Sister vs. Nun (What is the difference)

I have networked with many people who are still trying to understand the different terms used in doctrine as a theologian. For this reason, I have studied and extensively researched different doctrines to get the correct information. Last year, I took a special interest in the Catholic clergy. During my research, I booked appointments with Catholic priests, Catechists, sisters, brothers, and nuns, to know the differences between them and the work they do for the church and the people. Recently, one of the priests invited me to conduct a Bible Study with some of his young in-faith congregation. I decided to end the session with a Q&A on Catholic Clergy to help them learn the roles of their church leaders. A very young lady inquired about the distinction between a Sister and a Nun, which resulted in a lengthy discussion where I told them all I knew about Sister vs. Nun.

Keep on reading this article as I explore more on the topic of differences between a nun and a sister. I will also enlighten you on their similarities and much more.

Nun vs. Sister: Difference in meaning

A nun is a catholic religious woman who lives a meditative and prayerful life in a monastery that is enclosed or semi-enclosed. She renounces all her property and focuses on a ministry and prayer life that is centered within the monastery for the good of the people and the whole world. A nun acknowledges the long-lasting solemn vows of living according to the evangelical counsel of celibacy, obedience, and poverty. Nuns take their life publicly in a church.

On the other hand, a sister is a catholic religious woman who ministers, serves, and prays for the good of the world. She is dedicated to humanity and is characterized by selfless acts, such as serving in educational or health institutions to help people. A sister is often said to be apostolic since she is engaged in ministries that help to take the Gospel to the people and lives in the mainstream of society. A sister acknowledges the long-lasting, bust, simple vows of living according to the evangelical counsels of celibacy, obedience, and poverty. A sister can retain her properties and inheritance, though she cannot use the assets in their ministries. Sisters can take their vows publicly or privately.

What is the difference between sisters and nuns?

Comparison Parameters.	Sister	Nun
Vows	A Sister acknowledges simple vows of living according to the evangelical counsel of celibacy, obedience, and poverty.	A nun acknowledges solemn vows of living according to the evangelical counsel of celibacy, obedience, and poverty.
Life	A sister lives an active life.	A nun lives a simple and meditative life
Ownership	Sisters can retain ownership of their properties and inheritance	Nuns should renounce ownership of their property and inheritance to focus on serving God and the Church.
Clothing	A sister can or cannot wear a habit if she wants.	A nun wears a habit at all times.
Lifestyle	A sister prays, ministers, and serves the people by working in health or educational centers.	A nun prays and lives in silence in a monastery.
Community	A sister’s community is called a congregation.	A nun’s community is referred to as a religious order.
Workplace	A sister’s workplace is within the mainstream of society.	A nun’s workplace is within a convent or a monastery.

Are there any similarities between sisters and nuns?

Yes. There are similarities between a sister and a nun. One similarity is that they are both called women religious in the Catholic Church because they take the same vows of living according to the evangelical counsel of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, the vows vary between simple and solemn forms. Both a sister and a nun are supposed to follow these vows as they serve their roles in the church. Therefore, a nun and a sister are both from the Catholic Church who follow the catholic guidance.

Another similarity between a sister and a nun is that they all focus on praying for the salvation of the people. Sisters and nuns dedicate their life to praying for the good of the world and the people. Though sisters serve the people in other ways, they are also supposed to pray for the people and their well-being. They pray following the catholic religion and beliefs. They have all given their life to God and work for the church and the good of the world.

Nuns and sisters undergo a period of learning and testing, called postulancy, before they can be ordained to be nuns or sisters. This is when the order and the woman determine whether they have a calling to serve as a nun or sister. If they pass these tests, they are given a habit that nuns are supposed to were all the time, but sisters can choose to or not to wear it. Also, it is upon completion of this period that they take the vows to serve in obedience, chastity, and poverty.

Why are the terms sister and nuns used interchangeably?

The terms sisters and nuns are used interchangeably to describe women religious in the Catholic Church. These two words, especially sister, are a common name for any woman who takes vows in the Catholic religious order. Most people who use these two names interchangeably do not know the differences between a nun and a sister. Though these two terms are used interchangeably, they have major differences, as I mentioned earlier. Therefore, it is best to learn those differences to avoid misusing the two terms, which could lead to confusion while communicating.

Are all sisters nuns?

The terms sister and nun are often used interchangeably, however, within Roman Catholicism, a sister is not a nun. Though a sister takes the vow of living according to the evangelical counsel of chastity, obedience, and poverty, the church does not consider this vow solemn. However, the vows taken by a nun are considered solemn by the church. Most people use the term sister to refer to a nun, though this does not mean that a sister is a nun. A sister’s lifestyle, work, vows, and clothing differ from that of a nun. A sister is supposed to spread the Gospel to the people that are unaware of it. Therefore, a sister’s workplace is the mainstream of society. However, a nun is supposed to live a life full of contemplation and prayers. Therefore a nun’s workplace is a convent or monastery. Sisters can own properties as they are seen working and providing for the poor, while nuns are supposed to give up on their properties or inheritances. Due to these reasons, a sister cannot be said to a nun.