Nun or Sister?
What’s the difference between a nun and a sister?
The terms “nun” and “sister” are often used interchangeably. However within Roman Catholicism, there is a difference between the two in terms of the vows they profess. A nun is a woman who professes the perpetual solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. A religious sister is a woman who professes perpetual simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law explains the distinction this way:
“The older religious orders (monastic, canon regulars, mendicants, Jesuits) have perpetual solemn vows, and the more recent apostolic congregations have perpetual simple vows. The chief juridical difference between the two is that religious who profess a solemn vow of poverty renounce ownership of all their temporal goods, whereas religious who profess a simple vow of poverty have a right to retain ownership of their patrimony but must give up its use and any revenue.” (New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2000)
- monastic: a nun (or monk) who lives in a monastery; the lifestyle is characterized by ascetic simplicity and seclusion
- canon regular: a member of one of several Roman Catholic religious institutes of regular priests living in community under a rule (most commonly the Augustinian rule)
- mendicant: derived from the Latin word “beggar”; a member of a religious order such as the Franciscans or Dominicans combining monastic life and outside religious activity and owning neither personal nor community property
- patrimony: an estate, endowment or anything inherited from one’s parents or ancestors
So, the main juridical difference between a nun and sister is patrimony. So, as I understand this, if a sister receives an inheritance of say $10,000, she is not allowed to use the money for herself. Any interest accrued on the money would belong to the congregation. The sister does have a right to determine how the primary sum of money (not the interest) will be spent. The sister may, for example, decide that they money should go toward her nephews and nieces college funds. A sister also has the right to renounce her patrimony, that is to give up any claim or say in the matter of how the patrimony is used.
Now, most people are not really going to know which is which by mere observation. One of my colleagues at work is an Ursuline nun. For the longest time I didn’t know Ursulines were nuns because my colleague has a similar lifestyle to the sisters of my IHM congregation. I presumed she was a sister. But, after chatting about it, I discovered she was a nun.
In ordinary conversation (that is, when one is not determining the juridical status of one’s patrimony), the terms “nun” and “sister” are used interchangeably. Both nuns and sisters are addressed as “Sister.” Unless I am in a situation where my juridical status as a sister is relevant, I will usually refer to myself as a Catholic nun because “nun” is a more recognizable term referring to women who have professed the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The term “sister” can have many different meanings (e.g., female sibling) so I usually go with “nun” which is pretty widely accessible.
(My thanks to Sister Judith Miryam, OP, … a nun … for her help on this.)
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Hi, when is to old to be a sister or nun?
Is it to late for me? I am married and have three kids. The youngest is 13yrs. I went to St. Joseph school in fredonia NY. I loved the Sisters and Nuns of our school, and have always helped me in my life. Thank you Debbie
Hi Debbie … thanks for your comment. Every congregation has different norms regarding age. A lot also depends on your personal circumstances.
Being married kind of precludes you from being a sister! Women who were once married can enter a religious community. Those with children can also enter provided their children are independent.
You might want to consider looking into the religious community and seeing if they have an associate or affiliate program. Women and men who want to be more closely associated with a community and its mission can make a commitment or covenant to participate in the mission of the community with the support of the community.
I’m glad you had such a good experience of the Sisters in Fredonia. God bless. Sister Julie
An associate or affiliate program then has a generic meaning quite separate from The Internet? I thought it was a business related term but you have used these words in relation to a religious community. Thank you.
Hi Geoff … thanks for the comment. There are alot of terms that have alternate meanings in a religious community. For more on associates or affiliates, check out this post. Cheers! Sister Julie
what did the nuns do for one day in the middle ages?
Hi Jessie … I haven’t done too much research on nuns in the middle ages. Here’s a link with some info.
My mother grew up in the Italian area of middle Detroit back in the early 1920’s and often mentioned the IHM. She spoke with much admiration for her teachers, therefore, I feel a connection with your community.
