Should religious wear the traditional habit?

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Augustine:
a rosary around the *waste *
:blessyou:
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Wouldn’t that be kinda Gross!? 😃

I’m sorry, please forgive me, I couldn’t help myself!1 :rolleyes:
 
Br. Dan:
I would like to say something more about habits and cost.

First, a habit is generally made by members of the community. So, there is no need to go to a store of some kind or a special tailor to have it made. Also, as someone said earlier, materials are cheaper in other countries so the $100 that my habit costs is not what it would cost in other countries. The Missionaries of Charity, I’m sure, never spend that much since their habit is basically a couple of white sheets with blue stripes.

Carmelite habits are a bit more elaborate, for various reasons. For instance, the origin of the scapular is that it was an apron which protected the tunic. So, instead of having to replace the whole habit, one would only replace the scapular. Now, however, the scapular has devotional value so if I am doing dishes or something my first thought is to protect my scapular so I put on an(other) apron. I know many of the OCD Nuns, too, wear their aprons when doing yard work, etc.

I don’t know about other habits but the material ours is made of is quite durable and, since it is brown, it is very hard to stain. We tend to have a habit which is more like a “work habit” and another for Mass and prayer, etc. That also helps with lessening the need for replacement habits.

Finally, I don’t know this for sure but it’s my hunch that most communities could *easily * receive donated material for habits… Anyway, my main point is that the financial concerns which were raised are important but are not difficult to overcome.
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Thanks for this post Brother Dan. I have tried to make some of these points in other threads but am not a religious myself so it is great to have first person corraboration.

I don’t know where this myth started that habits were too expensive. They are almost always made of plain cloth and simple design. I have always known them to be made by the community. It’s not like most “habit-less” religious are doing it in order to fulfill their vow of poverty. Instead, at least in Texas, they tend to dress in stylish but modest contemporary clothes.

The “it’s too hot” argument doesn’t work for me either. My family is currently on an ex-pat assignment in South America. It is very hot here and the sisters mostly minister in the poor barios. They all wear habits and they walk almost everywhere! How is it that the nuns in South America, Africa, the Phililpines and India wear habits but even in the temperate climes of the US, they don’t? :confused:

There may be some locations where Catholics are persecuted and prudence might require inconspicuous dress. That is probably pretty rare, though.

Habits in more recent times for nuns were basically a very modestly cut suit with a plain blouse, cross and simple veil. Nothing cumbersome, expensive or hot. In fact, the suit part would be the most costly and if obtained from a uniform supplier, would cost less than street clothes. The teaching nuns at our school had a summer habit that was like a grey shirt-dress plus the veil. Even these simple, inexpensive and practical habits have all but disappeared in the US.
 
since the traditional habit most of us remember was modelled on the daily garb of a medieval widow, I say no, for modern living and working it is inappropriate and unsanitary. All consecrated religious should wear a habit that identifies them as consecrated in the sense of set aside for God’s work, and as members of a particular order. That garb should be gender-appropriate, suited to the climate and the demands of work they undertake, easy to clean and care for, sturdy, long-wearing, of quality fabric and well-made to save money in the long run. The thing that does most to identify sisters today is the veil, so some appropriate head covering would go a long way to restoring the recognition and respect conveyed by the old habits.
 
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puzzleannie:
All consecrated religious should wear a habit that identifies them as consecrated in the sense of set aside for God’s work, and as members of a particular order. . . . The thing that does most to identify sisters today is the veil, so some appropriate head covering would go a long way to restoring the recognition and respect conveyed by the old habits.
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Hello puzzleannie,

For what it’s worth, I think that what I meant by “traditional habit” would encompass this (i.e. for women, a uniform dress that distinguishes one as a sister, and a veil). My understanding is that for men it is often to robe-type outfit with a hood.

Could you clarify, how is this different from what you meant? Are you thinking in the sense of only using wool material and elaborate headgear? If so this was not the meaning that I intended by “traditional”, but I used it for lack of a better word. You see, anything uniform worn by orders is considered a “habit” these days (eg. if all wear the same crucifix necklace), so I could not use simply the word “habit”.

