hi,i am 23 years , unmarried, hindu girl. i am not a virgin. can i become a catholic sister? i want to something for the peace and development of this world.

Dear Catherine.

There is a religious order that is of the Methodist faith. They are called the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary. You can find them online. They have retreats a couple times a year. One is coming up this year in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Another one in Texas this year. They have religious orders in the USA and Abroad. Even in Israel.

God is calling many, many of us to religious life and one does not have to be Catholic to be in a Christian Religious order. The Catholics have wonderfully been forerunners in this calling. They have paved the road for the rest of us.

It may be harder to fit in, under the Protestant banner or Messianic movement...since this life is so foreign to other streams in the body of Christ, yet being a forerunner in this calling/invitation from Christ is worth the 'standing out' and taking the heat from those who do not understand the bridal heart of a lover of Jesus. If God is not asking you to join the Catholic institute, then don't. But if He is, than *do*. *We* need to be where God is calling us, or be courageous to live this life alone and watch God brings other sisters along side of us in time. It is not an easy life. I have been making vows for a while and am about to make my Holy Vows. The Lord has blessed me with Protestant pastors who understand this life and have blessed me in my journey of Spiritual discernment. I have a good friend who is a nun that is under the Protestant banner of a (non-denominational church)who was so ministered to by the Carmalite order. The cloistered one. She desired to convert to Catholicism and become a Carmelite nun, but knew if she did, she would not be able to do what God has called her to do in Israel. She is building houses of prayer in Israel. So her solution in desiring to be a Carmelite was/is to live in the spirit of a Carmelite within her heart. Her secret inner life with God. She has suffered much with some people not understanding her life choice, yet one day everyone will understand when we stand before Jesus face to face in eternity. It will be worth all the reproach. This young woman is the most joyful, peaceful, secure in Gods love, compassionate, and solid Christian I have ever met. It is Gods grace alone, and her obedience to His invitation/call. Matthew 19 says that this life choice is a choice. Some are called but many choose this life for the Kingdom of God, and God honors it *big time*. He loves it so much. It is a life of prayer and fasting...like Anna in the temple awaiting the Messiahs return. It is likened to a Mary of Bethany, who sits at Jesus' feet and ministers to His heart.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you Shalom!

I am a twenty-seven year old girl. I have been thinking of becoming a nun for the past four years but I don't know how to take that first step to reach that goal. I am not a catholic,I am a Buddhist. Do I need to convert into Catholicism in order for me to become a nun?

I want to know that to be a nun is it necessary to be a catholic girl? I'm a hindu girl 23 years old. I want to be a nun. Can I do so?

Well i've been thinking of becoming a nun. now my story is maybe quite different and plz do not judge me in either way! i'm a 14 year old catholic girl and i've been thinking of becoming a nun for a while now. at first i joked saying i wanted to be one, but then i thought about it and somehow i feel like i want to be a nun.

now i have my reasons 1) i like girls and wish to not have such feelings nor do i wish to love anyone. i feel like i want to help ppl though i can't find a way and, even though it sounds odd in a way, i do want to be a nun and live my life serving god!

Hi. I'm nearly 16 years old and I'm interested in becoming a nun Do you have to be 18 years of age to become one? What are the steps of becoming a nun? thank you.

could a person become a nun if they want to get away from love? i am thinking about becoming a nun. i don't want to fall in love. i know what most guys intentions are, but i am seriously thinking about becoming a nun. i just need some more information.

I actually am not Catholic, but I have a feeling deep within me that I would very much like to be a nun.

If I became a Catholic, would I still not be eligible to become a nun?

i want information of the nearest convent cause i want to become a nun????

Hi My name Is Shamira. Im From Belize. As a child I always wanted to be a nun. now I am going on 18 and i gave it a thought and i still want to be a nun to serve god and the People!! I'd love to work on child psychology can this be possible? By the way i yet don't get what is the difference between sisters and nuns!! please help me out~~

I think it’s wonderful! More and more women are responding to the vocations to enter the sisterhood. What a gift that would be for a woman, be the bride of Christ! But, if any one is reading this, fells even the slightest tug towards the sisterhood, do not fight it! When I was called to serve as a priest, just to short years ago, I was a bit upset, but I knew I must be like Mary and say "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." God will not lead you to where you are stuck! May the Lord protect and guide you.

i am seeking for guidance, i am 27 yrs old, filipina, secretary, somehow i love to correct my life and only thing that made me move on is my faith to god, and i want to return the goodness and blessing god given me, by serving the rest of my life. Can you please advise me where and how much do it cost me if i study and enter the world of god and be a nun... I am currently working in Middle East, muslim country however my heart is pure catholic. i studied islam somehow here however my belief and faith has never change as catholic.please help me by giving details

hey i am a catholic 14 year old girl and i was wondering if there was a school/convent place i could attend for maybe a year or so to see if i want to become a nun or sister. i am very interested in pursuing a religious life so please, if you can, could you help me?

