What are cloistered nuns?

Cloistered nuns are Catholic women who have consecrated themselves to God through religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They live in communities inside convents and have little contact with the outside world.

Catholic religious orders are categorized as active, contemplative or mixed. Cloistered nuns are contemplatives who vow to remain inside their convents for the rest of their lives to devote themselves to prayer, study and community life. Outsiders are not permitted to enter the cloistered section of the convent, although they are welcome to pray in the public chapel. Food and other essentials are delivered to the convent by lay benefactors or through online orders.