Dc.Frank
I am 18 and I wanted to know more about being a nun. Is it really as stricted as people say it is? What diffrent things can nuns do to help out people? I just dont understand what nuns do and what goes on day to day.
Also I was looking on this site on being a nun and it said that I needed to get a degree, Is that for if you wanted to teach children.
I want to be a teacher for young children, what kind of things does a nun have to do to become a teacher. I feel realy alone, I tried to express how I felt to my mom but she say’s it is silly. I guess I just want someone to tell me that its not silly, for me to want to be a nun.
hi sister! i’m kinda confused with the diff of the terms nun and a sister. do you mean that nuns ate totally, nuns! while sisters has the right to choose whether or not to support their families??
Nuns and sisters are juridically the same in all respects except for the difference in patrimony. Nuns renounce everything. Sisters renounce everything except their patrimony, though they are free to voluntarily renounce their patrimony. Once a nun or sister makes her vows, her money is the communities money and all financial decisions are mediated through the community. Typically a nun/sister does not support her family. Even though sisters can renounce patrimony, they cannot use it for themselves because everything they need is provided for by the community. All things, including money, is held in common, for the use of the community according to need. A sister can determine how her patrimony will be used, however. She may wish to give it to her family or donate it to a charitable cause. Typically such decisions are made in conversation with the community. I hope this helps. Let me know. Sister Julie
This is helpful information for me! The only question I have is, are books considered property of the community after you take your simple vows? I’m a big book lover, and have collected nearly 700 books over the (few) years. I also refer back to favorite books when writing my own books, so I was curious…I don’t want to make any vows or promises I can’t keep, if that makes sense
Thanks!
I too have a substantial library (which I’ve pared down over the last several moves I’ve made). That was one of my concerns as well. The bottom line is that all property, including books, is held in common, that is, it belongs to the whole community. That is true about books, clothes, vehicle, money … everything. The stuff I “have” isn’t really mine but it is for my use. If another sister needed something more than I, then I would give it to her. And vice versa. The books I had before coming to the congregation as well as those obtained as an IHM are still with me because they are used regularly due to my work in theology, spirituality, scriptures, catechesis, and writing. Some books that I don’t need or use regularly are sent to the Motherhouse library, donated or sold (with proceeds going to the IHMs). So that’s it in a nutshell. Communities may vary in how they deal with books.
Okay, thank you for your input! That makes it less scary to consider a vocation…(though I do understand that it is supposed to be a sacrifice)
I don’t mind sharing my books.
why dont nuns have children or husbands?
Nuns typically do not have children, though some nuns may have had children prior to becoming a nun (the children must be grown up and able to take care of themselves in order for a mother to consider religious life). Being a nun is a vowed form of life (just like marriage is a vowed form of life) and so one cannot commit to two different things.
Hello there,
I notice that the website of the Moniales OP convent calls the ladies there “nuns”, even though the Dominicans are traditionally a mendicant order, i.e. its male members are friars and not monks. Would this not mean that a female Dominican is not a nun – given that other Dominican convent sites don’t call their members nuns? Or are some of them nuns and not others? Is the life at Moniales very different to that at Adrian or Ann Arbor, MI, or Nashville?
Is “nun” simply the feminine of “monk”, or is there a difference in the lifestyles? Given that “friar” seems to be derived from the French word for “brother”, is a female friar simply a sister? And I notice that there are references to an upsurge in female vocations, but not to male ones – is this accurate, or have these writers just missed something? Do you have any idea why some orders, like the Dominicans at Ann Arbor and Nashville, are growing but some (judging by their websites) remain mostly elderly?
Hi MJ. Thanks for your comment. Many of these terms for religious women and men are used interchangeably today, but historically they had more particular meanings. I’m not familiar with the history of the Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey, but I’m sure if you commented on their blog they would be happy to let you know. They are also in a much better position to describe their way of life than am I.
I’ll have to do some more exploring about the origin of the particular terms referring to religious. Any one have thoughts on this?
I’ve not read anything about an upsurge in vocations for men. Unfortunately religious life for men is often “missed” because most think first of vocations to the priesthood which is different.
