Wisconsin’s own “Flying Nun”

Just who was the "Flying Nun"? Well, those of us who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s think of Sister Bertrille, that tiny nun with the huge bird-like headpiece on her habit. Sally Field starred as the winged postulant who could easily fly when stirred by the slightest breeze. Based on the 1965 book, "The Flying Pelican," the sitcom ran on ABC from 1967 to 1970.

The character, Sister Bertille, was a nun in the fictitious convent of San Tanco in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the nuns' habits were adapted from those of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Interestingly, the real Daughters of Charity are an order that make annual vows throughout their life, leaving them free to leave whenever they wish.

But, Sister Bertrille was not the original "Flying Nun," at least not in this part of Wisconsin. Sister Mary Aquinas Kinskey, was our local flying celebrity.

continue at Sheboygan Press

HT MK