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catholicanne
Guest
What’s the difference between a nun and a sister? Thanks. 
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Oneofthewomen
Guest
This is the way it was explained to me-
a nun is someone who lives in a cloister and has no real contact with the outside world. A sister is someone who lives/works in the “real world”, but also has a community life (usually) with other sisters.
“Sister” is also a title for a woman religious, so it can get confusing.
Remember, all nuns are sisters, but not all sisters are nuns!
a nun is someone who lives in a cloister and has no real contact with the outside world. A sister is someone who lives/works in the “real world”, but also has a community life (usually) with other sisters.
“Sister” is also a title for a woman religious, so it can get confusing.
Remember, all nuns are sisters, but not all sisters are nuns!
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Sam_777
Guest
[sign]Bless them both[/sign]
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PerfectTiming
Guest
Oneofthewomen gave a very good explanation.
Nuns are contemplatives - their work is prayer. They do not leave their convent except for necessities, such as medical treatment. Sisters engage in an apostolate “in the world”, e.g. teaching, nursing, etc.
“Sister” is the common title for any woman religious, and the term “nun” is often used to refer to women who are technically “sisters”.
Nuns are contemplatives - their work is prayer. They do not leave their convent except for necessities, such as medical treatment. Sisters engage in an apostolate “in the world”, e.g. teaching, nursing, etc.
“Sister” is the common title for any woman religious, and the term “nun” is often used to refer to women who are technically “sisters”.
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catholicanne
Guest
Thank you! I get it now.
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FriarDon
Guest
Technically there is little difference. If you go to a Cloistered Convent, they call each other Sister, and outsiders call them Nuns. If you go to an “open” Convent (non-cloistered) Convent, they call each other Sister, and outsiders call them Nuns. When talking to a Nun, you call them Sister, when talking about a group of Nuns, you can call them Sisters or Nuns basically.
Monks (traditionally ‘cloistered’ so to say, living and working in community) and Friars (living in community and working in public) are both called Brothers when talking to them directly, or Monks and Friars when referring to them.
Friar Don, OBR
Monks (traditionally ‘cloistered’ so to say, living and working in community) and Friars (living in community and working in public) are both called Brothers when talking to them directly, or Monks and Friars when referring to them.
Friar Don, OBR
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catholicanne
Guest
Thank you for this!
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