The Holy Spirit works in many strange and marvel-filled ways and it is not always clear why some communities have many members and others do not. Number of vocations or members is not a measure of the worth or faithfulness or good work of a community. We do not exist to perpetuate our communities but to serve God and others faithfully. Sister J
Hi,
sister my originis India.I would like to know the information iam married n i would like to join as sister or as nun iam working as software engineer.plz i really love tob like a nun or sister do plz let me know
Hi Jeevana, If you are married, then you cannot be a nun or sister. The vows for religious life and the vows for married life are mutually exclusive. As a married person you can become an associate of a religious community. Get to know the nuns or sisters in your area and see what they offer for married people who want to be associated with the commnity. Thanks for the question. Sister Julie
Although, as Sr. Julie mentioned, the terms “nun” and “sister” are mostly interchangable these days, it is my understanding that the actual difference depends on the type of vows a woman religious takes, i.e., solemn vows or simple vows.
From what I’ve heard, generally, but I don’t if always, cloistered, contemplative religious take “solemn” vows. Most active orders take “simple” vows. The key difference is that “solemn vows” are for your entire life – if a nun taking solemn vows wants to leave her order, I think she may need permission from Rome. Simple vows are renewable every year or so. Although most sisters that take simple vows are committed to the religious life for their entire lives, they could technically just walk away from their congregations without any further adieu. (A sister of Mercy told me that.) The different vows also have something to do with the money a sister has coming into an order and exactly what she is entitled to if she leaves. There appears to be many variations to these rules of thumb though.
My guess would be that the Dominican Sisters of Summit, NJ (I only live about 1/2 hour from them.) are technically nuns, i.e., take solemn vows because they are cloistered.) I would think their active sisters – Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, for example, take simple vows. But I could be wrong.
donna
Solemn vows do appear to be associated more with the older religious orders such as Carmelites, Benedictines, etc., while simple vows with the “newer” congregations founded with an active apostolic mission.
While i have heard of vows being renewed yearly, I don’t think that is typical of sisters who profess simple vows. My vows are perpetual simple vows which means that they do not expire and I can’t walk away. We do need to go through Rome for sisters who want to leave. Sisters who are in first profession or temporary profession (stage prior to making final/perpetual vows) CAN renew their vows and if they do not, then they are free to leave with out further adieu. I wonder if the Sister of Mercy you mentioned was referring to that. I’ve not ever heard of someone in temporary vows for longer than 10 years. In my experience the norm is closer to 3 to 5 years.
Not all nuns (as distinct from sisters) are cloistered either. My coworker Jean is an Ursuline nun who does not live a cloistered lifestyle (neither do her sisters) but she does take perpetual solemn vows.
The fascinating world of religious life!
Perhaps our Religious Community, The Servants of the Sacred Cross, will be of interest to those who are under the impression that you cannot be a Sister as a married woman. Do view our web site at: http://www.TheSacredCross.org. Be assured that we are not anything “new” but are modelled on the very ancient Lay Orders of some 1000 years ago, formed for the same call to an expression of Reliigous Life that is open to those who cannot, or do not wish to, leave the world to live in a convent. We have very strong support within the Church and wear a traditional habit. We also have single and widowed women among our Sisters and are presently in the process of establishing a convent for those drawn to live “in community” instead of “in the world” – obviously not the married women!
Blessings, Mother Wendy, Superior
I hadn’t heard of the Servants of the Sacred Cross. Had to check out your web site to learn more. For others unfamiliar with this community, here’s a bit of what the web site says: “SSC is an international, ecumenical religious sisterhood of laywomen, married and single, living and working in their own homes and communities. Could God be calling you to serve Him within a traditional, conservative, Religious Community, committed to the historic Catholic Faith?” Thanks for introducing me to your community, Mother Wendy.
