Frequently Asked Questions About the School Sisters of Notre Dame
- What is the difference between a NUN and a SISTER?
- What does it mean to live in community and do sisters still live in convents?
- Why do some sisters wear a veil and others don't?
- Do sisters pray all day?
- Since you have the word "School" in the name, does everyone have to teach?
- Are the School Sisters of Notre Dame associated with the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana?
- How often do sisters visit their families?
- Can you choose your own jobs?
- What do you do for fun?
- Did you ever want to quit?
- Is it hard not being married and having your own children?
- How long does it take to become a sister?
- How much education do you need to become a sister?
- Can I pursue higher education and will it be funded by SSND??
- Do sisters receive a salary?
- How are my individual needs addressed in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment?
- Do you have to be a virgin to consider becoming a sister?
- What do you mean by being "called?"
- I've thought about being a sister. What should I do?
- What if I wanted to leave the School Sisters of Notre Dame after starting the process to become an SSND or after I've become a professed sister?
- What is the difference between Monastic and Apostolic?
What is the difference between a NUN and a SISTER?
People commonly use the word nun to describe all women in religious orders. A nun is a woman religious who belongs to an order that is "enclosed" and restricts contact with people outside the convent or "cloister." Sister is the appropriate title for women in the majority of religious orders, including the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Do sisters still live in convents?
Some Sisters do still live in convents. Others now choose to live in smaller communities or with members of other congregations. As SSNDs we make every effort to live in community. The size of the community may vary from one to several sisters. Several types of living arrangements, such as living in a convent, an apartment, or a house, are possible. Much depends on where a sister ministers and where we have a community near that site. Interested women have the opportunity to visit communities for live-in experiences to help them understand our lifestyle. For those who dwell alone, there is the option of forming an extended faith community with other sisters.
Why do some sisters wear a veil and others don’t?
Some sisters wear veils because traditionally, in the church, this was the recognized form of clothing for a member of a religious community. These sisters prefer to honor that tradition. Other sisters have chosen a different outward sign/symbol of their religious lifestyle commitment: a special cross, a ring, or a pin, that represents their specific community. The outward sign of how sisters relate in care and concern is the most compelling witness to God’s love.
Do sisters pray all day?
Daily prayer is a priority to us. We set aside special time for our own personal prayer and time for community prayer. It is prayer that carries us through hard times, inspires us, and brings us new insight. Since each of us also has a specific job (ministry) that we do, we try to have a healthy balance of prayer, community life, ministry and fun.
Since you have the word "School" in the name, does everyone have to teach?
When our congregation first began, our Foundress Blessed Theresa felt that a critical need at that time was the education of girls—particularly those who were poor or those who had no access to education. She felt that by educating girls, both in academics and in faith, these girls would have a strong influence on their families as mothers later on. This, Blessed Theresa believed, was the contribution that SSNDs could make in helping to build God’s Kingdom and in transforming society. We soon realized that God’s people had many needs, and we began to diversify our ministries early on. Today, we say that we are “educators in all that we do” helping to foster the God-given potential that is in each person. You will find School Sisters today not only in formal classroom teaching, but also in social service and parish ministries, health care services, campus ministry and retreat work, direct service programs with those who are poor, and social justice advocacy.
Are the School Sisters of Notre Dame associated with the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana?
Although we do have sisters who have served in ministry at the University of Notre Dame, there is no official tie between the university and the School Sisters. As an international congregation, we do have three SSND-sponsored institutions of higher learning: Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, Maryland, and Notre Dame Women’s College in Kyoto, Japan.
How often do sisters visit their families?
Staying connected with my family is definitely a part of being a sister. Visiting with family members can happen on a variety of occasions.
Can you choose your own jobs?
We minister to the needs of the people we serve. In our community, we recognize that a sister can respond to those needs with her own gifts and talents. In dialogue with our leadership, we discern where we can best serve the people of God in helping them reach their full potential. Together, we affirm the individual sister’s strengths that will direct her toward a specific ministry of God’s calling. A sister looks for a ministry that is in keeping with her abilities, educational background, and skills. At other times, the congregation may be aware of a specific need in a ministry and ask a sister to consider accepting the assignment.
What do you do for fun?
Sisters live a balanced life style. Having time for leisure and vacation is very important to that balance. Sisters do things with their community members such as going out to dinner or to the movies. Some sisters enjoy painting, pottery, hiking, going to movies and other activities. We do things we enjoy and that give us a break when we need it and enjoy time with our family and my friends.
Did you ever want to quit?
Any lifestyle (married, single, religious) has those moments when you ask yourself, “Why did I do this?” Sisters are no exception to these very human times of doubt or questioning. We, like others looking for answers in life, use prayer and counseling to seek guidance to discern the correct path.
Is it hard not being married and having your own children?
