering a question from one judge, Sr Cristina assured the panel she is a real nun.

The audience gave her a standing ovation.

The 25-year-old native of the Sicily attended the auditions accompanied by her parents, and four sisters from her community

As her performance soared, her fellow sisters could not contain their excitement, cheering, clapping and jumping.

"I came here because I have a gift and I want to share that gift. I am here to evangelise," Sr Christina said.

Asked what the Vatican would make of her performance, Sr Christina said: "I don't know. I'm expecting a telephone call from Pope Francis, certainly."

"Because he exhorts us to go out, to evangelise, to say that God does not take from us, but rather gives us more," she continued.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, tweeted his admiration for Sr Cristina's performance.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10)," the cardinal posted on Twitter.

Last year, Sr Cristina won a Christian music competition as part of the Good News Festival.

Then she explained that she had found her vocation while playing a nun in a musical.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• News.co.au
• Sydney Morning Herald
• Image: Irish Examiner