(gospel music playing)
(narrator) The Convent of the Sacred Heart.
Home to a devout sisterhood of Catholic nuns.
We pray for four to five hours a day.
(narrator) They're dedicated to the salvation of others.
I want to be a saint, that's my goal.
(narrator) With one eye on the modern world...
Personally, I've never taken a selfie. (laughs)
(narrator) They're now opening their doors
for the first time ever.
Oh, my goodness.
(nun 2) Wow.
(narrator) To five very modern young women.
To transform the world legless is really not a good idea.
(narrator) Hard partying, selfie obsessed,
they represent a generation in danger of losing their way.
But are they happy?
Tyla, what are you doing? Like what are you actually doing?
(Gabbi) I feel like my self‐worth comes from Instagram.
I was like daddy's little girl. (laughs)
Yeah, I'd love it to be how it used to be.
But they're looking for happiness, aren't they?
(narrator) Over the next month, they'll confront their lifestyles.
(Paige) Oh, my God.
(narrator) In the one place they never thought they'd find themselves.
A convent.
Are you actually going to turn me into a nun?
I'm in a convent.
This is hell.
(gospel music playing)
(narrator) In the rural Norfolk town of Swaffham,
the Daughters of Divine Charity live a frugal life of self‐denial
in simple accommodation.
As religious sisters, we take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
When you get up and when you go to bed and when you go to recreation and when you eat,
‐that's all part of obedience. ‐Yeah.
We are nuns, yeah, but we are still women
and we are women who want to have fun in our lives,
and to be a nun doesn't mean to be like... that.
I don't own a car, not a house, or things like that.
(Sister Francis) We don't need things.
I mean, we do need toothpaste and we do need shoe polish and various things...
This particular pair of shoes are 30 years old.
(narrator) Five hard partying girls each younger than Sister's shoes
are about to join the nuns for a back to basics life rehab.
Sometimes I do get stupidly drunk.
(laughing) I don't know how many people I've slept with.
I feel like sex sells and that's what I've become.
I do have one night stands like all the time.
I spend a lot of money, a lot a lot of money,
on like my clothes, then like my glam, up to about 40 grand.
(narrator) The sisters are on a mission.
They're determined to take on all this lost generation can throw at them.
Modern society has lost a little bit of morality.
They just don't think of the consequences.
By the time they are teenagers, they get everything they want.
(narrator) The girls are governed by a strict regime of clubs, sex and selfies.
(Sarah) I probably spend ten hours on my phone,
it depends how long I'm awake for.
A picture that would get a lot of likes would be something like this.
I feel sad when I see people not respecting themselves.
Perhaps we've lost our moral compass.
(narrator) The nuns and the girls inhabit two very different worlds that rarely cross over.
If I go out there's not a chance that I'm coming home sober.
(Paige) The vodka nights never end well.
My favorite drink is coffee.
‐Tea. ‐Coffee.
‐I like tea the best. ‐I like coffee.
Hot chocolate definitely with a big marshmallow in, just... that's it. (laughs)
I love Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj.
Who is she?
(Paige) I actually have Nicki Minaj tattooed on my leg.
My favorite outfit? (laughs)
(Paige) Something with sequins.
Something low plunge.
Something pretty tight and something that I could twerk in.
We certainly don't have to think what we wear every morning when we wear a habit.
I have dedicated my life to God and I am the bride of Christ.
I don't think I've ever really counted how many boys I've slept with.
(Rebecca) It's a lot. (laughs)
I'm so sorry mum and dad.
If you meet somebody, you go home and go to bed with them, that's the norm,
but it isn't the norm, is it? Or it shouldn't be the norm.
(Sister Francis) But they're looking for happiness, aren't they?
And they confuse things that don't bring happiness like consumerism,
they confuse that with happiness, don't they?
My ideal man is like a young David Beckham.
Ideal man? (laughs)
Who's your ideal man?
Who is my ideal man? It changes every week.
That's a very strange question to ask a nun really.
My ideal man would be...
beautiful eyes, tall, slim.
Mixed race.
A carpenter.
(narrator) The girls all agree that despite everything they have.
something is lacking in their lives.
Am I content with my life? No. (laughs)
Tyla what are you doing? Like what are you actually doing?
(Rebecca) Like I sleep all day and just go out on the night time.
There's something missing, I just don't know what it is.
(narrator) The nuns are determined to help.
We have to make sure that we train the young girls of what is good
and transforming the world being legless is really not a good idea.
(Sister Michaela) I know how it's like to be a lost teenager
who doesn't really know what to do with herself because I was like that.
