FORMER BBC political correspondent Martina Purdy has told how some of her media friends thought she had "flipped" when she told them of her plans to give up her high flying career and enter a religious order.
In 2014 the well-known TV journalist announced she was quitting the job in order to join the Adoration Sisters, an order of nuns based in the Falls Road in Belfast.
The announcement that the reporter, who covered pivotal political events during the peace process, was joining a religious order shocked many.
However, after two years the now novice nun told the Irish Catholic newspaper she has no regrets.
"It is so freeing. I am living the dream of joy and peace", she said.
In her most in-depth interview to date she reveals how two of her media colleagues visited her at the convent shortly after she left her job, concerned for her wellbeing following her radical decision.
"There are only two possibilities here. I have either had a supernatural encounter with the living God who made the universe or I have flipped," she said adding that while her friends left assured of her wellbeing, she understands how some could have concluded otherwise.
"Because maybe the alternative is a bit frightening".
Sister Martina of the Blessed Sacrament told the Catholic publication that prior to her decision "the passion for the journalism started to diminish, it wasn't satisfying anymore."
Within three weeks of leaving the BBC she was a postulant wearing the brown garb of her congregation and described herself as "having a makeover in reverse". She started to wear the white veil on becoming a novice one year ago.
"I've had a very privileged life reporting from the White House and Windsor Castle and 10 Downing Street and I’ve met presidents and royalty, but the greatest privilege of my life is sitting at the feet of Jesus everyday adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament".
Before leaving the BBC Sister Martina said she informed close friends and colleagues and phoned Northern Ireland’s top politicians including then First Minster Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to tell them her plans.
"People were very surprised and happy for me", she said.
"I had told the BBC the previous Monday that I was quitting and they needed some time to make the necessary arrangements and they came back to me to say they’d make the announcement at three o’clock on Friday afternoon.
"I said, are you serious? That is the time that Jesus died. That is the hour of mercy, that is when I am dying to new life.
"All in the BBC couldn’t have been nicer. It was an unprecedented departure and they were very understanding and made it very easy for me", she added.
