Called To Serve: Life Behind The Veil Of The Daughters Of Mary & The Journey To Becoming A Nun
Marcus Luttrell interviews three Catholic nuns from the Daughters of Mary convent in upstate New York about their calling to religious life, daily routines, and their building expansion project. The conversation explores parallels between military and monastic discipline, the power of prayer, and the remarkable story of one family with seven of nine children in religious orders.
Summary
Marcus Luttrell hosts three nuns—Mother General, Sister Mary Nazareth, and Sister Madeline—on his Team Never Quit podcast to discuss their vocations and lives in the convent. The episode opens with sponsors and a Patreon question about kindness from strangers, with the nuns sharing stories of passengers and flight attendants showing them unexpected generosity simply because of their habits.
Mother General, born in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1949, describes growing up in a large Irish Catholic family. Her vocation was influenced by her mother's example of piety and demanding discipline. She entered the convent at 24-25 and describes the three-year formation process: nine months as a postulant, two years as a novice, before making first vows. During her November arrival at the convent, she experienced severe homesickness until praying a novena to St. Andrew at Christmas, which she credits with a supernatural grace that allowed her to persevere.
Sister Mary Nazareth grew up in Indiana and Georgia as the oldest of nine children—six of whom became sisters in the same order, and one brother who became a priest in the congregation that serves their convent. This appears to be a remarkable record. Her mother homeschooled all nine children with strict discipline, uniforms at home, a 5:30 AM rising time, and a regimented schedule of academics, chores, and outdoor play with no television. She attended Georgia Tech for mechanical engineering and worked before entering the convent at 28, never experiencing homesickness or regret.
Sister Madeline grew up in Wisconsin without religion, attending public school. She lost faith as a teenager but regained it through a deal with God when a family member fell ill. Days before her 18th birthday, she heard a clear voice commanding her to put on her seatbelt three times, which she obeyed just before a severe car accident that left all four teenagers uninjured despite the vehicle being crushed. She didn't become Catholic until age 23 and worked in the corporate sector before entering the convent, where she found corporate life felt empty compared to serving souls.
The nuns explain their daily schedule: waking at 5:30 AM with a ritual greeting ("Benedicta comestomino" / "Deo gratias"), 20-30 minutes of Gregorian chant Latin Divine Office, 30 minutes of meditation on Scripture, traditional Latin Mass, breakfast, work until 11:40 AM, prayer and classes, lunch, afternoon work, rosary, recreation time (volleyball, soccer, basketball, pickleball, walks), evening prayer, and bed around 9:45 PM. They spend four to five hours daily in prayer as their vocation is "reparation"—offering their prayers and suffering for the sins of others and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The conversation draws parallels between military and monastic life. Marcus notes similarities between SEAL training and convent formation—both involve regimentation, sacrifice, and perseverance through difficulty. The nuns describe how they don't choose their assignments (like military posting), filling out "dream sheets" of preferences that are rarely honored based on community need rather than individual desire. They explain that Vatican II changes in the 1960s-70s disrupted many sisters' lives by removing habits and altering schedules, causing distress among those who entered for that structured life.
The nuns describe their recreational activities and how they've integrated into local communities. Sister mentions that Mattress Mac (Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale) brings Dominican nuns to Houston Astros games, and during the World Series, had a suite just for nuns to pray for the team. They attend summer catechism programs at 20 locations nationwide, teaching about 651 children last summer.
A remarkable full-circle moment occurred: In 2017, the family brought their mother's book (Marcus's Lone Survivor, which she'd read to them in 2011) and prayer intentions to a Marcus speech in Columbus, Georgia. Security prevented contact, but Marcus came out anyway. Years later, Marcus's godmother (who guided him through his sacraments) randomly mentioned Marcus at a church meal, recognized a photo the brother had of that 2017 encounter, and connected the families. This led to the podcast appearance.
The nuns discuss the Daughters of Mary's building project: their Round Top, New York headquarters (established 1984, where Mother entered) currently holds roughly 45 people but houses double that capacity, with sisters sleeping in non-bedroom spaces. They're constructing 80 new bedrooms. Ground was broken in August 2023 after planning began in 2021. Current costs have nearly doubled over six years due to inflation. They need $1 million to install prefabricated walls and another $1 million to roof and close the building. A structural steel company owner donated labor after hearing about the project through a missalcover order. Funding comes from small monthly donations that accumulate rather than large gifts; they proceed on faith, praying novennas and petitioning God, who provides "just enough."
The nuns operate two K-12 schools: St. Pius V School in Melville, Long Island (130 students) and one in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. They sell handmade religious items (rosaries, scapulars, chapel veils, woodwork) through DaughtersOfMaryPress.com and teach catechism across the country. Their main website is DaughtersOfMary.net.
A major theme is the rosary as a "secret weapon." Sister Madeline emphasizes that praying the rosary—a 15-20 minute meditation on the Life of Christ and Mary using beads and prayers—brings peace and has transformed lives. They offer free rosaries and pamphlets to those who want to learn. Marcus mentions the Halo app, which features celebrity-read prayers including Mark Wahlberg's 16-minute rosary and Marcus's own prayers for the country.
