Do nuns actually get married to Jesus?

[MTD]

The spiritual marriage is what I thought was what the wedding-dressed and wedding-ringed nuns had when they took their perpetual vows.

Usually, when the term spiritual marriage is used, it is used to refer to the highest possible mystical union with Christ. That mystical union is available to everyone, married or unmarried, lay or clerical.

Nuns and other religious, since they have vowed not to marry a human so that they may concentrate more on loving God, are said to marry Christ because they express in a more perfect way the call of every Catholic to be a spouse of Christ. And because they have not married a human spouse, they are surer of obtaining that union with Christ because the possible obstacle of being inordinately attached to another human is taken away.

So this is why some orders of nuns use a wedding dress on Clothing Day and give a wedding ring at the profession of vows. It is to symbolize their “espousal” to Christ. But this espousal is meant to end in spiritual marriage, which is also available to all Catholics.

You’re saying spiritual marriage is something even deeper than this?

Yes, that is exactly right. And everyone is called to it, not just religious.

A mystical union with Christ? Could you please explain this more…or would you just recommend I read that book and ask you for clarification when I get confused?

Yes, it is a union brought about by grace. You know, I don’t think I’d be very good at explaining it; besides, I don’t know a whole lot about it. I’ll try to find some quotes from some books I have and PM them to you when I get a chance. I’m sort of busy with some debates on these forums, but I’m going to have some free time tomorrow, so I’ll try then.

Why this pessimism? Why do you seem so sad? I wasn’t aware anything had died nor changed. Please do explain and then maybe we’ll be on the same page and can discuss it.

The pessimism is, I think, sort of directed at some of my statements. But I assure you, it’s not really important and just a small disagreement between me and hermitcrab over technical terms. We actually agree on the spiritual realities.

Maria

 

[hermitcrab]

“The pessimism is, I think, sort of directed at some of my statements. But I assure you, it’s not really important and just a small disagreement between me and hermitcrab over technical terms. We actually agree on the spiritual realities.”

Just came back to close some threads; glad I did as what you write is not true…

Please, never do this; put words in another’s mouth.

Far, far more than a spiritual marriage; far, far more. Body, soul, mind are wed and welded to Jesus in religious life…

Your appraisal of what it means to be a Nun is shallow and theoretical, dear friend.

And it is very, very important indeed that truth be known.

Please Jesus you learn the realities thus.

Never stop learning, but ensure that you learn from experience and not from books and theories.

And please, do not presume to teach others what you do not know from personal experience.

You do them no kindness thus.

From being a Bride of Christ, not from thinking about it; from learning from them thus.

Also, there are Nuns in many non-Roman-Catholic denominations… Brides of Christ also.

Blessings this night…

 

[MTD]

But in some orders wedding gowns are still worn when taking perpetual vows. Here is one:
singingnuns.com/photo2.html#TOP

Beware! These are sedevacantist nuns.

Please, never do this; put words in another’s mouth.

I don’t really see how I put words in your mouth; I merely said what I thought the situation was. However, if I did, I apologize.

Far, far more than a spiritual marriage; far, far more. Body, soul, mind are wed and welded to Jesus in religious life…

You’re right; I didn’t originally understand what you meant. Now that I do, I thoroughly disagree with you if you mean this like it reads. If you mean the body is consecrated and dedicated to Jesus, yes, you’re right. But if you mean more than that, I’m sorry, I disagree with you more than ever.

Never stop learning, but ensure that you learn from experience and not from books and theories.

That is the way to confusion. St. Teresa of Avila greatly feared a purely experiential approach to the spiritual life; she always obeyed and sought the direction and opinion of the most eminent theologians of her day. And she is a Doctor of the Church. I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with you one bit on this.

From being a Bride of Christ, not from thinking about it; from learning from them thus.

I repeat it for the umpteenth time: we are all called to be spouses of Christ and to spiritual marriage. It is not something restricted to the religious life. Although the religious life is a purer expression of this call.

Also, there are Nuns in many non-Roman-Catholic denominations… Brides of Christ also.

Are you talking about Protestant nuns?

Maria

 

[nMbR1BaRlOwGiRl]

Saint Clare’s writings are full of erotic images.

Like what?

 

[Dale_M]

Beware! These are sedevacantist nuns.

Thank you for the warning. I didn’t know.

Are you talking about Protestant nuns?

There are Lutheran and Episcopal/Anglican nuns, although I am not familiar with their take on the Bride of Christ matter. If there are other denominations with nuns, I would be interested in hearing about them.

