Active and contemplative religious sisters and brothers Career Guide: Duties, Earnings and Employment Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Members of religious communities are called active and contemplative religious sisters and brothers. They devote their lives to God, taking vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. Unlike other jobs, religious sisters and brothers do not consider this as a career, but as a calling or ‘way of life.’ Aside from communal worship and praying, these active religious sisters and brothers also spend their time with service work, such as taking care of the sick, educating underprivileged children and other missionary work. A sister is usually called “nuns,” while a brother is called “monks.” Those who stay in converts and stay away from the rest of the world are called “cloistered contemplative” sisters or brothers.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: Many religious sisters and brothers attended a Catholic high school, but anyone who has a ‘calling’ can choose this field. Some important courses in this field include English, speech and religious studies. In the past, religious orders accept sisters and brothers even with only a high school diploma, but many of them are now requiring applicants to have at least a few years in college. If their job requires teaching, they may need to obtain education courses and possess teaching experience. If their job requires taking care of people, they may need to obtain a nursing degree or complete other medical training programs.
Skills & Abilities: Brothers and sisters dedicate their lives for their vocation. They must be extremely mature and serious about their religious lives. They must take a vow of chastity, poverty, obedience and religious commitment. They do not have plenty of material possessions, even if they are assigned to outside communities.
Active and contemplative religious sisters and brothers must be able to obey their superior, God and the church faithfully and follow the rules of the congregation by heart. They must be physically and emotionally healthy, be good with people and be willing to serve others without monetary returns.
Duties: The work of active religious sisters and brothers may depend largely on the assigned tasks they are given by their superiors, but these activities usually involve social work, health care, education or spreading religious faith. Some may work as librarians, clerks, school counselors, teachers, health care aids, therapists or other positions depending on their level of education. Contemplative sisters and brothers live their entire lives inside a convent or monastery, so their work involves several hours of private prayer and manual labor such as cleaning, cooking, gardening, repairs and other tasks.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Active and contemplative religious sisters and brothers have no specified individual earnings. Their work from cottage industries, community service and other tasks belong to their community or congregation. Unlike other jobs, all their basic needs such as food, clothes and medicine or hospitalization are taken from their community funds. Opportunities in the religious sector are unlimited because the Catholic Church welcomes almost everyone who has a calling.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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Word Count: 521 Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 Time: 2:33 PM
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