At present, many monasteries in Spain are reinventing themselves to generate income to maintain their historic buildings and support the nuns living there. At present they are facing a big crisis of income, which is due to increasing expenses. In front of the San Juan de la Penitencia Monastery in Alcalá de Henares, near the country’s capital Madrid, Sister Mariuca Masones said that she is having to reinvent herself. They cannot survive only on donations.
According to media reports, since last September, nine sisters, who are more than 80 years old, have been selling all kinds of handmade items. Sisters range from crocheted Nativity figures to pendants or magnets. Masones says her most popular items are the tiny crocheted cradles that hold tiny figures of the newborn Jesus Christ. Every time these sisters work on a project, they pray for the idol and the person who buys the idol. She says that crocheted figures of the birth of Jesus Christ are very popular before Christmas.
Like other religious institutions in Spain, these sisters have also had to think of new ways of earning income. The reason for this is the rapidly increasing cost of maintenance of these historical buildings and also the decline in the number of people adopting religious life. Masones says that this does not cover all the expenses, but this sale proves to be a huge help in the repair and maintenance expenses. They also offer tours of their magnificent 17th-century monastery and chapel, which also houses a small museum. People like these tours very much, they ask a lot of questions and are very curious about these historical buildings and their lifestyle.
Hotels started being built in monasteries for income in Spain
Some other monasteries are forced to take another step for income. They are converting a part of their historic building into a hotel or dormitory. The Santa Paula Monastery in Seville is in the process of completing the construction of a new 11-room guesthouse in an effort to diversify its sources of income. As part of this work, an old, non-monumental hall on the eastern side of the monastery will be converted into a guesthouse with a separate entry. This guesthouse will not have any direct connection with the interiors of the monastery, due to which the privacy of the nuns will be maintained.
What is the main job of a nun in Spain?
It is said that the work of nuns in Spain depends on their religious order. Apart from this, they also depend on whether she is leading an active life or a monastic life. Nuns who are monastic spend most of their time in prayer, meditation, and study of religious texts, while active nuns often work in society in healthcare, education, and assisting the poor. Not only this, they also operate schools, hospitals or orphanages.
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