The terms "nun" and "sister" are often used interchangeably. However within Roman Catholicism, there is a difference between the two. It might not be what you think! Check out a handy guide What is the difference between a sister and a nun?

Just as there is no such thing as one kind of nun, there's no such thing as one kind of day in the life of a nun! Customs vary across congregations, and in addition, each individual sister will have a routine particular to her day. But there will always be 3 common elements to a sister's day: prayer, community, and ministry. Find out more by asking a nun you know what she does all day! You just might be surprised!

The age requirements for becoming a nun vary across congregations. The "usual" range is about age 18 to 40. The lower age limit is to encourage young women to go to college and to "experience life," both of which are very helpful for discernment as well as for maturing. The upper age limit is often more challenging as many women over the age of 40 experience a calling to religious life. Some congregations state explicitly that they will discern with women who are older than 40 while others will deal with the issue of age on a person-by-person basis. If you are attracted to a religious community and concerned about age, talk with the vocation director or perhaps a sister you know in the community.

For some people it is helpful to image their relationship with God as being like a spouse of Christ. This imagery comes from Scriptural passages such as the references in the New Testament to Jesus as the bridegroom or to the Church as being the bride of Christ. Sometimes religious women and men also see themselves as spouses of Christ as a way to symbolize their commitment to God. This bridal imagery is one way among many that Christians can use to speak about their relationship with God. Other images include Jesus as friend, or the Good Shepherd, or a loving parent.