The Servants of the Sacred Cross, as an “ecumenical” community, would seem to confuse the differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism. Catholics are forbidden to receive Holy Communion from Anglican/Episcopal priests. It is generally disavowed that Anglican priests possess holy orders and their Masses are usually regarded as invalid. This is very serious. Such an organization would have NO JURIDICAL STANDING in the Catholic Church. Despite the invitation to Catholic women, this so-called ecumenical society is actually PROTESTANT. Women who joined and received the sacraments from non-Catholic ministers, because no Catholic priests “in good standing” serve them, would be BREECHING THEMSELVES FROM ROMAN CATHOLICISM. That which might be an opportunity for grace and spiritual growth for Anglicans would be to the detriment and sin of Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church has never bought the argument that Anglicanism is a branch of Catholicism. The Anglican orders are in more desperate straights than Catholic ones and such an overture to Catholic and Orthodox women is an attempt to preserve what is left. The best solution would be for them to become Catholic. Maybe a concession could be made with the Anglican-Use Catholic Community?
Father Joe Jenkins
Church of the Holy Spirit
frjoe2000@yahoo.com
Are there many people who come from other faiths to be nuns. I was raised baptist but, have thought about it recently.
There are forms of living religious life (i.e. being a nun) in other Christian traditions, not just Catholicism. So if you are interested in a nun’s life then I would encourage you to explore your own tradition first.
There are people from other Christian traditions who decide to become a Catholic Christian and later choose to become a Catholic nun. But switching one’s Christian tradition is a big deal and should not be entered into lightly. While I’m sure people do “convert” specifically to become a nun, they must go through a period of Catholic formation first. Being a Catholic nun means being Catholic. You can’t be a generic nun that is unattached from a religious tradition and community.
Blessings on your search and do let me know if I can be of assistance. Sister J
Thanks for the clarification, Joe. I have come to greatly appreciate those who are involved in the work of ecumenism. We are all called to be one yet there is so much that divides us. We strive to remain true to who we are as Catholics, as Anglicans, etc. yet at the same time be open to sharing and praying with one another.
Now I’m not talking about a “feel good” kind of ecumenism where we all hold hands and disregard our individual faith traditions. Such “ecumenism” is unhelpful and can give a false sense of unity. True ecumenism calls for a respect for one’s own tradition as well as the traditions of other Christians.
Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged us to be about ecumenism. In his recent encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis “On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission” he has the following thing to say about ecumenism:
In 2005 the Pope told an ecumenical assembly, organised by the Franciscans in Assisi, that Christian unity “must be the objective of all those who profess faith in the Church” and that the desire to achieve full communion, and share the Eucharistic banquet, should inspire Christians “to intensify prayer, study, and dialogue with the aim of resolving the differences” that separate them. “The search for full and visible unity among all Christ’s disciples is a particularly urgent need of our times.” (source: “Ecumenism is obligatory for all Christians, Pope says” in Catholic World News 5/9/05)
Sr. Julie:
I don’t really have any more details on the Mercy vows. I didn’t get the impression, though, if a sister didn’t officially recommit herself every year she’d be out. Perhaps they have perpetually professed simple vows but kind of renew them each year at a dinner/ceremony, etc. Does that make sense?
I’ll see if I can find out more.
donna
Hello, I have to tell you I’m very happy to be able to communicate with someone who I think can help me. I am 17 and graduating grade 12 this month. I find myself suffering from the materialistic values that have been thrust apon me by default…and as such am having deep thoughts on becoming a nun.
I would like to ask you what I have to do (and be) to join a convent.
(I don’t want to bother you so perhapse if theres too much you could direct me to a site…)
I was not brought up with a strongly religeous background and this worrys me…but I want to change.
