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The Birgittines |
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LINKS:The Dominican Friar Johannes
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The Birgittine Sisters
lived in a so-called double monastery with both nuns and monks. The sexes were, however,
strictly isolated from each other. Despite the fact that it was a double monastery, the Birgittine order was mainly meant for women. According
to the instructions of St Birgitta, a complete Birgittine Convent was to have 60 nuns, 13
priest monks, four deacons and 8 lay brothers. The convent was led by an abbess - a woman
- but because the nuns were strictly shut inside the walls of the convent, the everyday
work and all connection to the outer world was taken care of by the monks. The life of a Birgittine Nun was reserved mostly for wealthy women, because when entering the convent the woman's family was to give a donation, with the help of which her expences were covered. This habit was common in all orders except the mendicant orders, and it guaranteed great land properties for the convent. The Birgittine nuns practised devotion, but also needlework, studying, gardening, copying books and reading. The nuns were not allowed to talk with each other except for a few hours in the afternoon. The Ordination of a Birgittine Nun The ordination of a Birgittine nun gives an idea of what entering the convent meant. The prospective nun had to report to the abbess of the convent, who told her to come back after three months, when the aspirant had thought it over. She was sent away still a second time so that she could consider her decision for yet a couple of months. If she wanted to become a nun after the trial year, a solemn ordination was performed. The nun-to-be arrived barefoot in her old dress, her hair cut. In the ordination the bishop tried to become convinced of the religious conviction of the nun-to-be, and then led her into the church. A red flag was carried in front of the nun. The flag was decorated with figures of Christ and St Mary. On the main altar the bishop consecrated the nun's ring and received the nun's promise, in which she bound herself to poverty, selibacy and obedience. After this, the bishop proclaimed the nun the bride of God. She was, from now on, God's eternal property. This was followed by a Mass, in which the new nun's gown was consecrated and she was dressed in it. She was also given oblation and absolution, and Saints were called to her help. After the Mass the bishop led the new nun to the door of the convent into which she was shut for the rest of her life. |
