[A.A. Cunningham]

Those are sisters not nuns. Big difference.

[traderrob6]

“Those are sisters not nuns. Big difference.”

Please explain.

[Salvation]

I’ve always thought the other way around.

These are nuns (Praying and working always — I mean 24/7 here) and not just sisters who do social work, but forget the praying part and go to an apartment and fall in bed just like anyone else who does social work.

[Salvation]

It looks like the biggest difference is the vows.

I'm not arguing -- I just wanted to get the definitions for my own reference.

NUN

In general, a member of a religious institute of women, living in a community under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. More accurately, nuns are religious women under solemn vows living a cloistered, contemplative life in a monastery.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

 

SISTERS

A popular term for religious women, whether cloistered nuns or members of congregations under simple vows. The title corresponds to brothers in mens' religious institutes and signifies that they are are all members of the same spiritual family, share possessions in common, and live together in Christlike charity.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.