The founders who elected to have habit for their communities were responding to something. It’s important to know this. If there is not a knowledge of history, then there is a danger of falling into minimalism. You reduce the use of the habit to something that is an over simplification. This is what often happens here on CAF. The habit is reduced to “the visible symbol of consecrated life” or “a sign of being proud to be a religious” or “a bridal dress”.
These ideas are not bad in and of themselves. But they are over simplifications of what the founder had in mind when he or she chose the habit. The person who wants to promote the use of the habit would do well to study the history of the different types of communities and what the founders had in mind. They should become familiar with the mission and vision of the founder, not just with the habit. The habit does not tell you much about the founder or about the life that the person who wears it or does not wear it. The history is important.
If I don’t understand why Mother Teresa chose a sari and not a tunic and veil, I won’t truly appreciate the habit of the Missionaries of Charity. But when I know that Jesus specifically said that he did not want European sisters, that he wanted Indian sisters, then I have much more to think about. This begs the question. “Why did Jesus not want European sisters? Why did he insist on Indian sisters and why did he choose to send Indian sisters to Europe and to the Americas?” This kind of question takes the focus from the habit and points us to contemplate something much deeper, that being, God’s plan. God had a plan when he chose Indian sisters. He wanted to give a gift to the world and it was going to come from India. India was going to make its mark on Catholicism.
This is important, because the Church in India is one of the original Churches founded by the Apostles and yet a forgotten Church. Maybe, just maybe, this is Christ’s way of saving Indian Christianity.
The same holds true for other habits. Some were inspired by the Holy Spirit for a very specific purpose. This begs another question. “What is that purpose?” This is where we go back to the founders. The founders will tell us the purpose. Then, it’s up to their sons and daughters to do whatever it takes to achieve that purpose. They may include their original habit, a modified version of the same or no habit at all. Do you see what I’m saying? The purpose is what is important. The habit becomes a means to achieve a purpose.
A long black pleated skirt may be only one way of achieving that purpose. But maybe that purpose can be achieved by a short blue jumper. To determine this, each religious community must go back to its roots and search for its purpose. Once you find that purpose, you’ll know what your outward symbol should be.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
