The other day, as I was searching through some old documents on my laptop, I came across something from almost four years ago. A friend's 9 year-old daughter had to write about a Christian for a school RE assignment, and was keen to 'interview' me. So, she sent me several questions, the answers to which she very skillfully turned into a lovely article - which even earned her some extra House points!
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share her questions, and my answers. Apart from the references to lockdown, I would say the same again, now. I'm still inspired by unsung heroes; would still encourage a young woman to 'go for it'; still believe that love has to be at the heart of who and what we are. Now, more than ever, we really need to spend time with Jesus, and ask him to help us become people who love, and want and try to love, with all our hearts.
What about you?
What is the difference between being a nun and being a Sister - are they the same? and which one are you?
I’m going to explain each one to you, and then you can work out which I am.
Officially, a nun is someone who lives in a monastery with other nuns, and their principal work is praying for the world, and peoples’ needs. Their daily timetable makes sure they can all come together in the chapel several times each day, from early morning to just before going to bed. Whatever work nuns do to support themselves – like making Communion hosts, or growing fruit and vegetables – is done within the monastery, and they only go out occasionally, for specific reasons. Because they stay in the monastery and its grounds, they’re “enclosed”.
A sister also prays, of course, but with a different focus. A sister responds to the world’s needs through her work, in schools or hospitals, parishes, youth work, retreats, counselling, or working with people who are homeless or refugees. Sisters live in houses which are often called convents, but they often work somewhere else, and can go out and about (except in lockdown!!). Because of this, they’re “apostolic”, like Jesus’ apostles, who were sent out, by Jesus, to help him in his mission.
So… which one am I?
But whether we’re nuns or sisters, we often use the word nun to describe both kinds – and nuns are addressed as Sister, just to add to the confusion!
What made you want to be a nun?
Basically, because I fell in love with God, and nothing less than a life centred on God was going to be enough. But this didn’t happen overnight. So, in my mid 20s I was enjoying life, had a career and a good social life… but deep down, I began to feel restless, and to search for “more” - though I had no idea what this “more” might be. At the time, God and religious life were the last things on my mind! - but over the next couple of years I started praying and going to Mass more regularly, and making changes to my lifestyle and my priorities. And that’s how I fell in love with God, and God let me know just how much and how intensely he loved me – and that he wanted me to share his love with others. I also realised that all this was the “more” I’d already been searching for, and felt very strongly that God was calling me to live all this as a sister.
What do you think is the most important thing about being a Christian?
I think the most important thing for a Christian is to get to know Jesus, and try to follow his example – which is all about love. Jesus didn’t leave us lots of rules and regulations – his message was simple: Love God with all your heart and soul, and love your neighbour as yourself. And when he was asked to define “neighbour” he told a story about a man (the Good Samaritan) who helped a complete stranger, even though, normally, they wouldn’t have had anything to do with each other.
I said Jesus’ message is simple – but it can also be very hard to live by. We all know how hard it can be to love someone who annoys us or hurts us, or hurts other people. That’s why we really need to spend time with Jesus, and ask him to help us become people who love, and want and try to love, with all our hearts.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a nun?
If I was talking with a woman who was sincerely thinking about becoming a nun or sister, and I felt this might be the right thing for her, my advice would be “Go for it!” We can often feel scared about becoming a nun, because we worry about the things we’ll have to give up, or whether this is a call from God, and the right thing… and maybe we worry, because we don’t think we’re holy enough. So, I’d advise this woman to try and trust God, and trust that this could well be the right thing – and if it is, then she will be incredibly happy, deep down. I’d also advise her to trust the process: there’s a long time of training and discerning before we make our vows, and she will be supported all the way by more experienced sisters or nuns. But really, she has to make the first move: nobody can force her or do it for her – she has to “Go for it!”
Who is your role model or favourite Christian?
There are lots of people I admire, too many to list! But I think really, the people I most admire right now are the ones who are working so hard and getting us through lockdown and this pandemic. They often inspire me with their dedication, and how they keep all our spirits up, whilst working so hard, but I think so many of them probably don’t see themselves as heroes or angels or saints – but that’s what they are to me!
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