Should religious wear the traditional habit?

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I personally like the traditional habits. It is a security issue for me. I met a sister tonight at a church function and she was the most beautifully pure person I have ever met. She was not wearing a traditional habit, but I definately had no doubt of her holiness. I am making her a batch of my chocolate chip cookies and taking her my copy of dvd St. Anthony of Padua.
 
We have to remember how the wearing of habits started - for a significant part of history the clothes nuns and priests wore were not hugely different (though perhaps a little simpler) than what everyone else wore.

Even the wimple (cloth surrounding the face and covering the neckline) and full length veil were common wear in the Middle Ages when many of the orders that still wear them began. The more modern veil (which almost every nun wore when I was going through school) is similar to the headscarves still seen in some rural parts of Europe.

Nuns and priests didn’t stand out hugely because of the style of their clothing, rather they almost blended in, being distinguished only by the plainness and uniform character of it.

While on principle I don’t like the idea of nuns wearing any old street clothes, when the order I was taught by stopped wearing the veil they DID retain a uniform dress - similar to what nursing staff in a hospital might wear - and were still instantly recognisable as a result. Retain clothing which is distinctive and identifiable - yes. Retain habits that are half a century or more old? I don’t see the need myself.
 
I voted yes, but I think our dear Pope Benedict XVI should say whether or not that is to be the rule. The priests have to wear their pastoral clothes-it sets them apart. A lot of Priests do wear regular clothes when not “on duty”, But I really like it when they do not. One thing I will say is that Jesus did not wear a uniform to set him apart-I wonder what Jesus would want… :hmmm:
 
Prehaps this isn’t very nice of me, but it annoys me to see so many nuns going around in street clothes. It speaks just a bit of vanity. I look at one of the reasons for wearing a habit is that you don’t worry about what your going to wear or how you look. Not so with street clothes.
I’m going to become a nun after college, but I will only join a comunity that still wears the habit.
I doubt that you will see Priests in church wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Why allow it with nuns? This is just feminism creeping into the church and I think there should be a stop put to it at once.
 
seremina said:
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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Here is another order you may be interested in: institute-christ-king.org/AdorersRoyalHeart.htm

From what I can tell the Adorers of the Royal Heart are quite new, and are associated with the Institute of Christ the King. And their convent is in Italy.

I don’t take offense at your “proper Catholic” statements, as they are my conviction as well. I think its sad to see so many orders leave the habit behind entirely. And I agree that habits are not expensive, as they could also only comprise of a white blouse and modest length skirt or jumper with a veil. Much as what postulants in the traditional orders wear.

Habits wouldn’t have to be of the traditional woolen scapular with white collar and wimple affair, though they would be good for enclosed monastic orders or sisters associated with the Tridentine Mass. Putting practical issues aside, I have to say I do like how they look.😉
 
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Catholic29:
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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Why can’t we get a petition and get started. We the laity have a role to play in the Church Militant and sometimes the battle is not external but internal. We should broaden and deepen this apostolate to include our taking action as a group in addition to what we discuss on this site. In this way our talk takes on legs and accomplishes an intended aim. I vote yes for habits. They speak to the Incarnational nature of the Church. Without the habit, we have the Catholic equivalent of Protestantism, the “Jesus and me,” the faith being in our hearts kind of mentality. In an Incarnational Church such as the Catholic Church, the members of within this visible body that are called to be set apart really have a duty to show this manifestation to the world. That’s what the nuns are called to do. And as far as women having “an increased role in the Church,” well they do --as nuns. What is more powerful than seeing a group of nuns in full habit? The effect that that has on people is enormous. Let us begin a petition to the various orders within our dioceses asking them to return to the habit, for the sake of the kingdom.
 
Habits on hospital nuns is certainly a calming sight. Catholic hospitals ran better when nuns were in charge.
 
seremina said:
**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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for me, there’s nothing wrong with the nun wearing a pantsuit, at least it’s decent and not inappropriate
lets not be too hard on them, maybe th habit isn
t so comfortable?

as long as theyre not doing anything bad, so lets leave them at that =)
 
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fin:
for me, there’s nothing wrong with the nun wearing a pantsuit, at least it’s decent and not inappropriate
lets not be too hard on them, maybe th habit isn
t so comfortable?

as long as theyre not doing anything bad, so lets leave them at that =)
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Though it wouldn’t hurt to at least let the habit be an option. If the sister desires to wear one to express their devotion.
 
Most Definitely Yes… 👍

The priest and nuns in traditional habits and garb are visible rallying points. Especially in these times of the laity becoming more like clerics and clerics acting more like laity. There is also something to be said to have visible signs to remind a person what their role is, and to remind others.
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lily628:
Should consecrated religious persons wear the traditional habit (as opposed to modern “secular” clothing)? Note that religious are legitimately allowed to wear secular clothes, so long as they have some distinguishing “habit” that identifies them as part of their particular community.

