Grace Thompson
There are three main types of Catholic nuns, which branch out into countless orders worldwide. The three types are monastic nuns, mendicant nuns, and clerics regular. Each order has its own unique characteristics and regulations, and nuns typically live under the solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some well-known orders include the Benedictines, Basilians, Trappists, Cistercians, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, and the Ursulines.
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What You'll Learn
- Monastic nuns: Work and live in a monastery, reciting the divine office daily
- Mendicant nuns: Support themselves with alms, not living in a convent or monastery
- Nuns' habits: The style of dress varies between orders and has changed over time
- History: The number of nuns grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries
- Examples: The Carmelites, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, and Opus Dei
Monastic nuns: Work and live in a monastery, reciting the divine office daily
Monastic nuns are the most devout type of Catholic nuns. They work and live in a monastery, reciting the Divine Office daily. The Divine Office, also known as the Liturgy of the Hours, is a form of fixed-hour prayer that has been practised in Christian monastic communities since the 6th century. St. Benedict, who authored the Rule, emphasised the importance of the Divine Office, referring to it as The Work of God or Opus Dei. He structured the prayers around seven daytime canonical hours: Lauds (dawn), Prime (sunrise), Terce (mid-morning), Sext (midday), None (mid-afternoon), Vespers (sunset), and Compline (retiring). Additionally, there is one nighttime canonical hour: Vigil.
The practice of reciting the Divine Office involves coming together seven times during the day and once at night to sing or recite the prayers. This daily routine is complemented by other activities such as celebrating Mass, reading, working, eating, and sleeping. The monastery's life is centred around the glorification of God and the sanctification of man.
Monastic nuns are dedicated to seeking God through prayer, service, hospitality, and compassion. They foster respect for the divine dignity of all people. Some monastic communities are international, with nuns serving as evangelizers, technicians, writers, musicians, and broadcasters to spread God's word.
There are various monastic orders within the Catholic Church, including Benedictines, Basilians, Trappists, and Cistercians. Each order has its own charism or special character, and they differ in regulations, procedures, and lifestyles. The Benedictines, for example, follow the rules set forth by St. Benedict, while the Carmelite order is known for its high ratio of visions of Mary and Jesus.
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Mendicant nuns: Support themselves with alms, not living in a convent or monastery
The Catholic Church is comprised of various religious institutes, each with its own unique character. One such group is the mendicant nuns, who have taken a vow of poverty and do not live in a convent or monastery. Instead, they support themselves by relying on the goodwill of those they preach to and through charitable contributions.
The mendicant orders were established in the 13th century as a response to the wealth and political influence amassed by the Catholic Church. They rejected the traditional monastic model of living in one stable, isolated community, and instead embraced a life of poverty, often itinerant, and dedicated to preaching, evangelization, and ministry to the less wealthy. The term "mendicant" is derived from the Latin "mendicare," meaning "to beg."
The four main mendicant orders recognized by the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 were the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians (Augustinian Hermits), and Carmelites. These orders continue to exist today, along with other offshoots such as the Capuchins, a Franciscan offshoot that has successfully maintained St. Francis' ideal of poverty.
The Dominicans and Franciscans are the most similar in their focus on service and preaching, with an emphasis on the simplicity and poverty of the original Church. They have both spread throughout the world, with tens of thousands of members. The Carmelite Order is another large order, with 2,100 men, 700 enclosed nuns, and 70 monasteries, as well as 25,000-30,000 lay members worldwide.
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Nuns' habits: The style of dress varies between orders and has changed over time
The Catholic Church is comprised of various institutes, congregations, and orders of nuns and sisters, each with its own distinct character. While the exact number of orders is unclear, there are three main types of Catholic nuns: monastic, mendicant, and clerics regular. These three types encompass countless orders worldwide.
The style of dress, or habit, varies between these different orders and has changed over time. A religious habit is a distinctive set of religious clothing worn by members of a religious order. The habit of the Hieronymite enclosed monks and nuns, for example, is white and includes a brown scapular. The habit of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor and Friars Minor Capuchin is usually brown or grey, while that of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual is black. The habit of the Carthusians is white, and that of the Benedictines is black, although the style varies depending on the monastery.
The central piece of the habit is typically a tunic, a loose dress made of serge fabric pleated at the neck and draped to the ground. It can be worn pinned up at the front or back to allow the nun to work. A scapular, or symbolic apron, is often worn over the tunic, and a cincture, or belt, is used to secure the habit around the waist. The coif is the garment's headpiece and includes a white cotton cap, a white wimple to cover the neck and cheeks, and a guimpe to cover the chest. A veil is sometimes worn pinned over the coif, with the colour depending on the order and the status of the nun. In former times, the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul wore a cornette instead of a veil.
