How to Become a Nun (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

The decision to participate in religious life as a nun or nun requires prayer, research and discernment to understand if it is God who is calling you to this consecrated life. The nuns are a very respectable and admirable group of women. If you think this is your way, keep reading this article, you will find some tips on how to answer the call.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Prerequisites for a Christian Sister

Step 1. You must be single

We assume that you are a woman and a Catholic. If you are married, you must apply for and obtain the annulment of the marriage at the Sacra Rota. For the Catholic Church, widows are single.

When you become a nun, you receive a ring that identifies you as the bride of Christ. For this reason, you cannot have another relationship that distracts you from the Lord's call

Step 2. Meet the age requirements

In the old days, nuns took the veil as soon as they finished high school or college. Now you just need to be between the ages of 18 and 40. In some circumstances even older women are admitted to the novitiate, it depends on the order you want to join.

Generally speaking, religious communities encourage their members to have some kind of university education. It is preferable to have at least a three-year degree, but it is not essential anyway. Professional and life experience are also additional requirements

Step 3. Wait for your children to grow up

If you have children, you must first make sure they are no longer dependent on you before you become a nun. Many nuns are mothers, but the children are grown up and independent.

Step 4. You must be healthy and financially independent

In other words, you must be healthy and debt-free. Many Christian institutions prefer candidates who are not overwhelmed by other problems, so that they can fully dedicate themselves to God.

If you are in debt, make sure they don't block you. If you have found an order to join, talk to the Mother Superior about it, she may be able to help you

Part 2 of 4: Initial Discernment

Step 1. Talk to the nuns

The more mentors you have on your side, the better. You will be able to clarify what it means to be a nun and understand the differences between the various orders and the rules you will soon have to adapt to. If you cannot contact a group of nuns, go to the parish and try to get as much information as possible from your pastor or from those who are active in your religious community.

• Generally speaking, there are three types of religious communities to choose from: contemplative, traditional apostolic and non-traditional apostolic.

  • Contemplative communities focus on prayer. The lifestyle is more serene, meditative and isolated than that of the apostolic sisters.
  • The traditional apostolic ones deal with education and health. Sisters who teach at school or who work in hospitals or other health facilities are not uncommon.
  • Non-traditional apostolic orders are at the service of others, but they actively care for the homeless, prisoners and people with HIV / AIDS.

  

  Step 2. Do some research online

  You may think that the last thing you can find on the internet is information on convents, but monastic orders are also modernizing! Some have their own website with sacred songs to download and blogs to read!

  • You can also find vocation discussion forums.
  • In some states there are sites that connect those who 'hear' the call, but who want to clarify their vocation and which order is most suitable. These are very similar websites to dating websites, but they help future nuns and priests find the right 'home'.
  • There are also discussion forums where novices and expert nuns can get in touch to unravel many doubts.
  • Some orders or convents have a website and often the Mother Superior or another trusted sister responds to emails from women who are curious or interested in the novitiate.
  • 'A Nun's Life' is a blog (in English) dedicated to women who are thinking of becoming nuns. It is very thorough and deals with many issues, from the necessary requirements, to the procedures, to the details of a life as a nun.

  

  Step 3. Attend a retreat meeting on the weekend

  You can find several of these events by asking your parish or directly to the order you are interested in. The various forums we talked about earlier also 'advertise' these religious gatherings and it won't be difficult for you to find one near you. These days do not oblige you to do anything, you do not necessarily have to draw up a novitiate application; it is only an occasion to 'test' monastic life.

  Through your parish, it will not be difficult for you to find the religious order you are looking for. You will be able to get all the information about the work that the sisters do, the lifestyle they lead, how their typical day is organized and the prayer meetings. In addition, you can also ask all the questions you want and find a nun who can help you identify the order that best respects your personality

  

  Step 4. Contact a specific community

  Once you have done all your research and located the order you would like to join, contact them. Each congregation is different (not only in social purpose but also in size, geographic location, and so on) and you can easily find the one that suits you best. However feel free to contact more than one community! It is part of the discernment process.

  • If you know a nun in your chosen community, talk to her. If you don't know any member directly, ask for an interview with the novice director. He will be able to give you all the information you need.

    Never neglect the web as an information resource. Write emails, call or read the various forums if you feel a little lost and disoriented

  

  Step 5. Collaborate with the director of vocations

  Or even with more than one. When you have contacted the Mother Superior of the orders that interest you, you will be able to participate in some activities, without feeling obliged to join the community.

  You will be able to explore the convent, take part in spiritual retreats, learn how the nuns pass the time and help out in community events. You will meet other sisters and you will be able to understand if it is the right place for you

  Part 3 of 4: Initial Process

  

  Step 1. Choose an order to dedicate yourself to

  At this point the director of vocations is already at your side; all you have to do is express your serious interest and the process will start from here. You will be able to discuss the logistics and, specifically, when, where and how to meet the vocation council. For now it's all downhill!

