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Havard
Guest
I’m no fashion plate, but I do think it’s possible to wear non-plain clothing as an expression of creativity and joy, and not vanity. Like in the Sound of Music. 
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Bonnie
Guest
Being a Plain Catholic is just another expression of faith. While not completely “Plain” myself, I consider myself a “fellow traveler.” I am part of an on-line community of Plain Catholic ladies. We encourage each other in our faith & in living intentionally as Catholics.
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anp1215
Guest
I have no doubt that “Plain Catholics” are awesome and holy people, but something concerns me about somewhat “closing off” from the outside world and embracing an extremely old-fashioned lifestyle. I think it would make it more difficult to evangelize. It’s easy to be more plain and modest while still wearing modern clothes. Not that there’s anything wrong with dressing like this plaincatholic.webs.com/ourclothing.htm, if that’s what you want to do, but the average Joe will probably dismiss you as totally weird and behind the times.
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lax16
Guest
Part of me is laughing because my kids always tell me I am Amish and should join their community. I respond by telling them they won’t take me because 1. I am Catholic and 2. they won’t take converts! Little did we know we have our own group!
The other part of me is shaking me by the shoulders saying “Hey! You may want to live away from it all, but Jesus needs you to bring the Good News to others.”
I often dream of living in community with like-minded people, but I guess I will have to wait until I get to heaven (God willing!)
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lax16
Guest
I agree. I am a plain Catholic in most of the ideas presented in the video except for the dress. I would definitely be considered an oddball - or a polygamist (I live in Utah)!
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katy
Guest
I suppose they are what the Amish would be if they hadn’t left the Catholic Church. As long as people are faithful to God in his Church, who cares?
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AmyMCGS
Guest
I have long been fascinated by Amish culture, and when I discovered the Plain Catholics a while back, I was interested in them, as well. There is something so beautiful about taking life back to the basics and living out your faith in that way. In some ways I see it as a married/family version of being a monk or a cloistered nun… using the old world traditions to practice a daily life focused on faith.
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anp1215
Guest
My friend comes from a family that would be considered plain, 13 kids, live on a farm, homeschool, very religious, (I think they do have TV and Internet but use it sparingly), except for the dress. There daughters always look amazing and have beautiful clothes. I think they look like an Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters catalogue, only always modest. Lots of boots and leggings and dresses. They’re all extremely involved in the pro-life movement, and I think it’s so awesome seeing these beautiful, modest, stylish girls involved. I just think it makes the movement look more inviting and “cool” to the world. If they were wearing bonnets and long sleeved floral dresses, I don’t think it would have the same impact. I think they would be dismissed.I agree. I am a plain Catholic in most of the ideas presented in the video except for the dress. I would definitely be considered an oddball - or a polygamist (I live in Utah)!
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FrancisBenedict
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I live almost plain as well. I find a great peace living simply.
I guess we are already in a community, its the church!
Everyone can simplify, even a little.
I have no tv or washing machine and my life has never been better than since i had no tv! Yes i have a radio from time to time.We all make our own choices.
So much peace! And I feel nearer to God.
PAX+
I guess we are already in a community, its the church!
Everyone can simplify, even a little.
I have no tv or washing machine and my life has never been better than since i had no tv! Yes i have a radio from time to time.We all make our own choices.
So much peace! And I feel nearer to God.
PAX+
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Shin
Guest
The plain life is the wonderful, natural, and healthy life.
Simplicity is a virtue!
Simplicity is a virtue!
Cloisters
Well-known member
This site was developed by a friend of mine who is a former educator in public schools. She also participates in her parish. Their way of life is protected as “family eremitical”. They follow the Catholic homesteading envisioned by the Dominican Fr McNabb.
Our Plain would be wonderful liaisons between us and Amish-like utopian communities. One young man actually had an inspiration for a religious community which would be Plain.
For all the talk in this thread for them staying to themselves, would you tell a cloistered nun to abandon her enclosure if that is what God called her to?
The creator of aforementioned website has also discerned a lay association which would have distinctive garb and an outside mission called Oblates of the New Evangelization or ONE. The women would have a garb similar to that of Mother Seton, only in blue with the cape having a point in the front and back. The spirituality is Benedictine while utilizing Teresian Carmelitism for the interior (which is for everyone, BTW).
She also has a yahoo listserv called Covered Catholics Plain and Crunchy.
If anyone wants more info on ONE, they can PM me.
Blessings,
Cloisters
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Sarcelle
Guest
I looked at the Plain Catholic website and I was wondering if you had to be of European descent to be one. The clothes they are wearing seem to be of mid-19th century European origins. Then I saw this:
In short, Plain Catholics are one of the many cultures and charisms that exist in the Roman Catholic Church; we have Vietnamese Catholics, Italian Catholics, Irish Catholics and Plain Catholics. Plain Catholics may come from any ancestry. Their culture is based upon simplicity and the counter-cultural witness against excessive consumerism, immodesty, and other notions that are so prevalent in the world.
This answered my question. I am all for simplicity and frugality, values that seem to be lost in a world that drums out a constant message “consume, consume, consume”. One has to only look at the “haul” videos on Youtube not to mention the “look at me, look at me” celebrity and reality show culture.
Cloisters
Well-known member
I personally cannot stand reality shows. Those who participate in them end up committing suicide. I think this is because we are made for privacy, and such has gone out the door in reality shows.
Celebs: please pray along with us: cloisters.tripod.com/stgenesius/
Blessings,
Cloisters
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Kevin12
Guest
Simplicity is indeed a virtue, but one ought to recall that not everyone is called to a monastic or quasi-monastic lifestyle, and that there is no shame in leading a life or normal goodness in the world of men.
