Susan Sarandon Claims Supernatural Experience With Rosary Beads But Left Catholic Church
Susan Sarandon claims to have had a supernatural experience with her rosary beads.
The 69-year-old actress, who received a Catholic School education that includes the Catholic University of America, no longer practices the faith. Still, she can recall experiencing some powerful things while rooting herself in Catholicism.
When speaking to Interview magazine, Sarandon spoke about once seeing her rosary beads glow as a child.
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"I had these rosary beads that I would sleep with every night, and I just wanted the blessed Virgin to be on my side," she told Interview. "Then one night I looked down and my rosary beads were glowing. And I realized that I did not want to see the blessed Virgin. I was terrified."
While Sarandon is no longer a member of the Catholic Church, she has maintained a connection in her adult life. She received the lead actress Oscar for her portrayal of a nun named Sister Helen Prejean in the 1996 film "Dead Man Walking."
She told Interview that it was interesting for her to connect with the nun despite not agreeing with the Catholic faith she was raised in.
"That's why it was so interesting to find myself back with Sister Helen [in 'Dead Man Walking'], this new breed of nuns who were making a difference in the community," she said.
When the movie first appeared on the big screen two decades ago, Sarandon spoke about her connection with Sister Helen, whose real-life story of befriending a death row convict inspired "Dead Man Walking."
"She was the antithesis of most of the nuns I knew when I was growing up," Sarandon told St. Anthony Messenger in 1996. "Helen was so full of life, such a great storyteller, so life-embracing. It was clear to me that her faith was a practical one."
Last year, the actress served as an executive producer for the documentary "Radical Grace." In a Variety report, Sarandon spoke about her decision to help bring awareness to the "Nuns on the Bus Tour" documented in the film, which highlights nuns fighting for women's equality and economic inequality.
"This film comes at a major crossroads in the Catholic church, and the nuns are everything that's right with the institution," Sarandon said in a Variety report. "They stand with the marginalized, and won't be bullied by a hierarchy that still doesn't treat them as equals."
She went on to express her connection with the members of the Catholic community despite differences in beliefs.
"I was raised Catholic...," Sarandon said. "I feel a deep connection to the women featured in 'Radical Grace,' and this film will hopefully build a movement toward a more inclusive and just church, and world."
