Can a religious (not a nun) woman wear a habit?

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Here’s what I have learned: I shouldn’t worry about how I’m dressed, because to do so would not only be a sign of vanity or ego, but it would also distract me from the ultimate goal: to love God with all my heart, and truly our Lord does not care how we dress…unless I look like a nun when I’m not. So, really, it DOES matter how I dress and I SHOULD worry about it, because to NOT do so would only be a sign of vanity or ego, distracting me from the ultimate goal: to love God with all my heart, and truly our Lord cares very much how we dress.
SO, in the end I’ve learned that I can wear what I want, but I can’t wear a robe and scarf because that right belongs to our religious sisters, of which I am not. Veiling is unnecessary and, to some people, insulting, since it would only “remove” me visually from society, setting me apart in a way, which is not what I want to do because it’s overzealous and vain to do so. I should show people the true path to The Lord by living the life and not dressing in a manner that suggests I’m different from them or overly religious…I think. So, even though I’m bald, no scarves that look like a nun’s, which I gather looks like a regular scarf only longer in the back. Or shorter in the back. Or like a cap. Or not at all, given the number of sisters no longer wearing anything more distinct than a plain skirt and blouse, of which I wear all the time so I should stop doing that, lest I confuse people about my faith.
Okay, let’s break this down: How I dress doesn’t matter, accept it does matter so long as it resembles, or confuses others into thinking I’m a sister when I’m not, so I should take care not wear anything that stands me apart from the rest of society because to do so is egotistical and unnecessary and old-fashioned, and “why would you want to dress that way anyway…? Because you’re religious? That’s strange.” Last week in the store, a man asked if I was a sister (no joke). You know what I was wearing? A brown maxi skirt, a purple sweater and a plaid bandana. I can’t win. I dress for God, not for other people, and if other people can mistake me for a sister wearing a purple sweater and plaid bandana, than never mind. I’m sorry I asked. SO many wonderful advice and so many people offended at the mere idea of a lay person wearing a long robe and headscarf in the desert (not a nun-costume, not an exactly duplicate of an order’s habit). If you are offended, I am very sorry, that wasn’t what I had in mind. If you are offended, all I can do is promise to wear a sandwich board that says I’M NOT A SISTER, SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION AND GOD BLESS.
God Bless. I mean that.

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i think the only restrictions on clothing are unearned police badges, military honors and/or uniforms

other than that; indulge yourself
 
In the United States, it wouldn’t be a problem.

But in some foreign countries , you could run into problems. I have heard of men dressed as priests who weren’t,getting pinched for impersonating a priest.

I guess impersonating a nun could be problemsome too.
 
i don’t see how it is a problem

clothing is just clothing

were i to wear a priest’s collar (which i certainly wouldn’t) and a person asked me for pastoral counseling and/or bestowal of a sacrament; at that point i’d’d’ve had to admit to the person that i am an impostor
 
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I may not be a Dominican, but I’m hoping to be a lay Dominican. To use them as an example, were you to wear their habit, that would also mean you’d be wearing the Dominican scapular. I don’t believe the Dominicans want anyone who isn’t a Dominican, lay or otherwise, wearing their scapular, and I don’t know how they would like a non-Dominican wearing their habit. They may view it in bad taste. The habit, and the scapular in particular, is a sign of being a member of St. Dominic’s family. Some lay people have it so they may be buried wearing it.
 
I think it could cause you a lot of problems. All it takes is one crazy person making and accusation of you falsifying your identity. I wouldn’t do it. Part of living apart from the world is simply not caring what people think and purposely trying to remain anonymous.
Just live your charism and don’t try to “look” like something else. Be who you are, content in yourself.
Even women in convents don’t get a “habit” until profession of permanent vows.
 
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Your free to wear anything you want as long as you do not misrepresent yourself as to who and what you are…which would still be a lay person. I sure wouldn’t want to wear a habit in the Arizona desert. What you may wish to consider, also, is making private vows. You can ask Father about that sometime. As far as being ‘too old’- there are a number of communities that accept older vocations now and on individual basis and merits. Of course, if you are 99 years old, going on 100, you may want to think twice about living in the desert and alone. This I will mention: If you have a true vocation you will have a deep, internal craving for being in union with Our Lord and it will be with you 'til the day you die. Peace and prayers for you.
 
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i’m not sure whether OP meant is it “legally” OK to wear a nun’s habit if you are not a nun (which it certainly is) or morally OK (gray area)

i see people wearing all types of religious garb; who knows if they are following the rules of their faith

i say wear what you want to wear; but don’t overstep your ethical/moral/theological pay grade
 
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Whether the OP meant legal or moral, my point is at least for the Dominicans, it would be courteous not to wear it as a non-Dominican. The habit was designed by Our Lady herself for the Dominicans and they have rules about who wears it. The OP may not be bound by them, but why would the OP insist on it in light of this? I imagine that the Dominicans are not alone in this matter.

And just because someone is wearing the habit doesn’t mean we should question if they are or are not part of the Order the habit represents. If I see someone in a Dominican habit, I assume they’re a Dominican. Why wouldn’t I? I shouldn’t have to question if they’re a Dominican, and should I walk up to him/her, I shouldn’t hear, “Oh, excuse me, I’m not actually a Dominican.”
 
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OK guy. i understand what you are saying

lots of people pretend to be something they are not

i doubt the “fake Dominican” is much of a security threat

if he/she is walking around in the Dominican zebra colors and the person admits they are not Dominican just move on
 
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I read your posts, you are 33 . That’s not too old to become a nun. You are also new to the catholic faith. Have you been through RCIA and received the Sacraments yet

Best to talk to the vocations director at your Parish. Whomever told you 33 is too old to become a nun was lying
 
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It would somewhat depend on the clothing, I think.

What is most important is your interior life, though. Not what you’re wearing. As I’m sure you already know. It’s a question to ask your priest about, too.
 
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See

“”I have, for years. I’m 33, now, and there is a point in hair loss where it just won’t grow back. I am at that point. But thank you for your concern. And for the record, wigs are so, so uncomfortable for me. God Bless.””

In your other thread

And

“THANK you 🙂 New to this faith, so thank you again. It’s a little embarrassing to ask, you know?””
 
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You’re right, generally Dominicans have much more pressing mischaracterizations. Like getting mistaken as a member of the KKK. It still does not make it okay.

If the OP is meaning a habit of her own design, I’d still would be cautious. I’d recommend perhaps wearing a rosary ring on her wedding finger rather than a habit as an outward sign.
 
I was baptized Catholic, “raised” Catholic, but in a Novus Ordo community (they don’t teach adults much about the actual doctrine and certainly don’t follow many traditional practices), didn’t go to Catholic school, went through dark times, came out of it and decided to finally commit to the faith, having to learn almost everything on my own, for a while, hence why I’m a little foggy on details about the Catholic community. I’m confirmed, though. As for the orders, well…I’m going down a long list, granted, but so far the Benedictines, Poor Clares, Franciscan, and Carmelite orders have a cut-off age of 30. No doubt someone somewhere wouldn’t mind, though. Thank you for your answer 🙂 God Bless.
 
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