Get thee to a nunnery!?

Question

I have a lot of questions about becoming a nun.
1. Do other denominations have nuns, or just Roman Catholics?
2. How does one become a nun? Do you have to go to the equivalent of seminary?
3. Can lesbians become nuns, or is it just priests and higher that have to be straight?
4. With whom might I talk in real life about becoming a nun?
5. Would it be helpful for a nun to have gone to college, or would she be better off doing something else?
6. Do any nuns still live in convents?

Thanks for answering, and God bless.

Ok, it is NOT a nun fetish. I am asking about #3 because I am gay and I know that the Catholic seminaries are not supposed to take guys who "have been gay in the last three years"... so even though I am totally celibate and plan to stay that way, I wonder if I might be automatically barred from the sisterhood.

Answer 1

1. Yes, a few other denominations have nuns. Namely, Eastern Orthodox, as well as some Anglicans and Lutherans.
2. In general, when a person enters a convent she first undergoes an initial period of testing the life, known as postulancy, for a period of six months to a year. If she, and the order, determine that she may have a vocation to the life, she receives the habit of the order and undertakes novitiate, a period of living the life of a nun that lasts one to two years. After, she may take her initial, temporary vows, which may last for several years. This is the last chance to get out, if she wants to. Finally, she will ask for permission to make her "perpetual profession," taking permanent, lifelong vows.
3. Yes. The Church says that being homosexual is not a sin, only practicing (which is why I think they will eventually remove that restriction on the priesthood.).
4. First of all, talk to your priest. Do some research to find out what orders you might be interested in. Once you've decided, talk to the vocation director. You should be able to find contact information online.
5. Yes, going to college is frequently helpful. Many religious women in the past have been great theologians and scholars, so you might look towards a religion or philosophy degree. Alternatively, (and especially if you're looking at a non-cloistered order) you might look at something with professional merit. For instance, a degree in education, counseling, language, even pre-med. This will help you in your minestry. Some orders will on their own send sisters to get degrees, but this isn't always the case.
6. Yes, nuns in the technical sense of the word, live in contents. Look online, and you'll find there are still orders today like this, though they are dwindling. Sisters, on the other hand, are un-cloistered, and these orders are much more prevelant.

Answer 2

The RC, Orthodox (men and women both are called Monks here), the Anglican and one branch of the Lutherans have women religious. (some are nuns, some are sisters)

To become a nun you must be at least 18 and not over 50, in most orders. It is good to have some education or work experience before leaving the world.

A nun is celibate. So your sexual orientation does not matter.

To find out more about being a nun, you will want to first start reading books about the different types of orders. I suggest reading about the life of St. Francis, and St. Benedict. And read about the Rule associated with each. Then find some convents or monasteries near you and go for a retreat and talk with the Mother Superior or Abbess.

Not all sister/nuns live in a convent or monastery. In the RC church some Sisters live in small groups in homes. There is a difference between being a Sister and being a Nun. Nuns are members of contemplative orders and Sisters are not. Most people call all women religious nuns, but that is not correct.

PS. There are also those who are Associate members of a Religious Order and live in the world, but follow the same rule (modified) as those who life in the Monastery. Third Order Franciscans are one such group. Benedictine Oblates are another.

Answer 3

I can't answer all those questions, as I do not agree with Catholic doctrine - but I feel I must mention these two sections of the Bible.
NOTE: These are direct quotes from the Bible, and you can argue with me until you are blue in the face - because I didn't write it.
RE: Catholic bishops/priests/nuns/whoever being forbidden to marry:
1 Timothy 4 -
"Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. "
RE: What God thinks about homosexuality:
1 Corinthians 6:9
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

Answer 4

Forget the Nun business and find a Man to marry and have lots of children. If you are gay try to find a good man that really loves you . With that love and sex combined Makes life Wounderful.. Have you ever had sex with a man that you were in love with I'll bet NOT

Answer 5

non-catholics do not have nuns, because we don't ask anyone in ministry to remain unmarried. It's unnatural, and causes too many problems.

Answer 6

Ah another one with a nun fetish....

Answer 7

Don't know, but I might as well be one. I'm celibate.