Former Carmelite Nun Reveals Profound Struggles After Leaving Convent Life

A former Carmelite nun, Grasiele Loureiro, has openly shared her profound struggles and emotional journey following her departure from the Carmelite convent after two years of monastic life. Loureiro recounted the intense feelings of shame and failure she experienced upon re-entering secular life, particularly concerning societal perceptions and her altered appearance. "Many people have asked how it was when I left Carmelo, how it was to be back in the world," Loureiro stated in her video. She revealed that before entering the convent, she had donated all her personal belongings, including clothes and shoes. "When I got home, I had donated all my clothes. Luckily, my younger sister lent me some clothes, and even returned some I had given her," she explained, highlighting her initial lack of possessions. She described feeling like a "failure" and her initial desire to remain hidden, hoping to return to the Carmelite order quickly. "I didn't want anyone to see me, I didn't want anyone to know I was out here, because my idea was to go back as soon as possible," she added. Her narrative also touched on the strict worldview she developed within the convent, where activities like shopping were perceived as sinful. Loureiro candidly admitted, "I thought going to the mall was a sin. How could I go there where people dress so badly, with short clothes? How could I be in that environment?" She revealed she returned to the Carmelite order three times, emphasizing the complex and repeated nature of her discernment process. Her candid account sheds light on the significant psychological and social challenges faced by individuals transitioning out of monastic life, offering a unique perspective on faith, identity, and societal reintegration.

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Grasiele de Oliveira Loureiro, 43, teve uma juventude comum: gostava de festas, saía com os amigos e frequentava a missa por pressão do pai. Mas, aos…