Hi Robin, thank you for your comment. It can be so easy to get caught up in materialism in our culture — everything around us seems to reinforce the idea that we must have the perfect car, outfit, house, vacation, body, etc. My prayers are with you as you seek to live a different way. Know that you do not have to be a nun to reject materialism. Many people, married and single, live a life of simplicity and of respect for the basic resources we need to live. I would encourage you to reflect on ways you can re-prioritize the things in your life so that you can be less caught up in material things here and now. As to become a nun, it is an awesome way of life. I have some posts about becoming a nun … check out the “Decoding Formation” links on my blog’s sidebar. Also, I would recommend visiting the following web sites:
Vision Vocation Network
“We have many exciting features to help you discern your life’s calling. Whether you are interested in consecrated life—such as becoming a nun, brother, priest, or monk—or simply looking for ways to deepen your faith through volunteer and study opportunities, you’ve come to the right place!”
LifeChoices Disernment Program
“Our ministry at the Vocation Office is to help you discover your vocation or call. The Adorer’s LifeChoices® Program is designed to help lead you through a method of looking at your life and to help you reach decisions.”
Catholics on Call
“Catholics On Call assists young adults to reflect on God’s call in their lives. We reach out to people like you—men and women of college and post-college age—who may be considering the possibility of a life of service in the Church as a lay minister, religious sister or brother, or priest. Through this website and through the programs we offer, Catholics On Call can help you learn more about the opportunities of service in the Church and about listening to God’s call in your life.”
I would encourage you to visit the web sites of various religious communities (if you are not sure where to start, take a look at the ones I have listed on my sidebar and also at my list of Blogs by Catholic Nuns. That will give you a sense of the different ways that nuns live out their calling and mission.
God calls whomever God calsl — we may be from religious or non-religious backgrounds, we may be 17 or 47, we may be doctors and business women or teachers and writers. The important thing is that you are listening here and now. Blessings on your search, Robin. Please let me know how you are doing. Sister Julie
Sister Julie, when I was young, I dreamed of becoming a cloistered nun. God and life did not lead me in that direction, but there are plenty of opportunities for me to serve as an oblate or associate to religous orders.
I am a Episcopalian (Anglican), and there are Anglican orders all over the world who welcome associates, companions, and oblates. The Sisters of the Holy Nativity at http://www.episcopalian.org/shn/ is one such order.
If someone truly hungers for the religous life, I think God will quence their thirst if they seek HIM. It is inspiring to hear all these young women who are curious about religious life!
God bless you,
Beatrice
Father Joe
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:17 am wrote:
“The Servants of the Sacred Cross, as an “ecumenical” community, would seem to confuse the differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism.”
Dear Father and all,
In charity, there seems to be misunderstanding of the ethos and make-up of our Community, The Servants of the Sacred Cross (SSC) – and an assumption that there is reception of the Sacraments by Catholics from Anglican priests. We know that it is forbidden and we do not allow it! In fact any Catholic woman who might feel it were “OK” to do so would not be admitted to SSC!! We do know the differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism! We do not subscribe to the “Branch Theory” either!! We are highly conservative and orthodox in all regards.
Just to clarify, lest any should assume that our Community is indeed one of those “feel good” and “confused” ecumenical groups, let me assure you wholeheartedly that we do not allow Sacramental sharing at any time. We are a dispersed Community (as in the ancient Lay Orders), coming together once a year for a week of retreat and Chapter meetings. At that time we meet at a Catholic Carmelite monastery where the Catholic priests celebrate a Community Mass for us in order to carry out the various Rites such as Clothing of Novices and Profession of Vows for our Catholic Sisters. We also have an Anglican Mass for the same purpose for our Anglican Sisters. We all ATTEND both Masses but Catholics do not receive the Blessed Sacrament at the Anglican Mass, nor do the Anglicans at the Roman Catholic Mass.
Our Roman Catholic Sisters must sign a Profession of Faith (an official Vatican document) to say that they will uphold the Magisteriam, Code of Canon Law and Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is of the highest priority to us that neither Catholics nor Anglicans are in any way compromised. We respect and are well aware of the “differences” whilst at the same time praying for Unity. Indeed, one of our patrons, in our ministry of prayer for the unity of the Church, is St. Athanasius. We are very serious about what God has called us to do, unworthy as we may be. We attempt to focus on, and actively seek, all of the ways in which we may be united – in our prayer life, living out the requirements of our Rule, reaching out to form bonds of Sisterhood, wearing the same habit etc. At the same time we pray, as did Jesus, for the day when Christ’s Church will be one again. Until then we do not overstep the bounds that we know exist in terms of Sacraments. I have consulted with Catholic Canon Lawyers at every step of the way and have documentation confirming that there is nothing in the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church to prevent Catholic women from entering our Community. In fact, it concludes that such Communities as ours are to be encouraged.
