Documentary Featuring Sonoita Nuns Premieres at Fox This Sunday

A new documentary titled “Final Vows,” showcasing the lives of Cistercian cloistered nuns in Southern Arizona’s Santa Rita Abbey, is set to debut at the Fox Theatre this Sunday.

Directed by Victoria Westover, a film programmer and producer, the documentary highlights her journey of connecting with the nuns over four and a half years. Westover, along with producers Susan Slonaker and Sande Zeig, captured the daily lives of these nuns in the picturesque foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains.

This film marks Westover’s directorial debut, building on her previous work as a producer for the documentary “Apache 8,” released in 2011. “Final Vows” first premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in February 2024, receiving acclaim for its authentic portrayal of life in a cloister.

Westover shares her unexpected choice to focus on nuns, stemming from a complicated relationship with her Catholic upbringing. “I was raised Catholic and I rejected it as a tween, but I found nuns to be so mysterious,” she comments. The narrative explores the theme of “the Call,” a concept that deeply intrigues her yet remains elusive.

“The documentary delves into their stories, shedding light on what motivates these women to dedicate their lives to God,” Westover notes. Meanwhile, she contrasts the cloistered lifestyle with that of active nuns, who engage with the broader community.

Building trust proved crucial for the project, as Westover emphasized authenticity in her interactions with the nuns. “Many documentary makers wouldn’t share footage,” she explained. “But I believed it was vital to show them my work, fostering a genuine connection.” This approach led to a developing friendship with the sisters.

The documentary captures intimate moments of prayer, reflection, and the various challenges these women face, such as the declining number of young women joining their order. “Three nuns have passed away since filming concluded, yet they live on in the documentary,” Westover shared.

A surprising aspect highlighted in the film is the nuns’ self-sufficiency. Contrary to assumptions, they support themselves financially through baking and selling altar bread. “They operate much like a business,” Westover remarked. “I discovered their contemplative life was busier than I anticipated.”

As filming wrapped up, the nuns embraced Westover and her crew as their family. “When they told me I was their sister, it was incredibly moving,” she recalled.

The public screening of “Final Vows” will take place at the Fox Theatre, located at 17 W. Congress St., on Sunday, September 8, at 2 p.m. Following the film, there will be a Q&A session featuring two of the sisters, Pamela Fletcher and Abbess Victoria Murray. General admission is set at $10.