The conversation addresses faith and masculinity in military culture, with Marcus noting that many SEALs are serious Catholics who don't discuss it openly due to military culture, though faith clearly sustains them. The nuns discuss how faith—training the spirit alongside mind and body—creates happiness even amid suffering, allowing one to "offer it up" rather than merely endure hardship.
The episode concludes with mutual gratitude: the nuns thank Marcus for his service and the prayer warrior efforts of people like Michael Murphy's mother Maureen (who prayed for Marcus and sent him a rosary); Marcus expresses honor at knowing them and commitment to helping with their building project and promoting their mission through social platforms like a potential Patreon account to fund construction.
About this episode
<div> <p>In this week’s Team Never Quit podcast, Marcus and Melanie host Sister Madeleine Marie and other representatives from The Daughters of Mary Mother of Our Savior, a congregation of traditional Catholic Sisters devoted to a life of prayer, service, and religious formation. Founded in the summer of 1984, the Congregation’s motherhouse, St. Joseph’s Novitiate, is located in upstate New York, where young women discerning religious life are formed spiritually and practically as they prepare to become Daughters of Mary.</p><p>Life at St. Joseph’s Novitiate follows a semi-contemplative rhythm centered on both prayer and work. Candidates begin their journey as postulants, living within the community for nine months while learning its daily routine, expectations, and spiritual life. Those who are received into the Novitiate are given the religious habit and white veil of a novice and begin two years of deeper formation, studying the rules, constitutions, and spirit of the Congregation. At the conclusion of that period, those who are called to continue may make their first profession of vows.</p><p>Today, however, the Congregation is facing an encouraging challenge: growth.</p><p>Over the past fifteen years, the Daughters of Mary Mother of Our Savior has nearly doubled in size. New vocations continue to come, but the Sisters have now reached the limits of their present convent. Without additional space, the Congregation may soon be unable to welcome new postulants who feel called to religious life.</p><p>That need has led to an important building project now underway—a new convent designed to provide room for the growing community and for future generations of Sisters.</p><p>The project is being completed in several major phases.</p><p>The first phase focuses on bringing the new building from the ground up and enclosing it to the roof. This includes planning, excavation, foundation walls, steel framing, floors, and completion of the exterior shell.</p><p>The next phase involves installing the essential mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems required to make the convent functional and safe. HVAC, plumbing, electrical service, fire protection, testing, and inspections will all be critical parts of this stage.</p><p>The final phase will transform the structure into a true home for the Sisters. Interior framing, drywall, painting, flooring, fixtures, and final finishes will complete the living and formation spaces where future postulants, novices, and professed Sisters will pray, work, learn, and live together.</p><p>This building project represents far more than bricks, steel, wiring, and walls. It is an investment in the future of the Congregation and in the young women who believe they are being called to devote their lives to God.</p><p>In this episode, listeners will learn more about the Daughters of Mary Mother of Our Savior, the process of religious formation, the remarkable growth the Congregation has experienced, and why expanding St. Joseph’s Novitiate has become such an important and timely mission.</p><p>The new building is necessary because the community is growing—and because the Sisters want to remain ready to welcome every vocation that may come through their doors.</p><p><strong>Support The Sisters:<br />- </strong> IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daughtersofmarypress?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">https://www.instagram.com/daughtersofmarypress?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==</a> <br />- Website: <a href="https://www.daughtersofmarypress.com/">https://www.daughtersofmarypress.com/</a></p><p><strong>Support TNQ<br /> </strong><em>-</em> IG:<em> </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/"><em>team_neverquit</em></a><em> , </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/"><em>marcusluttrell</em></a><em> , </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/melanieluttrell/"><em>melanieluttrell</em></a><em> , </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/huntero13/"><em>huntero13</em></a><em><br /> - </em><a href="https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit"><em><a href="https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit">https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit</a></em></a><em><br /></em><br /><strong>Sponsors:<br /> - </strong><a href="http://navyfederal.org/"><em><a href="http://Navyfederal.org">Navyfederal.org</a></em></a><em> <br />- </em><a href="http://truenutrition.com/NEVERQUIT">truenutrition.com/NEVERQUIT</a><br /><em> - </em><a href="http://davidprotein.com/TNQ"><em><a href="http://davidprotein.com/TNQ">davidprotein.com/TNQ</a></em></a><em><br /> - </em><a href="http://mengotomars.com/"><em><a href="http://mengotomars.com">mengotomars.com</a></em></a><em> [Team Never Quit]<br /><br /></em><strong>- </strong><a href="http://dripdrop.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://Dripdrop.com/TNQ">Dripdrop.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><strong><br />- </strong><a href="http://vinted.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://vinted.com/TNQ">vinted.