Distinguishing Between Nuns & Sisters

Key Difference – Nun vs Sister

Nun and sister are commonly used terms to refer to ladies wearing veils and living in convents although there is a difference between a nun and a sister. Both nuns and sisters are seen working in religious orders and serving humanity. Many people use these terms interchangeably as if there is no difference between nuns and sisters. However, despite similarities, there are differences between nuns and sisters. The key difference is that while nuns live a more cloistered life inside a convent, sisters are seen serving people in the mainstream society. Through this article let us make an attempt to gain a clear understanding of the difference between a nun and a sister.

Who is a Nun?

A nun is a religious woman who has chosen to live a cloistered life full of prayer and contemplation. She is part of a religious order and lives a simple life in a convent or a monastery. A nun has to leave mainstream society as she chooses a life devoted to prayer and meditation. The community of nuns is a religious order and you are not wrong if you inadvertently refer to a nun as a sister as they are in fact all sisters.

Who is a Sister?

A sister in Christian Catholicism is a female who chooses to live a life of prayer and service to humanity and god though she continues to live in the mainstream of the society. Sister is characterized by selfless service to the sick, the needy, and the poor. Sisters try to spread the gospel to those who are unaware, like ones who are uneducated. The workplace of a sister is within the mainstream of the society as they are seen working and providing service in churches, hospitals, schools, orphanages, old age homes, and so on.

Key Takeaways

• Nuns live a more cloistered life inside a convent, while sisters serve people in the mainstream society.
• Both nuns and sisters are religious females that choose to live a life of prayer and service, but nuns are part of a religious order and sisters are part of a congregation.
• Nuns are confined to churches and convents, living a contemplative life, while sisters provide service in schools, hospitals, orphanages, etc.