3 Ways The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Are Brightening the Pandemic

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As far back as I can remember, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have presided as a symbol of inclusion and tongue-in-cheek merriment in my hometown of San Francisco and throughout the world, having roughly 75 orders worldwide (based on my count). 

Started in 1976 with a creed to “promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt,” The Sisters have fostered hope, creativity, and wellness through “community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, … promoting human rights, [and] respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment.” Throughout my life, I remember fondly their iconically painted faces spreading mirth and cheer in queer and non-queer spaces alike. 

This year, The Sisters allowed me the great honor of coming to and participating in a number of their extraordinary events. While the pandemic managed to create huge shifts in their standard devotions, their vivid motley and gaudy joyousness nonetheless continued to shine through their masks during this protracted pandemic.

Here’s a brief peek at three of their recent gatherings, which brighten my SF Bay:    

1) Easter Procession

Based on Sister Baba Ganesha’s personal, artistic exploration into five pillars of The Sisters’ existence — manifestation, rebirth, pride, sanctuary, and communion — this traditional Easter Procession from 272 Dolores Street, through Dolores Park, down 18th Street to Castro, up to 150 Eureka, and back to the Pink Triangle Memorial Park was a multi-sensory experience. 

It started with a quick blessing…

… and then we took to the streets.

The Sisters walked in lines of two, a few guests like me sprinkled in their midsts, silently reflecting as they listened to an auditory art piece by one of their other sisters. Many people along the way would stop and point. Some took pictures, while others inclined their heads to say, “thank you, Sisters.” As an outsider, it was a touching, moving experience — a certain reverence palpable throughout the neighborhood.

I later learned that the procession serves as both a meditative ritual and a chance to stir things up — the imagery of wildly painted nuns walking in silent meditation evoking conversation and thought, at the very least.

2) Blessing of Street Artist’s, Fnnch’s, ‘Sister Honey Bear’ Mural

The result of a stroke of inspiration by Sister Celine Dionysus, 2021 Sister Board Chair, and collaboration with the widely popular street artist, fnnch, the Sister Honey Bear Mural now stands proudly above the Powerhouse in San Francisco’s SOMA district.

The bear is meant as both a tribute to The Sisters and as part of fundraising efforts, half of all proceeds from the sales of smaller versions of the bear earmarked for the Sisters’ Grants, which help queer organizations.

During the event, the Sisters blessed the bear, held a raucous cleansing, … 

… and for his contributions, fnnch was even “sainted” by The Sisters: a considerable honor.

Being both an artistic addition to San Francisco’s streets and a representation of fnnch’s and The Sisters’ generosity to the queer community, the Sister Honey Bear Mural is a welcomed new sight in the city by the bay.  

3) Squeaky Clean Gutter Queens

Started by Sister Angelina Holi in response to the increasing levels of trash on the streets of The Mission District in San Francisco, the Squeaky Clean Gutter Queens meet on a semi-regular basis to provide community service by sponsoring and conducting volunteer trash clean-ups. 

For each event, The Sisters and their volunteers descend upon a chosen location, equipped with trash bags, gloves, grabbers, music, and a whole lot of love to cleanse and un-taint. While initiated in the Bay Area, I understand that this divine call to unsully has caught on in other cities, by way of their various sister orders.

I have thus far attended every Gutter Queen gathering, my boyfriend being their ringleader, and I must say it is a thorough pleasure to see the streets cleaner as a result. My favorite part is the gratitude expressed by the passers-by and overhearing them scold their friends for littering as we pass, clearly inspired by our work.

The Sisters even get municipal support, pushing the city to pony up to keep our streets a bit more refined.

My Take:

These are but a glimpse into The Sisters’ work, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to take part.

Faces joyously painted, bodies draped in splendid vestment, habits fastened, and festooned in all sorts of gaiety, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence bawdily delight — all while graciously benefiting the community at large. In that, I gladly applaud their bright presence in the community, particularly during times like these of the global pandemic.