Should religious wear the traditional habit?

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I really don’t feel I can completely trust a religious who doesn’t wear a habit. Perhaps it’s because I’m a Southerner and we’re so into the military as part of our culture, but I feel that the religious who hesitates to publicly identify herself or himself by wearing a unique form of dress – I don’t care, it can be a denim outfit, like the Little Sisters of Jesus wear – is not fully committed to his or her vocation.

I am a convert and did not have the great experience of attending a Catholic school. However, I have had the privilege of visiting two habited communities, one of which is the Dominican Sisters at Nashville, and the other the Carmelite Nuns at Port Tobacco, in Maryland.

Being in a habit is only part of the “package.” If a nun is in a habit, but is not a hermit, and does not live in community, something is VERY wrong. I feel sorry for these Sisters who live by themselves in apartment complexes. That can be a very lonely life!

I have also been in a personal crisis in which I stopped by a rectory and asked to speak with a priest. I was told they’d all gone home. I found out later that one of the women in the office was a Sister. I feel like that, if she had been in a habit, she would have felt obliged to take me aside and pray with me, if not give me a chance to talk with her. But she didn’t, and I ended up walking a few miles to the next-nearest rectory, where a priest WAS available!

I have considered the religious life, but I am in my late 40s, have a health history, and am in graduate school, which will leave me with some financial obligations for a few years. Once I’m finally financially secure, I’ll be able to do something about the vocation. Hopefully, the hermit situation will get solidified: I may be too old for anything else by then, what with all these communities who don’t want candidates over 30 or 35.

Elizabeth Whitaker
 
It troubles me to see so many religious sisters no longer wearing their habit. I once met a sister that wore toe rings and Birkenstocks. A friend of mine told me a sister that lived in Las Vegas. She liked to get her nails done (acrylic).
 
From my own experience, I have often found that religious who dont where habits ( or have them off more often then on ) have major theology issues ( meaning they dont believe in Catholic teachings: for example, I was told by one such religious that there is no real distinction between venial and mortal sin and that the Church just made it up )

I also must say that when I see these *undercover * Priest’s and religious I often feel betrayed. I dont know if this is true, but it just seems like they are afraid of who they are.

But let us therefore, pray for these, and for all, religious that they may remain faithful to the teachings of the Church and not be afraid to speak out against the errors of today’s world.

God bless

Mater Dolorosa 😦 , ora pro nobis :gopray2:
 
like many of the polls posted here, it does not give enough choices. there is no option for clothing that is distinctive, clearly identifiying those who wear it as consecrated religious, but modern in style, of fabric and design easy to clean and care for, comfortable, modest and suitable to the day-to-day activities of the community members.

the original nuns habits were simply the dress of the day for widows, which many of the members were, of subdued color without the finery, lace jewels etc. of secular wear. Veils were worn by all married women, so those who entered a convent to become “brides of Christ” naturally wore a veil, and the long robes worn by other women of the day. There is simply no justification in forcing religious to the constricting, confining, unsantiary garments of yesteryear, which require hours of care, just to soothe sentimetal yearnings of us older Catholics.

Pius XII urged women religious to modernize their habits long before V2, but many superiors rejected his “interference” in the governance of their orders. That mentality is a direct carry-over to the orders who reject papal authority in other ways today.
 
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puzzleannie:
like many of the polls posted here, it does not give enough choices. there is no option for clothing that is distinctive, clearly identifiying those who wear it as consecrated religious, but modern in style, of fabric and design easy to clean and care for, comfortable, modest and suitable to the day-to-day activities of the community members.
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I have already apologized for lack of options in the poll. This was a carry-over of a conversation from another thread, in which another person proposed that religious should not wear any type of identifiable clothing. I made it “yes” or “no”, thinking along the lines of whether they should or not.

