How Can I Be A Nun

So there I am, scrolling through my phone at 2 a.m., when I stumble upon a video of women in white habits singing in a candlelit chapel. Their voices are hauntingly beautiful. My first thought? How do I become one of them? My second thought? Wait, do they even take applications?

Okay, I know what you're thinking. "You just saw a pretty video and now you want to be a nun?" Maybe. Or maybe I've been curious about this for way longer than I care to admit. Either way, let's dive into the wonderfully weird and deeply meaningful world of religious life.

First Things First: What Even Is a Nun?

Great question, and honestly, even many life-long Catholics aren't 100% sure. Simply put, a nun is a woman who has taken permanent vows to live a consecrated life within a monastic community. She dedicates her life to prayer, service, and community living.

And no, she doesn't just sit around in a cloister staring at walls all day. Nuns do remarkably active work — teaching, healthcare, social justice, even running businesses and writing books. Some nuns are what I like to call the "stealth overachievers" of the spiritual world.

So, How Do I Actually Become One?

Step 1: Make Sure You're Actually Serious About It

I know, I know — this sounds obvious. But you'd be surprised how many people romanticize the idea of religious life after watching a movie or reading a memoir. This is a lifelong commitment, not a gap-year adventure.

Talk to a priest, a spiritual director, or a nun herself. Ask the hard questions. Yes, all of them. If people in your life think you're being silly, that's actually one of the first tests.

Can nuns have tattoos - Bronctattooaus.com

Step 2: Investigate Different Orders

Not all nuns live the same way, and honestly, there's an order for almost everyone. Some orders are super traditional and contemplative, spending hours in silent prayer. Others are out in the world running schools, hospitals, and community centers.

Do your research. Visit communities. Attend discernment retreats. And here's a side note — the vibe matters. Would you be happy with sisters who eat in silence at every meal? Or do you need a group that lets you chat over coffee after compline? (Yes, both exist.)

Step 3: Start the Discernment Process

Discernment is that beautiful, confusing, frustrating process of figuring out if God is actually calling you to this. It usually begins with regular meetings with a vocation director and a deep dive into prayer. Think of it like an extended, spiritually intense interview — except you're also interviewing them back.

Most orders ask you to spend time as a postulant before making any serious vows. This is essentially a probation period where you live in the community and see if the life feels right. The key word here is honest growth — not pretending everything is perfect, but genuinely testing yourself.

Becoming a Nun After 50

Step 4: Take Your Vows!

After the postulancy comes novitiate, which lasts about one to two years depending on the order. During this time, you learn the rules, the rhythm, and the realities of monastic life. Then comes the big moment: making temporary vows, usually for three years.

After temporary vows are renewed for several years, you may eventually make perpetual vows. These are solemn, binding, and honestly — they'll name a street after you before you break them. I'm only half kidding.

What About the Non-Spiritual Stuff?

Let's address the elephant in the chapel: many people ask if nuns take a vow of poverty. The answer is yes, but that doesn't mean you'll be sitting in rags. The community provides for your needs — food, clothing, housing, healthcare. You give up personal ownership, not comfort.

Vocational Calling and Becoming a Nun in Sonoita, AZ | Santa Rita Abbey

You also take vows of chastity and obedience. That means no romantic relationships and meeting your vow of submission to the community's leadership and priorities. Prepared to trade your Netflix account for the Liturgy of the Hours? Maybe not required, but close.

Final Thoughts (And a Nudge)

If you've made it this far, part of you might be seriously considering this. And honestly? That little spark you feel right now might mean something. Don't dismiss it just because it feels inconvenient or unbelievable.

Start simple. Go to Mass, find a spiritual director, and maybe attend a vocation retreat. The worst that happens is you learn more about yourself. The best? Well, you might just find your calling. No pressure.

That video at 2 a.m. changed my night. Maybe this article just changed yours.