Along with casting your vote, please post the reasons why you answered the way you did. Stories or theological statements would be great! Please share anything that explains your experience or thoughts on the presence or lack of the traditional habit in the life of consecrated religious.

God bless,
Lily628
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I still am pro-habit. I don’t see the point in taking vows, joining a religious institute as a non-secular and then trying to pretend to be nothing different.

If you take the vows of a religious, you are different. Why not identify yourself as such?

I am aware that there were habits that were incompatible with modern life, especially for driving, but adaptations have and continue to be made: I’m sure I’m not the only woman under 50 who doesn’t iron.🙂

I live in a generally warm climate. We can have 100F+ summer days as well as below-freezing winter days. In most cases, cotton blends are practical here in the upper South all year – with the addition of some sort of coat or jacket as needed.

I am a convert. I have spent most of my life in a majority-Protestant area of the United States.

Elizabeth Whitaker
 
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whitake:
I still am pro-habit. I don’t see the point in taking vows, joining a religious institute as a non-secular and then trying to pretend to be nothing different.

If you take the vows of a religious, you are different. Why not identify yourself as such?

I am aware that there were habits that were incompatible with modern life, especially for driving, but adaptations have and continue to be made: I’m sure I’m not the only woman under 50 who doesn’t iron.🙂

I live in a generally warm climate. We can have 100F+ summer days as well as below-freezing winter days. In most cases, cotton blends are practical here in the upper South all year – with the addition of some sort of coat or jacket as needed.

I am a convert. I have spent most of my life in a majority-Protestant area of the United States.

Elizabeth Whitaker
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I completely agree. Like to day, my family and I attended a furneral. I saw a woman there who was definately a nun. You could tell by her dress, it looked like a nuns. Plus everyone was calling her ‘sister’. But she wasn’t wearing the head covering. I don’t see the point in that.
 
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cecelia:
Why can’t we get a petition and get started. We the laity have a role to play in the Church Militant and sometimes the battle is not external but internal. We should broaden and deepen this apostolate to include our taking action as a group in addition to what we discuss on this site. In this way our talk takes on legs and accomplishes an intended aim. I vote yes for habits. They speak to the Incarnational nature of the Church. Without the habit, we have the Catholic equivalent of Protestantism, the “Jesus and me,” the faith being in our hearts kind of mentality. In an Incarnational Church such as the Catholic Church, the members of within this visible body that are called to be set apart really have a duty to show this manifestation to the world. That’s what the nuns are called to do. And as far as women having “an increased role in the Church,” well they do --as nuns. What is more powerful than seeing a group of nuns in full habit? The effect that that has on people is enormous. Let us begin a petition to the various orders within our dioceses asking them to return to the habit, for the sake of the kingdom.
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I’m all about that, haven’t seen a nun-in -habit in cleveland since I left gradeschool. (aside from contemplatives) Orders are drying up and something should be said. Anyone with me from cleveland?
It seems that most Cath’s would like to see certain things followed or re-formed (in the real spirit of v2) and yet we don’t say anything. Why do we let the minority opinion rule? poppycock, i say!!

peace
 
Hello,

Absolutely they should wear the traditional habit. It is an outward sign of the decision they have made to dedicate their lives to God.
 
Thank you very much for the link! I’m reading it now. The way I am, I’m so stubborn that I may end up going with a Tridentine Mass-only type of Order.
As for the traditional habit, I don’t understand these “but they wore those back then” arguments. Let’s face it, all the modern clothes I see are generally not modest. They wouldn’t suit nuns nor monks. There’s a dear Sister I love to see, but it ashames me that she wears a “modernised habit” that shows off her calves and her headcovering is almost transparent navy-blue and doesn’t even cover all her hair. She doesn’t wear a habit rosary, but she wears a St. Therese crucifix with a rose in the middle instead of a corpus of Christ. I’m not entirely sure, but I think she wears lipstick. I find I’m a lot more comfortable around the properly-dressed nuns.
As for the nice lady that was commenting that she sees nothing wrong with the pantsuit… Pants are for MEN! The only way I’d ever let any of my future daughters wear pants, is underneath their dresses/skirts when the weather’s cold.
Do remember ladies, that the teachings of our Lord and the rules for modesty that He laid out in the Bible, are timeless.
God bless,
seremina
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Catholic29:
Here is another order you may be interested in: institute-christ-king.org/AdorersRoyalHeart.htm

From what I can tell the Adorers of the Royal Heart are quite new, and are associated with the Institute of Christ the King. And their convent is in Italy.

I don’t take offense at your “proper Catholic” statements, as they are my conviction as well. I think its sad to see so many orders leave the habit behind entirely. And I agree that habits are not expensive, as they could also only comprise of a white blouse and modest length skirt or jumper with a veil. Much as what postulants in the traditional orders wear.

