When a woman decides to...
Illustration
When a woman decides to become a nun, she is invited into the order for a period of time as a novitiate, to try on the role of sister, and for the other sisters to see how she will fit in with their understanding of their calling as a group.
After some period of settling in and training, the novice is taken into the order on "temporary vows"; that is, she is now bound to behave like and take on the duties of a regular sister of the order, on the understanding that she is free to go if she finds herself unsuited, or if the order feels the same way.
At last, the sister says her final vows, and on that day, in many orders of sisters, she wears a wedding dress and veil, just as she would if she were in a secular marriage. The vows she takes are those of a Bride of Christ, pledging to her Lord her love, her life, and her fortunes. She comes away from the various delights of the world, answering Christ's call of eternal love.
-- Herrmann
After some period of settling in and training, the novice is taken into the order on "temporary vows"; that is, she is now bound to behave like and take on the duties of a regular sister of the order, on the understanding that she is free to go if she finds herself unsuited, or if the order feels the same way.
At last, the sister says her final vows, and on that day, in many orders of sisters, she wears a wedding dress and veil, just as she would if she were in a secular marriage. The vows she takes are those of a Bride of Christ, pledging to her Lord her love, her life, and her fortunes. She comes away from the various delights of the world, answering Christ's call of eternal love.
-- Herrmann
