Nashville nuns lead nation in number of newcomers

AP ^ | 9/15/2010 | ROSE FRENCH

[markomalley]

A handful of Roman Catholic convents are contradicting the decades-long slide in the number of women choosing to devote their lives to the sisterhood. And at least two of them are doing it by sticking to tradition, including the wearing of habits.

The number of nuns in the U.S. has dropped dramatically over the last several decades as more women in religious life approach retirement and are not replaced with younger sisters.

But the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville have remained an exception for years. The order has 27 postulants entering the convent this fall, likely the largest group of new nuns in training in the U.S., according to religious scholars.

Sisters at St. Cecilia's and other thriving U.S. orders typically are younger, which makes them closer in age to potential newcomers. These orders also emphasize traditional practices, like wearing long, flowing black-and-white habits, and educating students.

After joining the convent, nuns are limited to a great degree in their contact with the outside world. They can't always use cell phones, are only allowed to visit family certain times of the year and must share the use of items like cars with other sisters in the convent.

"Initially when you enter you think you're giving up so many treats: going out to Starbucks whenever you want in your car or going out to eat," said Sister Scholastica Niemann, 31, who just entered her third year at St. Cecilia's. She'll take her final vows in five years.

[markomalley]

These orders also emphasize traditional practices, like wearing long, flowing black-and-white habits, and educating students.

Ms French writes in a surprised tone...

[ex-snook]

Good ‘habits’ need to be copied.

[Salvation]

The 'handful' is growing!

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[Carpe Cerevisi]

I wonder if these are the nuns that were featured on Oprah last year.

[nina0113]

The principal (at least) of our new Catholic high school is one of them. I believe she brought along some teachers as well.

[EyeGuy]

Excellent.

The last thing our Church needs is more lesbian, “social justice” “nuns”.

Godspeed the dogma and judgmentatlism of Mother Angelica.

[EyeGuy]

Excellent.

The last thing our Church needs is more lesbian, “social justice” “nuns”.

Godspeed the dogma and judgmentalism of Mother Angelica.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Women entered religious life in large numbers in the 1950s and '60s, but that changed dramatically in the following decades as more career choices became available."

How about "that changed dramatically...as religious orders were taken over by dissenters and defectors-in-place, and young women potentially interested in religious life were repulsed by the idea of living with angry, brittle, disappointed feminists for the rest of their lives."

Cheers for the faithful Nashville Dominicans!