Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 1/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: A nun in the Catholic religion is equivalent to what vocation in the Christian religion?

Is there a vocation where you could be a nun or similar but in Christianity?

If there isn't, can a Christian become a nun?

ANSWER: Peace

dear Gabriela,

  First, I feel a need to point out the fact: Catholics are Christians.
 Second, in some forms of Protestantism, they do have nuns, most of those forms are among the Anglican sects/churches.

         In the Catholic Church there many religious orders of Nuns/Sisters. Each have there own mission within the Church. Some care for the sick, some are teachers, some assist with retreats, some run food pantries.

         If you tell me something about your desires to serve God and your spiritual background, perhaps I can suggest a group.
         your servant but Christ first
         George

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well I was interested but I did some research and found out that to become a nun a person cannot have any outstanding debts, and I have some debt. Plus some health concerns.

Other than that, I just like the idea to serve God, and I would like to commit to the vow of celibacy, and obedience and poverty. Also I am interested in doing humanitarian work by becoming a social worker but I don't think i could become a nun and a social worker. Social workers live in a home and nuns live in a church.

Answer
Peace


dear Gabriela,
    Within the Catholic Church, there are thousands of ways of serving God, besides being a nun.
     Perhaps, as a lay missionary of some kind. I have been blessed to serve as such twice. Once for 7 weeks and another time for about 1 year.
You could possibly serve within your own parish.

 If you desire to consecrate yourself, you don't have to be a nun or sister. There is such things as consecrated laity. I am such as a Secular Franciscan; I can direct you to some information if want. It was  founded by St. Francis of Assisi and a married couple near Assisi. Its for laity and diocesan clergy who desire to consecrate the world with the Love and truth of God, in the spirit of St. Francis.

Or may seek to serve God through a group like the St. Vincent de Paul society, one of the largest Christian charities in the world. It was founded by a Catholic lawyer, Blessed Fredrick Ozanam and his friends.

You can be a nun and social worker, I know two. Was not Mother Teresa a good sister and a "social worker". Sister/nuns generally live in convents not churches. Also I know of sister that lived in an apartment complex.

I can help you find some place to serve.

         Be Assured of His Love and my prayers
         George