FAQ's

• Why do some sisters wear habits and some don't?
• When someone decides to become a sister, what happens to her savings and possessions? What happens to her debts?
• What do you do for fun?
• Can someone become a sister if they have been dating?  If they have been engaged?  If they have been married?

Q:  Why do some sisters wear habits and some don't?

A:  Each religious community of sisters determine if the members will wear a habit or not.  Many of those who wore a religious habit from the time the community was founded changed with the renewal that was called for by the Second Vatican Council (1960 - 1965).  Some were given the option to wear the original habit, a modified (simplified) habit, or no habit.  Most communities that were founded after the Council do not wear habits; these usually have a pin or symbol that signifies their community.

Q:  When someone decides to become a sister, what happens to her savings and possessions? What happens to her debts?

A:  Initially, a woman can explore becoming a sister while she retains her wealth and possessions, or has some amount of debt.  By the time that she makes her first profession of vows, however, she must be debt free.  At that time, she also makes a decision about retaining or disposing of her savings, assets, and valuable possessions (e.g., house, land, IRA's, etc.).

Q:  What do you do for fun?

A:  Almost anything you really like to do, for example:  biking, skating, walking with a friend, swimming, running.  Many Sisters enjoy reading, listening to music, or playing a musical instrument or singing.  There is a wide variety of crafts and hobbies that are also enjoyed, including playing cards, creating on the computer.  Of course, we all enjoy getting together for parties for all occasions.

Q:  Can someone become a sister if they have been dating?  If they have been engaged?  If they have been married?

A:  Dating is a normal part of a single lifestyle.  It is perfectly okay and expected that a woman dated during high school, college, or single life prior to considering religious life.  However, after a woman begins to seriously respond to a call to religious life, she is expected to discontinue dating in preparation for a celibate lifestyle.  For some women, a healthy experience of dating had helped them to discern the call to love celibately in a community setting.  If a woman was married, there are some requirements set by the laws of the Church that would be part of the admissions process.