(Sister Linda) I do empathize a lot with young people.
I do want them to find the meaning and purpose in life.
(upbeat music playing)
(Gabbi's mum) What about that?
No.
(narrator) It's time for the girls to leave family and friends for four weeks
to embark on a spiritual journey.
Suspender belt...
(narrator) They have no idea this means living like a nun.
I think I'm probably going to need like another two bags I'm going to be really honest,
‐like I just... ‐No you won't need another two bags, Tyla.
No, mum, I don't feel like I've got enough though.
I'm just going to pack my whole room up
because I don't know what I'm doing or where I'm going.
(Sarah) When I think of a spiritual journey,
for me I've got yoga, meditation...
This is my favorite outfit.
The absolute worst thing would be if it was like an army retreat thing
and someone shouting it like, "Drop and give me 20!"”” I'd be like "Uh."
I don't really own any comfy underwear.
That's one down. Oh, my God...
(Gabbi) Bye...
‐(Tyla) Bye, mum, love ya. ‐Love you too.
‐Bye! ‐(Tyla's mum) Bye!
(gospel music playing)
(narrator) In Swaffham, the sister's prepare
to welcome the most unique boarders they've ever had.
They would be like crazy, young, excited, makeup
and mobiles and, uh, boys.
We'll just hope that they will feel like they are at home.
(Sister Linda) It's like a private area just for the sisters.
Only the sisters are allowed that way.
And if the girls go that way, well, we won't kill them.
(chuckles)
Getting a little bit nervous now because I don't know where I'm going.
Oh, where am I, what am I doing?
Do you know what, I'm really regretting bringing a bag full of teddy bears now.
(laughing)
(narrator) The girls are about to learn exactly what they're in for.
I feel like maybe we're going to be on a farm.
I'm hoping, right, that this is just all a ploy and that you're going to take us to the airport
and send us to a beach somewhere.
Convent of the Sacred Heart, what is it?
(Paige) Oh, my God.
Look. There she comes.
I'm in a convent. (laughs) I'm in a convent.
Are you actually going to turn me into a nun?
A church. A church?
(Rebecca) This was not what I was expecting at all.
Oh, my God! Just get us back to Newcastle.
(gospel music playing)
‐Oh, my goodness. ‐Wow. Okay.
(Sister Francis) Look at what she's...
(Sister Michaela) Very fashionable.
(narrator) The Convent of the Sacred Heart in Swaffham.
I like the hat. I really like the hat.
‐(Sister Michaela) I like hats, too. ‐(Sister Renata) Oh, wow.
(narrator) Ten devout nuns eagerly await five very modern girls.
‐Well, yeah, it's about not judging by appearances. ‐Yeah.
(narrator) The girls have only just found out
where their four week transformational journey will begin.
A nunnery. I think. There's nuns in the window.
(gasps) Oh, fuck.
Oh, I should have worn something more covered up.
(Sister Michaela) I don't think that skirt's going to be suitable.
I'm not ready to go in.
Oh, my God, I'm actually scared now.
‐(Paige) Hiya. ‐(Sister Thomas More) Welcome to Sacred Heart Convent.
(narrator) 23‐year‐old secretary Paige is first for a warm welcome
from Sister Thomas Moore.
(Sister Thomas More) That's a nice name. Come inside.
‐(Sister Renata) She's in. High five. ‐(Sister Michaela) She's in.
One in the house.
(Tyla's giggling)
(narrator) The second arrival is 20‐year‐old Gabbi, a lingerie model from London.
I know where I am. I'm in a convent. (giggles)
I am in a convent. That's fine I can do that.
‐Oh, gosh, I think she has a lot to bring in. ‐She needs some help.
(Sister Renata) Yeah.
(giggling)
‐(Gabbi) Hello! ‐(Sister Thomas More) Hello.
‐Road trip. Welcome to the convent. ‐(Gabbi) Nice to meet you.
‐Hello. ‐Hello.
(Sister Linda) Shall I take this one or which...
(Gabbi) Any, honestly, oh, thank you so much. ‐(Linda) Okay, that one then.
‐Yeah, I'm Gabbi. ‐(Paige) I'm Paige come here.
‐Nice to meet you. ‐Nice to meet you.
Oh, yes, got a bit more. I think she might have come for good. (laughs)
Oh, dear. That didn't work.
I kept saying "Jesus Christ" outside and I was like, "Shit, you can't say that."
‐I was like, "Fuck am I even allowed to swear?" ‐(Tyla giggles)
‐(Sister Thomas More) Hello. ‐(Tyla) Hi!
