English nuns offer free meals – but there's a catch

London, England, Oct 19, 2017 / 11:08 am

A group of religious sisters are offering free meals in a trendy neighborhood of London, but on one condition: the customers must forfeit the use of their phones and converse with fellow diners.

"We give you a little food for soul. We don't just mean the food that you eat, but something for you to take away and reflect in your life," said Sister Anna, according to Business Insider.

As part of the new reality TV series "Bad Habits: Holy Orders," the Daughters of Divine Charity have left their homes in rural Norfolk to serve food at "Nundos" in Shoreditch from Oct. 17-19.

The pop-up restaurant is a play on words for the peri-peri chicken chain Nando's, but rather than serving African cuisine the holy restaurant offers chicken broth, lentil soup, breads, and homemade pies.  

If the costumer's phone is put aside, the wholesome meals are offered free of charge as a means to deter people from the distractions of social media.

The Channel 5 series takes five millennial women and follows their transition from a party lifestyle to the simple life of the convent. The girls' beliefs are then challenged by the religious community as they participate in the nun's activities, like early morning prayers and works of charity.

Founded in 1868, the Daughters of Divine Charity seek to make God visible through acts of charity, like attending to the sick and elderly and aiding children in preparation for the sacraments.