"The Oprah Winfrey Show" had amassed quite the following of devoted viewers by the time it aired its last episode in 2011, but a handful of fans ended up giving new meaning to the word "faithful."
In 2010, "The Oprah Show" aired a piece about women who gave up material possessions, wealth and sex to become Catholic nuns, with reporter Lisa Ling spending a night inside the convent of Dominican Sisters of Mary. The sisters there were young -- their average age was 26 -- and when Ling first arrived at the convent at 5:30 p.m., she expected to find the sisters in prayer. Instead she found them playing cards and Scrabble. And, several hours later, Ling learned that their post-lunchtime exercise often included field hockey.
Of course, life at the convent still centered on ritual, silent prayer and obedience. The sisters attended nightly services as well as morning Mass, ate meals in silence and studied dutifully, yet Ling realized they still felt a sense of freedom that hadn't been present before entering the sisterhood. "They had successful lives and careers, but... they always felt this underlying insecurity and they wanted more out of life," Ling said back then. "So in a way, rather than being very strict, their lives are actually much more liberating."
Something about the episode had a profound impact on several "Oprah Show" viewers, who recently told "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" that they realized they, too, were being called to serve.
One such nun, Sister Maxine, was working from home that day at her parents' house when she saw the show with the nuns from Dominican Sisters of Mary. "My mom's a big Oprah fan," says Sister Maxine. "She calls me down and she goes, 'Oh, oh, come watch! There are nuns on Oprah.' I was like, 'Nuns?' And she goes, 'And they're young!'"
Another woman, Sister Theresita, also felt moved to answer the call upon seeing that episode. "It really got me to think, 'Yes, this is something that maybe God is asking of me too,'" she says.
Each of them realizes it's a rather unique way to come into their calling.
"I don't think there are many people in the world who can say that they helped contribute their vocation both from God and Oprah," says Sister Marie Jeanette.
For more from "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", visit wherearetheynow.buzz.
QUIZ: How Well Do You Know 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'?
QUESTION 1(01 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich comedian did Oprah let rub his fingers through her hair after he said he suspected it wasn't all hers?A. Robin WilliamsB. Jon StewartC. Chris RockD. Jim Carrey (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Chris Rock(02 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 2(03 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich Oscar-nominated actor zip-lined onto the "Oprah Show" stage from the top of the Sydney Opera House?A. Hugh JackmanB. Leonardo DiCaprioC. Tom CruiseD. Johnny Depp (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Hugh Jackman(04 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 3(05 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich Hollywood actor requested to meet a fan for a second time on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" after being smitten upon his first encounter?A. Matt DamonB. Robert Downey Jr.C. Matthew McConaugheyD. Tom Cruise (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Tom Cruise(06 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 4(07 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich diva inspired Oprah to wear a wig styled in the diva's signature 'do? A. CherB. Tina TurnerC. Diana RossD. Aretha Franklin (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Tina Turner(08 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 5(09 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich British-born actress told Oprah -- just moments before the interview began -- that she wouldn't talk about her famous relationships?A. Kate BeckinsaleB. Catherine Zeta-JonesC. Elizabeth TaylorD. Emma Thompson (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Elizabeth Taylor(10 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 6(11 of22)
Open Image ModalWho set a Guinness World Record for holding his breath underwater on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"?A. Criss AngelB. David CopperfieldC. David BlaineD. Scott Hammell (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: David Blaine(12 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 7(13 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich actress danced onto Oprah's stage in a cranberry bikini during a very public weight loss battle?A. Carrie FisherB. Drew BarrymoreC. Renée ZellwegerD. Kirstie Alley (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Kirstie Alley(14 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 8(15 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich blockbuster movie superstar locked lips with Oprah during their 2005 interview?A. Brad PittB. Will Smith C. Johnny DeppD. Tom Hanks (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Will Smith(16 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 9(17 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich celebrity chef dropped a glass ramekin in a mixer, sending shards flying onstage during a cake-making demonstration?A. Rachael RayB. Cat CoraC. Curtis StoneD. Paula Deen (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Paula Deen(18 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 10(19 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich actor taught Oprah dance moves from his films twice on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"?A. John TravoltaB. Antonio BanderasC. Christopher WalkenD. Kevin Bacon (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: John Travolta(20 of22)
Open Image ModalQUESTION 11(21 of22)
Open Image ModalWhich comedian leaped offstage to dance with an audience member?A. Robin WilliamsB. Adam SandlerC. Chris RockD. Jim Carrey (credit:Getty)
ANSWER: Jim Carrey(22 of22)
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