I would consider Mother Teresa’s sisters to wear a “traditional habit”. Also the Sisters of Life, shown here:

http://www.cmswr.org/member_communities/Photos/sl/sl_walk.jpg

cmswr.org/member_communities/sl.htm

Thanks!
Lily628
:blessyou:
 
I didn’t answer the poll, as it said traditional habit, and I am all for getting rid of the silly excesses that made up the traditional habits prior to Vatican 2.

Having said that, I am not against habits per se. But I was taught by nuns who had a piece around their face that lookd like horse blinders. It was not only silly looking, but hazardous when driving.

It is interesting to see that the orders which have some form of habit, including a simple veil, seem to have more (and younger) recuits than those that have no habit, or none easily identifiable.

We’ll get through it, it will just take a bit longer.
 
I didn’t answer the poll, as it said traditional habit, and I am all for getting rid of the silly excesses that made up the traditional habits prior to Vatican 2.

Having said that, I am not against habits per se. But I was taught by nuns who had a piece around their face that lookd like horse blinders. It was not only silly looking, but hazardous when driving.

It is interesting to see that the orders which have some form of habit, including a simple veil, seem to have more (and younger) recuits than those that have no habit, or none easily identifiable.

We’ll get through it, it will just take a bit longer.
 
Those Orders who have retained the Habit or gone back to it, now get the vocations. Those who have thrown it away, are growing old and will soon disappear.

Could one imagine a Marine without Dress Blues?
 
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PreVatII:
Those Orders who have retained the Habit or gone back to it, now get the vocations. Those who have thrown it away, are growing old and will soon disappear.

Could one imagine a Marine without Dress Blues?
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I agree up to a point. Male Priests should always be in collar, at least in public; but the nuns should have a variation as to their habit. I always felt sorry for the nuns in my neighborhood (the Sisters of St. Joseph) in the hot summer days wearing the traditional eveloping habit.

Even the Marines have a summer dress uniform, so I think a winter and summer habit should be allowed for the nuns. But I really dislike it when the nuns wear mufti (regular civilian clothes) with just a cross, I can’t tell the nuns from the regular devote in some Churches.
 
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Isidore_AK:
Yes.

We have Sisters who work in our diocese that very few people know about…they don’t look like nuns! Everyone assumes they are hired help.

All of the Religious make an impression when they wear their ‘Colors’ for all to see. The habit is a uniform that most people recognize, and allows the wearer to better perform their ministry.

There should be various levels of uniform for various tasks though…
Similar to the military having Mess, Class A, Class B, and Utility uniforms to fit the situation.
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Exactly what I was going to say! the Sister at my parish is just one of the people who runs the Religious Ed. If she were in her habit, it would mean more to the children she’s trying to form by leaving an impression on them. Personally, I fail to see her as “Holy” without it, she’s secularized ~
 
I have only seen the priests in my new parish out of their traditional Passionist habit only once or twice and none of these were during their official functions. Even the priests from the monistary who often do the daily Mass come and go in the Passionist habit.

PF
 
I would like to see members of religious orders rediscover the “habits” that are symbolized by the garb called a “habit”. The purpose of wearing the habit was to symbolize the habits of thought, prayer and conduct, or basic spiritual means, adopted by their members which over 2000 years of the Church’s rich experience have proven to foster the climate in which holiness and saintliness can flourish. Those habits begin with the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience and include those practices and behaviors which foster growth of the virtues. When they shed their habits of cloth, too many religious also shed their habits of the heart, and that is the root of the problem. They replaced them with habits of dissent, disobedience, license, anger, and seeking the affirmation of the world instead of the spirit.
 
I offer a huge YES! However, I do think that in some cases, simply a veil would be enough, or as allowed, some other sign identifying them as a community.

I have been feeling a “call” of late, much stronger than it used to be, but I don’t necessarily think I’m really called. I think my newly discovered excitement for our faith is just causing me to face ALL my options, the religious life included. That opinion notwithstanding, I would not consider any community not wearing the habit unless God hit me with a 2x4 to tell me to look at the “unhabited” nuns. (God DOES swing a mighty-strong blow when we don’t listen to him).

