Until recently, nuns in Britain had fallen out of the habit. In parts of the country, years went by without any women seeking to get themselves to a nunnery. Then, suddenly, convents have reported a spike in interest.

In the past three years the number of women entering the religious life has nearly tripled from 6 to 17 and there are also many more who have entered convents but have not not yet taken their initial vows. This inf lux is thought to be a result of the Pope's visit to Britain last year. Such has been the sudden surge in inquiries that religious orders have had to ask bishops how to cope, so unused to receiving new vocations have they become, and so accepting of the received wisdom that, with many convents closing and being sold off, their way of life was likely to be coming to an end.

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