How to Become a Benedictine Nun
Catholic women who feel a vocation to commit to a life of prayer and service, and who feel ready to practice celibacy while living in spiritual community with other women, may choose to become nuns. In the Catholic tradition there are several orders of nuns. Benedictine nuns belong to the Order of Saint Benedict, which differs from other religious orders in following the Rule of St. Benedict and in that each individual abbey or monastery operates independently. There are currently three abbeys in the US -- in Missouri, Arizona and Wyoming -- as well as others around the globe.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact the director of vocations at one of the Benedictine abbeys. You can discuss with her the day-to-day realities of living as a nun in this order, as well as ask questions about the Rule of St. Benedict and the spiritual practices of Benedictine nuns. Before officially entering on the path toward taking vows, you will probably want to visit an abbey for a few days or for as long as a month. This will give you a more solid idea of both the mundane and spiritual life you will have as a Benedictine nun.
-
2
Become a postulant to try out the experience of being a nun. You will go to live in the abbey, bringing with you clothing, a limited number of photos, 15 each of books, CDs and DVDs, but no pets, cell phones, laptops or cosmetics. For a period of six months or more, you will live with the community and follow their timetables, practicing silence from 9 p.m to 7:30 a.m, rising at 6:30 a.m, joining in prayer with other sisters four times each day, taking daily Eucharist and spending 2 to 3 hours each day in personal prayer.
-
-
3
Enter your novitiate, a period of approximately two years. At this time you make your First Monastic Profession and receive your first habit. The Benedictine nun's garb consists of a black and/or white skirt (worn with a blouse of the sister's choosing), or black and/or white dresses along with a Benedictine hat, cross and ring.
-
4
Profess your vows. This happens in two phases: as a juniorate, a nun takes vows for a period of three years. At this time she will also take on additional duties in the abbey. After three years, a Benedictine nun takes solemn lifetime vows. Through these vows, she undertakes: stability, binding herself to the order; conversion of life, agreeing to renew herself daily in Christ; and finally, obedience to Christ.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit the nuns image by Alexander Ivanov from Fotolia.com