Habits wouldn’t have to be of the traditional woolen scapular with white collar and wimple affair, though they would be good for enclosed monastic orders or sisters associated with the Tridentine Mass. Putting practical issues aside, I have to say I do like how they look.😉
Click to expand...
 
seremina said:
Thank you very much for the link! I’m reading it now. The way I am, I’m so stubborn that I may end up going with a Tridentine Mass-only type of Order.
As for the traditional habit, I don’t understand these “but they wore those back then” arguments. Let’s face it, all the modern clothes I see are generally not modest. They wouldn’t suit nuns nor monks. There’s a dear Sister I love to see, but it ashames me that she wears a “modernised habit” that shows off her calves and her headcovering is almost transparent navy-blue and doesn’t even cover all her hair. She doesn’t wear a habit rosary, but she wears a St. Therese crucifix with a rose in the middle instead of a corpus of Christ. I’m not entirely sure, but I think she wears lipstick. I find I’m a lot more comfortable around the properly-dressed nuns.
As for the nice lady that was commenting that she sees nothing wrong with the pantsuit… Pants are for MEN! The only way I’d ever let any of my future daughters wear pants, is underneath their dresses/skirts when the weather’s cold.
Do remember ladies, that the teachings of our Lord and the rules for modesty that He laid out in the Bible, are timeless.
God bless,
seremina
Click to expand...

I respect your opinions and all that, but there is really nothing wrong whatsoever with woman wearing pants. I mean, not the skin tight lower than low jeans that girls wear nowadays, but modest pants. I wear them all the time and that doesn’t make me a bad Christian, and it certainly doesn’t mean that I’m going against God. I wear them because their comfortable. I wear skirts and dresses to church.
I live my life in a Christian and moral way. I have never dated, or kissed a boy, I’ve never even uttered a cuss word! I don’t see anything un-christian like in me wearing pants. So try not to imply that, it’s very insulting and demeaning to some people here.
I do agree that pants do not belong on a nun. Only a habit belongs on a nun.
But I will also disagree with you about the more modern habits. I don’t see anything wrong with the habits that are a little bit shorter, and the lighter veils. I know a Sister of Schoenstatte, and they wear those kinds of habits. They are the most holy woman I’ve ever met. Where I live the weather is usually 100 degrees in the shade, so unless you want nuns dropping dead from heat stroke, the more modern habits are better.
 
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NightRider:
This is an interesting question. I can see positives to both wearing a habit and being allowed to not wear it. I agree with all of what has been previously mentioned above about wearing habits, but I can also see why a nun or a priest might desire to be anonymous in appearance sometimes. Without the habit religious may reach some people they may not reach with it on, but the same can be said of wearing it…so I didn’t vote, because this is challenging for me, a lay person, to answer. I can see the benefits to both…
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Remember, The Church is in the world but not of the world. The Church does not conform to society or to the individual good. When you speak of "reaching out’ just re-evaluate your boundaries. The habit should be attire not for a “political statement” but to manifest and dialte the “GREATNESS OF GOD”. Remember to Fear the Lord.

GOOD GOD! Why have you no conviction on the matter? IF YOU DONT STAND FOR SOMETHING YOU WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING. Buck up son and God Bless you all.
 
I thought this was of interest. It is taken from a short online histroy of the Sisters of the Poor of Nazareth. It relates to their beginnings as a congregation in England when the first Sisters of the Poor came over from France to what was then a very anti-catholic England
The work begun in such humble circumstances thrived though the Sisters encountered great difficulties and much opposition. Apart from the privations due to lack of money they experienced many others arising out of the hostile attitude of the people. Tales about Catholicity and convents circulating in England for three centuries caused the religious habit to be disliked and ridiculed. In spite of this the Sisters determined to make a trial of going out in it, well aware that they would be reviled - which they duly were. However they persevered and now they enjoy the remembrance of having been among the first to wear the religious habit openly in England after the Reformation.
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Both the community and the number of people being cared for soon grew to such an extent that the building of a permanent home was imperative. Sister St. Basil purchased three and a half acres of land at Hammersmith and set to work on the erection of a convent and a home for the aged. In October 1857, the aged were moved into the newly completed building.
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If you don’t stand up then you will end up lying down. We can think of all sorts of reasons not to do something that runs against the general opinion but we can only change the general opinion by showing the alternative.
 
I did vote yes. I think for several reason that they should wear a habit in public. First I think it is a very visable sign of Christ in the world and the choice to offer oneself to Him. I think it is a sign of humility and putting off “worldly things”. Today’s society is so focused on the body, sex, etc. I think it would be a great example for young women, not just in modesty, but in refocusing on what is the heart of a woman. Her mind, and soul. Also, I think it is a testimoney to those young and older who may be considering making the same commitment. It is a silent testimony to that call. Today, there are a lot of young people who don’t even know that many of the women in the parish are actually sisters. I know there was one woman in ours that I didn’t know was for several years. Also, I never realized how many young men and women are consecrated lay people? Don’t know if I said that right. In their case I guess that might be different, but I think it would be a nice testimony if more of our young people knew who they were. 🙂
 
Why did some Nuns stop wearing the Habit? I dont even recognize a Sister anymore when I’m out! What a shame.
 
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