For These Young Nuns, Habits Are The New Radical

Posted by Kendall Harmon

For the most part, these are grim days for Catholic nuns. Convents are closing, nuns are aging and there are relatively few new recruits. But something startling is happening in Nashville, Tenn. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are seeing a boom in new young sisters: Twenty-seven joined this year and 90 entered over the past five years.

The average of new entrants here is 23. And overall, the average age of the Nashville Dominicans is 36 — four decades younger than the average nun nationwide.

Unlike many older sisters in previous generations, who wear street clothes and live alone, the Nashville Dominicans wear traditional habits and adhere to a strict life of prayer, teaching and silence.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer • * Culture-Watch • Women • Young Adults • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Roman Catholic • Pope Benedict XVI

3 Comments
Posted December 26, 2010 at 2:39 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Archer_of_the_Forest wrote:

I went to a Catholic high school in Knoxville, TN, and have a classmate who joined this order. It is indeed thriving what what I am told.

December 26, 6:26 pm | [comment link]
2. Crabby in MD wrote:

Very interesting.  I am wondering if this is a bit of backlash to the over-sexing of young girls.  Don’t know, just a thought.  I DO think it is honorable, and honoring of Jesus, Lord.

December 26, 6:50 pm | [comment link]
3. recchip wrote:

Being around the Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville Dominicans) is a humbling experience.  I got to know a few of them back on the mid 1980s when I was involved in the Tennessee Pro-life group.  To march with these women of faith was a true blessing. 

Also, I went with the young lady I was “dating” at the time as she was exploring a vocation to the Religious Life.  She “interviewed” with the Nashville Dominicans and I (as her “boyfriend”-a term not really accurate, more like her very close Brother in Christ) was asked to give a “reference”.  I did and the interview I had with the sister made me feel like I had been speaking with an angel!!!

December 26, 10:06 pm | [comment link]
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