Sometimes people have the idea that sisters are lonely or sad. That isn’t true at all. Our lives are filled with love, and we have close friends, family members and other SSNDs to support us and care about us. So it’s not like we feel that we have “missed out” on anything. We are happy in our commitment to God. We do realize that we have made a sacrifice not having our own families. Yet because it is God who calls us to this lifestyle, we gladly respond to the invitation to give our lives completely to God.
How long does it take to become a sister?
The process could take four to six years. Initially, one
is accepted as an affiliate for six months to three years.
As an affiliate, one still lives on her own, continues working
and/or going to school but spends more time with the sisters.
The next step is the postulancy (up to two years) where one
lives in an SSND community as she continues to discern her
call. The next phase, novitiate, is a two-year period during
which one begins to integrate the various aspects of religious
life, deepens her relationship with God, and gains a greater
knowledge of the congregation. Novitiate prepares a woman
for First Profession (also known at Temporary Profession or
First Vows) that takes place at the end of those two years.
The title of “Sister” is given at this time. After
six years the sister takes Perpetual Vows and is consecrated
by God to live the vowed life forever as a School Sister of
Notre Dame.
For more information, visit Steps to
becoming a sister .
How much education do you need to become a sister?
It depends a lot on the age and experience of the woman inquiring about SSND. Sometimes a woman is in college and will continue her education while an affiliate and postulant. Or she may be finished with college before entering the community. Sometimes a woman may have wonderful work experience, but no post secondary education. That doesn’t necessarily mean she cannot become an SSND. We talk with each woman personally to understand how she sees herself involved in ministry. Having the skills for ministry is the important piece because we give our lives in service to others. As School Sisters of Notre Dame, it is ultimately our goal to reach our God given potential.
Can I pursue higher education and will it be funded by SSND?
Ongoing education is possible and even encouraged. Each woman’s situation is evaluated individually.
Do sisters receive a salary?
Most sisters receive a salary for their service from the organization for which they work. For example, a sister who teaches is paid by the school. As sisters, we share all things, so our salaries are placed into a common SSND fund. The funds in this central account are used to support all sisters, both active and retired. From this fund, money is also given to those in need, to support the ministries we sponsor, (such as our shelters for women) and to provide for our missionaries. Many of our retired sisters volunteer their time in parishes and schools and are not paid.
How are my individual needs addressed in terms of food, clothing, shelter, entertainment, and retirement?
Every month, each community house receives money to cover payment for all living expenses such as food, utilities, rent, etc., and for personal needs that include clothing, gifts, and entertainment. Good Counsel, Mankato, Minnesota, is our home. We are sent out into the world and when our work is almost through, we return to Good Counsel to be cared for and continue our service through prayer and volunteer ministries.
Do you have to be a virgin to consider becoming a sister?
No. However, you must show desire and evidence that you can live a chaste and celibate life. This means if you have been sexually active, there would be a period of abstinence expected before you join the community.
What do you mean by being "called?"
Most of us will not have God speaking to us through a burning bush or knocking us off our horse! Our call is not nearly as dramatic. It's a gentle invitation that comes and goes in our life. God "calls" us through events and people, through our gifts and talents, through life's experiences and our deepest desires. Have you ever said to yourself: "I want to be more" or "I want to give more?" Is your hour of parish ministry or community service more life-giving than your 40-hour work week? Is you've answered YES, these could be the "gentle invitations" you may want to pursue.
I've thought about being a sister. What should I do?
If the idea of a being a sister keeps tugging at your heart, then it’s very important to check out if this life is right for you! Ask for God’s guidance. Spend time with sisters. Join them for meals and prayer. See how they live and how they serve. Talk with a vocation director. She can answer your questions and help you discern God’s call.
What if I wanted to leave the School Sisters of Notre Dame after starting the process to become an SSND or after I’ve become a professed sister?
The formal process to become an SSND can take as long as six years and gives you the opportunity to decide if this is the right life for you. A decision to discontinue the process and leave is yours. After becoming a sister, the decision to leave is still yours, and to help with the transition, for both you and the SSND community, a process is implemented to make sure that yours and SSND’s needs are respected. Leaving the SSND community will not affect your status as a member of the Catholic faith.
What is the difference between Monastic and Apostolic?
Historically, monastic communities were self-sufficient as far as they were mainly dedicated to worship of God through the many prayers marking their day. Their main mission would be to give praise to God and pray for the needs of the world and the salvation of souls. They generally would do work within the monastery and many people would come to them with spiritual needs. The monasteries were the great centers of life in western civilization. In the 12th and 13th century new forms of consecrated life sprung up in the orders of St. Francis and St. Dominic. Their lives were no longer strictly monastic, but members went out to the people to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their rhythm of life remained the same with the praying of the liturgical hours but differed in how and when they prayed them.
Expression of the consecrated life reflected the life of the Apostles, not knowing where they would lay their heads, or have their next meal, but always proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Today both monastic and apostolic religious life is available to potential members of religious orders. Monasteries continue to be places of prayer and work. Those living the apostolic life are out among God's people proclaiming the saving power of God while returning to prayer in order to be sent out again.