‐Welcome to the convent, hello. ‐Hi, nice to meet you.
(narrator) Next up is 22‐year‐old dancer Tyla from Leeds.
‐I was not expecting this. ‐Really?
I am feeling semi glam today, I've sort of dressed down but I still put my furry gilet on.
(Tyla) Oh, bless her. (laughing)
(narrator) 19‐year‐old Sarah Chelsea is a hostess in exclusive London clubs.
I am not quite sure where I am.
I'm open to things though.
‐And you are? ‐I'm Sarah.
Sarah. Oh, I think I need my high heels on...
(narrator) Last one to join the convent is 19‐year‐old Rebecca.
A notorious Newcastle clubber.
(Rebecca) Oh, my God. Come on.
‐Oh, my God. ‐Welcome to the Sacred Heart Convent.
You look so surprised or shall I say shocked?
What's happening?
‐(girls) Hi! ‐Hi.
(Sister Thomas More) Oh, she looked so shocked that one. Oh, bless.
She looked so shocked when she saw me.
You're even in black and white look at that.
(narrator) Over the coming weeks the nuns will challenge the girls' values and beliefs,
with a program of tough missions.
But right now, just getting to their rooms is a struggle.
The amount of luggage amazed me, with some of them.
We'll do... we'll do it slow.
We shall see what comes out of that luggage really.
(Rebecca) Oh, my God.
There were two of them that were a bit modern in there... in there dress,
that I wouldn't want to sort of have them wandering around the convent looking like that.
I thought, "Oh, gosh!"
(Paige) Fucking hell! (grunts) Oh, shit.
(narrator) The girls' dorm is strictly no frills.
One shared bathroom, and a Spartan bedroom each.
Well, it could be a lot worse.
She wasn't joking when she said it was small.
Oh, no, I've got a view of the graveyard.
(narrator) They will have to cope without their usual home comforts.
I miss my nice big king sized bed with my fluffy cushions and my big plasma TV.
‐There's no TV. ‐(Sarah gasps)
There's no mirror! There's no mirror.
No, I have a mirror.
That's going to be really hard.
I won't tell the others.
Do we have to do our own washing?
I've not sure if I've got the wrong reaction
but I feel I could make myself at home in this bedroom,
I feel like it's very calming, very relaxing.
(narrator) Convent living also comes with a strict set of rules.
Oh, fuck. Some things like swearing are offensive to the sisters
and other members in our community.
That's me fucked then.
There is a danger of mice taking refuge in the warm. Are you being for real?
Are you actually being serious that... that the mice will be living with us? Animals?
How can they just say that? Like I'm going to have to talk to the sisters about that
because I can't have mice living with me.
I've prepared to go out. For God's sake.
(Paige) One, two, three.
(Rebecca) It is very nice, and no‐one going to see it,
because I'm not going to have it on, because I'm in a fucking nunnery.
(Paige) Thirteen, 14, 15 pairs of shoes,
and I don't think any of them are nunnery appropriate.
From what I've seen of those girls, I would think, that they're ready for a challenge.
And I would hope that they will rise up to it.
I'm going to sneak out, out the window if I can fit out the window.
Oh, my God, I'm actually locked in.
No, they have, they've bolted it.
I'm in a prison.
I've never been anywhere like this before, and I've not even seen like a nun in real life.
I did not prepare myself for this.
It's not okay, I don't want to be a nun.
(narrator) Downstairs, the nuns are keen to help the girls settle in.
I'm Sister Thomas More, Sister Francis you have met, she'll keep her eye on you.
(narator) Sister Francis is second in command, she lays down the law.
(Sister Francis) We're here to share the life that we have,
a life of prayer, of work, of recreation, and service to other people.
You have decided that you need to make changes in your life, it's a spiritual journey.
It's not a religious journey, it's a spiritual journey.
It is perhaps going to be quite difficult,
change is very difficult, it's painful sometimes.
(narrator) To help them, Sister Francis has more rules.
The first lesson is obedience.
Convents are quiet places so 10:00 at night, after that,
there is silence, and we're expecting you to be in the chapel
at quarter past 7 in the morning, so. (laughs)
We have to make sure that we train the young girls of what is good,
what they're supposed to do.
And so they've got to imbibe the virtues, really, that are needed to be good citizens.
(narrator) A big step towards change,
is encouraging the girls to sacrifice all they hold most dear.
This means no phones.
I hate to say it but I don't think I could live without my phone.
It would just be the end of the world.
How... how do you not have a mobile?
(narrator) No social media.
(Gabbi) I can't imagine my life without it now.
So this is... this is like weird.
(narrator) No alcohol.
Yeah, I wet the bed the other night, so I'd say it was a different level of drunk.
(narrator) And no makeup.
(Paige) I wouldn't be seen dead without my hair extensions in.
Oh, no. Oh, no, no. (laughs)
I think the only time I've ever had no makeup on is like
when I've been doing like the walk of shame back from a night out.
(sister) Bye!
(girls) Bye, see you later!
(Sister Linda) By the time they are 10, they get an iPhone,
then they get an iPod.
(Sister Francis) They're just quite happy to embrace this technology,
and to be lost in it, it's a kind of a spirituality for them in a way.
I use Facebook, I use Viber, I use WhatsApp, but in moderation.
(Sister Linda) It should help you to communicate,
but it's really, really sad when it replaces communication.
It's going to be a time of... of building relationships without a machine in the middle, you know.
It'll be lovely, won't it?
(narrator) 20‐year‐old model Gabbi, will be hardest hit by the ban.
(Gabbi) I don't smoke, barely drink,
don't do drugs, wouldn't touch them.
The only thing I'm actually really addicted to is my phone,
and social media.
I'm not just taking selfies for fun. (laughing)
(narrator) More followers means more work, and there's only one way to get them.
(Gabbi) Of course I want to get more followers,
I think to myself if I just stop now, to not ever get any more, then what was the point?
(photographer) I don't like the leg behind.
No, it's not very sexy, is it?
No, it's not very sexy.
Be sexy!
(Gabbi) I can't actually imagine my life without my social media,
so this sounds really sad but I would be very lonely without it.
It's so sad when all they've got as their companion, is a machine. (scoffs)
(narrator) Gabbi's parents worry her addiction is out of control.
I think she would benefit from time away from a phone,
time away from all those so‐called social media pressures,
and just actually getting back to basics.
It might be good for you to have a period without this,
and actually spend your time thinking about...
(Gabbi) I feel like that's where my confidence even comes from.
‐I know, I know. ‐I feel like without that...
without that, I don't know what to do with myself, I feel like... I feel like I'm nothing.
And it's sad, I feel like my self‐worth comes from Instagram or something.
(Gabbi's father) Isn't that why... isn't that why it could be a good time
to have a little bit of a break from it, to be able to say...
you know, this is what I want, this is who I am.
‐It's important, it's important to come from inside. ‐Stop.
Not for other people to tell you you're worth it or you're not.
(Gabbi crying)
Don't get upset, don't get upset, darling.
Come here, no, don't get upset.
Don't get upset, sweetheart.
No, it's just, it's all quite intense.
(Gabbi's father) I know it is.
No, it's just... like I make out it's all fine but it's not.
I know, it shows, doesn't it?
‐It's not fine. ‐It shows.
(narrator) Back at the convent, it's 9.30 p. m.,
usually the girls would be getting dolled up to go out, not getting into their PJs.
(Sarah) I've got my fluffy slippers.
(narrator) But rules decree they are in bed by 10.
So, everybody's ready, I didn't think you'd all be ready.
Yeah.
Right, just to remind you, that now you're going to go into your rooms
and there's going to be silence, and you're going to stay in your rooms.
We know.
(Sister Francis) I hope they're going to be peaceful.
‐Good night. ‐(groans) I'll see you on the other side.
(Sister Francis) We want a good night sleep all of us.
It's lights out now.
(narrator) With their smart phones confiscated,
the nuns have allowed the girls diary cams, to record their first night confessionals.
Day one at nunnery camp.
Bits have been boring but, soldiered on through.
Right now I'm kind of struggling like, with why someone would choose to be a nun.
The worst part is, at quarter past 7 we're going to be downstairs in the chapel,
singing our hearts out to all the Jesus anthems.
(chuckles)
I found this in my bag from my mum.
It says "I spend the past part of every day thinking about you,
that's what makes it the best part."
Which is nice.
(gospel music playing)
(narrator) It's 6.15 a. m., the girls' first morning in the convent.
(alarm clock beeping)
In the girls' dorm, there's little sign of life.
(alarm clock beeping)
Hello.
(narrator) Usually at this time, they'd be coming home from a night out.
Literally woke up this morning and was like fuck, I'm at a fucking nunnery.
(bell ringing)
(narrator) But Sister Linda is helping keep the girls on schedule.
Good morning, ladies.
Oh, hello, dear.
(Rebecca) The last time I got up this early was for school.
(Sarah) There's a routine, they stick to it,
and it's just a complete parallel universe to what I'm used to.
