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For my latest book, I want to have a young nun as a character who helps out my MC. Problem is, I know nothing about modern nuns and next to nothing about Catholicism. I want her to be authentic, not stereotypical. Can anybody help me out? This is set in the California Bay Area (San Jose), if it matters. The character is in her early to mid-twenties, grew up in a rough Hispanic neighborhood with a lot of gang influence, and has felt from the time she was a young girl that she was called to the Church.
Specific things I'd like to know:
1. What is a nun's typical day like? Are there things she needs to do at specific times? How much freedom does she have?
2. What is the nun level above Novice, and what are typical duties this level might have?
3. What are some stereotypical things I should avoid? I know nuns don't wear the full habit often anymore, and some of them wear street clothes. Could she be a nun in jeans and a T-shirt?
4. Do nuns do exorcisms? This woman has minor magical ability (my series is urban fantasy) but doesn't know it--she just knows she's really good with helping the sick and injured. She also has an incident of demonic possession in her past (family member) and she was able to deal with it. But in the real world, are nuns allowed to do exorcisms, or is that only priests?
5. Would anyone at her church have an issue with her running around with a mid-thirties, unmarried university professor (my MC) as she helps him out? Would she be allowed to do so?
Thanks in advance for any help, and any other info you think would be useful (including reference reading).
Specific things I'd like to know:
1. What is a nun's typical day like? Are there things she needs to do at specific times? How much freedom does she have?
2. What is the nun level above Novice, and what are typical duties this level might have?
3. What are some stereotypical things I should avoid? I know nuns don't wear the full habit often anymore, and some of them wear street clothes. Could she be a nun in jeans and a T-shirt?
4. Do nuns do exorcisms? This woman has minor magical ability (my series is urban fantasy) but doesn't know it--she just knows she's really good with helping the sick and injured. She also has an incident of demonic possession in her past (family member) and she was able to deal with it. But in the real world, are nuns allowed to do exorcisms, or is that only priests?
5. Would anyone at her church have an issue with her running around with a mid-thirties, unmarried university professor (my MC) as she helps him out? Would she be allowed to do so?
Thanks in advance for any help, and any other info you think would be useful (including reference reading).