Communal Secular Institute Or Secular Religious Community?

[BarbaraTherese]

Barbara Therese,
You are right about the secular clothing part. While the Church mandates the religious habit, or distinct garb for religious, and I am, in general, fully in agreement with this, there is always the exception that proves the rule, and the Daughters of the Heart of Mary are one such exception.
The two nuns who visited my classes were both originally from India. One (living in Montreal) had always lived in community, while the other (living in Toronto) had always lived on her own. I introduced them to my students as Miss D. and Miss P., as this community doesn’t use religious titles.
They made quite an impact on my students, and so we shall see whether vocational seeds have been sown.
No, U.S. based forms on the internet generally do not cater to those of us who do not have an American zip code, or live in an American state or territory.
I wish you every success on your journey.

The point that occurs to me re those religious communities that no longer wear a traditional habit, or have one but optional most of the time and mandatory only on certain occasions…is that they can go into any venue whatsoever without exemption and be the presence of The Gospel there. There are some gathering places where the general society would be rather scandalized to find a habited religious. The other point is that no expectations are placed on them as with those religious in habit where the general community has certain expectations and somewhat scandalized if these are not met.

Finally religious in habit are not asked if they are religious, it is taken for granted that indeed they are. If in casual type wear and not in habit but with the distinctive cross on shoulder or with a distinctive cross on a chain around the neck, usually they are asked if they are religious and immediately the subject of religion and the Gospel is introduced and makes for great evangelizing and opportunities for such - such is my experience.

I think there is a place in The Church for both - habited religious and non habited religious. My ideal I think would to have a mixed optional ‘wardrobe’ with habit mandatory only at times. Certainly here in Australia, I have a secular outfit for most any occasion and all purchased in second hand stores and ‘preloved’. Hence a casual wardrobe can be miniscule in cost.

Usually it is those in favour of habits that can get somewhat emotional even a little hysterical over those religious out of habit, rather than vice versa - although not always. This is not a witness to the unity that religious life should be I dont think and mutual appreciation and esteem of sisters in religion no matter their organization…and this should transcend all petty differences about what to wear which is very low down on the scale if importance indeed I think.

Matthew Chapter 7
*

21

For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.

22 The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome. 23 But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be! 24 No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. *

25

• Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment? *

 

[odubhghail]

Yes, you make sane points. The habit of a religious is a sacramental-therefore, its whole point is to make someone holier, not self righteous. Yes, the wearing of the habit can raise peoples’ minds to God, but people need to be met where they are. Yes, there is a hysteria about how virtuous wearing the habit or not wearing the habit is.
There are areas where the habit is not practical, such as when engaged in sporting activity (fitness should be part of religious life), or fixing the plumbing.
And, I saw a true depth and breadth and love of God from two non habited Sisters.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Yes, you make sane points. The habit of a religious is a sacramental-therefore, its whole point is to make someone holier, not self righteous. Yes, the wearing of the habit can raise peoples’ minds to God, but people need to be met where they are. Yes, there is a hysteria about how virtuous wearing the habit or not wearing the habit is.
There are areas where the habit is not practical, such as when engaged in sporting activity (fitness should be part of religious life), or fixing the plumbing.
And, I saw a true depth and breadth and love of God from two non habited Sisters.

… …me!..sane? LOL!
Laus Dei.

…The habit too is a witness and sign of one’s consecration to Christ and His Gospel. Here in Australia anyway, the distinctive cross on the shoulder or on a chain etc. around the neck is recognized here as a sign and witness of consecration to Christ and The Gospel too; although as a double check, most people ask “Are you a nun?” which immediately introduces the subject of religion and specifically Catholicism…and an explantion of ‘nun’ and ‘religious sister’ which also leads to conversations about religious life. Many will shy away from conversing with a religious sister in habit and certainly don’t ask if they are nuns - they take it for granted that they are.
Hence the absence of the religious habit does have distinct benefits re the Gospel also.

I too have met some very holy non habited religious sisters…and some nuns too. Just as I know some very holy habited religious sisters and nuns. I really dont understand personally why all the hysteria and criticizing of the other which can only lead to divisions and conflicts in what should be always a witness to fraternity and community. Such often emotive criticisms can only tear down and not build up…and

Matthew Chapter 12 V25: “Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made desolate: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”

…and if our religious are not living the Gospel and not basing their thinking and behaviour on Christ - then ???

Religious life is said to be a state of perfection and it is (although the term is often misunderstood and misinterpreted)…no matter what you wear or your particular community.

…and I am very aware as I write and note the splinter in my sisters’ and brothers’ eye…that a beam is lodged and stuck fast in my own.

I notice here too that priests wearing a cross or crucifix seems to be on the slow increase, with the few priests that we do have.

Barb
Edit: I had a peek at your Profile, obdubhghail, which tells very little indeed…and your User Name tells me even less. Are you a religious or priest by any chance - I cannot tell your gender either?

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I’d just like to refer to a previous Post from Holy Hearts and my response: HERE

Quite a few actually are not aware that the habit of superiors talking things over with a religious at times, is following the instructions of The Holy Father. This is a document that certainly all religious and I think also those discerning religious life should have some familiarity with.
Talking things over does not imply in any way whatsoever that the decision is not always without exception the superior’s alone who has several factors to weigh and consider (not only the (name removed by moderator)ut of the Sister) prior to making a prayerful decision.

cin.org/v2relig.html

ADAPTATION AND RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE Perfectae Caritatis
Proclaimed by His Holiness,
Pope Paul VI
on October 28, 1965

Paragraph 14…

And so superiors should gladly listen to their subjects and foster harmony among them for the good of the community and the Church, provided that thereby their own authority to decide and command what has to be done is not harmed.

Some are also unaware that The Holy Father in this same document instructs that religious habits are to be modernized after his instructions (which he states) and that this is not optional.

a

cin.org/v2relig.html
ADAPTATION AND RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS LIFE Perfectae Caritatis

Paragraph 17:
17. The religious habit, an outward mark of consecration to God, should be simple and modest, poor and at the same becoming. In addition it must meet the requirements of health and be suited to the circumstances of time and place and to the needs of the ministry involved.

The habits of both men and women religious which do not conform to these norms must be changed

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