As a matter of fact we very slowly edge ever closer to having Juridical Standing in the Catholic Church. There are already ecumenical Communities that do. We know that many of the ancient Orders waited decades for such approbation and we are only 7 years old!! So we strive for patience.
I have been invited to Australia in the fall to speak at a Conference about the renewal of Religious Life in expressions such as ours. I have undertaken considerable research (in material from the Vatican) in preparing the paper I will present and have found much precedent for the model, which Our Lord has raised up in SSC. For that we are profoundly encouraged and thankful.
While in Australia, I will be traveling around to speak about our Community in a number of locations and also to attend the Clothing as Novices of two of our Postulants there, one Catholic, one Anglican, and the First Profession of Vows of one of our Catholic Novices. Her Vows will be received by the Catholic Archbishop, personally and publicly, and I will be presenting her to him at the Profession Mass. It is thus erroneous to assume that we are not “served by” or do not have the ministrations of Catholic priests in good standing! For we have the support, care and counsel of Catholic priests, Bishops and Archbishops. In fact our greatest support come from the Catholic Church.
I have written to the Holy Father and have received amazing letters of support from the Secretariat of State and from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Apparently, my original letter was forwarded on and I will include here excerpts from those letters as well as from Archbishop Wilton Gregory, past president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, a highly respected Catholic Archbishop, as you will know. These and other quotes can be found on our web site:
His Holiness (Pope Benedict XVI) will remember you and the
Sisters in his prayers, and he invokes upon you the sustaining
grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ..
The Vatican, Secretariat of State.
(We are) highly appreciative of the Community’s commitment
to prayer for the oneness of all Christ’s disciples…such spiritual
ecumenism is the heart of the search….
The Vatican, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
…..actual movement for unity comes from within communities,
and that seems to be exactly what is happening within your
Community. I am moved by this knowledge…
Most Rev. Wilton Gregory, Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Atlanta; former President of the USCCB.
I trust the foregoing will ease any concerns about The Servants of the Sacred Cross. I would ask for your prayers as God is now allowing us to establish our first convent. It will be a contemplative, semi-enclosed house. The Superior, who I have appointed, and the other Sister, the first two “in community”, are both Roman Catholics. We strive to remain obedient in all things as God leads us forward.
In Christ’s Love,
Mother Wendy
Superior, The Servants of the Sacred Cross
Dear Sister Julie,
May I suggest another difference between simple and solemn vows? Those who have taken solemn perpetual vows cannot marry validly without prior dispensation from the Holy See? Whereas those who are in simple vows may marry validly but illicitly without proper dispensation?
God bless!
Therese
Mother Wendy:
Your congregation is very intriguing. As an ecumenist myself, it’s good to see women religious cooperating in such a way. The only other ecumenical group of sisters I know of are the Benedictine Sisters of Madison, Wisconsin. But I don’t believe they allow married members. And they live in community as do other Benedictines. You probably know more about this than I.
I have a few questions:
Are there any of your sisters that live communally right now? From your website, I understand you are going to build a convent. Do your sisters, especially those working in ordinary, nonchurch jobs in the public sector usually wear the habit at work? How about your married sisters, do they generally wear their habits on an everyday basis? Or, are the habits worn mainly just for special occasions? I see your contact address is in Nova Scotia. Do you have any sisters in the U.S. or Europe?
