What’s the Difference between Religious Sisters and Nuns?

by Admin · June 14, 2024

Top: Carmelite Order of enclosed nuns. Bottom: Sisters of St Paul

Both enclosed nuns and religious Sisters are members of religious communities, but they differ primarily in their lifestyle and level of enclosure.

Enclosed Nuns

Lifestyle: Enclosed nuns, also known as encloistered or contemplative nuns, live a more secluded and contemplative life. They typically reside in monasteries and follow a strict routine of prayer, work and study within the confines of the monastery.

Enclosure: The term “enclosed” or “encloistered” refers to the fact that these nuns have limited contact with the outside world. Their primary focus is on a life of prayer, and they often withdraw from worldly affairs to dedicate themselves entirely to spiritual contemplation.

Habit: Enclosed nuns usually wear a distinctive religious habit that reflects their commitment to a life of prayer and separation from the secular world.

Religious Sisters

Lifestyle: Religious Sisters engage more actively with the outside world. They often work in schools, hospitals or clinics, social services and other ministries, serving the needs of the community.

Engagement: Unlike enclosed nuns, religious Sisters are not typically bound by strict enclosure. They may live in convents but are more involved in apostolic activities in the world.

Habit: While some religious Sisters wear traditional habits, the trend in many religious orders has been towards more simplified and modern attire, allowing for greater flexibility in their ministry.

Both play vital roles in the Church, contributing to its mission in different ways.

Published in the April 2024 issue of The Southern Cross magazine