Last Updated on August 12, 2021 by
“Monasticism” means a way of life devoted to religion. A “monastery” is a house where men who have taken religious vows to live. These are usually monks, but priests and brothers also may live in monasteries. A “convent” is a house where women who have taken religious vows to live. These women are called “nuns”.
Monasticism was practiced long before Christian times. A group of Jews, the Essenes, lived a community life and shared their property. Christian monasticism began in Egypt during the third century A.D. Groups of men left society to live alone and pray.
Religious orders of women have also existed since very early times. In fact, some people believe there were organized convents for women be- fore there were any for men! In the year 270, St. Anthony, considered to be the founder of monasticism, is said to have placed his sister in a nunnery. So there must have been nuns as early as that time. In Christian history, when an order of monks or friars began, a branch for women was usually formed.
Most religious orders of women today follow the rule of St. Augustine or St. Francis. They take vows just as men’s orders do. They live in convents, each of which has its own habit (style of clothing). Until the seventeenth century, nuns usually stayed in the convent and spent their lives in prayer. But since that time, many orders of nuns have gone out to work with people in schools, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged.
Can A Nun Have A Boyfriend?
You must take a vow of chastity, which means you cannot get married or have sexual/romantic relationships.
What is the oldest order of nuns?
Answer- In particular the earliest orders include the English Benedictine Confederation (1216) and Benedictine communities connected to Cluny Abbey, the Benedictine reform movement of Cistercians, and the Norbertine Order of Premonstratensians (1221).
Can a nun get married?
Many people have asked, “If a woman is a member of a religious order, can she get married?” The answer is yes. As a rule, religious orders have the authority to establish their own rules. If a woman leaves the religious order, she is no longer bound by the rules of the order, but she remains under the authority of the state in which she resides for the rest of her life. Nuns actually CAN get married.
Can nuns have tattoos?
Answer- Well, obviously nuns can’t really get tattoos once they begin to discern.
Can u become a nun at any age?
Answer- Some communities, particularly the more traditional ones, do have an age limit of usually 30 or 35.
