Nuns, Roman Catholic

The word nun is commonly used to refer to a woman who has made a visible commitment to religious life. The Latin nonna, or “tutor,” came to denote a woman under monastic vows. The Latin moniale and the Old English nunne are later versions of the same. In modern usage, the terms nun and sister are used interchangeably in popular speech, yet under church (canon) law there is a distinction between the two groups. Nuns profess solemn vows and generally maintain a contemplative life, while sisters profess simple vows and have an active apostolate often involving education or charitable work. Both solemn and simple vows are made publicly, accepted by a superior, and binding. The definition of nun and the precise form of life that nuns lived has changed dramatically throughout the past two millennia; however, the commitment and desire of religious women to participate in the ministry, mission, and life of the Catholic Church has not.

When Anthony, the father of western monasticism, became a hermit, he left his sister in the care of “pious nuns.” His biography, written in the mid-4th century, provides a witness to communities of nuns in the early church. Although evidence for communities at this time is fragmented, it appears that nuns were women living in enclosed contemplative communities who chose to separate themselves from the world and dedicate themselves to the Lord. Idealization of enclosure is apparent among early religious communities. The earliest rule for women, written about 534 C.E. by Caesarius of Arles, placed particular emphasis on enclosure. Similar sentiments are echoed in other early rules, and enclosure continued to be emphasized throughout the Middle Ages.

Social changes between the 12th and 14th centuries resulted in increased emphasis on enclosure, as [Page 1030]well as more rigid rules governing canonical requirements for recognition as a nun. The fourth Lateran Council of 1215 asked that emerging religious groups adopt and approve rules. Despite resistance to innovation, new communities developed. Groups that were inspired by Clare of Assisi or some early Cistercian women created patterns of religious life that accepted enclosure and were otherwise compatible with the religious climate of the time. In 1298, the growing emphasis on enclosure culminated in Boniface VIII issuing the decree Periculoso, which made enclosure mandatory for all nuns.

The church's support for strict enclosure of nuns was reaffirmed by the Council of Trent and by three subsequent papal proclamations in the 16th century. However, strict enclosure was to prove difficult to regulate and to enforce. The canonical situation was complicated by the many irregular groups of religious women, including beguines and tertiary groups of Franciscans and Dominicans, which developed throughout the 13th century.

The status of non-enclosed religious women was resolved canonically until Leo XIII's bull Conditae a Christo in 1900. At this time, congregations of sisters who were under simple vows and groups of non-cloistered women were given full papal recognition.

Active ministry continued to cause problems in both the early modern and modern worlds. Women in what began as secular institutes or congregations with a specific charitable focus were both supported and disdained in the church and in society. The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded by Mary Ward (1585–1645), was dedicated to education and justice. Ward was dedicated to Ignatian spirituality and is now recognized as a visionary champion for religious women. However, during her life, Ward was a controversial figure who was imprisoned by the church and whose convents and schools were suppressed. It was not until more than two centuries after Ward's death that her community was able to honour her as foundress.

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