 

[Shoshana]

Here are some quotes:

‘Meanwhile Jesus-as we shall see in a moment-wanted something more. He wished that she,as His spouse, would place her whole self at the disposal of Hil love for sinners, and that, like Himself, she would make a sacrifice of herself to God to atone for their sins.’
Suster Faustina Kowalska-her life and her mission, Maria Tarnawska, P136

'Stripped of His clothes, His body covered with wounds. His eyes flooded with tears and blood, HIs face disfigured and covered with spittle. The lord then said to me, ‘The bride must resemble her Bethrothed.’ I understood these words ao their very depth.
Sister Faustina, P140

‘It is not easy to study in the school of Jesus. God gives incomparably much Himself, but He demands the maximum effort from His Spouse. Her entire programme of the Lord’s instruction at the time revolved around the problem of suffering.
Sister Faustian, P185’

At eleven o’clock…He brought me into such close intimacy with Himself that my heart was espoused to His Heart and He, mine.’
Sister Faustina, P326

Jesus was not sparing of ever new words of love for His spouse, as if their lvoing intimacy were, at the present stage of communion, one of His aims.
Sister Faustina P330

 

[nMbR1BaRlOwGiRl]

Here are some quotes:

‘Meanwhile Jesus-as we shall see in a moment-wanted something more. He wished that she,as His spouse, would place her whole self at the disposal of Hil love for sinners, and that, like Himself, she would make a sacrifice of herself to God to atone for their sins.’
Suster Faustina Kowalska-her life and her mission, Maria Tarnawska, P136

'Stripped of His clothes, His body covered with wounds. His eyes flooded with tears and blood, HIs face disfigured and covered with spittle. The lord then said to me, ‘The bride must resemble her Bethrothed.’ I understood these words ao their very depth.
Sister Faustina, P140

‘It is not easy to study in the school of Jesus. God gives incomparably much Himself, but He demands the maximum effort from His Spouse. Her entire programme of the Lord’s instruction at the time revolved around the problem of suffering.
Sister Faustian, P185’

At eleven o’clock…He brought me into such close intimacy with Himself that my heart was espoused to His Heart and He, mine.’
Sister Faustina, P326

Jesus was not sparing of ever new words of love for His spouse, as if their lvoing intimacy were, at the present stage of communion, one of His aims.
Sister Faustina P330

whoa.

 

[FCEGM]

whoa.

Don’t get into a carnal understanding of the mystical experiences of His Saints, GiRl; the language of marital love is used to express the profound intimacy between Christ and the soul conformed to Him; you will find similar language in Old Testament Song of Songs. Man’s language in describing the heights of contemplative encounter with God of necessity is limited to the highest experience of marital love because man has a limited vocabulary to express the inexpressible.

 

[m134e5]

I think some of the first posters in this thread are thinking this over too much. There is no sacrament of Matrimony involved, so it is not marriage in that sense. In some orders, the vows are very much like wedding vows, and a nun’s relationship with God should be like a spouse. It is a figurative term, but it is a good illustration of what nuns are supposed to be.

 

[nMbR1BaRlOwGiRl]

This is the response from Sr. Katy (A sister I recently met on a retreat for vocations):

"As for the question that you raised in this e-mail; that is a very good one! As you have discovered, there are multiple perspectives on this. I will try to answer it as best as I can, from what my lived expereince has been. I hope it helps!

I think in ‘religious life’, Jaclyn, there are two very different ways of looking at this. (Remember at HIAL, I said RL can be like shoes…your Nike, Adidas, Reebock…all a little different, yet all have shoes too?) Some congregations/orders do use the ‘bride of Christ’ and/or ‘Married to Jesus’ image. My congregation (School Sisters of St. Francis) and many others who are similar to mine, we do not use that image at all. We would talk about things in terms of “commitment” or ‘consecrated’ and yes…to…living our life according to the Gospels, the love of Christ, and God, but not ‘married’. Are you still with me?

I’m sure the next question is ‘Why?’ Well, I think…the bond between two people in the sacrament of matrimony is very special-an equal calling/vocation from God. It implies that two people are committed in a loving relationship for their lives.

To say religious are married to Jesus I don’t think is the same. We do not have a spousal relationship with Christ the way a man and a woman are married. We are making a concious choice to be in loving, caring, and healthy relationships with many people, not just 1 other person and the love of Christ is what feeds us. We are choosing a different vocation than marriage, so I think it’s confusing to think of it as a marriage. How could Christ have a “more special” relationship with some and not others? Scripture tells us that Jesus loves us equally and for our uniqueness…if you are ‘married’ to some, there is an inequality there."
-Sr. Katy (School Sisters of St. Francis)

all4Him,
~Jaclyn~

 

[seremina]

Really helpful info. I’m finally understanding this stuff, but I’m sure my understanding is limited until I’ve studied everything the Saints and Doctors of the Church have said about this issue. Using the words “married” and “marriage” and “spouse” are still a beautiful way to express the concepts; it almost seems, though, like a new word has to be invented to convey the right meaning–for it may confuse people.

