Good looking Habits- No!

[JReducation]

I think Bro JR has enough humor to realize he is up to date fashion wise with his hoodie.
12th century fashion back in style in the 21st.

The parish here is staffed mostly by Franciscans. The Carmelite priest left. There are a few Carmelite nuns. Without the cord, the men’s habits are much like the trobes the Muslim men in this country wear. The pastor wears a white habit while other priests wear brown. It’s still an easy clothing choice in the morning. The nuns wear a white habit.

Back to the OP, and an earlier statement by Bro JR. Whether it is color or design, the habit is the basic uniform that is worn daily. A person can be easily drawn to a particular order because of the habit. It is clothing the person sees herself, or himself wearing. While the habit is not the main reason for a person selecting a particular order, it will assert at least a minor influence.

For me, the habit played a different kind of role. I was educated by Capuchin Franciscan Friars. I loved them. They were excellent educators and very kind men. I attended school with them from K - 12. So when I saw a tunic and a chord, I knew it was Franciscan. When I met my community and saw the tunic and chord, even though our tunic is grey and not brown, I knew it was Franciscan. That triggered all those wonderful feelings of admiration that I had for the Capuchin Friars. From there, the rest is history. Here I am, the superior of my community.

Someone once asked me how I found the Franciscan Brothers of Life. I joiking said that the tunic, cowl and cord is like the M in McDonald’s.

By the way, no I do not like turtleneck shirts either. Our habit has a rabbatta under it. I never wear it. Nothing around my neck, thank you very much.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sister_Helena]

No problem, after I posted it I figured it might be read in the manner you did.

If I had to pick I would say Carmelite (O.Carm.) is the best looking, especially when we wear our white mantles, but then you could argue that I am biased.

Well, that will be two biased people, because I too think our Carmelite habit is the best!

But to answer the original concern by the poster, I say let the phase pass. Religious vocation grows and mature. Attraction is the first step.

 

[DebChris]

Well, that will be two biased people, because I too think our Carmelite habit is the best!

But to answer the original concern by the poster, I say let the phase pass. Religious vocation grows and mature. Attraction is the first step.

It begins with attraction, whether to religious life or to marriage. With marriage, we are somehow attracted to the person. It could the person’s smile or his/her eyes. The relationship develops (or dissolves) as we spend time with that person until the final decision is made.
I took a closer look at the habit the nuns in my parish wear. It is a white habit with a black veil. The scapular has a mock turtleneck.

Bro JR. My father didn’t like anything around his neck either. He even managed to get a medical profile so he didn’t have to wear a T-shirt under his Army uniform because of his neck size. He wore a U-neck undershirt instead. He also never wore Army boots–another medical profile. He still wore a tie on Sundays or with his dress uniform.

One of the most beautiful habits I’ve seen is the one worn by Augustian nuns.

 

[Jennifer_G]

I like the Benedictine or Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration habits (Carmelite is 3rd), but Carmelite is my favorite order. Something just draws me when I see Carmelites.