9:17am Wednesday 8th September 2010
By Richard Catton
A GLOBETROTTING nun has arrived in York to offer her unique brand of spiritual help to troubled residents of the city.
After visiting more than 260 countries throughout the world, Sister Ruth has returned to England in anticipation of the forthcoming visit of the Pope.
The 69-year-old Franciscan’s missionary work has taken her to some of the poorest countries in Africa and South Africa and she said there were now just a handful of countries she has yet to visit.
After arriving in York on Monday, she said: “I know York quite well. I have been to look around the Minster and Shambles. York is the most beautiful city in the world.”
Yesterday the wandering nun met with the sisters of Bar Convent in Blossom Street and is also looking forward to visiting The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitheroe in Shambles.
Staying in the city for an indefinite time, Sister Ruth said she will be wandering the streets, supermarkets, and even pubs, offering help, advice and prayer for anyone who wants to chat.
“I love people coming and talking to me,” she said. “That’s my main aim. I want people to tell me their problems and then we can pray. It’s an extremely successful approach.
“I will be walking round some of the pubs too because after two pints people start to tell me their whole life stories. They know I won’t betray their confidence.”
Any spare time will be spent visiting relatives which Sister Ruth has in Yorkshire.
Based at a convent in London, the nun is a graduate of Keele University and has been travelling for more than two decades.
With no formal schedule for her stay in York, Sister Ruth has told people to simply keep an eye out for her on the streets of the city.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/trade_directory/