I am unmarried and working...I am eligible to become Nun? where can i apply and whom do i have to contact? I am from Gurgaon. Please guide me to the nearest nun center close to Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

Thanks for putting this article out for people to read! I wanted to share with the others commenting here some thoughts about vocations to religious life...

You must pray that God show you what He wants you to do, and you should also visit some religious communities, or attend retreats, to get a feel for the life.

I'm soon going to be entering a catholic convent in the USA, a wonderful religious order, the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior. God bless all those here seeking religious life!

I'd love to be a nun in Hong Kong, is there any Catholic church/convent I can contact?

Hello and thanks for letting me join. Do you know of any order of Catholic nuns that work with animals. I have tried to find info especially of the Franciscans but without any success. Can you help?

I'm looking into becoming a Nun. It seems like a good life.

hmmm...i am a christian. can i become a catholic, to become a nun?

I am from hyderabad. I am a hindu girl. Is it possible to become a nun for a hindu girl. If so please advise me to whom i need to contact in hyderabad.

I am married and I have 2 children. I have a daughter who is nearly 18 and a son who is 9. I was baptised a catholic. I married a divorced man outside of the church and I am unfortunately not a practising catholic anymore. My husband's first marriage was not annulled and so I am unable to receive the sacrament of reconciliation or any other sacraments. I wanted to become a nun when I was young. I would like to do something now in the church and for God. I understand that I cannot become a catholic nun (at the moment) as my children are under the age of 18. I want pardon/forgiveness for my sins and I want to follow in Christ. Is there anyone who can help me or offer me some advice please? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

About pets, priests & nuns: Parish priests do not take a vow of poverty (they take vows of chastity and obedience but not poverty!). Nuns and monks or priests in a religious order do take a vow of poverty, and from what I understand, poverty precludes keeping a pet.

This is also why you will meet the occassional parish priest who owns his own home etc. One of our priests inherited his mother's home when she died, and he lives there, which is acceptable. A monk or sister probably would not be allowed to do that as per the rules of the order.

In answer to questions:

1) Generally there is no age limit to becoming a nun although individual orders may impose one. I know of one woman who was widowed and in her late 50's who decided to become a nun.

2) If you were married but not married in the church (ie not in a sacramental mass) consult your parish priest regarding ability to become a nun.

3) There is no such thing as taking vows for just 5, 10 or 20 years. That's akin to getting married and saying the marriage will "just be for 5, 10 or 20 years". There is something called a "lay order" to which you may be referring. Lay orders are composed of regular men and women, not necessarily monks or nuns, who believe in the mission of the order but who for whatever reason still want to live in the regular world or do not want to take vows. If you google the various orders, such as Franciscans, Dominicans, etc you can find out more about this. ETWN television (Catholic TV station) has a great website for all things Catholic and you can probably find the info on this there.

4. The process to becoming a nun is generally 1) pray and make sure that this is God's calling on your life 2) research the various religious orders and find one that feels right or that you feel called to. Each has its own particular mission. For example, Poor Claires are like Franciscans in that they help the poor in various capacities. Dominican sisters are devoted to scholarship and are most often found in teaching. Sisters of Mercy are usually nurses, doctors or in the healthcare professions. You get the drift! 3) I believe you will need to contact a local order or chapter house to start the process. They will want something from your parish priest to certify that you are Catholic and have made the sacraments up until confirmation. If you were married, you will need to show proof of divorce and Catholic annulment (they need both, not just divorce papers). When in doubt start with your local parish office and ask there.

5) Most orders do not allow pets. Remember, you are going to live in a community with other women...some of who may be allergic! You should check with the order. I know of a priest who owned cats, and one convent that had a group pet dog, but they may not allow it.

6) Yes you do need to provide your own medical, dental etc care until final vows are taken. Once final vows are taken the order takes care of you until death. They will provide healthcare and even nursing care when you get old, sickly, etc. They take good care of their sisters! The dowry part is called a patrimony and has always been part of the process.

7) For the person in India, google the India Roman Catholic church and visit your local parish if you have one. Or start with Mother Theresa's orders in India; they have a lot of convents in various cities although are by no means the only order.

