What can a nun do that a lay person can't

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littletherese3

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Although I understand the difference between a nun and an unmarried lay person, and I can see the difference, I am having trouble defining exactly what it is…because
My non-Catholic friend is very interested in these sort of things, but I don’t know how to explain it to her.

Can anyone tell me the big main things about what a nun can do that a lay person can’t?

Thankyou
 
You’d be better off explaining the differences in terms of what a nun CAN’T do that a non-religious layperson CAN. Most of these restrictions can be referred to a nun’s three usual vows - poverty, chastity and obedience.

Firstly - nuns are vowed to poverty, so they don’t have most of the personal possessions that laypeople take for granted. They will usually wear little if any jewellery or makeup, for example.

Most major possessions - cars, tvs, computers, money - that they DO have are for the use of the whole community rather than considered to be the property of that individual nun. And decisions about such property might be made b the community as a whole as well.

My teacher in high school who was a nun had to have special permission even to have her own typewriter so she could type out notes and things for her students - obviously this was in the days before computers.

Then nuns are vowed to chastity, so cannot marry (obviously).

Lastly they are also vowed to obedience. Firstly means they are usually required to live together in community with each other for starters, so (except for very rare circumstances) can’t live alone or with laypeople.

Then most decisions about their lives - where they live, what profession (if any) they pursue, things like that - are done in consultation with their superiors within the order.

And their lives, in keeping with the vow of obedience, might be strictly regulated in other ways. Things such as how long and often they pray together in community, are decided for them.
 
I know than in Orthodox church, a nun in Abbess rank has the “right” to enter the altar (presbyterium) where usually only males are allowed. It’s the only thing that comes into my mind when I think about nuns special “rights”.
 
littletherese3 said:
Although I understand the difference between a nun and an unmarried lay person, and I can see the difference, I am having trouble defining exactly what it is…because
My non-Catholic friend is very interested in these sort of things, but I don’t know how to explain it to her.

Can anyone tell me the big main things about what a nun can do that a lay person can’t?

Thankyou
Click to expand...
Nuns, monks, friars, sisters and brothers don’t really have any special “powers”. They are not ordained, and are laity in the context of a clergy/laity dichotomy.

Their vows are about a way of life, not about liturgical or sacramental service.

God Bless
 
I don’t think that the difference is in what either can do, but how either are called to live.

A religious man or woman is avowed to live according to a rule of life, to give his life to the service of the whole Church through and with their community. Certainly a single or married person can do the same, but the breadth of their service is different, because of the needs of those being serviced.

While a brother or a nun may be called to serve others anywhere in the world or to be trained in special skills in order to serve the apostolate of their order, a single person may be restricted to offer only what he or she has to his or her local community. A married couple, on the other hand, serves primarily their children and family through nurturing and support.

As a matter of fact, monasticism came into being exactly because people were called to serve others as single people. It quickly became clear that if several banded together they could do more than by themselves, not only with regards to serving others, but also in individual spiritual growth. After all, Jesus commanded to love God and love one another.

So, although the charisms and graces are different to live these vocations, they vary in scope, breadth and depth, but all contribute to
nurturing the body of Christ.

:blessyou:
 
nun totally belongs to God - her soul, body, mind, heart. even it’s not so important what she does or doesn’t. she is exceptional by definition 🙂 lay person is not bind to God so fully - with all his/her being. this is the difference what makes religious people so special.
 
I think this is something that is often confused.
Being ordained and making religious vows are very different things. In being ordained, bishops, priests and deacons received certain, “powers” that others do not have.
Poverty, chastity and obedience are things that anyone can do. No special ordination necessary.
The difference is that in religious vow to follow them. That vow binds us closer to God. The word religious actually comes from the latin word for “bind”
Religious life is a special calling to live like we will live in heaven, where we will neither marry or be given in marriage.
There are graces that are received in professing those vows, but not special "powers’, (that’s probably not the right word but it is the only one that comes to mind)
 
I know than in Orthodox church, a nun in Abbess rank has the “right” to enter the altar (presbyterium) where usually only males are allowed.
Actually, gender is not the issue here.

NOBODY can enter the altar who does not have a specific blessing to do so.

While this is understood to come with the clerical tonsure at Reader, even secular women or men can be blessed to be sacristans. I’ve seen it done by very traditional bishops.
 
The_Stig said:
Really, really embarass the Church, for one.
Click to expand...
Was that really necessary?

Just to let you know, lay people can embarass the church. A large example and source of embarassment to the Church are pro-abortion politicians who claim to be Catholic, i.e. Nancy Pelosi. They embarass the whole faith by proclaiming unity with the faith, but propigating faith and morals contrary to Church doctrine. That is just one example of laity causing embarassment to the church with their ignorance and obstinance, and causing discord to the flock.

Pax.
 
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