Becoming a Catholic nun is a lengthy process that necessitates both a “calling” to serve God and a lot of thought. Nuns belong to a variety of orders, each with its own set of responsibilities. Those who do not work outside the convent and are not cloistered are referred to as nuns, while those who do work outside the convent and are not cloistered are referred to as sisters.
Because there are so many orders to choose from, one should pick one that best fits one’s ideals about how to serve God. Some women aspire to become nuns in order to leave the public eye and devote their lives to God in a more contemplative way. Others want to make a difference in the world. Some of the most well-known nuns are those who have taken extraordinary activist stances, such as Mother Theresa, who died in 2005, and Sister Helen Prejean, who is a tireless advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.
Nuns work as educators in Catholic schools, and some nuns also work as nurses in Catholic hospitals. Almost all nuns take a vow of poverty, so any earnings go toward supporting the order’s mission or maintaining the convent.
To become a nun, you must be a devout Catholic woman who is single and sane. Nuns can be made up of women who are not virgins. Women who have been previously married and divorced are generally ineligible to become nuns unless the Catholic Church has granted them a divorce or annulment. In order for an annulment to be granted, they must show that the marriage was invalid or entered into under false pretenses.
A widowed woman might consider becoming a nun. Prior to taking vows, a nun must have raised any children under the age of eighteen, as these vows would take precedence over the care of her own children.
Some nuns are religious scholars, and it may be necessary to have a college education before joining a religious order in some cases. One may need to train in these areas, especially if the order is one that provides education to children or hospital nursing. Some nuns also work as psychologists or doctors, but an order with one of these nuns rarely requires the rest of the nuns to do the same.
Women considering becoming nuns are encouraged to research the various orders and live in a convent for a period of time while working in the outside world. Living in a convent can often assist a woman in determining whether or not becoming a nun is truly her calling. Women who do not wish to become nuns are not shamed for their decision. Most orders welcome those who take their time making such a life-changing decision.
When a woman decides to pursue sisterhood after much thought, she may spend one to two years as a novice in a convent. The woman can then take temporary vows of chastity and poverty after completing her term as a novice. At the end of the temporary vows, the final and permanent vows are made, as well as full inclusion into the convent. Any woman can abandon her sisterhood quest at any time. Leaving after making permanent vows is frowned upon, as it is viewed as akin to divorce.
While becoming a nun is still a fulfilling vocation for some, it is no longer as popular as it once was. Some women believe they are called to serve God as priests as a result of rising feminist concerns about the church. The Catholic Church forbids this, and some women are dissatisfied with serving God in what they perceive to be a lesser and discriminatory position. This does not apply to all nuns or women who consider themselves sisters. Being a nun is a spiritually rewarding occupation for many who accept the call, but for others, it is a barrier that represents the remnants of heretical discrimination against women.