But indeed, there are some people, at least one of whom has posted in this very thread, who I think there is strong reason to believe is driven to embrace this kind of lifestyle (as well to teach others that if they do not embrace the same lifestyle, they imperiling their soul) out of Manichean tendencies rather than love or devotion to the Lord. There is also the temptation of spiritual pride, which might easily lead someone who believes, falsely, that contemporary life is somehow more complicated and less focused on God than was, say, the year 1013, to embrace such a lifestyle so as to think well of how pious they are. I doubt, though, that this would be the case for those who actually joined such a group - it would be more of an issue for people who embraced only parts of their way of life, while still finding time to go on the internet to tell others about how they and everyone they know are probably going to Hell. At least the Amish, from my impression of them, exercise extreme humility and guard themselves against spiritual pride.
But indeed, there are some people, at least one of whom has posted in this very thread, who I think there is strong reason to believe is driven to embrace this kind of lifestyle (as well to teach others that if they do not embrace the same lifestyle, they imperiling their soul) out of Manichean tendencies rather than love or devotion to the Lord. There is also the temptation of spiritual pride, which might easily lead someone who believes, falsely, that contemporary life is somehow more complicated and less focused on God than was, say, the year 1013, to embrace such a lifestyle so as to think well of how pious they are. I doubt, though, that this would be the case for those who actually joined such a group - it would be more of an issue for people who embraced only parts of their way of life, while still finding time to go on the internet to tell others about how they and everyone they know are probably going to Hell. At least the Amish, from my impression of them, exercise extreme humility and guard themselves against spiritual pride.
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Plain_Catholic
Guest
We have an apostolate to the Amish and other Anabaptist groups. Our plain and simply modest clothing with head coverings breaks down many barriers to facilitate dialogue with these groups. My wife and daughters have been very effective in their presence and witness to our Catholic faith while they wear prayer kapps and caped dresses. The New Evangelization calls everyone.
It’s a particular mission and charism and those who are called to it do not worry about being “dismissed” by the rest of the world. As much of the world “dismisses” faithful Catholics as “extreme”, then we are in good company. The world also dismissed Jesus. Worrying about such opinions is the sin of human respect.
We only care about God’s opinion of our own faithfulness, not popular culture’s latest vanity and allegedly “stylish” fads. We leave everyone else up to God’s good will and trust that God will perfect all as He sees appropriate. We pray for all.
It’s a particular mission and charism and those who are called to it do not worry about being “dismissed” by the rest of the world. As much of the world “dismisses” faithful Catholics as “extreme”, then we are in good company. The world also dismissed Jesus. Worrying about such opinions is the sin of human respect.
We only care about God’s opinion of our own faithfulness, not popular culture’s latest vanity and allegedly “stylish” fads. We leave everyone else up to God’s good will and trust that God will perfect all as He sees appropriate. We pray for all.
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Plain_Catholic
Guest
We have an apostolate to the Amish and other Anabaptist groups. Our plain and simply modest clothing with head coverings breaks down many barriers to facilitate dialogue with these groups. My wife and daughters have been very effective in their presence and witness to our Catholic faith while they wear prayer kapps and caped dresses. The New Evangelization calls everyone.
It’s a particular mission and charism and those who are called to it do not worry about being “dismissed” by the rest of the world. As much of the world “dismisses” faithful Catholics as “extreme”, then we are in good company. The world also dismissed Jesus. Worrying about such opinions is the sin of human respect. We only care about God’s opinion of our own souls, not popular culture’s latest vanity and allegedly “stylish” fads. We focus upon our own call and leave everyone else to God’s good will.
It’s a particular mission and charism and those who are called to it do not worry about being “dismissed” by the rest of the world. As much of the world “dismisses” faithful Catholics as “extreme”, then we are in good company. The world also dismissed Jesus. Worrying about such opinions is the sin of human respect. We only care about God’s opinion of our own souls, not popular culture’s latest vanity and allegedly “stylish” fads. We focus upon our own call and leave everyone else to God’s good will.
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Kevin12
Guest
One thing I would like to ask: your lifestyle seems pretty similar to a monastic or contemplative one, which I agree is probably the higher way. But from the tone of your website, I can’t help but feel like you think those of us who are not living, as you say, “separately”, even if we try to be be faithful to the Church and not to embrace secular culture where it offends morality, are living an inherently immoral lifestyle.
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Plain_Catholic
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Then perhaps you should pray about it and read it again slowly and thoroughly as that is not the implication at all. In point of fact you are the first to perceive it that way.
The website describes the charism for those who feel a similar call from God and seek more information. If you aren’t called to it then you aren’t called to it. Others are. Quite simple.
Search your own heart and discern the call God has placed in your heart. All charisms and vocations are special to God if
- you put God first and
- continue to grow in your walk as a Catholic disciple of Jesus.
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Kevin12
Guest
I am sorry if I sounded accusatory - I have had some trouble in the past with people on this site who have advocated a position that, after Vatican II, the holy spirit has all but abandoned the Church, but that one much remain tied to it out of duty, people who seem to think John Paul II is no different than Alexander VI. These people also have beliefs about the extreme fewness of the saved and about unbaptized infants that I feel are uncharitable in the extreme and, particularly on the latter issue, contrary to what the Church recently proclaimed. And in any case, these people often strongly advocate a lifestyle similar to the one you lead, but seemingly implicate those of us who do not do so, with leading an immoral lifestyle. In any case, I hope you can overlook my quickness to judge. I think your way of life is very admirable, even though I do not think I would be suited for it.
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