The concept of wedding rings is an abstraction that is universally recognized and seemingly understood.
In general ideology, it symbolizes marriage and the undying loyalty and love that you and your partner share for one another. However, in the Roman Catholic Church, wedding rings take on a more religious sentiment.
Although it may not be mentioned as a requirement of matrimony in the Holy Bible, it is traditionally blessed by the Priests as a wedding gift and exchanged at the time of Holy Matrimony.
It binds you for life to your partner under the watchful eyes of God and the Church. Therefore, it is believed only to be worn by married individuals.
However, it turns out that notion needs to be corrected. It so happens that Nuns wear wedding rings as well. That boggles the mind. How come Nuns who are not married wear them? Do they have the right to wear wedding rings?
Is it okay if they do? You will be surprised by the answer. However, first of all, let us have a little introduction to understand who Nuns are.
Source: LIHM Sisters
Who are Nuns?
You may not be catholic, but you have probably watched the blockbuster horror movie “The Nun.” You know what they look like and can quickly spot them, but who are they? What do they do?
Nuns or Reverend Sisters are women who choose to remain single all their lives, dedicating their whole lives to serving God in religious service and contemplation. They live in a church convent and attach themselves to various Catholic parishes.
They have their duties separate from those of the priests. Nuns are not just in the Catholic tradition but can also be found in the Buddhist religion.
Why do Nuns wear Wedding rings?
A Nun may not be wedded to a man, but traditionally and religiously, she is wedded to God. On the day she becomes a Nun, she swears vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She also pledges to remain within the convent till the day of her death. The ring she puts on that day is a symbol of her vows.
It shows her matrimony and loyalty to the church. In other words, she has become a bride of God. Just as in marriage, the ring reminds her to fulfill her pledges to the church.
While the typical wedding band is worn on the left hand to symbolize the union between man and wife, Nuns wear theirs on the right hand, symbolizing their union to the church. Mind you, not all nuns wear these bands; it all depends on the rules or traditions of the communities they belong to.
Many consider it an ancient tradition in these modern times, but you may still spot a few nuns donning their bands with pride.
Nuns wear wedding bands, but they symbolize a union utterly different from the usual matrimony. It symbolizes her vows to faithfully serve God and the church until her very last day. Although it is an old tradition, many nuns still take pride in wearing their bands.
