Regarding life in a Convent:
These vary greatly depending on the Order. The average is: Rising for early prayer between 4 and 5 am with Mass following. Confession at least once a month. (A priest is assigned to visit each Cloister for a year or more, when another priest is assigned). Breakfast can vary – some Cloistered Nuns have only coffee or tea and toast with possibly some fruit for breakfast. Others have a larger breakfast with scrambled eggs, perhaps some meat (although many Carmelites seldom eat meats). This is followed by work, private prayer in your cell (room) for up to 2 - 3 hours, some grow a large vegetable garden & work is done there. Most cloisters observe silence except during their once or twice a day time of getting together, and the talk is usually on Spiritual matters, or occasionally about their work. As a beginner in the Convent, you would have at least an hour and possibly 2 or 3 hours a day with your Director to teach you the Rule of the Order. After work, there is prayer again in late morning, followed by the main meal (usually) which is between 11:00 and 1:00 around lunchtime. This is followed by Scripture reading in your cell, private prayer, and in some cloisters, you do your daily work also in your cell. Laundry is also done as assigned work in small groups also in silence. Then there is afternoon prayer, Rosary, private prayer or Scripture reading, a small meal in the evening, sometimes followed by group fellowship again, then Benediction and Night prayer and very early to bed. Many Cloistered Nuns, arise again around 11 pm or 2 am for Matins (midnight prayer in the Chapel), back to bed for the hours until rising again.
As for the Sisters/Nuns helping you to enter – of course they will! You should need only 2 or 3 skirts (definitely BELOW) the knee, 2 or 3 blouses, 2 or 3 slips (cotton or nylon, full length), several pair of socks or hose (dark colored) enough underwear for 4 or 5 changes (usually including a bra of cotton -(no lace or fancy stuff), a pair of sturdy black or brown shoes, and one pair of nice flats (in some convents) for Sundays and Feast Days. Also 2 nightgowns (long) usually one in cotton and one in light wool and a pair of plain slippers. Other orders only require 2 sets of each item, then they provide your habits after that.
Many convents require a “dowry” (usually about $500) which is held to provide for you if you decide to leave at a later time, but no one is refused due to lack of money that I know of.
Why are you interested in a Cloister? Not as many prefer it, although I have always thought it was preferable (personally) to the active Orders. I was in an active Order, and wished I could have been a Carmelite instead, but did not have the inner strength for it myself. If I were young again, I would use my will power to train myself to discipline and enter a Cloister!
