Abstract
Using Weberian ideal-types - the mystic, the inner-worldly ascetic and the other-worldly ascetic - we analyse the religious and political universes of nuns living in France. It seems necessary to make a distinction between contemplative nuns and sisters who follow an apostolic life. There are two models of sisters. There is a “conservative model” which associates a traditional religious universe and a conservative political universe. Contemplative nuns and older sisters are more often of this “type”. A second type might be designated the “progressive model”, typical of more apostolic and younger sisters whose religious and political attitudes are linked and are more progressive. Unlike sisters conforming to the first model and in opposition to the declarations of the Catholic Church, they attach great value to the voice of conscience in making their decisions. Thus, these two models represent very different conceptions of secularity. The first rejects the values of secularity whereas the second readily accepts them. There are links between the “conservative model” and other-worldly asceticism and at the same time it is possible to see links between the second model and inner-worldly asceticism.