Some orders have chosen to simplify or discard their habits to conform to the attire of the culture they are working in. The Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, founded in 1703, wears a habit made of coarse grey serge with a large linen handkerchief over the shoulders and a starched white linen headdress instead of a veil. The Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for the aged poor, wear a black mantle over their habit when in the chapel or travelling, and a plain white bonnet with a forehead band as a symbol of obedience.
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History: The number of nuns grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries
The growth in the number of nuns in the 19th and 20th centuries can be attributed to various factors, including the role of women in society, the establishment of religious orders, and the expansion of Catholic influence in education, nursing, and social work.
In the 19th century, women often viewed their religious role as paramount, expressing their service to God through nursing, teaching, and other activities. At this time, becoming a nun was one of the few ways for Catholic women to obtain an education and pursue a profession, particularly as teachers or nurses. This was especially true in the United States, where there were few rich Catholics and no aristocrats. The number of Catholic nuns grew exponentially, from about 900 in 1840 to nearly 200,000 in 1965.
During the 19th century, Catholic orders were often founded by entrepreneurial women who recognised a need and an opportunity. These orders were then staffed by devout women from poorer families. For example, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, also known as "America's First Citizen-Saint", founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Italy in 1880. The Sisters of Providence, who established St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, in 1873, is another example of a Catholic order making significant contributions in the fields of healthcare and education.
In the early 20th century, Catholic colleges began offering summer institutes to train sisters in pedagogical techniques. However, most young nuns who became teachers had not attended high school themselves. Despite this, Catholic schools continued to grow, with 13,000 schools serving over 5 million students by 1960.
In the 20th century, Pope Leo XIII recognised as religious all men and women who took simple vows. This shift oriented their lives more towards social service and evangelisation. However, the number of nuns began to decline after the 1960s, coinciding with the Second Vatican Council and broader societal changes. The increasing educational and professional opportunities for women outside of religious life also contributed to the decline in the number of nuns.
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Examples: The Carmelites, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, and Opus Dei
There are three main types of Catholic nuns, which encompass numerous orders worldwide. These three types are monastic nuns, mendicant nuns, and clerics regular. Monastic nuns are the most devout, living and working in a monastery, and reciting the divine office several times daily. Mendicant nuns support themselves with alms and may not reside in a monastery or convent. The clerics regular include the Jesuits, Barnabites, and Somascans.
The Carmelites
The Carmelites, also known as the Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, are a monastic order. They are known for having a high ratio of visions of Mary and Jesus and have written several integral Catholic devotions. The Discalced Carmelites, a branch of the Carmelites, were founded by St. Teresa of Avila in 1562. Before her death, she established 16 monasteries of nuns. The Carmelites are also known for their emphasis on penance.
The Franciscans
The Franciscans are an "active" order, spending more time serving the community than contemplative orders. They are named after St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). The distinctive feature of the Franciscan Rule is the obligation of poverty of dispossession, meaning that friars own no property and earn their living through manual labour and begging.
The Jesuits
The Jesuits, or members of the Society of Jesus, were founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. They are an "active" order, and their priests are some of the most revered and respected in the world. The Jesuits do not pray as a community, wear a distinctive habit, or undertake regular penances. Instead, they are heavily centralized with military discipline imposed on their members. Their motto is "Ad Majorem Dei gloriam" (all for the glory of God).
The Dominicans
The Dominicans, or "Orders of Preachers" (O.P.), were founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century. They are an "active" order, spending more time serving the community than contemplative orders.
Opus Dei
Opus Dei is a Personal Prelature, 95% lay and 5% clergy. It was founded by Blessed Jose Maria Escriva in the 1930s in Spain. Opus Dei is a means for its members to sanctify themselves and the world in which they live and work. Members of Opus Dei are well-versed in the Magisterial teachings of the Church and are very loyal to the Holy See. They quietly defend Church dogma and practice their Catholic Faith without bringing attention to themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main types of Catholic nuns: monastic, mendicant, and clerics regular. Each of these types contains several orders, so there are countless orders around the globe.
Monastic orders operate in isolation and are considered the most devout. They live and work in a monastery and recite the divine office several times daily. Examples include Benedictines, Basilians, Trappists, and Cistercians.
Mendicant nuns support themselves with alms and may live in a convent or monastery. Examples include the Carmelites and the Franciscan Orders.
The clerics regular include the Jesuits, Barnabites, and Somascans.
