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What makes being a nun unique?
In a comment on “TIME magazine article on nuns, veils, and blogs“, Jenn asks the question of what makes being a nun a unique call. She writes: “I think our call to be a Christian means we shouldn’t be sleeping around and we should be living simply (we should live simply so others in our world can have something). Those aren’t the special call of the nun. That is the call for all Christians.” That is absolutely true. Religious are not the only ones called to this. It is a way of life for all who live the Gospel.
So what makes being a nun unique? Tell me your thoughts on this ….
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We are unique because there are few of us in existence. Society can’t understand our life or values. We make a life long commitment which is rare in our throw away society. We keep on working into our 70′s and never give up!
The same question about the uniqueness of religious life could be asked of married lifeas well. What makes being married unique? You can do everything a married couple does without necessarily getting married. I think one of the unique features of marriage and religious life is that it is a life long commitment, as Brigid noted. Another feature is that both commitments involve public professions of vows … there is a recognition that the vows are not for me alone, they are for the good of others as well, indeed, the world.
A nun’s unique because… God calls each and every one of us uniquely =] It is not the human qualities of a nun that makes her unique, but the very fact that God called her (and subsequently all of us) that makes a person special.
God Bless +
I spend quite a lot of time with Nuns at the Convent which I am attached to as a Benedictine Oblate…and I guess for me what stands out is their serenity and their kindness. Their kindness is palpable. Not that they are super-human…Mother Paula would be the first to decry such a thing…but the fact that they seem to wear their love on the outside, rather than hidden away on the inside, iykwim?
Blessings to you this day!
The difference is, most Christians, though we are supposed to be worshipping God 24/7 and we are supposed to be leading chaste lives and living simply, are not really making it the focus of their lives. I know an abundance of Christians that are very wealthy and don’t really do a lot of service to the community or charities or their churches. They certainly are not living simply. And as for people my age, everyone may SAY that they value abstinence and purity, but very few actually live that out. Everyone gathers round the tv weekly to watch Deperate Housewives and The OC and act as if that is the life to work towards. We live in a very self-indulgent and materialistic society, and that, that is why religious life is different…because nuns’ actions back up their words, whereas many of us Christians living “in the world” so to speak, fail to do the same.
I know this question will haunt me for greater response in the coming weeks…
One “mistake” I see some religious making is diminishing the uniqueness of their life choice. I do not find particularly compelling arguments for using the particular vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience as the entry point into uniqueness because all Christians are called to some form of each of these evangelical councils. (Although ultimately I will say that the way in which religious, single, ordained, and married people live these out are quite different.)
My initial reaction for articulating what makes being a nun unique is rooted in the experience of attraction and incorporation into a particular community/congregation – charism. As Catholic-Christians we are all apart of the story of salvation history. We are living in the anticipation of the fulfillment of the promise of Christ’s return. Religious, like all others live in this waiting for what is already accomplished in God. Religious live in a particular awareness of the already-not-yet of the Christ story and find a particular place in a small story line in the larger story. This smaller story is the story of the founders/foundresses, the spirit of this story is a large part of charism.
One of the implications for living in a smaller story with in the larger story is what I like to refer to as the challenge to “live in the tension.” Living in the tension requires holding together without pitting against each othere such things as: contemplation and action, church and world, the evaluation of tradition and the call to be prophetic – to name a few.
Just a thought among others of a woman in discernment…
I was raised Eastern Orthodox and I recall asking my (married) priest about the difference between nuns and E.O. priesthood and his response was, “Celibacy is a GIFT, not a requirement.”
I just found this blog today and think its concept wonderful. I have been reading through the many blog entries and found particular interest with this topic and thought I’d put in my 2 cents; since I’ve been discerning it for two years.
Since I’ve discovered my call, I’ve been trying to live as a consecrated religious until my (thankfully not too distant) graduation. I’ve found living in such a manner difficult for a few reasons; the religious life is unique from the life of an ideal Catholic because of its community and structure.
The community provided for by society is very unsatisfying for anyone who is trying to grow greatly in their faith and relationship with Christ. I’m not saying that only religious can grow in faith, but the community they live in can make it much easier. The community offers support and encourages things like Eucharistic adoration and contemplation on spiritual matters. This encouragement is not often found in society which prides itself with power and often leaves no time for God.
The structure of an order provides that time for God. In what is usually a rigid schedule, religious have the time for prayer and have time to give for Christ. Often in the greater world, that time is not respected, overlooked, and rescheduled until it no longer seems to exist. The structure of an order provides a discipline that wouldn’t normally be found elsewhere.
Aside from begin easier for sinners to follow Christ; being a consecrated religious has many beautiful traits which make it unique. The most beautiful of all these traits being the relationship as a bride of Christ. The blessing of this most honored vocation is deeper than that of a secular. Still being a secular myself, I won’t even begin to go further into this because there are many things that I have not yet learned; but I’m sure any religious sister would be able to articulate further.