New Habits: Today's Women Who Choose to Become Nuns

by Isabel Losada

Why would young women in their 20's and 30's choose to enter a convent? Are they running away from the world? Are they seeking to obey a Mother Superior to escape personal responsibility? Isabelle Losada has talked at length to ten novices who had homes, jobs, boyfriends, money and freedom who explain why they are seeking a more radical lifestyle. They reveal themselves openly and challenge all the stereotypes of the typical nun. Isabel set out with a high degree of cynicism, determined to expose their weaknesses and dubious motives. She came away with a tremendous admiration for these women who have sought a greater freedom in a God-centered life. This is a challenging book, full of humour and suprises, and an inspiration to ask what is really important in our lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Biography

195 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[April Munday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The honesty and humour of the ten novices are striking. They come from very different backgrounds and the religious communities to which they find their ways are also very different. I had no idea that there were so many types of community within the Anglican church - from the contemplative and enclosed to the terraced house from which the sisters go out to do paid work.

The book dispels many myths about life as a nun and each of the women interviewed has obviously thought deeply about her vocation, both the pros and the cons. More importantly, she has been encouraged by the community she wants to join to do so.

[Sophie Jessup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right book at the right time. I am currently discerning my vocation and although it is impossible for me to be a nun as I am married with young children, I felt the call very strongly. Books like this have helped me in my journey of discernment to find the right path. I am currently on the path towards ordination which I am very excited about. Very grateful for the insights of these beautiful women who have surrendered their lives to the lord. Thank you Isabel for capturing their hearts so beautifully within these pages.

[Alison S ☯️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I re-read this, having first read it about 10 years ago. I didn't enjoy it as much the second time around, as it didn't have the same novelty value as a first reading. However, I still found it interesting, enjoyable and easy to read. I would love to know what happened to the 10 interviewees and whether they are still living in a religious community.

[Gyan Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting change of pace from this author. What struck me was the openness with which she approached the subject, which gave the women who she talked to ( I was going to say 'interviewed, but that's not quite right) the ability to open up. Sensitive and thought-provoking.

[John-Francis Friendship · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having known some of these sisters I was pleased to read about what took them into Religious Life and found many of the stories inspiring. A 'must read' for all those considering their vocation.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having now re-read this book, I am glad I picked it up to wipe the boringness of The Nuns out of my system, but I have to admit I wasn't quite as taken with it on second read as I was on the first. However, it was still enjoyable and it is so interesting to dig into these women's private reasons for going into their new vocation and to see some of their religious views.

I found it even more fascinating to go to Isabel's site and see what has become of them after the fact. www.isabellosada.com/newhabits.html

Maybe my second reading led me to see more of the consistency between their answers to the questions about obedience, chastity and poverty. It felt a bit like they had all been drilled with the knowledge - and quite honestly they probably had been. The personal stories and reasons for joining were a much more interesting aspect of the book. Still will recommend to anyone interested in this, or just as a quirky different read.

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After reading The Nuns, a dry tome looking at the bigger picture of nuns and their life in the modern world, I am encouraged to go find my copy of this book and re-read it to get a sense of the modern nun in today's England 25 years after The Nuns was written.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book - the author talked to ten different novices (all Anglican) from different convents. Each novice gives her story: what made her decide to become a nun, what her life was like before and what it is like now, what she has found difficult and what she likes best about it.

These stories are from 20 years ago - since then, some of the novices have gone on to take their life vows, others have left, or switched to a different convent. You can read what they're up to here: http://www.isabellosada.com/the-books...

(However, I know from visiting the enclosed one where Sister Judith is that they no longer rise at 2am to say prayers! Their lifestyle is a bit more relaxed now) :-)

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author interviewed ten young women who were novice nuns at the time. The author asked them why they had given up houses, jobs, cars, boy-friends in some cases to lead a different sort of life. She also asked about poverty, chastity, obedience. While one of the nuns denied that their choices were difficult at times, they all spoke of joy and of having given more in return than they had given up.
This book made me evaluate what's really important in life. I found it thoughtp-provoking and uplifting.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was the interview of 10 differnt British Novice Nuns and how they found God and came to the decision of becoming a nun. It also shared their views on Poverty, Obedience and chastity and sex.
But more than one of these nuns were into calling God a she, which i found totally unacceptable so they have obviously not read their bibles fully, and if you proclaim to be a nun or a priest you bloody well should have. So there!