The levels of religious life for women in most Catholic convents:
| Phase I | Postulant 1 year |
Think about vows and a life in service to God – wear a mini-habit, often all white, display much hair around your face [you are still a member of the outside world].
You are a fiancée of God at this stage. |
| Phase 2 | Novitiate 2 year |
Take initial vows – become less worldly – wear ½ white and ½ black, hair is cut dramatically short, and perhaps display very little hair [aspire to be modest and free of vanity in the eyes of God].
You are a bride of God at this stage. |
| Phase 3 | Professed (full fledged nun for the rest of your living days) |
Final vows – heavy duty commitment to God – wear black, never show hair around face again [achieve highest level of modesty possible for a woman, to be vanity-free for the rest of your life].
You are a wife of God at this stage. |