Permitted use of the Habit

[Dennis_Fontana]

As a Secular Franciscan, I, along with all the other members of the order in the United States, are not permitted to wear the original habit of what was the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.” Instead, we’ve been directed to wear the Tau cross, a symbol of our commitment to The Way of our Lord Jesus Christ, as adopted by St. Francis himself as his signature mark.
In Europe and other countries, where Catholicism is at the root of society, fratermity members are allowed to wear their habits, when meeting as a group at their meetings, or at some formal religious function.
For those of us who wish to wear the habit again, though not in the public sector, would it be permissible to wear the habit of one’s particular secular order, say, when on retreat, at fraternity meetings, and, or at religious functions( not necessarily involving the public)? A secular order’s habit is typically based on that of the religious founder, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, Servites, Augustinians, etc… To discourage confusion between actual religious and secular order members, who commit themselves to God service through promises, not public vows, members of secular orders are not allowed to use their actual habit except as a shroud…Comments, suggestions
anyone?
Pax et bonum,
Dennis,sfo

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

As a Secular Franciscan, I, along with all the other members of the order in the United States, are not permitted to wear the original habit of what was the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.” Instead, we’ve been directed to wear the Tau cross, a symbol of our commitment to The Way of our Lord Jesus Christ, as adopted by St. Francis himself as his signature mark.
In Europe and other countries, where Catholicism is at the root of society, fratermity members are allowed to wear their habits, when meeting as a group at their meetings, or at some formal religious function.
For those of us who wish to wear the habit again, though not in the public sector, would it be permissible to wear the habit of one’s particular secular order, say, when on retreat, at fraternity meetings, and, or at religious functions( not necessarily involving the public)? A secular order’s habit is typically based on that of the religious founder, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, Servites, Augustinians, etc… To discourage confusion between actual religious and secular order members, who commit themselves to God service through promises, not public vows, members of secular orders are not allowed to use their actual habit except as a shroud…Comments, suggestions
anyone?
Pax et bonum,
Dennis,sfo

Dennis,
This question would need to be addressed to the Lay Order leadership. It is most likely spelled out in the Lay Order’s Constitutions.

My guess would be that the answer is a negative as it seems to have been addressed.

 

[JReducation]

As a Secular Franciscan, I, along with all the other members of the order in the United States, are not permitted to wear the original habit of what was the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.” Instead, we’ve been directed to wear the Tau cross, a symbol of our commitment to The Way of our Lord Jesus Christ, as adopted by St. Francis himself as his signature mark.
In Europe and other countries, where Catholicism is at the root of society, fratermity members are allowed to wear their habits, when meeting as a group at their meetings, or at some formal religious function.
For those of us who wish to wear the habit again, though not in the public sector, would it be permissible to wear the habit of one’s particular secular order, say, when on retreat, at fraternity meetings, and, or at religious functions( not necessarily involving the public)? A secular order’s habit is typically based on that of the religious founder, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, Servites, Augustinians, etc… To discourage confusion between actual religious and secular order members, who commit themselves to God service through promises, not public vows, members of secular orders are not allowed to use their actual habit except as a shroud…Comments, suggestions
anyone?
Pax et bonum,
Dennis,sfo

I belong to the Franciscan family, but I’m not sure what your question is. Can you clarify.

Thanks,

JR

 

[Cloisters]

I know what you’re talking about.

Wearing the habit in the privacy of one’s home is permitted.

You don’t wear the habit to a Mass–that’s public.

One would have to ask the fraternity leadership what the ruling is on wearing the habit specifically for that meeting. You would have to change there at (location). Female lay members are NOT permitted to wear the veil. That is strictly for vowed religious.

If on retreat, you could possibly wear it while in the privacy of one’s own retreat room. However, if one is going to be meeting the public in any way, they should change to civvies.

If I don’t die in vows in any of my proposed orders, and I’m still a Lay Passionist at death, then I should have the privilege of being buried in the Passionist habit with the Passion Sign on it, sans veil, of course.

HTH.

Blessings,
Cloisters