For what it’s worth, what you described above, I agree with. However I had to use the word “traditional habit” because I could not think of another way to describe it. Some nuns or sisters today wear a simple pin or cross or maybe certain colors – not much very identifiable at all – and this is considered a “habit” officially, in canon law.
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puzzleannie:
the original nuns habits were simply the dress of the day for widows, which many of the members were, of subdued color without the finery, lace jewels etc. of secular wear.
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Actually, that is only partly accurate. In the early Church, nuns did wear distinctive clothing. Over time (especially after the Protestant Reformation and French Revolution), when sisters faced persecution, then they adopted widows’ clothing, since widows were the only ones who were socially permitted to walk in public without men. But the original way was to wear distinctive clothes. I say, since there is no longer threat of persecution, why reject the habit now?
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puzzleannie:
There is simply no justification in forcing religious to the constricting, confining, unsantiary garments of yesteryear, which require hours of care, just to soothe sentimetal yearnings of us older Catholics.
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I agree completely. However I do think that religious should wear some type of distinctive clothing. Most of the communities with traditional habits today have adopted such clothes that do not require extensive care. If you check back in the thread, I have already addressed this issue. You posted this same idea in post 44 and I answered you in post 45.
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puzzleannie:
Pius XII urged women religious to modernize their habits long before V2, but many superiors rejected his “interference” in the governance of their orders. That mentality is a direct carry-over to the orders who reject papal authority in other ways today.
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If you are going to make such accusations, please at least read the thread to see whether I have already addressed such issues. I find this statement hurtful, implying that I am rejecting papal authority. I love the Holy Father and wish to follow his directions and leader of our Church.

I think Sarah Jane’s post said it nicely, a few posts back:

Sarah Jane said:
“I say: rejoice to be witnesses to Christ in the modern world. Do not hesitate to be recognizable, identifiable in the streets as men and women who have consecrated their lives to God and who have given up everything worldly to follow Christ. Believe that contemporary men and women set value on the visible signs of the consecration of your lives. People need signs and reminders of God in the modern secular city, which has few reminders of God left. So do not help the trend towards ‘taking God off the streets’ by adapting secular modes of dress and behavior yourselves!” Pope John Paul II
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puzzleannie, I think this was simply a miscommunication issue. Please use more care next time to read the thread before attacking the alleged views of the original poster.

Thank you & God bless,
Lily628
 
I am all for the habit ahd relgious attire. :amen:

I do wear a chapel veil to Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. I had toyed with the idea, when my husband gave me one as a gift, I figured that he wanted me to wear it.

I stand out in my veil in my parish, but I haven’t had a single negative comment or heard any giggles. I am sure they happen, but I am fortunate to not know.

I have heard many kind comments and some women have commented that they need to find their veils.

I mostly wear a white veil even though I am married. I made a black chiffon with lace trim veil for Lent, but it seems to worry people more. I get asked questions about why black, etc.

If a chapel veil can garner so much interest, the habit and the clerical wear is obviously of great import – especially in our world today.

We have a priory and convent of Dominicans near us. I had wanted to change churches to be with the religious, but my husband wouldn’t hear of it. Sigh!
 
When wearing the Habit they become a sign to all that Jesus is the Lord. I think that this also helps with evangelization and more vocations to the religious life and Priesthood. 😃
 
I think religious should wear their habits. I grew up a catholic and educated in catholic schools all my life. Religious habits are part of our culture. It distinguishes our clergy from our lay people. If you see a person with a collar you automatically know that he is a priest. That’s just me. I guess I like seeing our clergy wearing habits because they project a certain message that they are the servants of GOD.
 
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Augustine:
IMO, even then, they should wear a distinctive piece of clothing, such as a headcover, a rosary around the waste or a hard collar.

Religious people and ordained men are not ordinary people. That should be quite clear to them and to those around them.

:blessyou:
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I came a little late to this thread but I thought I would share some information from Australia. If anyone knows this country they would be aware that heat is a major factor in summer. It regularly tops 100F here especially away from the coast. Our primary schools were staffed almost exclusively by female religious who wore the traditional European habit. It was hot, cumbersome and at times totally unsuitable. Yet vocations were never lacking. Today those same habitless orders are just waiting for the last sisters to die before ending their existance.

I am not suggesting a return to such unsuitable habits but modified habits can be and should be worn. There was a time when the site of a nun in full rig would cause awe in the hearts of even non-Catholics, today they could barely raise a mild interest even by Catholics.

To all contemplating the religious life my prayers be with you
 
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InnocentIII:
Our primary schools were staffed almost exclusively by female religious who wore the traditional European habit. It was hot, cumbersome and at times totally unsuitable.
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Yesterday, at Mass, I saw a religious sister wearing an all-white habit, including the headdress (it wasn’t floor length, but a few inches past the knee). It looked to be made of a lightweight material; something like that might be suitable for wear in hot climates like yours.

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I would say yes, because wearing a habit out in public is a great way of preaching. I believe that it was St. Francis who asked his brother if he would want to go out preaching with him. They went out and walked around the town square for some time before the brother asked him when they were going to start preaching, and St. Francis said that they did and were done and went home. By just walking around in the habit he preached his Catholic faith.

