by Miriam WestenMother Dolores Hart, age 73, Benedictine Nun, and former Hollywood star will be at the Oscars this February. She is the Abbess at Abbey of Regina Laudis, located in Bethlehem, Conn. Her recent film documentary God Is the Bigger Elvis, has been nominated in the best documentary short category and premieres April 5 on HBO.
Hart`s co-stars have included Elvis Presley (Loving You, 1957) and Montgomery Clift (Lonelyhearts, 1958). Dolores Hart was the first film star to kiss Elvis Presley. In 1959 she was an Oscar presenter. She performed in several more films in the 1950s and early 1960s. In 1963 she was engaged to Don Robinson and was ready to sign a high salary contract with a studio. But she gave it all up for a greater love Jesus.
In 1961 she played St Clare in Francis of Assisi opposite Bradford Dillman. She met Pope John XXIII. She said to him: "I'm Dolores Hart, the actress playing Clare." The Pontiff replied: "No, you are Clare!"
She remains a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is the only nun who can vote at the Oscars.
The Abbey of 38 nuns is self-sufficient and has its own 400 acre farm.
Reverend Mother Dolores Hart became Prioress of the Abbey in 2001.
As the world focuses on fame and money, Mother Dolores is an example of forsaking all for the greatest love of all Jesus Christ. Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.`(Matt. 22:37)
Here is an excerpt from her 1961 film St. Francis of Assis
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