Independant Nuns

[mbc22488]

Today I went to a parish that had a nun! I have never seen a nun outside of a community before. There are no religions communities within 2 hours of where I live. So where does this nun live? She is certainly not part of a community. She did not wear a habit, but everyone in the parish addressed her as “Sister”. I know that some orders do not wear habits, but I have never heard of a nun outside of a community. What’s this about?

 

[Cluny]

It’s not unheard of, even before Vatican 2, for sisters (not nuns, who are technically in solemn vows and cloistered) in active parish ministry to be lving alone on mission.

But they are indeed members of their respective communities.

There are also what are called “Diocesan Hermitesses” who live alone.

 

[Old_Convert]

The community I belong to, the Servants of the Sacred Cross, has extern sisters who live in the world and serve in their own parishes and in many other vocations. We, however, do wear a very traditional habit when we are serving in any way or at church. Some of the sisters choose to wear the habit all of the time. That is what I have done for the past year with my postulants jumper and blouse. Tomorrow I leave to go to our yearly Chapter and will be clothed in the traditional habit of a novice. I am so excited! Then next month, I will enter our contemplative convent in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

There are may new and different kinds of communities coming into existence today, especially since many baby boomer women are living longer and wish to give the rest of their lives to the Lord (something they may not have been able to do before). The Lord is always doing something new to fit the needs of the times; even though He, His Church, and everything essential to the faith never changes.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Today I went to a parish that had a nun! I have never seen a nun outside of a community before. There are no religions communities within 2 hours of where I live. So where does this nun live? She is certainly not part of a community. She did not wear a habit, but everyone in the parish addressed her as “Sister”. I know that some orders do not wear habits, but I have never heard of a nun outside of a community. What’s this about?

She probably does belong to a community, but is serving outside of that community in the parish. She probably has an apartment and may share it with another Sister who also is working outside of the community, or she may live alone.

I had a dear friend once who was a Sister serving in Pastoral Ministry at a hospital. Her community was over an hour away and she lived in an apartment in town. She was trained to do that type of work and that is where she worked. She is back with her community now, but she did that job for many years.

It is my guess that the Sister is serving in a special function in the parish, such as the DRE or school principal or Pastoral Associate or something like that for which she was educated and was hired for that job by the parish. It is not that unusual anymore. Why don’t you meet her and find out?

 

[mmsiciliana]

The community I belong to, the Servants of the Sacred Cross, has extern sisters who live in the world and serve in their own parishes and in many other vocations. We, however, do wear a very traditional habit when we are serving in any way or at church. Some of the sisters choose to wear the habit all of the time. That is what I have done for the past year with my postulants jumper and blouse. Tomorrow I leave to go to our yearly Chapter and will be clothed in the traditional habit of a novice. I am so excited! Then next month, I will enter our contemplative convent in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

There are may new and different kinds of communities coming into existence today, especially since many baby boomer women are living longer and wish to give the rest of their lives to the Lord (something they may not have been able to do before). The Lord is always doing something new to fit the needs of the times; even though He, His Church, and everything essential to the faith never changes.

Old Convert, I’ve been interested in the Servants of the Sacred Cross for a couple of years now. Can you send me a pm? Thanks!

Maria

 

[Jennifer_G]

There’s also apostolates where the sisters live in a house or apartment (usually they do some 8 hour day job). The sisters that worked at a retirement home where my great-aunt and uncle used to live didn’t wear habits, but they did where some type of pin and/or that banner-type thing (?) that goes across your shoulder (not sure what to call it).

Personally, I think Dioscean Hermits would be harder than being in a convent, since it would be very easy to get lazy and skip out on a prayer hour or two, not to mention taking care of the hermitage that you’re staying in and other stuff. I don’t think you could do that in a convent since you’re doing everything as a group.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Old Convert, I’ve been interested in the Servants of the Sacred Cross for a couple of years now. Can you email me at —

Maria

Maria, I would edit out your email in your post, and PM it to the good sister directly.
You never know who might get a hold of your email.