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><strong><br /><br />- </strong><a href="http://quo.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://quo.com/TNQ">quo.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><em><br /> - </em><a href="http://bubsnaturals.com/"><em><a href="http://bubsnaturals.com">bubsnaturals.com</a></em></a><em> [Promo code TNQ]<br /></em><strong><br /> - </strong><a href="http://mizzenandmain.com/"><strong><a href="http://mizzenandmain.com">mizzenandmain.com</a></strong></a><strong> [Promo code: TNQ20]<br /> - </strong><a href="http://masterclass.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://masterclass.com/TNQ">masterclass.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><strong><br /><br /> - </strong><a href="http://shopmando.com/"><strong><a href="http://ShopMando.com">ShopMando.com</a></strong></a><strong> [Promo code: TNQ]<br /> - </strong><a href="http://tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes"><strong><a href="http://Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes">Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes</a></strong></a><strong><br /><br /> - </strong><a href="http://meetfabiric.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://meetfabric.com/TNQ">meetfabric.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><strong><br /> - Prizepicks (PROMO CODE: TNQ)<br /><br /> - </strong><a href="http://armslist.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://armslist.com/TNQ">armslist.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><br /> - <em> </em><a href="http://pxgapparel.com/TNQ"><em><a href="http://PXGapparel.com/TNQ">PXGapparel.com/TNQ</a></em></a><em><br /></em><br /> - <a href="http://bruntworkwear.com/TNQ">bruntworkwear.com/TNQ</a><strong><br /> - </strong><a href="http://shipsticks.com/TNQ"><strong><a href="http://shipsticks.com/TNQ">shipsticks.com/TNQ</a></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><em><br /> - </em><a href="http://stopboxusa.com/"><em><a href="http://stopboxusa.com">stopboxusa.com</a></em></a><em> {TNQ}<br /> - </em><a href="http://tonal.com/"><em><a href="http://Tonal.com">Tonal.com</a></em></a><em> [TNQ]<br /><br /> - </em><a href="http://greenlight.com/TNQ"><em><a href="http://greenlight.com/TNQ">greenlight.com/TNQ</a></em></a><em><br /> - </em><a href="http://drinkag1.com/TNQ"><em><a href="http://drinkAG1.com/TNQ">drinkAG1.com/TNQ</a></em></a><em><br /><br /> - </em><a href="http://hims.com/TNQ"><em><a href="http://Hims.com/TNQ">Hims.com/TNQ</a></em></a></p></div>
Key Insights
- Mother General entered the convent at age 24-25 despite loving her California life and possessing a 1967 Mustang, and overcame severe homesickness during her first three months by praying a novena to St. Andrew, which she experienced as a supernatural grace on Christmas Day.
- Sister Mary Nazareth came from a family of nine children where six became nuns in the same order and one brother became a priest, which may be a modern record, all raised by a homeschooling mother who enforced strict discipline including school uniforms at home and a 5:30 AM rising time.
- Sister Madeline heard a clear, insistent voice three times commanding her to put on her seatbelt minutes before a severe car accident that crushed her vehicle but left all four teenagers uninjured, which she identifies as divine intervention and the moment she believed in angels and God's existence.
- The nuns spend four to five hours daily in structured prayer and their primary vocation is 'reparation'—offering their lives and suffering to repair for the sins of others and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with an hour knelt in chapel specifically for this purpose.
- The Daughters of Mary convent doubled its capacity with sisters sleeping in spaces not designed as bedrooms, and their building project to add 80 bedrooms has seen construction costs nearly double over six years, requiring $2 million just to roof and close the structure against harsh New York winters.
- The nuns describe receiving assignments to different convent houses based on community need and individual talents rather than personal preference, similar to military posting, and they accept these assignments as part of their vocation rather than resist them.
- Vatican II changes in the 1960s-70s disrupted many sisters' lives by removing the traditional habit and altering the structured schedule, causing spiritual distress to those who entered specifically for that regulated monastic life and order.
- The full-circle connection between Marcus and the nuns occurred when Marcus's godmother randomly mentioned his name at a church meal, leading to recognition of a 2017 photograph, which eventually resulted in the podcast appearance after years of the family praying for Marcus daily since 2011.
- The nuns' fundraising model relies on small recurring monthly donations of $10-20 from benefactors rather than large gifts, demonstrating faith that God provides 'just enough' at each stage, with major donations often arriving unexpectedly when needed.
- A structural steel company owner, after ordering a missalcover from the nuns' website, learned of their building project and donated the structural steel and coordinated union labor, illustrating how their apostolate reaches people beyond traditional religious networks.
- Marcus argues that faith provides the crucial third element of human development alongside body and mind training, and that this spiritual foundation allows people to find happiness and meaning even amid suffering by 'offering it up' rather than merely enduring hardship.
- Sister Madeline emphasizes the rosary as a 'secret weapon' more powerful than any military armament, claiming it has brought her through every cross in life and that if more people prayed it, the country and world would be in better shape due to the peace it produces.
Topics
Transcript
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