I also would like to see more religious wear there habit because it shows that they are not secular anymore, that they belong to a religious order devoted to God.

Matt
 
I voted yes! How else are we to recognize the holy, consecrated religious and nuns?? As stated before, what a great way to preach! I have also heard that the orders without habits are dwindling, while those who wear habits are growing. This of course on Catholic Radio! (Where else is there to get the truth?!?)
 
i never met a nun until i went to college. i MIGHT have seen them, but i didn’t know they were sisters because they weren’t wearing habits, if i did see them. if they do not wear habits, this is in a way hiding from their true calling. their calling to be 100% devoted to Chirst. how many husbands and wives do you know who don’t wear rings so they “fit in” with the rest of the world who is not married? so silly! they belong to someone and should show it. plus it gives a WONDERFUL opportunity to preach. some carmelite sisters when in the airport were randomly checked and they ended up explaining to the security guy what their habits meant and esp about the crucefix. had the not been wearing habits, he would have never heard the good news!!
 
Many years ago an Anglican visiting Moscow saw a Soviet Genera,l in full military uniform, sit down at a public restaurant and, before starting his meal, make the sign of the cross.

The Anglican was struck by the great courage that simple act required in what was then a militantly ahteistic state. The General was obviously totally identifiable and could have had his chance of promotion. his very career itself, destoyed by his public statement of faith.

Why is it then, that in our Christian countries (at least nominally) of Britain, Europe and the United States, our priests and religious do not have the courage to let the world know their statement of faith by wearing their distinctive habbit?
Mother Teressa refused the suggestion that her nuns not wear a distictive habbit in the Hindu country in which she worked. What a statement of faith she made!
It also should be noted that the first thing the heretics of the Church, such as Hans Kung and McBride, did was stop wearing the Roman collar.
 
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rjs1:
It also should be noted that the first thing the heretics of the Church, such as Hans Kung and McBride, did was stop wearing the Roman collar.
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I would be careful with statements like this. While Kung and McBrien are dissenters, I don’t believe they have been labeled as “heretics” and to state that they are, aside from being misleading, might have legal implications.

Peace,
 
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ncjohn:
I would be careful with statements like this. While Kung and McBrien are dissenters, I don’t believe they have been labeled as “heretics” and to state that they are, aside from being misleading, might have legal implications.

Peace,
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Are you serious???

With the comments made by the trendies about Pope Benedict XVI when he was elceted Pope, with the comments made by the anti-Catholic websites calling the Pope the anti-Christ and Catholics worshippers of Satan, how can you seriously make your remark about legal implications?

The World Book Dictionary defines a heretic as “a person who holds a belief that is different from the accepted belief of his church, school, profession or other group.” If that doesn’t define Kung and McBrien then I don’t know what does!
 
**Whether I join an actual Order or a 3rd Order, I’d prefer the habit. Fully submitting yourself to God means you’re CLOTHING yourself in God. Thus, the habit is necessary. I would rather choose an Order or 3rd Order that wears a traditional habit. At this point in my life, I’m trying to work my way up to veiling as a proper Catholic. [Please don’t take offense to my “proper Catholic” statement. Its my own convictions.]

I am thinking of writing to the Holy Family Institute and request that they have a habit for those who’d like one. I personally think all Orders, 3rd or not, should require one, but that’s another of my own convictions.

I feel it is devasating to see a nun/monk not wearing the habit. It feels strange and I can’t tell they are Religious. I remember watching a televised Mass that had a nun has a lector and partook of communion, but she had no habit on. Not even a veil! She wore a pantsuit! I was shocked and my jaw dropped. I feel she has clearly chosen to wrap herself in the world and be indistinguishable.

The habits aren’t expensive themselves, for if you read the rules of many of these Orders, they tell you how much it should cost as a reasonable estimate. Not to mention you’re expected to do your own sewing. [Thank God! I would rather sew and mend my own clothes…we rely too much on storebought ones] You’re pretty much set for life with only 3 or 4 habits. All Orders have a summer version. If they don’t, then that’s because they emphasize the heat as a cross for you to endure with. How do we know Christ wasn’t sweating on that Cross? I find heat to be a silly objection to a habit. Nobody said being a Christian was painless. There are times you lose your self, your friends, your status, etc., all for being a Christian. That’s part of the sacred attraction being a Christian affords.
**
 
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