Dear MacKenzie,

What defines a nun or any consecrated woman is the positive offering she makes of her life to Christ, as his Bride. She takes all she is and offers it to Christ. She lives only for him. This means fundamentally that she chooses him over any other man to be the center of her life (chastity), she values him more than any material thing and she gives these up in order to possess him totally (poverty), and she is totally dedicated to his will and his work (obedience).

The practical way these vows are lived out will depend on the particular charism of the order or group she is called to. The limitations she imposes on herself are really the means she puts in place so that her self-donation to God will be sincere and safe, and will grow and deepen over time. So, there are some orders that are contemplative, and these sisters voluntarily commit to live behind closed doors in a life of prayer and penance, others are more active; some will need all their members to pursue higher studies, others will not; some are missionary and their members serve abroad, the amount and type of contact with ones family also varies from one order to the next. 

What I suggest, if you are thinking of a particular order, is to have your mother meet some of the sisters and they will be the ones who can best answer her concerns. It is always more helpful to meet people than to receive more or less abstract explanations. She will see their spirit and joy, their personalities, and it will give her the opportunity to imagine what you will be like if that is your call.

God bless.

Fr Anthony