Oh, I really don't like mornings.
If it wasn't for God I really wouldn't get up.
I do like my long sleeps.
(narrator) Whilst the nuns prepare for the day spiritually,
the girls have a more cosmetic approach.
I don't feel myself without a little bit of glow like.
(soft music playing)
(narrator) They've been asked to dress appropriately.
‐Black heels? ‐Wow!
(narrator) But they can't resist some personal touches.
Oh, my God. That is perfect.
‐(Sarah) You look really nice. ‐I look like a pornstar,
like I'm ready to be whipped like a naughty nun like. (clicks tongue)
There aren't any naughty nuns.
(chuckles)
(narrator) Then morning prayer, an hour of contemplation.
(everyone praying)
(singing gospel music)
(Rebecca) To be honest, when I first walked in,
I genuinely thought I was going to like, set on fire, for all of my sins.
Chapel is on my list of top ten most boring things,
that I think I've ever endured in my life.
(Sister Francis) There's definitely moments of quiet and reflection,
and I think in the busy life that young people live today, that is what is missing.
They can't really live without a lot of noise.
Those moments of silence is when you begin to look at yourself,
and sometimes that is very hard.
(all praying)
(narrator) After life night's emotional start,
Gabbi is trying to embrace the experience.
I've barely ever been in a church in my life.
It's a challenge that I've been given.
If I've been asked to go to prayer I'm going to go
because I think it makes me feel to go to prayer and know I'm being respectful.
Yeah, of course I don't enjoy it, it's not my ideal.
Do I believe in God, no.
I don't... I don't understand why like massive disasters happen,
why there's poor people, but I feel rude to ask that,
but that's the biggest reason why I would never really believe it all exists.
(Sister Francis) I think they find the word religion quite difficult to cope with,
but when you say we're all spiritual beings, that that's how God made us,
and there is some inner spirit and inner goodness from God, they understand that.
(narrator) The girls do their best to fit in,
but Sister Linda wants a quiet word with Tyla about Chapel etiquette.
When we go to chapel, I notice you are putting a bit of lipstick.
Lipstick on, yeah. Lips are very dry.
‐Are you... really? ‐Yeah. (laughs).
‐Can you try not to do that in chapel. And just... ‐I can try.
Yeah, please do, please do, because I don't know, are you aware of that?
‐Because sometimes it goes automatically, doesn't it? ‐Well, no,
because I've never been in a chapel so I'm not aware of it, but...
Okay.
(soft music playing)
(narrator) For 22‐year‐old Tyla, her appearance is everything.
Last year, I've spent up to about 40 grand‐ish on like all my niceness
and my clothes and like, my hair and you know, getting all my nice accessories.
Oh, that's an awful figure.
I've actually never thought of it, I could probably buy a house.
(narrator) Her mum is worried her shopping habits are out of control.
(Tyla's mother) It has become a problem.
If Tyla decides that she wants something,
she won't think nothing about spending ££300 on a dress.
I've not really been able to say anything to her.
This is my favorite.
I wore it when I went to Barcelona, for my birthday.
It was only 180 to be fair.
Literally I've worn all these dresses like once. (laughs)
(soft music playing)
(indistinct chatter)
(narrator) The girls have been up for three hours, and finally it's time to eat.
(sisters) ...Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty.
‐Morning. ‐Good morning.
(narrator) There's barely time for tea, toast and a touch up,
before the next item on the day's schedule.
Right, we're running a little bit late this morning.
Sister Danuta is going to take some of you to clean because we always do work.
Why do we work? That's part of our life,
that's part of everybody's life, isn't it?
So she'll be cleaning windows in here.
(narrator) The Swaffham Sisters live as a community,
so shared washing, cooking, and cleaning, are part of their daily routine.
Oh, my God, stop being a wimp.
(Sister Thomas More) Community life, it can be difficult,
you... you've got to give yourself to it.
(Rebecca) Monday morning, who gets up and cleans?
It's ridiculous.
In our time, when I entered a convent, it was much stricter than it is now.
I mean, I didn't go home for seven years, that was really hard.
(Rebecca) No, no, no, don't pull, wait, wait.
(humming)
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
(Tyla) That's an artery.
‐That's... that's a pheasant's heart. ‐(retching)
I would have just got back from a night out from Sunday
at around about maybe 7:00 in the morning, and then I'd just sleep all day.
Get your intestines out.
I've actually got a hole in my cloth, that's how much I've been, look.
(laughing)
(narrator) But it's not just about cleaning the convent.
The sisters are also keen to encourage teamwork.
