Sister Act (1992)

Maggie Smith: Mother Superior

Photos 

Quotes 

• Monsignor O'Hara : You took a vow of hospitality for all in need.

  Reverend Mother : I lied.

• [in a casino, to a group of nuns all dressed in full habit] 

  Reverend Mother : Brace yourself, sisters. Spread out and look for Mary Clarence. Try to blend in.

• Vince : [refuses to shoot Deloris]  Joey, do it.

  Joey : I can't, Vince. She's still a nun.

  Vince : She's a broad. Y'got it? Just a broad!

  Reverend Mother : I guarantee you she is no broad! She is Sister Mary Clarence of St. Katherine's Convent. She's a model of generosity, virtue, and love! You have my word for it, gentlemen, she is a nun!

  Willy : Ya hear that? Now, aren't you glad we didn't shoot her?

• Reverend Mother : Girl groups? Boogie-woogie on the piano? What were you thinking?

  Deloris : I was thinkin' more like Vegas, y'know, get some butts in the seats.

  Reverend Mother : And what next? Popcorn? Curtain calls? This is not a theater or a casino.

  Deloris : Yeah, but that's the problem. See, people like going to theaters, and they like going to casinos, but they don't like coming to church. Why? Because it's a drag. But we could change all that, see? We could pack this joint.

  Reverend Mother : Through blasphemy? You have corrupted the entire choir!

  [in the hall, Monsignor O'Hara enters] 

  Monsignor O'Hara : Excuse me.

  [he listens to the argument between Deloris and Reverend Mother] 

  Deloris : How can you say that? I worked my butt off with these women! They've given up their free time to do this, and they're good! I mean, sister, we could, we could Rock this place!

  Reverend Mother : Out of the question! As of tomorrow, Mary Lazarus resumes her leadership of the choir.

  [Monsignor knocks on the door] 

  Reverend Mother : Come in!

• Deloris : [after putting on the habit]  Oh, no! No, no, no! I can't do this. I'm sorry. This is fine for covering a little bulge, but now I've got holster hips!

  Reverend Mother : People wish to kill you. Anyone who's met you I imagine. A disguise is necessary to protect us all. While you are here, you will conduct yourself as a nun. Only I will know who and what you truly are. You will draw no attention to yourself whatsoever.

  Deloris : But look at me! I'm a nun! I'm a - I'm a penguin!

  Reverend Mother : As from now and until you leave, you are Sister Mary Clarence.

  Deloris : Mary Clarence? Like Clarence Williams III from The Mod Squad?

  Reverend Mother : Mary is in deference to our Holy Mother. The Clarence is in honor of Saint Clarence of Concordia. There are 3 vows every nun must accept: The vow of poverty.

  Deloris : Mmm.

  Reverend Mother : The vow of obedience.

  Deloris : Mm-Hmm.

  Reverend Mother : And the vow of chastity.

  Deloris : I am outta here with that.

• Reverend Mother : [about Deloris]  That is not a person you can hide. That is a conspicuous person designed to stick out.

• Reverend Mother : [about Deloris]  She isn't a nun. Her real name is Deloris van Cartier. She witnessed a vicious murder and has been hiding in our convent

  Choir Nun : She... she lied to us?

  Sister Mary Patrick : She wasn't a nun?

  Sister Mary Robert : But she made us sing so perfectly!

  Sister Mary Patrick : [thoughtfully]  Now that should have tipped us...

• Sister Mary Robert : [looking at Reno from the helicopter]  It's beautiful!

  Sister Mary Patrick : And what a lovely name, Reno!

  Reverend Mother : ...and Gomorrah!

• Deloris : What do we do now? Pray? What?

  Reverend Mother : It's 9:00. Pleasant dreams.

  Deloris : W-Wait. Are you tellin' me we go to bed by 9:00?

  Reverend Mother : If I were you, I would use this time to think about my life and its direction. Or lack thereof.

  Deloris : There's nothing wrong with my life. You know, before I came here, I had a career, I had friends, I had clothing that fit. Before I came here, I was okay.

  Reverend Mother : Oh, really? From what I've heard, your singing career was almost non-existent, and your married lover wants you dead. If you're fooling anyone, it is only yourself.

  [pointedly] 

  Reverend Mother : God has brought you here. Take the hint.

• Reverend Mother : I fear I am a relic, and I have misplaced my tambourine.

• Deloris : Ugh! Ugh! Gee, what are you people? A Pridikin order? This stuff is terrible! it tastes like shh...

  Reverend Mother : Sisters, we shall spend the rest of the day in silence.

  Deloris : Well, why?

  Reverend Mother : Only when we are silent may our prayers TRULY be answered.

  Deloris : Then you don't have to eat this food!

  Reverend Mother : [bangs on table]  Silence begins now... And ends at sundown.

  Deloris : How can you eat this stuff? It's terrible!

  Reverend Mother : [exasperated]  Mary Clarence, I think you might enjoy a ritual fast.

  Deloris : A ritual f...? No. No, no. I don't think I would. I'll put a little salt in it, and it'll be fine. Look, I'm gonna... Somebody pass me the salt over there.

  Reverend Mother : A fast. To remind you of those who have to endure without food.

  Deloris : [as a nun goes to take her plate, she grabs onto it]  No, I don't want you to... I don't want you to take my plate!

  [slumps as her plate is taken away] 

  Reverend Mother : And silence!

• Reverend Mother : I shall ask Monsignor O'Hara and Lt. Souther to find a safer, and more suitable situation for you.

  Deloris : Oh, no. Come on. Don't send me away. Really. I mean, I'm just startin' to get the hang of this. I mean, look. I'm not gonna endanger anyone or anything else. I swear! What about forgiveness? Isn't that what you preach? There's gotta be something around here I can do that's not gonna chip my nails or annoy anybody.

  Reverend Mother : You're right, Mary Clarence. To err is human, to forgive divine. You may stay. But I shall restrict your activities to a single task.

  Deloris : What's that?

  Reverend Mother : Singing. You will join the choir.

  Deloris : Choir? No!

  Reverend Mother : You will sleep and you will sing. That will be your task until you leave.

  Deloris : No! The choir? I mean, have you heard them?

  Reverend Mother : The choir, Mary Clarence.