As a theologian, I always seek to explore the structure and workings of different denominations worldwide. I recently attended a three-week seminar led by nuns and decided to take advantage of that rare opportunity to learn about their history, vows, and practices. I met and interacted with different types of nuns and even read some of the texts that govern their day-to-day practices. While teaching a theology class the following week, my students asked me what I had learned about nuns. Having interacted with them and participated in some of their prayers and practices, I was able to comprehensively answer all the questions they had about nuns. But first, who are nuns?
Nuns are women who have professed the solemn vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and who have devoted their lives to the service of God and others.
In this article, I’ll explore the history and origin of nuns, their different orders, the vows they take, and their leadership roles. I’ll also look at how they differ from sisters and their existence in different churches and religions. Keep reading to learn more!
Nuns History and Origin
Who are nuns
Nuns are women who have taken solemn vows to commit their lives to the service of God, religious contemplation, and prayer. They are commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, but they are also found in other religions like Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Women who choose to become nuns do so for a variety of reasons. Some may have received a divine calling to join a religious order, others may wish to demonstrate their religious devotion, and women from certain cultures may choose to lead a cloistered, religious life after being widowed.
For example, the Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore have committed to leading a life of prayer and contemplation at the Carmelite Monastery of Baltimore, where they seek a deep communion with God to receive a new, transformed consciousness.
What are the roles of nuns in the Church?
Aside from prayer and contemplation, some nuns play the following roles in the Church:
Teachers
Nuns, mostly the Ursulines, provide education and training to young girls and women aspiring to pursue the same vocation. Some nuns also teach theology, liturgy, or secular courses in Catholic schools or universities.
Caregivers
They carry out charitable missions by helping the poor and caring for the sick. And preaching the word of God. They also offer counseling services and back the construction of community centers, schools, and hospitals. Most nuns that take on these roles belong to the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order founded by Mother Teresa.
Missionaries
Nuns can also be sent on special apostolic missions by their superiors to spread the word of God and advocate for more women to join in their calling.
When did the concept of nuns begin?
The concept of nuns can be traced back to the early Church. In 1 Timothy 5:9–10, the Apostle Paul speaks of widows who devote their lives to practicing good deeds in service of the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 7: 34, Paul described unmarried women and virgins as being devoted to the work of the Lord in body and spirit. These sentiments ring true for today’s nuns, who take solemn vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity.
What is the history of nuns through the centuries?
The persecutions of the third century drove many believers into the desert, but the solitary life inspired most of them to continue living their lives in service of God. As monks began living in monasteries, so did religious women. Founders of monastic life like St. Pachomius and St. Jerome championed the building of monasteries and convents for nuns and virgins in Rome, Spain, Italy, Gaul, and the West. These monasteries were usually located a few distance from those for men.
In the eighth and ninth centuries, more women joined the canonical way of life by retiring from the world, dressing modestly in black, and taking vows of chastity. They, however, were not obligated to denounce ownership of their earthly properties. During this period, being a nun was a religious profession, and they provided Christian education to young girls aspiring to become nuns and orphans. While some nuns pursued their religious journeys on their own free will, some were offered up by their parents when they were still young as a show of devotion.
In the thirteenth century, the different orders of nuns began arising. For example, the Mendicant Order was characterized by a more rigorous element of poverty, as it restricted members from owning most possessions. Nuns belonging to this order were dedicated to preaching and missionary work. In 1212, St. Francis of Assisi guided St. Clare into founding the Second Order of Franciscans, who are today called the Poor Clares. Other orders like the Dominican, Augustinian, Benedictine, and Carmelite Nuns were also founded.
The formation of orders of nuns led to all professed nuns being subjected to stricter enclosure. They were only allowed to educate young girls, and even that was done under inconvenient conditions. St. Pius V dictated that in addition to living within enclosed monasteries or convents, nuns were required to accept solemn vows. For almost three centuries, the Holy See, which is the government of the Catholic Church, refused to sanction nuns who had only accepted simple vows.
Consequently, religious associations consisting of women who had not taken perpetual solemn vows were formed. For example, St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity. They provided services to the sick and poor and carried out religious missions, and they were soon tolerated by the Holy See and sanctified by diocesan authorities. At the beginning of the twentieth century, after much political difficulties, Pope Leo XIII laid down the laws that clearly differentiated between sisters who had taken simple vows and worked under diocesan authorities and nuns who had taken solemn vows and worked under the pontifical law.
Who were the most popular saints that influenced the beginning of nuns?
Saint Scholastica
She was the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia, and following in his footsteps, she founded the monastery of Piumarola. She and her fellow sisters followed the Rule of St. Benedict, leading to the formation of the female branch of the Benedictine Order. Saint Scholastica also observed the rule of silence, which required nuns to avoid having conversations with anyone outside the monastery.
Saint Clare of Assisi
She was among the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi, and inspired by his teachings, she founded the Order of Poor Ladies, which is referred to as the Poor Clares today. During her service, she courageously championed the Franciscan rule of absolute poverty, which forbade the Poor Ladies from possessing any earthl