It always brings you closer if you do things together, and we can support one another.
The younger ones support the older ones and the older ones support the younger ones.
That's how it goes.
(Sarah) If we met out clubbing,
don't get me wrong, we would have got on, but it would have been so different.
‐Like now we've seen like the inner us. ‐(Gabbi) Yeah.
(Sarah) Yeah, so like we're all communicating,
we've got a chance to sit here and talk to each other all day. We're not sat on our phones.
This is the most amount of conversations I think I've ever had in a day,
but it shouldn't be like that, should it, it's because of our phones.
(narrator) Cleaning done, it's time for midday prayers.
And gonna travel to... fucking prayer again.
(all praying)
(Rebecca) I'm getting really pissed off,
I've been made to sing for our breakfast,
she's going on about she's been born from God.
No, you were born from your mother's vagina, right.
It's all bullshit, like I want to go home. It's pissing us off.
(narrator) Worried that the girls are going stir crazy,
Sister Linda and Sister Anna are already one step ahead.
(Tyla) Freedom!
(indistinct chatter)
(narrator) They're taking them out for some retail therapy, with a difference.
They're at their local charity shop for a lesson in poverty and self‐restraint.
(Sister Michaela) We take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience,
which means that poverty, we cannot own anything big,
like big amounts of money or our own bank account,
or cars or houses, nothing like this.
We get ££25 a month.
(narrator) The girls will live on the same amount whilst they're living with the nuns.
Two for 50p. Bargain.
I don't really want to waste my money, like in charity shop.
(gasps) Ooh, I like this hat, makes me look elegant.
Just a bit skanky, isn't it?
Ooh, so this has been on someone's head?
Someone else's head. Do you think?
This is suitable for chapel, because it's got shoulders covered,
which none of my clothes have, and it's only ££4, which is crazy.
(Sister Anna) Some of them, they've... they've never been to a charity shop.
They can be surprised by what they can find.
‐It's pretty, isn't it? ‐Yeah.
(Tyla) The most expensive thing I've ever bought,
my fur jacket was like 800 quid,
but then my handbag, this handbag, this is like just short of ££600.
(Paige) Sold! To the girl in the green quote.
I have ££25 for a month.
‐Have you got ££25? ‐For a month.
Oh, well, you're going to have to tighten your belt
‐for the rest of the month, aren't you? ‐I know.
(narrator) But not everyone is buying for themselves.
I'm buying Sister Linda a plastic rose for Valentine's day?
I'm getting the chopstick for Sister Anna. Shh.
Shh.
(upbeat music playing)
(narrator) Back at home, self‐restraint isn't something that Rebecca's used to.
I go out like six nights a week, but probably only remember three.
(narrator) Her behavior has had an impact on family life.
It's all the stuff she does, you know, it's... it's wrong.
I don't go looking for it, it comes to me.
(Rebecca) I keep a list of the people I've slept with.
It's a lot.
I'm your mum, I'm not your friend.
I think you just give up...
(Rebecca's mother) You want all the going out drinking and all that.
You don't stick at something very long.
(Rebecca) I got kicked out of my first school.
I did go to college, it was like for a couple of weeks but, no, it wasn't for me.
She's hanging around with the wrong people.
I've tried to put her on the right path, but she just wouldn't listen.
(Rebecca) I literally don't talk to my dad, like we just don't talk at all.
Literally I just feel like he hates us.
(narrator) But things haven't always been this bad.
(Rebecca's father) I remember, she'd go ballroom dancing,
and she always used to win all these awards for dancing,
making me quite proud of her.
I think that's the... that's the best thing I've done, getting ballroom trophies.
I used to help at the shop and it just used to be me and my dad,
we just used to do loads of stuff together.
Even when I was little it just used to be like me and my dad.
I was like daddy's little girl.
How it used to, I'd love it to be how it used to be like,
like if I knew what to do then I'd do it, but I just don't know what I can do to make it better.
I hope she, you know, sees sense.
She has a good heart, I'll say that.
(narrator) Back in the charity shop in Swaffham, changes are afoot.
‐Rebecca, now what‐‐ ‐No, because I've seen that you liked it
and I'm not going to use it so...
Oh, this is so lovely.
(Rebecca) Little things like that, like just little things like chopsticks,
so like that was ££2.50, and she's so happy with it.
Like, like I'm so unappreciative of stuff that I get.
The value of things is not in the price,
but in what they think of the item.
I love it, I really love it.
She's so happy with it. I'm glad you like it.
You see we brought them to make them happy, and they made us happy.
See how amazing is that?
Oh, I feel like I'm going to heaven. I feel like...