Anyway, here’s my story as to why I feel as I do: When I was living in Mexico for a semester and about to start my new practicum, I knew the address but not how to get there. I didn’t want to have to pay for a cab…I needed to find the bus routes, and none there are published. So as I contemplated this problem and prayed about it, I caught my combi (a VW van) at the corner. Upon entering, the only 2 nuns I saw in Mexico were on that vehicle. I went to the only remaining spot in the rear and I knew now was the time to ask my question…before they disembarked.

I KNEW no one would laugh at my poor Spanish or my possible inability to understand when they were there. There was a definite air of respect on that Combi. So I asked how to get to the address I had…I used a landmark everyone there knew.

Had they not been there I would not have had the courage to speak up…my first ride on a combi when I had tried to respond to a question to me had terrified me. It is very scary when you don’ t understand the people around you.

Those nuns were sent by God, and I knew them by the habit they wore. Had they been dressed like anyone else I may likely never have found my route.

The habit marks those who choose their vocations as direct servants of God. We know them by their dress, we know if we are lost they can be a source of direction…whether geographical or spiritual, and we sometimes know that they are the ones God hiimself sets before us when we really don’t have anywhere else to go for help.
 
YES! Its so nice to see nuns in habits! That way you can tell that they are nuns!
 
I voted yes, but more important than what they are wearing would be do they teach and believe what the Church teaches? I am so sick of reading in the Chicago Trib about this Nun or that Nun who is totally feminist - some even pro choice believing that they should be Priests. Ick. Traditional beliefs are more important than traditional garb but maybe they go hand in hand???
 
I voted yes, but I think it depends on what one means by the word “traditional.” Mother Angelica’s nuns look beatiful and call up a lot of nostalgia, but I think their habit is too much. Her old manner of dress was perfectly acceptable (veil, uniform-like dress). On the other hand, I’ve met “nuns” (really the term should only apply to the cloistered) who’s only habit is a medal of their congregation or order. Not enough. I guess I think that when we look at them, we should be able to say, “Hey, that’s a nun. Did I go to confession last week or the week before?” Same thing with priests…always the collar.
 
i find it very beautiful to see the symbol of love and devotion exhibited by a religous’s habit.

i think it’s great for vocations for religious to wear their habits.

i don’t see much reason for abandoning them.

so ya - i think they (and soon, perhaps, ‘we’) should wear them!
 
YES!!

Why is it that everyone (almost) thinks it a good thing for all the right reason’s and yet the thing we talk about doesn’t change. I mean if we got 5000 signatures and gave it to an order of non-habits saying that we like the habit and why we think it’s important, do you think there would be a response? I actually believe it to be* that* important at this stage of modernism. The sisters of Notre Dame in our diocese don’t wear the habit and there ain’t no vocations goin on. They wear what looks like 50’s hand me downs and a crucifix around their neck. You would not know it was a religious. I think it’s selfish and utterly rediculous.
Why isn’t the lay voice heard re these things? I’m sending a heartfelt charitable letter to Notre Dame convent to say what I have to say and hoping to get some signatures. Anything is better than silence. We have a visible means(habit) to build up the Kingdom of God outside of the normal means and yet we don’t do it?? Sorry for rambling.

Peace and love
 
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cyprian:
YES!!

Why is it that everyone (almost) thinks it a good thing for all the right reason’s and yet the thing we talk about doesn’t change. I mean if we got 5000 signatures and gave it to an order of non-habits saying that we like the habit and why we think it’s important, do you think there would be a response? I actually believe it to be* that* important at this stage of modernism. The sisters of Notre Dame in our diocese don’t wear the habit and there ain’t no vocations goin on. They wear what looks like 50’s hand me downs and a crucifix around their neck. You would not know it was a religious. I think it’s selfish and utterly rediculous.
Why isn’t the lay voice heard re these things? I’m sending a heartfelt charitable letter to Notre Dame convent to say what I have to say and hoping to get some signatures. Anything is better than silence. We have a visible means(habit) to build up the Kingdom of God outside of the normal means and yet we don’t do it?? Sorry for rambling.

Peace and love
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I am with you all the way on this!👍

Perhaps you could word in such a way to them, that if your community is desperate enough for vocations why not try it? Besides other communities who have the habit do not seem to have trouble in attracting vocations.

I wonder if an online petition could be started?
 
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