Surfing nuns break vow of silence

By Matt Chapman on Apr 30, 2007 10:53 AM
Filed under Oddware

The practice of devout nuns keeping a vow of silence does not extend online, according to a Sicilian convent.

Twelve cloistered nuns at the 13th century Santo Spirito convent in Agrigento, Sicily have begun to answer enquiries sent to their website.

While they are held to a vow of silence in everyday life, they have been dispensing advice on their lifestyle to interested parties and keeping in touch with other Cistercian nuns in France and America.

Sister Maria at the Santo Spirito convent said that the website had been set up to gather prayers and to share the nuns' mission with the world.

"We hope to show that there is some good on the internet and not just bad things," she told The Guardian.

The website even includes the option to book a guest room in the convent.

Sister Maria said that the internet had not affected the nuns' prayer routine, which begins at 4.30am. "There are no limits on internet time, but discretion is required," she said.