As a theologian, I take an interest in understanding religious practices. I particularly found the ritual of nuns taking and renewing vows irresistible. As a result, at theology school, my research was focused on understanding the ceremony of vow renewal. I spent years learning from reputable theology professors and read countless theology resources on the topic. Later, I went to the nearby church, where I learned much more about the topic from revered religious leaders. Recently, at the end of our weekly church group meeting, one of the members had questions about the vows nuns take. She had heard an announcement in her church about nuns taking vows the coming week. From the knowledge I had gained over the years about the renewal of vows, I could adequately respond to her question. So, do nuns renew their vows?
Mostly, nuns renew their vows annually on or around the anniversary of when they first professed their vows. It’s an opportunity for nuns to reaffirm their commitment to spiritual life and service. Though it requires sacrifice, nuns find this occasion meaningful to their practice and, on top of that, a chance to come together with fellow nuns to celebrate this calling.
In this article, I will delve into the practice of nuns renewing their vows, including how often they do it and what happens when the vows are broken. Read along as I answer these questions and learn more about nuns’ vows.
When are nuns required to renew their vows?
Typically, women who are considering a lifetime commitment to a religious community go through a discernment process with several steps. The length of these steps varies, but generally, the candidacy period takes at least 6 months to a few years. After that, she spends over a year dedicated to prayer and learning more about religious life, a period called novitiate. Following the novitiate, the woman professes temporary vows that are renewed annually. This period lasts for at least three years, during which the nun engages in ministry and lives in the community. After three years or more, the nun may profess final, lifelong vows. However, it’s essential to note that the length of each step and period of renewal varies depending on the specific religious order.
How often do nuns renew their vows?
Most nuns renew their vows at least once per year, ideally on the anniversary of when they first professed their vows upon entering the convent. However, this frequency of vow renewal varies greatly among different religious communities. This decision is usually influenced by the unique charism of that community and its spiritual mentors. Regardless of the frequency, in all communities renewing vows is a deeply personal and important ritual for a nun to reaffirm her dedication to her vocation.
Can nuns break their vows and renew them?
While the vows are considered sacred, in rare cases, nuns may experience a lapse in their commitment and may need to be released from their vows. For the temporary vows, one can just fail to renew, but for the final vows, they can only be broken through an intricate process called dispensation. For restoration, some orders will allow you to renew the vows after a period of prayer, reflection, and penance. Others may require an extended time away from the community before allowing you to re-profess the vows.
Are nuns required to renew all their vows?
Yes. When nuns renew their vows, they reaffirm their commitment to all three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are at the core of a nun’s vocation and spiritual journey, and therefore renewing only select vows would go against this purpose. The vow of poverty signifies that they give up worldly possession, while chastity means sexual relations are forbidden. In obedience, they vow to obey the leaders of the convent and other church rules.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