You mentioned that you all get together for an annual retreat. Are there any other meetings or events during the year? I am an oblate of St. Benedict and we have monthly meetings and an annual one-day retreat. There is also a music festival and a dinner on St. Benedict’s Day. We are invited to some of the profession of vow ceremonies and jubilee celebrations. We do not wear habits but can take a religious name if we choose – although this really isn’t encouraged – and rare as far as I know. Most of us say the Divine Office once or twice a day, have a regular daily prayer life and attend Mass more than once a week – as our schedules permit. We are to do what we can in our station in life.
Thanks.
donna
Dear Donna,
Thank you for your questions about The Servants of the Sacred Cross. First, just to further clarify, although I am sure it will be obvious, our convent, now being established, will be open only to single or widowed women – not married! The Sisters in the convent will wear a slightly different headpiece with full coif, bandeau and traditional veil, to distinguish them from those “in the world”. They will also take a name in Religion and profess the Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. We will continue to offer vocations to those who will live “in the world” as well. I am familiar with the Benedictines of Madison.
God willing, our first Sister will be in the convent around the first of August. One of our present Novices will join her in the early fall. This first house is a rented one, until such time as we have sufficient funds to build the property according to the vision we have been given. But is gives us a start and will allow for any of our Sisters or Associates to visit from time to time for a week or a month or whatever – truly a “family” home!
As to the habit, our Rule outlines in great detail how, when and where the habit is worn. Essentially, the habit must be worn for Mass or any other liturgical service, when carrying out any ministry in the parish or community (for example, one of our Sisters is involved in prison ministry), attending meetings or other functions in the parish etc. Our Rule allows for Sisters to wear the habit at all times if desired but it is not mandatory. We have a version of “work habit”, which may be worn at certain specified times, in addition to the full traditional habit. A few of our Sisters have worn the habit to their secular employment, with the permission of their employer, either on a full or occassional basis. Some of our Sisters do choose to wear the habit at all times. For married Sisters it is obvious that there will be times when the wearing of the habit will not be appropriate – such as perhaps a social event with one’s husband. It is permitted to wear our Cross with secular clothing. Our inquirers are drawn to our Commmunity first because of our orthodoxy and stance in faithfully upholding the Catholic Faith But most, among much else, are overjoyed to find that we have kept the habit.
In regard to our location, I live in Nova Scotia and this is where the Community began. We now have a Postulant and an Associate here. This is where our convent will be so there will soon be more Sisters here. But we do have Sisters in other parts of Canada, the USA and three in Australia. I receive inquiries literally from around the world and am always truly amazed as there is much seeking. God has richly blessed and sustained us.
We do gather (all of our Sisters from around the world!)for a yearly week-long retreat and Chapter each September, around the time of our Founding date, September 14th, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is a joyous time of re-union, prayer and fellowship. It is our only formal gathering each year, but we often do end up meeting up (at least one or two of us here and there) at other conferences, meetings, retreats etc. at other times throughout the year. Two of our Postulants in Australia live relatively near each other and so they will be able to be in more frequent contact. Once our convent is up and running it will mean there will be more of us here in Nova Scotia and so we will be blessed to be able to see one another more often and have those from away to visit when possible.
I pray this answers your questions to some extent.
I ask for the prayers of all of you as the first Sisters are now preparing to come into community in our convent, leaving and selling all to take up their cross and follow God’s Call.
In Christ’s Love,
Mother Wendy
I am wondering about the differences in clothing styles. I remember in catholic school we had 2 sisters who looked very normal, no habits. So what is the difference? Do most orders require the habit? Also I read once that some nuns are not allowed human contact, i.e. touching etc. That you are allowed to pray for someone, but not hug them. I wasn’t sure if that was only for literary effect or not.
Thank you,
Katy
Hi Katy, Thanks for the questions. Each religious congregation has its own customs around clothing. Some wear more uniform habits while others have more diversity provided the dress is simple and modest. There’ve been a few discussions on this blog about habits — just type the word “habit” into the search engine on this blog (right sidebar towards the end).
I think it was probably once true that nuns were discouraged from unnecessary physical contact with others. However, we have come to appreciate that physical contact, including hugging, can certainly be appropriate. Blessings to you! Sister J
Hi, Julie -\
Just wanted to add this to the conversation.