(narrator) Rebecca is learning after this first lesson,
but others have got more devilish plans.
(giggling) I got contraband.
Us girls are going to get absolutely rat‐arsed.
It was such... You see, this was such a smart idea.
I'm so devious.
‐But they're not going to know, are they? ‐Not the fuck.
(narrator) The end of the shopping trip
marks the beginning of a very different kind of spiritual journey.
I needed to do something rebellious, I needed to get that out of my system.
I was just so like, ugh, routine, boring. Now I'm like, yes!
Ah, I really, I feel comfortable, you know,
because I know something they think I don't know, you know like children in school.
They think, "Oh, they just can't see we just do this."
(laughs)
(Sarah) Rules are made to be broken, like, that's what...
I just love to do it.
I feel like I've been betrayed but...
I... I also think they really think we won't do anything about it,
just let it go.
(tranquil music playing)
(Sister Francis) We've lost three girls.
‐Yeah, we've got a problem. ‐Why?
Okay, girls, there's something going on.
If somebody... somebody does something wrong,
we don't usually punish people, but we do talk.
So...
(Sarah) Um, we...
I got... I got a bottle of vodka from the shop today and I'm going to hand it over.
Right, now, that's honest really, isn't it?
Okay.
We have invited you in,
because we think it's important to help young people,
and we agreed that there wouldn't be any drinking,
remember in the rules and the regulations, that's what it says.
But we trusted you, and if we can't trust you over little things,
then we don't know what's going to happen next,
and sometimes we've just got to say that we're sorry and move on,
and that's how it is.
It was like being told off by my mum or by dad when I'm like five years
and they sit you down and you're like...
you don't even want to look at them.
We bought it on the intentions that we could have had a laugh together.
(Sister Francis) They weren't thinking about that they were betraying somebody's trust.
They didn't really see why they couldn't have any drink.
(Sarah) For me, purchasing the bottle of vodka was a thrill...
the breaking the rules, that was why I did it.
I wasn't desperate to be drinking really crappy cheap vodka.
That's not what is was about for me,
it was just the fact that we shouldn't have been doing it.
(Paige) What do you want to do, pour it... pour it down the drain?
Of course not, Paige, that would be a terrible waste, wouldn't it?
(Sarah) Exactly, so what are you going to do?
(Paige) What you're going to do is to stay here and drink it.
(Sister Francis) They didn't see that is was a matter of self‐discipline,
and that's what you do on a spiritual journey, you give up things
and you think about things in your life that are cluttering your life
or too expensive or what you can change, how you can convert.
All they were thinking about was "This is what we want, this is what we need,
and we need to go and get it."
(Tyla) It's an absolute joke, absolute joke, absolute joke.
It's done Sister. Empty bottle.
(Sarah) Well, we're all really sorry, aren't we?
I'm sorry, Sister, I love you loads. Sorry, Sis.
So when we make a mistake, we move forward, we progress,
and that's really the lesson that I would like you to learn.
‐How about a big hug? ‐Yeah.
(Tyla) To be fair, like, she could have took it a lot worse.
She could have like kicked us out, she could of sanctioned us, she could of whatever...
but she kind of took it in a way where she wanted us to kind of learn something from it.
And I think she's happy that we've actually like,
asked for her forgiveness because like that's our step on our spiritual journey,
so I think it's actually been like a positive thing.
We're a bottle of vodka down but we've got things off our chest
that we probably wouldn't have got if this didn't happen.
(Sarah) So, are we ready to, go back in guys?
(gospel music playing)
(narrator) It's a new day at the Sacred Heart Convent in Swaffham.
(Rebecca) I'm fucking so hungry, man.
I'm absolutely freezing.
I'm fucking shattered.
(narrator) Almost a week with the consumer generation,
is stretching the sister's resources.
(Sister Francis) They're eating us out of house and home, Sister Thomas More.
(laughing) I know, I know...
(Sister Francis) There's no drinks left or anything, oh, gosh.
(narrator) After the setback of vodka smuggling,
Sister Francis has designed a simple exercise, to challenge the girls emotional priorities.
You have a set of symbols, which are inside your envelope,
so if you'd just like to take them out.
They represent things in life, right.
(narrator) Together with Sister Michaela,
she's asked them to rank the most important aspects of their life.
Right. So the first things you have to do
is to think about what do they represent?
Right at the very top, I've done the key,
because I think the key can represent anything,
like the key to success, happiness, life, it's sort of what you make it.
(narrator) They then put what they value most at the center.
You have to make the decision, what goes where.
