How do you greet a Catholic nun?

A nun should be addressed as "Sister" by anyone of any age. The superior of a religious house of nuns is addressed as "Reverend Mother."

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Do you call nuns Sister?

apostolic women religious. The words “sister” and “nun” are used interchangeably in common speech, even amongst sisters, to describe women religious in the Catholic church. "Sister" is an all-encompassing term that applies to anyone any woman who takes vows in a religious order (including nuns).

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What is the difference between a Catholic nun and Sister?

Most people use the term nuns to refer to both nuns and sisters, but there are some significant differences. Nuns' lives are spent in prayer and work within their convent or monastery. Sisters are more active in the world, engaging in many different kinds of work, most often for people who are in great need.

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What language do Catholic nuns speak?

Ecclesiastical Latin continues to be the official language of the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) decreed that the Mass would be translated into vernacular languages.

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Are novice nuns called Sister?

The Canonical Novice begins an intensive year of “becoming.” In a new way (because “Novice” means “new”) the Canonical Novice takes on the identity of “Sister.” During this year she explores what it really means to “be Sister” through dedicated time in prayer and discernment of the vowed life.

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Rules You Didn't Know Many Nuns Have To Follow

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Are all nuns celibate?

Vow of Chastity (or Celibacy)

The vow of chastity, or celibacy, means that Catholic nuns and sisters do not marry or engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts of any kind. This vow frees her from the demands of an exclusive human relationship so that she can give all her love to God and through God to all people.

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How many years does it take to become a Catholic nun?

There are multiple phases to becoming a Catholic nun, although it may vary slightly from order to order. The process takes anywhere from nine to 12 years to complete, from the exploratory phase to final vows [source: Handmaids of the Precious Blood].

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Can nuns give hugs?

For their enitre lives, their time will be divided between constant prayer and the work of the convent. Most do not read novels, see movies, or play sports. They do not hug one another and keep all physical contact to a minimum. Most of them rarely, if ever, see their families.

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How much do Catholic nuns get paid?

Salary Ranges for Nuns

The salaries of Nuns in the US range from $24,370 to $69,940 , with a median salary of $41,890 . The middle 60% of Nuns makes $41,890, with the top 80% making $69,940.

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How many hours do nuns sleep?

Each night, these nuns allow themselves no more than three hours of sleep. Their calling is an extreme one: to stay inside the walls of their convent and spend their days and nights in prayer and silent contemplation.

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Is a nun higher than a sister?

In ordinary conversation, the terms "nun" and "sister" are used interchangeably. Both nuns and sisters are addressed as "Sister." In popular culture, the term "nun" is often more widely accessible and immediately understood to refer to women who have professed the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

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Can a nun be non Catholic?

Nuns are women who devote their lives to the service of their religion. Nuns in the United States are typically practitioners of the Catholic faith, but other faiths, such as Buddhism and Orthodox Christianity accept and support nuns as well.

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What is a male nun called?

Masculine gender of nun is monk.

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What is a female nun called?

Although usage has varied throughout church history, typically "nun" (Latin: monialis) is used for women who have taken "solemn" vows, and "sister" (Latin: soror) is used for women who have taken "simple" vows (that is, vows other than solemn vows).

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Do nuns sleep?

The nuns fell asleep more quickly and had less early morning awakening, as well as greater REM sleep time. These differences may reflect the more highly entrained life style of the nuns, including modest habitual sleep restriction (and thus accumulated sleep debt) of about one hour each night.

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Can you talk to a nun?

Sometimes nuns will be bound to a vow of silence and can't actually speak to you. Unless a nun is open and enthusiastic to talk to you, direct your questions to the convent or monastery Superior.

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Can nuns fall in love?

If nuns do "fall in love," what do they do? Yes, as a human and as a woman it is natural for a religious to fall in love with someone, or someone to fall in love with her.

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What do nuns do all day?

The nuns pray the Divine Office together in choir five times a day, spend an hour and a half daily in mental prayer, do spiritual reading for at least a half hour a day, observe silence except during Recreation which is after dinner and supper; and engage in a variety of work: maintenance of the monastery, gardening, ...

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Do nuns ever retire?

Retired nuns continue to serve through the ministry of prayer. A willingness to remain active reflects the years of busy lives they lived. Most will serve until they no longer can. Sisters are constantly praying for those in need, often taking turns on the hour during times of crisis.

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Do nuns have cell phones?

After joining the convent, nuns are limited to a great degree in their contact with the outside world. They can't always use cell phones, are only allowed to visit family certain times of the year and must share the use of items like cars with other sisters in the convent.

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Do nuns wear bathing suits?

Catholic nuns

Regulations for nuns' swimwear are far from universal. According to Sister Lorraine from Ask a Catholic Nun, a social media-based forum run by the Daughters of St. Paul, some cloistered nuns never swim at all, while those of other orders may choose to wear fairly modern suits.

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Do nuns have contact with their families?

Each sister can make monthly calls to family, write regularly and visit her family for two weeks each year. In addition to this, a sister's family may visit her at our Motherhouse two weekends each year. A sister can also write periodically to friends and receive letters from them.

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Can Catholic nuns drink alcohol?

Drinking is fine. Some wine with dinner, the occasional appertivo or digestivo, a prosecco to celebrate something - no problem. Getting drunk or drinking too much is discouraged for all Catholics, not just nuns.

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Can a divorced woman become a nun?

A woman who has been married and divorced must have her marriage annulled within the church, he said, and, if she is a mother, her children must be old enough to not be her dependents. Widows can become nuns but have different criteria, he said.

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Are nuns allowed to smoke?

Though there is no official canonical prohibition regarding the use of tobacco, the more traditional among the Eastern Orthodox Churches forbid their clergy or monastics to smoke, and the laity are strongly encouraged to give up this habit, if they are subject to it.

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