Q&A for How to Become a Nun

There are many! Contact the religious order you'd like to join and ask if they have any classes or recommended reading for prospective members, and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities. You can also volunteer at charities or church events to help your community and deepen your faith in the meantime.

While it may be a topic of concern for the order you want to join, it may or may not interfere with your eligibility. You'll need to converse with the religious leader to discuss if the tattoos will be a problem. Most likely, your vestments will cover them up anyway!

You can join without your parents' permission, but first you must be of-age and independent, around 18 or 21. Once you're living alone, you can start exploring this path without you're parent's input.

It will be helpful for you to enter a religious community with your education already accomplished. You should also visit several different religious communities before you decide on the community you would like to try your vocation with, because it is not like choosing a job or a career. It is a way of life forever.

Yes, there are religious communities who accept older women. You might have to go quite a distance to find the right community for you, but there's one out there.

Yes. You can quit your education or job at any time, unless you've signed some binding contract.

You can convert to Roman Catholicism and apply to become a novitiate, or you can apply to become an Anglican nun. The Anglican Church is also throughout the world and admits women into holy orders as nuns, deacons, priests and bishops! So, there's nothing shut to you, even if you're a woman.

Yes, you can become an Anglican Nun. You should contact the Anglican Church, which has congregations all over the world.

No, but you can't be married or divorced.

Homosexuality isn't considered when becoming a nun. You take a vow of chastity when you become a nun, so whomever you are attracted to doesn't matter. What matters is you keep your vows and stay with God.

While you understand your call the best, if you have doubt, either the call is not genuine or you are not ready to answer it. Take the time to ask yourself what draws you to the Sisterhood.

You can become a nun at any age but make sure it is what you want to do.

Yes, but you will have to convert to the religion you are becoming a nun for.

They can't become nuns because they have already experienced conjugal rights and sexual activities.

You cannot start the process until you are legally able to consent, and some communities require you to be even older to ensure you are mature and certain. As a young person, you should be exploring your spiritual life, developing your strengths, and shoring up your weaknesses (often through education).

Yes, you can join the lay community. There are different orders and types. They are somewhat like nuns except they wear regular clothes, don't live on campus, and can be married and have children.

A Sister is a nun. Nuns are referred to as Sister because we are all part of the Family of Christ.

Your racial background does not matter; all races can become nuns. Language is only relevant in finding a community you can communicate with, and additional languages to aid the community are always an asset! What matters is your religious background. If by Hindi, you are also suggesting you are Hindu, you will have to convert to Catholicism or Anglicanism. If you feel called to this vocation, but not the religion, ask yourself why.

Yes, you can.

No. Belief in God is a prerequisite for becoming a nun, because serving God is fundamental in their calling.

Usually the upper age limit for beginning a profession as a nun is 30 - 35. That being said, you could inquire about working as a layperson.

Most Catholic orders only require that you have graduated from high school. If you want to be an active nun working in a medical or educational field, you would need to have a higher education. The religious order you join may be able to help you complete these requirements. Contemplative communities usually do not require education beyond high school, because you will complete the required education through years of formation in the order.

Yes, you can! While there are a few religious communities that would like their potential aspirants to have degrees, most religious communities do not have an educational requirement above completing high school.

Yes, but you must first convert to Catholicism or Anglicanism.

For Catholic nuns: The Church doesn't recognize transgenderism, so a transgender woman would be considered a man, not a woman, and couldn't be a nun.

These habits are traditional and are a sign of devotion to God and Jesus. Yes, they are required to be worn.

Some churches take girls after secondary or high school, when they are about 16. Either way, parental consent is required and not just the girl's, until age 18. Becoming a nun requires further education of the Bible, which the church teaches after they take you in.

Nuns can donate, however, there's no need for a dowry per se. A dowry is given by marrying families and is banned in various countries.

Depending upon where your interests and beliefs take you, you can make the choice. For example, if you want to work with children or education or any other specific area, look for a convent focused on that. Your skills or future ambitions can also help you choose it. Or you can wait how things shape and where God takes you.

Convents have units or wards that take care of infirm or elderly nuns. She should talk to the Mother Superior about her options.