(Sarah) Yeah, exactly, and it makes you realize what's important to you and what's not.
(Gabbi) I wrote like food and drink but that's obviously important
so it should be in the middle because you'll die if you don't eat or drink.
But, is it the most important thing that you think about?
‐(Gabbi) Oh, no, because I just do it anyway. ‐No, no.
(Paige) Oh, sugar, sugar. Sorry.
Fucking hell. Sorry!
I just wrote broken for the jug, because it's broken and I...
couldn't think of another word.
(Sister Francis) But does that relate to your life, Paige?
That brokenness.
Well, my family's been broken apart recently,
and, yeah, that did affect me a little bit, but, just moving on...
‐Broken up a bit. ‐Yeah.
I put troubles, so I do experience a lot of troubles
but I sort of don't really tend to deal with them, I just sort of moan...
So they're still there, I acknowledge them.
Okay, so in the middle, it's obviously my family,
like me mam, me dad, my little brother at home and that, and then this one.
The alcohol, they're called Zombies, right, so like that's the next one,
Zombies and it's like that's a fire because like they set the drink on fire.
(narrator) With most of the girls still focused on the materialistic,
Sister Michaela delivers a sobering perspective.
The center for me is love.
I put heart as love, because I've discovered over the last few years
that love is something that keeps me going,
and love can go beyond anything, even beyond the grave,
which I experienced recently when my mum died.
‐Yes... ‐(Sister Francis) Yes, okay...
But that was just at Christmas so...
I love my mum so much and I still love her, and it's like...
‐Oh, my God. ‐Yeah.
(Sister Michaela) And I prayed for her a lot and...
‐Can I give you a hug? ‐(Sister Francis) It was...
it was very difficult, it was very difficult.
(Gabbi) It's just realizing what's important, isn't it,
because things that really are important can be taken away just like that.
You're very brave talking about it as well, to us,
like you don't have to share it with us.
(Sister Francis) The atmosphere changed completely, completely.
It was as if somebody had turned the light switch.
It went from, "We're partying, that's what we need to do, we don't need to change,"
to "perhaps we ought to be thinking about our family."
Our lives are very emotional, aren't they?
And if we let people in to our lives,
then there is pain and there is suffering.
‐I can't even get my words out. ‐(Sister Francis) No.
I think it might be time for a cup of tea.
(Rebecca) Like the fact that I put family and alcohol in the same bubble,
I was just a bit like... and then when I thought about it I was like,
that is so shallow.
I was not expecting this at all.
Being here has just made us see like, just think about all the stuff that's happened
between me and my dad and my family.
I've done so many bad things like, everything that I've done
is just like to kind of punish my parents.
(narrator) And for Sarah, her indiscretions with budget vodka, have been playing on her mind.
I would like to apologize to you about yesterday, and not being totally honest with you.
Um, I have had time to reflect but I just felt that I really let you down,
‐because you were so proud and‐‐ ‐You're making me cry now.
And I really have felt absolutely awful, and I just wanted to say sorry.
Oh, my goodness, this is amazing.
(narrator) After an emotional week,
the Sisters have the perfect ritual to replenish flagging spirits.
You want to play basketball?
I'm actually pretty good at basketball.
Game on, game on, Sister.
(all laughing)
(Sister Linda) The girls are still on the beginning of their journey,
and they're not really ready to accept everything.
(Sarah) Come on, come on, no! Yes!
(Sister Thomas More) I hope we'll see a change for the better,
but I don't think we can expect miracles,
although we want miracles all the time but...
(Sister Francis) Change is a lifelong experience.
You know, it's not just going to happen overnight.
There have been some milestones for them,
made them really appreciate their mums a bit more.
They appreciate they have to be honest, they have to own up to things,
they've got to negotiate, but, it is only the beginning
and everybody is on this journey, this lifelong journey of change.
(all cheer)
(Rebecca) I'd never do stuff like this at home. I'm having so much fun.
I'm playing basketball with nuns.
Not many people can say that they've done that in their lifetime.
So that's definitely ticked off the bucket list.
Yes! Yes!
‐(narrator) Next time. ‐I don't want to be bothered today.
(narrator) The nun's patience begins to wear thin.
(Sister Francis) Your nail, is more important, than people who have nothing to eat?
‐Look! ‐Okay, just think about that, Rebecca.
What's the point, in being here and not doing what we are supposed to do?
Who wants a drink then?
I think this is the longest I've gone without sex.
(narrator) But the girls find the restriction of living to the convent rulebook,
too much to bear.
(Sister Francis) Hello?
(theme music playing)