I am a Daughter of Charity. Our community is a Society of Apostolic Life… by Canon Law, we are not religious… we fall into a totally different category.
It’s about the nature of our vows, which dates back to St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, in 17th century France. We make annual vows… all our lives.
So our renovation of vows on March 25 is actual, not symbolic. If a sister wishes not to renew her vows, she is free to go at the end of that year… no exclaustration, etc. Also, we make 4 vows, Poverty,Chastity, Obedience, and Service of the Poor, but they are private vows, not public vows.
Also, even though we make a vow of Poverty, we are able to keep our own private bank account. But we are only supposed to use those funds for “good works.”
Most people don’t know all this about our community.
Initially, it was one of St. Vincent’s ingenious ways of keeping us out of the cloister…. we were the first non-monastic order.
Thanks for posting this!
Anne DC
Thank you for your interesting and informative website. You have given me some good ideas about ways to promote our community. I came to this page intrigued by the difference between “sister” and “nun”. I am a member of the Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We use the title “Sister” to denote our relationship with Christ and with each other. Our sisters are both single and married (just as our pastors may be) and although we used to have a motherhouse, for most of our history it was a place for women to live during their formation and in retirement. We now live where our ministries take us and come together annually for assemblies. We are educated at the seminaries of our church and women retire near their families now.
what is the reasoning behind a nun or sister chosing a religious name? where does the significance come from? how is a religious name determined?
thanks, lou
Thanks for writing, Lou. See my post today for my response — What is the reasoning behind a nun or sister choosing a religious name?
Hello
I was wondering how the life stlye of a sister is.
Do you live in a convent?
I would like to be a pharmacist but I also would like to be a nun. Is that possible.
As a sister what are things you can and can not do.
Thank you very much.
Dear Victoria,
The lifestyle of a sister or nun varies greatly across religious communities. Some sisters or nuns might spend most of their day in prayer and reflection. Others might spend their day in any number of ministries. There are sisters with medical degrees and who actively practice medicine. The sisters I’ve known who are/were pharmacists did so within their own community’s health care center or as a missionary. So it is possible.
It’s difficult to answer your last question because again, it depends on the particular community. What kind of community are you attracted to? Is there a specific community or kind of community that you are looking for? E.g., contemplative, international, missionary, teaching, active in the world, cloistered, teaching, etc.
If you are interested in connecting with other people discerning God’s call, check out the Vocation Forum here on A Nun’s Life: http://anunslife.org/vocationforum . Blessings, Victoria.
Sisters do not live in a Convent as a rule, but Nuns do. This is how I have understood this.
We do often call Nuns, Sisters, but rightly they are Nuns only if cloistered.
Hi Carol, Both religious sisters and nuns can call their dwelling a “convent”. Typically cloistered nuns and some of the older religious communities call their dwelling a “monastery”.
Not all nuns (technically speaking) are cloistered, though often the term nun does refer to cloistered, contemplative communities.
HI, my name is Theresa and I was wondering if as a married woman I can become a nun I am going to colledge to be a teacher and I love my husband and God and I feel like God has something special for me to do !!
Hi Theresa, Thank you for writing. What a beautiful thing to be in love and to feel God’s calling! There are many ways for you to respond to this calling, but unfortunately becoming a Catholic nun is not one of them. Catholic sisters and nuns are required to be unmarried and make a vow of celibacy. But this doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have something special in mind for you. It just means that your vocation, your calling, is intimately connected with the vows you already made with your husband. Teaching is a wonderful way to live that calling too. I encourage you to spend some time alone and with your husband reflecting on how you are called individually and as a couple. If you still feel attracted to a religious community you might think about becoming an associate of the community. An associate can be male or female, married or single, Catholic or not. Here’s more info on lay associates.
For help with considering how God is calling you, check out #1 of How to Become a Catholic Nun — it applies to everyone discerning a call. Also we had a great discussion with a spiritual director on discernment.
Blessings, Theresa.