Here are some facts about Catholic nuns in US history that you may not know! Religious orders mentioned in this article Throughout the years, Catholic nuns have had a significant impact on building the foundations of America as we know it. Nuns were well respected and welcomed members of their communities. Nuns proved they were ambitious women, using their skills and stamina to build and run America’s schools and hospitals. Their habits signified a badge of honor a license to do good work.

What do nuns do?įor these spirited young women, God’s love and service to others became the center of their lives as they began to build the foundation of America through schools, hospitals and service to the poor and vulnerable. And, although hospitals and schools are the centerpiece of American communities, men did not have the time and money to build them. In the late 1700s to early 1800s, America had very few (if any) charitable institutions in settled areas.

The early Catholic Sisters ventured to places where very few women, aside from prostitutes, dared to go alone. The convent was a woman’s ticket to see the larger country and escape the small communities they were raised in.

The convent offered a new pathway to women who were not interested in staying home preparing meals, cleaning the house and raising the children. Often, religious life was the only pathway that offered a young woman a decent education. (Courtesy of Sisters of IHM) Why did women become nuns?īecoming a nun gave a young woman a ticket for life’s grand adventures. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Scranton depart on a service trip to Peru in 1965. Yet, their profound impact on the building of the foundations of America is rarely discussed ( Image Source). For every priest there were at least three nuns. But, in fact, women were the face of America’s parochial schools, Catholic hospitals and churches. Priests, bishops and cardinals are credited with building the nation’s largest church. Most histories of the Catholic Church in America are written about men. The truth is that Catholic nuns have made profound contributions around the world, including here in the US. The Sound of Music where nuns walk solemnly in lines and pray in a convent all day behind locked gates? Sister Act where Whoopi Goldberg comes in the save the struggling church with Vegas-inspired singing and dancing to re-engage and serve their community? Or the fierce defender of the sick and poor, Mother Teresa who established Missionaries of Charity in 1950 that is now active in 133 countries caring for thousands of desperate people every year? When you think of Catholic nuns, what comes to mind?

Sisters by John J. Fialka