However, there is one Order of ladies that really do marry Jesus. They are women that have consecrated their lives and lower parts to Jesus without entering a convent. They look like normal ladies but wear a special wedding ring. They are entered into a record book that the Pope keeps. The name of this Order escapes me, though. >_<; Somebody help?

I think the one person is referring to Protestant nuns and Buddhist nuns. I don’t think they have the same viewpoint as Catholic nuns do. But feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. ^_^;

I have a question. I can’t remember who used this phrase, but could someone tell me if I’m using it in the right context? Someone said that the most sacred intercourse of all, is sacred intercourse with our Lord. It had a footnote that explained its referring to the deepest level of prayer, for God does not require the carnal from us. Is that the right context? If so, how do you work towards doing that deep of a prayer?

 

[seremina]

I just came back to let you know what the name of that Order I mentioned was. I found it in Google. Its called Consecrated Virgins. Basically, what it is, is you promise to be a virgin by not being sexually active at all, and go through the preparation process with a spiritual director. Once done, you have a wedding ceremony and ring done by your Bishop. Your name will be recorded in your country’s record book and I think the Pope has a copy of that.

consecratedvirgins.org/index.html

 

[Spirithound]

It seems to me that there is a case of mistaken semantics, and uncareful reading or something…so here’s my summary of the discussion.
Marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman.
A nun’s relationship with Christ is similar to a marriage but it is a higher, closer relationship. This point has been stated repeatedly, so to those who insist that the sisterhood is a marriage, would you agree that a nun’s relationship with God is more intimate than a sacramental marriage?

 

[seremina]

It seems to me that there is a case of mistaken semantics, and uncareful reading or something…so here’s my summary of the discussion.
Marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman.
A nun’s relationship with Christ is similar to a marriage but it is a higher, closer relationship. This point has been stated repeatedly, so to those who insist that the sisterhood is a marriage, would you agree that a nun’s relationship with God is more intimate than a sacramental marriage?

Huh? [blink, blink] I didn’t think anybody was insisting that nunhood is a marriage anymore. I think everybody agreed that “marriage” was used because its the only word that would fit the description, though its clearly a separate concept. So we’ve begun calling it “spiritual marriage” instead.

I agree that nunhood would be more intimate than a sacramental marriage, because our Lord is closer to us than any mortal husband would be. Its for this reason that we say that marriage involves 3 people. God, the groom, and the bride. I would think marriage itself is a sacrament because God is giving the bride to the groom with the promises that the bride and groom must keep in order to be loyal to each other. Thus, divorce–which is not sanctioned in the Church–is not only an insult to the spouse, its an insult to God and the marriage promises. Divorce was only permitted before Jesus banned it, as the Jewish were pretty harsh people to their women [not saying they were abusive, just harsh]; Jewish people still are harsh to their women to this day.

However, as I did point out, there is one Catholic Order [not nuns] of women that really do literally marry Jesus. That’s all I was pointing out as a final point for my contribution to this discussion. I really appreciated and enjoyed the answers I received. Thank you all, and God bless.

 

[chevalier]

“Literally marry” would mean the same as if they married a man, the kind of marriage to which canon law applies.

 

[seremina]

“Literally marry” would mean the same as if they married a man, the kind of marriage to which canon law applies.

How do you figure that? Jesus is not an ordinary man. Jesus is God, part of the Holy Trinity. You could say He became a Divine Man. Or how the saints called it “a God-Man”. Or are you trying to point something else out? If so, please spell it out for me.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

lol!

Very few outside religious life understand… that is fine. But those who espouse the Lord Jesus Christ know this truth as His Brides.

Then as His Brides, will those inside “religious life” ask Him for the gift of teaching so that the rest of His “not as holy” members can have some understanding?

2 Cor 10:7 “You are looking at things as they are outwardly If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.”

Michael

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

The consummation that the nuins experience (those who strive for it) is the consummation of the the soul with Jesus. Even the imagery is the same in the sense that the Holy Spirit enters into one’s soul, etc. St John of the Cross explains that beautifully…

Are not all Catholics called to strive for union of the soul with Jesus?

Michael

 

[white_lily]

they are married to Jesus.the church used to punish the nuns who acted against their virginity because they played adultery against Jesus.a man who violated a nun was punished because of violating a spouse of Jesus.saint Jerome calls such a man a slave who is a violater of spouse of his master.

 

[seremina]

I had forgotten this thread. Yes, they actually do get married to Jesus, depending on the Order. I’ve talked to enough nuns to get that confirmed. So there is really no contest that they are.