How To Become A Nun - Money | HowStuffWorks

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]. The entire process of steps to making a lifetime commitment is called formation [source: Global Sisters Report].

Many women interested in becoming nuns may first start by talking to their priest. He can then refer them to a local order, where they can visit, volunteer and ask questions. They may opt to visit multiple convents/monasteries, as they're all different from each other. Each community has a vocation director, who can answer any questions about religious life there.

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Nuns in the Catholic religion have groups or communities called orders, each of which has its own set of rules which mandate how members should act and dress. For example, some orders require their nuns to wear habits at all times, while others allow secular dress. Of course, interested women are encouraged to pray about their decision, as it's not a small one.

You may also wish to consult a website like the Vision Vocation Network. Among the many features offered by the Vision Vocation Network is a directory listing all the religious communities in the U.S. and Canada and their vocation directors as well as a "vocation match" portal which will try to match you with the community(ies) that best suit your background and interests.

Once you've decided on a particular community you would like to join (and the community has decided to accept you), there are a series of formal stages: [source: Global Sisters Report].

Candidacy Stage: During this period after the potential nun has officially entered the community, she is known as a candidate or postulant. Depending on the order, the candidacy stage can take six months to several years, and postulants are required to live on-site for some or all of it.

Novitiate Stage: At this point, the woman is known as a novice, and can also be referred to as "sister." She's expected to spend a year learning more about the vows and their significance, and much of the time is devoted to deep prayer. Some such communities also tack on an extra year of time to engage in the works of the ministry. This "training period" is a time of introspection when she decides whether she really wants to be a nun.

Temporary Vows Stage: Following the intense novitiate stage, the sister can profess first vows, also known as temporary vows. These vows are in effect for between one and three years and are renewed at the conclusion of the period.

Final Vows Stage: Also known as perpetual vows, the final vows are just that — the final part of the process. These vows can occur anywhere from three to nine years after taking temporary vows. These vows are taken for life, except in limited cases where they are regularly renewed.

Clearly, there's much more to becoming a nun than these abbreviated steps, but they do give a person a general idea of what to expect in terms of time commitment, expectations and how to prepare for this enormously personal decision.

Now That's Interesting

Even people who aren't interested in a full-scale monk or nun's life can get a taste of the experience by staying at a monastery while on vacation. Many offer lodging to visitors for a nominal fee, and are known for their beautiful grounds and warm hospitality.

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