Who were the first Catholic nuns?

Answer 1

Arguably St. Claire or Clara, who was the biological sister of St. Francis of Assisi- the female branch of the Franciscans were/are sometimes referred to as Poor Clares, though Franciscan sisters, of course, sounds better. They have long been active in the health-care apostolate, in the Hudson County area St.Francis hospital and St. Mary"s were under their care.

Roman Catholic AnswerProbably St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict, who started the female branch of the Benedictine order in the 6th century. To the best of my knowledge, all of the orders before then were male. I know that the Augustinian order (started by St. Augustine) was established a century or so earlier, but I don't think they had a formal religious order for woman until later. Everyone else that we know about before then was male.

As for the answer above, St. Clare was a follower of St. Francis, not his sister, and the Poor Clares were approved in 1223, about seven centuries after St. Scholastica formed the female Benedictines according to her brother's rule.

Answer 2

To the best of my knowledge, the first Order of Catholic nuns was founded by St. Scholastic, St. Benedict's twin sister. So they are still known as Order of Saint Benedict. Attached below is a link to St. Emma's, a monastery of nuns not far from my Abbey.

Answer 3

The first African American black woman to become a nun was Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange. She was the foundress and first superior of the Oblate Sisters of Providence.

Answer 4

Sundari Nanda, the half sister of the Buddha.