convents

Convents are communities of women religious in Christian traditions, most commonly within the Catholic Church, though Anglican and Orthodox churches also maintain female religious houses. A convent typically refers to the dwelling and the community of nuns living there, as distinct from monasteries, which can be male-dominated or co-ed in some traditions. Within Catholic usage, a convent may be associated with an established religious order or be a smaller house of sisters.

Historically, convents developed in the early medieval period and proliferated across Europe. They served as places of prayer and study and as centers for charitable works, education, and care for the sick and poor. Many convents operate schools, hospitals, or social services, and some are cloistered, meaning the nuns take vows of enclosure and limit contact with the outside world; others are apostolic, engaging actively with the surrounding community.

Life in a convent generally involves vows (such as poverty, chastity, obedience) and governance by a superior, usually an abbess or prioress for women's communities. Daily routines typically include communal prayer, work, and shared meals. Convents are often organized by religious order (for example Benedictine, Franciscan, or Dominican), though they may stand alone as independent communities.

Architecture commonly features a church or chapel, cloisters, dormitories, and work spaces. Clothing and daily practice reflect the particular order and tradition of the community, with some houses maintaining cloistered life and others engaging directly in local ministries.

In the modern era, convents have diversified in function and size. Some face declining numbers, while others have expanded outreach, education programs, or interfaith and ecumenical engagement.