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Monasterio de Santa Catalina

The Santa Catalina de Siena Convent was founded in 1579, less than 40 years after the Spanish arrived in Arequipa.  Since the beginning, women from diverse social backgrounds have entered the convent to serve as cloistred nuns, never again to return to their homes or families.  These nuns lived a life of solitude in their own "cells" with only their maid to "order" around.  They were educated, cooked, ate, slept and prayed in their individual cells. 

Many were from wealthy families and paid an equivalent of a $3000 dowery to be accepted into the convent and then a few hundred dollars per year thereafter for tuition.  They were allowed to bring 25 personal items from home (i.e. pieces of furniture, tea sets, dishes) which were then left to the convent upon their death. 

The girls were brought to the convent very young and received all their education from an older nun in her individual cell.  Once they became of age (about 16), they took their vows and became married to God.  (I find it odd that the Catholics allow God to be a polygamist!)  These nuns also were into self flaggulation (whipping themselves, sleeping on a bed of nails etc.) - all in the name of God. 

Sometimes, children were left in the bread window of the convent by mothers who could not care for them.  These orphans were taken in by the convent and educated up until the age of 16.  At that time, the boys were sent to a monestary to become monks and the girls took their vows to become nuns at the convent.

The nuns lived this solitary life until the mid-1800s.  At that time, they started living communally in dorms and were educated together.  It was quite an adjustment for them.

The nuns NEVER left the convent, not even when they died.  Within the walls was a mortuary and a cemetary.  Upon their death, their portrait was painted and hung in the convent.  Since it was vane to have a portrait done while alive, all the portraits were of the dead and looked like ghosts!  Pretty eerie! 

All errands outside the walls were done by the non-white servants.  The servants could not become nuns!

As you can see in the pictures, the grounds within the walls were beautiful!  There were many courtyards, streets, buildings, gardens and farms with very individualized character.  It was like a maze within the walls.  Even if the nuns wanted to leave, I'm not sure they could have found their way out! 

Each nun had her own cell.  The window and door were always closed making the space rather dark and cold especially since everything was made out of sillar.  The bed was always under an arch to provide maximum protection from the earthquakes.  Her few personal belongs adorned her space.  Each cell had its own kitchen with a stone oven and hutches for cuy. 

Most of the nuns had arthritis, partially paralyzed, were blind and had other ailments in their upper years due to the cold cells and lack of medical care.  Many were bed ridden for the last ten years or more of life. 

It was, and still is for the 30 or so nuns still residing here, an isolated life devoted to God.  At least now they do live communally and are not totally alone.  God bless them! 

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