Does the Church require sisters to wear a habit?

[guernz]

I was wondering whether the Church required sisters to wear something of a habit: at least some sign they are religous. Is it requisite in canon law, Vatican II, etc., or is it just preferred? I have seen some religous who are wearing jeans and t-shirts. I heavily prefer a more “traditional” habit. Is a distinct religous habit like required?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The Code of Canon Law states:

As a sign of their consecration and as a witness to poverty, religious are to wear the habit of their institute, determined in accordance with the institute’s own law (canon 669 §1).

The Second Vatican Council’s document on religious life, Perfectae Caritas, states:

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 (PC 17).

Both Perfectae Caritas and the current Code of Canon Law presume that an order’s chosen habit will act as a sign to the world of the consecration to God of the life of the individual religious member. It is the obligation of religious orders that allow members to wear business clothes or casual clothes with but a pin or necklace designating their order to explain how such attire demonstrates the total commitment of the members’ lives to God.