8) For the person who asked "What does it mean to find the right order or an order that fits" - each order was founded by a different person, for a specific reason. They are all dedicated to different ideals and works. Some orders are more contemplative, meaning the sisters spend most of the day in prayer and religious activities. Others are very active. My aunts are Sisters of Saint Dominic (Dominicans) and one has spent most of her life in scholarly pursuits, teaching, researching (biology etc) and running a university. The other is an artist and teaches at the university as well as creates beautiful artwork and has gallery shows etc. But the order, Sisters of Saint Dominic, is dedicated to scholarship so their vocations as teachers/scholars/artists is right in line with the mission. Other orders are dedicated to serving the poor, healthcare, etc etc. You have to research each to find one that fits.

good luck to all and God bless. I looked into this route years back, and have been blessed to have many aunts and great aunts who were nuns...and they taught me a lot about the process!!

I have a question similar to anon5873 about being able to keep a pet. I have a cat who I view as a precious gift from the Lord. Celibacy I can handle, but it is nice to have another living creature to greet one at the door and provide quiet, unobtrusive company. The cat has been a blessing for several years now, and I believe it would be morally wrong to abandon an animal one has made a commitment to care for. Plus, the cat likes to sit quietly next to me and purr when I pray the rosary, like she wants to participate too.

If I was to become an activist, I would be an activist against the euthanasia of healthy but homeless animals in shelters. It is a desensitizing precursor to other forms of needless death like abortion-- ending a life should never be done for the sake of convenience. Oops. I guess I am activist already :)

My name is Catherine, I'm 20 and a half years old, a college student and I'm from Ghana Africa. I would love nothing more than to please Jesus Christ, my God and my savior. I would love to become a sister, but the only problem is that I'm not really a catholic and I don't believe in praying to saints. I think all our prayer should be directly to God. And also I just really started thinking about a life devoted to God a few weeks away. My question is how do you know that it's a calling to become a sister, or a nun. And also are there any protestant sisters. I been looking on the internet, and I found one in Europe and Korea are there any in America.

Please reply.....Catherine.....God bless.

My daughter has been dedicated to becoming a nun for four years. Are others aware that is is also a costly process in that you often must have some college, yet bring no debt? That you must have psychological, medical, dental evals, and you must provide your own medical insurance while in the convent for the first 2 to 3 yrs? Also, a dowry of sorts is expected at time of entering? It has become a difficult path for us.

hi Olittlewood,

I am from Hyderabad so can you please guide me the catholic school or convents addresses near to hyderabad. I have searched and asked the church training people but they don't have any idea about this. Kindly provide me the guidelines. Thank you

Is there a convent out there that takes care of animals as well? Like maybe, they can bring a pet dog with them or something?

(Lol, I have to admit, I see more priests with dogs than nuns so I have to ask that question. x3)

usha,

my advice to you would be to start with your local parish, Catholic school or convent. have you asked your priest if he can help you become a nun? if you're interested in serving others, find out where the different orders of nuns may be serving in your area, and volunteer to help them. they will probably welcome your desire to serve others and help you get started down the path to becoming a nun. good luck!

I am unmarried and working...I hope i am eligibe to become Nun.

where can i apply and whom do i have to contact?

i am from Hyderabad. Please guide me to the nearest nun center close to Hyderabad, Andhrapradesh, India.

what is the process to become a nun? pls help me to start the process to become a nun. Everywhere details are only about the topic...pls tell me the process and whom i have to contact.

Do non-catholics ever convert with the specific aim of becoming a nun? How long before entering a convent would you have to convert? How do you become a catholic?

someone said, "one must research the orders to find out what is right for you."

what does that mean?

thank you.

I was wondering how long one would have to be a catholic before taking a vow of chastity?

Good day!

Where can i enroll if i want to be a nun? I'm from the Philippines.

Thanks and God bless.

i have heard that you can vow for only a few years and you do not have to vow your entire life but could post 5, 10, 20 years. Is this true?

I would like to know the age limit of becoming a nun? Can anyone help me with that? Thank you so much and God bless.

Can a person who had been married (but did not have a Church wedding) still become a nun?

Anonymous, I'm not sure when you posted the question.

This reply is as of 8/14/07:

First, you need to be an unmarried or widowed Catholic. Next, you need to research the orders to find out which is right for you. Some stress service, some teaching, and others are contemplative (like monks). So much depends on your personality.

Good Luck!

Theresa

What do I do to start the process if I want to become a nun. May God have mercy and lead someone to me. This I pray.