  The pre-application process (where both parties are interested and collaborate together) takes one to three years. This is serious business that requires a lot of time on your part and should not be taken lightly. If you're not convinced, it's time to say it

  

  Step 2. Begin the application process

  This is also called pre-novitiate or postulancy. You will live in the convent, you will work with the other sisters, but you will have to manage your own expenses (which is why you have to be financially independent at the beginning).

  To start the process, you need to write a letter expressing your desire to be part of the order. The application phase lasts from 6 months to 2 years and allows both parties to understand if your placement is feasible

  

  Step 3. Enter the novitiate

  At this point you are part of the community but not yet permanently engaged. You are called a "novice" at this stage. Church rules dictate that this period last a minimum of one year, although many orders extend it to two. The reason for this, in part, is to allow you to understand if monastic life is for you.

  • The second year is usually dedicated to studying and working within the community. At the end of this period, you can rejoin the secular world (if you wish) or take vows.
  • Some orders ask the novice to choose a new name, that of a saint, during public vows, but not all. You can always use your first name.

  

  Step 4. Get your first grades

  As a religious sister, initially, these are temporary vows that you will have to renew every year until your final profession; this can take 5 to 9 years (depending on the order), although few communities make it to the limit.

  At this point you will need to cut your hair. If you weren't dedicated to God before, now you are for sure! You will receive the black veil, a new name and the long scapular once you have promised obedience and fidelity to the Lord

  

  Step 5. Take the final grades

  If you are ready to definitely dedicate yourself to the Church, now is the time to express it. When you receive the ring and all the other ornaments there will be a magnificent ceremony, very elaborate and you will be able to declare your promise to the world. Congratulations, your new life awaits you!

  There are a couple of exceptions to this rule. The first vows of the Jesuits are also the final ones and the Sisters of Charity take only renewable vows

  Part 4 of 4: Becoming a Buddhist Nun (Bhikkhuni)

  

  Step 1. Meet the requirements

  A woman who wishes to become a bhikkhuni must have many basic requirements, especially of a practical nature:

  • She must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • If he has a child, he must arrange for others to take care of him.
  • She must be healthy both physically and mentally.
  • It must have no debts or other obligations.

  

  Step 2. Find a place to practice

  It can be small or large, in the city or in a rural area. Once you've found the right place for you, express your interest in practicing in that community. Each has its own different rules, but a few weeks of retreat will be required.

  

  Step 3. Enter the pre-novitiate phase

  If you enjoy staying at the monastery and are well accepted by other nuns, you may be asked to return to complete your initiation. During this time you will be taught the eight Buddhist precepts. There are five precepts for the laity and three others called upasikas ie vows.

  • You will not have to shave your head during this time, however you will be asked to wear white or black and white clothing. This phase lasts from a few weeks to a few months.

  • The precepts (called Garudhammas) are:

    • You must not harm any living being, human or otherwise.
    • You don't have to steal.
    • You have to refrain from sex.
    • You don't have to lie or deceive.
    • You must not drink alcohol or other drugs.
    • You must only eat on time.
    • You don't have to sing, dance or use cosmetics and perfumes.
    • You don't have to linger in sleep and spend time in places of lust.

    

    Step 4. Become a Candidate or Anagarika

    Literally this term means "homeless" because to embrace the life of a nun you left your home. You will need to shave your head, wear white clothes and confirm the eight precepts. Depending on your particular situation, you may be in this phase for six months to several years.

    • For now, from a technical point of view, you are still a secular woman. You can manage money to support yourself, although some expenses can be shared with other women who are in the same position as you.
    • Practice meditation. You must develop the meditation ("Brahma Viharas") of loving-kindness (Metta), the joy of thanksgiving (Mudita), compassion (Karuna) and equanimity (Upekkhā).

    

    Step 5. Become a samaneri, or novice

    At this point you enter fully into pabbajja (monastic life). Each community sets different traditional and age requirements for this step. Some have a probationary and observation period before admitting candidates to the pabbajja.

    Now you have to profess the 10 precepts of the novitiate, including the prohibition on using money. Driving may also be prohibited. You will be entrusted to an elderly nun who will become your personal teacher

    

    Step 6. Take the Bhikkuni vows

    This is the highest stage of the sorting. With the permission of your teacher (and after an agreed period of time), you will become a full-fledged Bhikkhuni. Twenty people will be witnesses of the ceremony of your ordination which also provides for the respect of the 311 precepts.

    

    Step 7. Become a Theri or Elder

    After about 10 years, you will start teaching and discussing with your pupils. During this time you will be able to travel as much as you wish, work with different mentors or stay with your original teacher. After 20 years you will be a Mahatheri or Great Elder.

    Advice

    • One of the main differences between Christian Catholic nuns and Orthodox nuns is that the Catholic ones (and priests) belong to different orders (for example: Carmelites, Poor Clares, Missionaries of Charity and Discalced Carmelites). Orthodox nuns (and probably also priests) are only 'nuns' who live in convents but do not belong to any particular order.
    • To enter most orders of Christian nuns you must be at least 18 years of age, and normally no more than 40 (although there may be some exceptions).
    • Most orders of Buddhist nuns require that the head be shaved.

    Warnings

    If you don't find a boyfriend it does not mean that you must be a nun.