Comments on: What is a lay sister or lay nun? http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:32:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lisa http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/#comment-45799 Lisa Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:44:49 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1192#comment-45799 Thank you, Sister Julie, for posting this. I am singing in the opera Suor Angelica by Puccini and I've been researching things to get a better understanding of the opera. Thank you, Sister Julie, for posting this. I am singing in the opera Suor Angelica by Puccini and I’ve been researching things to get a better understanding of the opera.

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/#comment-22567 Sister Julie Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:09:31 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1192#comment-22567 Hi Valerie, It varies across communities as to what the age limit is. Typically it is 18-40, and a number of communities accept women up to their 50s, some even a bit older though these are on a case-by-case basis. If you are in the upper age range you may want to check out my post <a href="http://anunslife.org/2007/08/15/becoming-a-nun-after-40ish/" rel="nofollow">Becoming a Nun After 40ish</a> Blessings, Valerie. Sister Julie Hi Valerie, It varies across communities as to what the age limit is. Typically it is 18-40, and a number of communities accept women up to their 50s, some even a bit older though these are on a case-by-case basis. If you are in the upper age range you may want to check out my post Becoming a Nun After 40ish Blessings, Valerie.
Sister Julie

]]> By: Valerie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/#comment-22524 Valerie Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:55:15 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1192#comment-22524 Dear Sister, Is there an age limit for becoming a nun? Dear Sister,
Is there an age limit for becoming a nun?

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/#comment-22005 Sister Julie Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:26:16 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1192#comment-22005 Thanks, Dee. Always good to hear from you. :) That's a good point about how the questioner might have meant "lay sister". I'll have to write more about the other vocations you mentioned. Stay tuned! Thanks, Dee. Always good to hear from you. :) That’s a good point about how the questioner might have meant “lay sister”. I’ll have to write more about the other vocations you mentioned. Stay tuned!

]]> By: deerose http://anunslife.org/2009/01/21/what-is-a-lay-sister-or-lay-nun/#comment-21972 deerose Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:40:10 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=1192#comment-21972 I remember hearing about choir sisters and lay sisters. I believe most orders who immigrated to America abolished this distinction in their congregations from the start. It still continued in Europe for quite some time, though. I'm not sure till when or even if it still exists in some places. Sr. Hildegard may be able to shed more light on this subject, but I believe that traditionally monastic nuns in Europe, although they occassionally took on individual students on and off (example - Hildegard of Bingen being raised and educated by a nun or anchoress), never became anything other than contemplative nuns. They did not change over into teaching or nursing orders for example. The Benedictines in Europe are all contemplatives to this day as far as I understand whereas the Benedictines in this country do indeed have outside ministries such as teaching, nursing, journalism, administration, etc. The break within this tradition occurred because there was a need for these women to serve immigrant populations in the early years - especially German immigrants as far as the Benedictines were concerned. When I first read the question, I was wondering whether the initial poster was also asking about third orders, associates, oblates, etc. I guess if she was, she'll chime in and post again. dee I remember hearing about choir sisters and lay sisters. I believe most orders who immigrated to America abolished this distinction in their congregations from the start. It still continued in Europe for quite some time, though. I’m not sure till when or even if it still exists in some places.

Sr. Hildegard may be able to shed more light on this subject, but I believe that traditionally monastic nuns in Europe, although they occassionally took on individual students on and off (example – Hildegard of Bingen being raised and educated by a nun or anchoress), never became anything other than contemplative nuns. They did not change over into teaching or nursing orders for example. The Benedictines in Europe are all contemplatives to this day as far as I understand whereas the Benedictines in this country do indeed have outside ministries such as teaching, nursing, journalism, administration, etc. The break within this tradition occurred because there was a need for these women to serve immigrant populations in the early years – especially German immigrants as far as the Benedictines were concerned.

When I first read the question, I was wondering whether the initial poster was also asking about third orders, associates, oblates, etc. I guess if she was, she’ll chime in and post again.

dee

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