A "convent" is a house where women who have taken religious vows live. These women are called nuns.
Religious orders of women have also existed since very early times. In the year 270, St. Anthony, considered to be the founder of monasticism, is said to have placed his sister in a nunnery. So there must have been nuns as early as that time.
In Christian history, when an order of monks or friars began, a branch for women was usually formed. Most religious orders of women today follow the rule of St. Augustine or St. Francis. They lake vows just as men's orders do. They live in convents, each of which has its own habit (style of clothing).
Until the seventeenth century, nuns usually stayed in the convent and spent their lives in prayer. But since that time, many orders of nuns have gone out to work with people in schools, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged.
Religious orders of women have also existed since very early times. In the year 270, St. Anthony, considered to be the founder of monasticism, is said to have placed his sister in a nunnery. So there must have been nuns as early as that time.
In Christian history, when an order of monks or friars began, a branch for women was usually formed. Most religious orders of women today follow the rule of St. Augustine or St. Francis. They lake vows just as men's orders do. They live in convents, each of which has its own habit (style of clothing).
Until the seventeenth century, nuns usually stayed in the convent and spent their lives in prayer. But since that time, many orders of nuns have gone out to work with people in schools, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged.