Prerequisites for Becoming a Canoness Nun

Prerequisites for Becoming a Canoness Nun

a. You must be a Catholic woman.

You should be baptized. Received the confirmation. In a full communion with the catholic church.

b. You must be single.

You are not married.

c. You must not have any debts upon entrance to the novitiate.

Novitiate is usually a year or two into the formal process of becoming a nun. If you do have debts, work to eliminate them. Don't stop looking into a religious community because of a student loan or something similar. Talk with the vocation director about how to proceed.

d. You must be healthy.

It's important that you be physically and psychologically able to engage in the mission of the religious community. However "healthy" is a relative term and doesn't automatically exclude people with managed illnesses or disabilities. This is an important thing to discuss with the vocation director.

e. You must have 18 to 35  years old.

Although the age limit used to be confined to 18-25, communities accept women up to age 35.

g. Other considerations

A college degree is not an absolute prerequisite; however, many religious communities do encourage that you have at least a bachelor's degree prior to entering. 

In many cases, it should treated according to the circumstances and the degree of the vehement desire to consecrate oneself to God.