I’m fascinated by how fascinated some people are by this path I’m on. Today I had my physical. I was due for a physical anyway, but I also needed one for my groovy sisters application which I needed to explain to my doctor and her nurse as I had a special medical report form I need filled out.
Well, they were fascinated. My doctor decided to wait until the MOST inopportune and awkward time of the exam (women will know which part I’m talking about, men can guess) to start grilling me. "Will you be making a lifetime commitment? What type of work will you do? Will you wear a habit? Will you be sent off to far flung places? What kind of training is there." All this while I was in a not very comfortable position. It did take my mind off things which was probably part of the point.
Her nurse was so seemingly astounded, she couldn’t formulate questions. While she was checking my temperature and later my blood pressure and later taking blood, all she said was "Wow, you’re going to become a nun." I decided this was no time to try to explain that nuns are sisters but not all sisters are nuns. Just said, "Yep, that’s the plan anyway."
Funny
7 comments:
Would you please (briefly) explain the difference? 'Cause I always thought they were interchangable too!
I think nuns are in monasteries while sisters are out in the world. But I tend to call them all nuns too.
The two terms are used interchangeably. I do sometimes too ... for one thing people know what you're talking about when you say "I'm thinking of becoming a nun" but look more unsure about it when you say "Sister" or "woman religious." It's just easier.
But, as I understand it Andrea is correct about the difference.
Nuns are analogous to Monks - they live in monasteries and I believe take a 4th vow of stability. They are also called Sister. Usually I think their main ministry is prayer and contemplation. This gets confusing as well though - Sr. Joan Chittister for example is a Benedictine nun (living in a monastery in Erie PA), but as we know is out in the world telling it like it is most of the time. Communities of nuns are called orders. Some nuns wear habits, some wear simple dress.
Sisters (those who are not nuns) take "just" the other 3 - poverty, obedience and celibacy. They are usually doing ministry out in the world, contemplatives in action. Each community has its own charism, with the apostolic works of the Sisters reflecting that. Teaching, nursing, social justice, etc … Although of course since Vatican II they've broadened their understanding of this. Communities of sisters are called religious communities, not orders. Some Sisters wear habits, some wear simple dress.
I don't guarantee this is 100% correct - my understanding is developing - but I think it's the general gist.
The community I'm discerning with are Sisters, not nuns. No habits. Their charism is peace through justice. Sisters are involved in a variety of ministries to that aim - health care, teaching, social work, spiritual direction, advocacy. They live in community close to their ministry sites with a few other sisters, in apartments or houses. Retired sisters tend to live together at the motherhouse, which is the center of community life for assemblies and celebrations.
That said, sometimes it's just easier to say nun. The Sisters do too. But TECHNICALLY, there's a difference.
good Lord, woman! legs in stirrups, asking you questions about your vocation?
wow. they say timing is everything...
yep Penni, you get the picture!
Hope I'm not too late with my two cents on the nun-word issue.... although you also get an additional thirty-seven cents about Benedictines. :-)
My understanding is that a "nun" is enclosed, while a "sister" is not. That means that "nuns" spend their entire time within the cloister of the convent (primarily prayer-ish); "sisters" come and go, have ministries outside the convent-space, etc. Generally, those that are enclosed also wear the habit. Examples of "nuns" would be the Poor Clares, the Carmelites, the Trappistines, etc.
While people often speak of a "Poor Clare monastery" that does NOT mean that all those who live in monasteries are enclosed. I am a "Sister of Saint Benedict" from "Monastery Immaculate Conception" in Ferdinand, Indiana. Technically, we consider ourselves "monastics" but, as you can see from our title, we are officially "sisters."
Those that follow the Rule of Benedict are a unique breed. Since Benedict (480) pre-dates the stereotypical "poverty, chastity, obedience" vows (don't remember the technical name for that grouping nor when they were -- maybe 1100?), we aren't really bound to them. Benedictines instead promise "stability [to this particular monastery and group of people], obedience [which, according to Benedict, is more of mutual listening], and fidelity to the monastic way of life [continual conversion, catch-all that incorporates poverty, chastity, humility, hospitality, community, etc.]." HOWEVER, women religious in the US had problems from the very beginning with the forced enclosure, etc., and there was no distinction made among the hierarchy of the church as to the different charisms. Thus, Benedictine women were like anyone else, and were required to take poverty, chastity, and obedience -- with then the addition of stability and fidelity to make five vows. After Vatican II's call for renewal, American Benedictine women began to reclaim their identity, changing names from "convent" to "monastery", becoming "women monastics", and returning to the original three promises set down by Benedict. Some Benedictines wear habits, others don't; some work within the monastery, others don't.
I never knew there to be a difference between "community" and "order" --- I've heard them used interchangably. Unless ... "order" is used more for the overall congregational level (like "Sisters of St. Joseph"), and community is more the sub-group ("SSJ of Philadelphia")? But I'm making that up. I know for us, we are a religious community; we are a part of the Order of Saint Benedict (as are the men Benedictines).
It's funny .... I never made a distinction between nun and sister -- until the whole nun question arose for me. Then I was VERY clear about not being a nun. Although, I would distance myself from reality by calling it "the nun-thing" .... I generally just use "nun" as a light-hearted jab (being in nun-denial, etc.). Of course, since I AM in nun-denial, I tend not to use any words of that nature. One of our novices was commenting not-too-long-ago: "Can you believe we live in a monastery?!?!?" I said, "No, I don't live in a monastery. I just have a lot of roommates."
Anyway .... Hope I wasn't TOO biased in my presentation .... leave me a comment on my (as-yet-rather-undeveloped) blog if anyone has more questions. Not like I'm an expert either, but if we all muddle through together ....
By the way ... the Sr. Jeana Visel that wrote the Busted Halo article you addressed in Get thee to the nunnery .... she's a year under me in community here and is a VERY good friend of mine. I came across your site shortly before that, and so it was very cool to see her writing noticed. So, thanks, on her behalf!
Thanks Steph!
Come to think of I think the difference is actually "Congregation" vs. "Order". And there's a third too, "Apostolic Society" I think.
I know the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace are a congregation. That's why they are the CSJP's. The "C" is for Congregation. Whereas most Benedictines are as you say part of the Order of St Benedict.
This is all so much more interesting the further you scratch the surface, eh?
And how cool that you know Sr. Jenna? That was a great article - hence my linking to it.
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