What is a "plain" Catholic?

[bonvivantHermit]

I am referring to the reference made by a poster in this thread:

Catholics like us in or near Virginia?

I have an idea, based on “Amish” looking Catholics I have seen, but I am
wondering…is this a subculture? Based on theology? Trad?

I am reserving judgement, I am just asking.

 

[LSK]

I have never heard the term ‘plain Catholic’ in reference to a type of subculture that adheres to certain types of dress or no jewelry or act like Amish.

I think, from what I could see on the original post, that the person was speaking about being a more Traditional Catholic.

I don’t know. I could be way off base.

 

[Bataar]

Not familiar with that term. I’ve always believed, you’re either Catholic or you’re not.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

This website can give you some information on the “plain Catholic” movement.

Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

 

[maryjk]

I am referring to the reference made by a poster in this thread:

Catholics like us in or near Virginia?

I have an idea, based on “Amish” looking Catholics I have seen, but I am
wondering…is this a subculture? Based on theology? Trad?

I am reserving judgement, I am just asking.

I was wondering the same thing. I had never hear of it.

So there are Catholics that veil “most of the time?”

 

[stephe1987]

It looks like Little House on the Prairie.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

It’s more like the Mennonites or Amish.

 

[Dale_M]

This website can give you some information on the “plain Catholic” movement.

Of course, that is simply one perspective of the Plain Catholic movement, but I think it does shed valuable light. Basically, they seek to live a simple life in keeping with the Gospel, and avoiding the distractions and temptations of secular culture.

Plain Catholics do not buy expensive houses or cars. Many practice homesteading skills such as gardening, sewing, raising livestock, blacksmithing, carpentry, canning, etc. We prefer to have fewer “tech toys” and more hands-on activities, thus saving money and developing useful skills as we spend more time with our children. The children learn these skills at their parent’s sides. Spending time together as a family is a first priority of Plain Catholics. We seek to model our lives on Benedictine balance in our families: prayer, work, rest and recreation.

Some have computers but most do not have television nor even radios (except for the Weather Alert radio). If we do have television or radio the use is restricted to Catholic programming, weather, and news information. By controlling mass media and communications technology, Plain Catholics remove the distractions which fracture many families and isolate the children from the parents. Homeschooling is the education of choice but some do attend Catholic or public school.

Plain Catholics volunteer both in our parishes and in our communities. As visible witnesses to Christ, we hope to preach the Word and the Faith by example and actions which honor God and His Church. Though we choose to live separate from popular secular culture, we are active participants in our local parishes as we also believe in the diversity of ethnic charisms of the Catholic Church.

As website mentions, individuals and families in the movement have different standards of Plain-ness. I see a great deal to recommend for the movement, however, I don’t think having distinctive clothing is a necessary part.

 

[catholic_rn]

I was the one who posted the question regarding finding Catholics like us in Virginia. When referring to being “Plain” I was indeed referring to an Amish-like way of life. Please keep in mind, however, Plain Catholics to not live in isolated communities with their own set of rules as do the Amish/Mennonites.

Simply put, most Plain Catholics are just regular, average, run of the mill folks who want a simpler, more Faith-filled life. We attend Mass at our local parishes, whether NO or TM, and are fully obedient to the Magisterium. We are emphatically NOT a cult, nor are we breakaway Amish. Some are more Plain than others - no modern technology, homesteading, etc, while some are more like my family, who enjoy most modern conveniences but are very Traditional. We do dress Plain, but I make a point to not allow the cape dresses and prayer caps that the Amish wear. I don’t want to be mistaken for something I’m not! We wear the basic modest dress of the Amish, which is really only because they are the only ones who make them, but our head coverings are bandanas, scarves, snoods. We cover all the time.

My original post was looking for other families like us, mainly other Catholics who dress like us, and cover full time.

 

[littlestsouls]

I’m not sure of the context in which other people use the word “plain” in reference to Catholics, but I would say that the term “plain Catholic” is a contradiction in terms. A Catholic that lives their faith devoutly is perhaps one of the most intriguing people on this planet; if we could see their soul, we would behold the luminous and mysterious work of God Himself, which differs in every soul. Nothing plain about that!

 

[Megan7]

I was the one who posted the question regarding finding Catholics like us in Virginia. When referring to being “Plain” I was indeed referring to an Amish-like way of life. Please keep in mind, however, Plain Catholics to not live in isolated communities with their own set of rules as do the Amish/Mennonites.

Simply put, most Plain Catholics are just regular, average, run of the mill folks who want a simpler, more Faith-filled life. We attend Mass at our local parishes, whether NO or TM, and are fully obedient to the Magisterium. We are emphatically NOT a cult, nor are we breakaway Amish. Some are more Plain than others - no modern technology, homesteading, etc, while some are more like my family, who enjoy most modern conveniences but are very Traditional. We do dress Plain, but I make a point to not allow the cape dresses and prayer caps that the Amish wear. I don’t want to be mistaken for something I’m not! We wear the basic modest dress of the Amish, which is really only because they are the only ones who make them, but our head coverings are bandanas, scarves, snoods. We cover all the time.

My original post was looking for other families like us, mainly other Catholics who dress like us, and cover full time.

 

[Plain_Catholic]

We wear the basic modest dress of the Amish, which is really only because they are the only ones who make them, but our head coverings are bandanas, scarves, snoods. We cover all the time.

My original post was looking for other families like us, mainly other Catholics who dress like us, and cover full time.

We’re also Plain Catholics. We do wear the prayer kapps because it creates common ground for ecumenical communication in the area in which we live which is heavily Amish and Brethren in the demographics. We also have Plain Catholics in China who do not wear prayer kapps but simple scarves. The Chinese farm clothing like all modest farm clothing looks essentially the same. No fancy bits just simplicity of construction and modesty. We know of Plain Catholics on every continent in the world. Even today, we don’t stand out from modest homesteaders which is why not many in the burbs and cities have heard of us.

The movement itself is more than 100 years old. Interestingly, the internet has made it easier for Plain Catholics to find each other and communicate. We do control what we access on the internet and other popular media.

Modesty, simplicity and separation from popular secular culture are three rationales for our living this plain life. It helps us to focus on Faith and Family. You can see the teachings for this from Catholic Popes, the Catechism, theologians and Scripture at the Plain Catholic website.

It is a charism and not everyone is called to it. We are. We do not show disrespect or engage in debates or sarcasm with those who choose to follow a different charism. As Christ said, in heaven are many mansions.

 

[John_Carlton]

We’re also Plain Catholics. We do wear the prayer kapps because it creates common ground for ecumenical communication in the area in which we live which is heavily Amish and Brethren in the demographics. We also have Plain Catholics in China who do not wear prayer kapps but simple scarves. The Chinese farm clothing like all modest farm clothing looks essentially the same. No fancy bits just simplicity of construction and modesty. We know of Plain Catholics on every continent in the world. Even today, we don’t stand out from modest homesteaders which is why not many in the burbs and cities have heard of us.

The movement itself is more than 100 years old. Interestingly, the internet has made it easier for Plain Catholics to find each other and communicate. We do control what we access on the internet and other popular media.

Modesty, simplicity and separation from popular secular culture are three rationales for our living this plain life. It helps us to focus on Faith and Family. You can see the teachings for this from Catholic Popes, the Catechism, theologians and Scripture at the Plain Catholic website.

It is a charism and not everyone is called to it. We are. We do not show disrespect or engage in debates or sarcasm with those who choose to follow a different charism. As Christ said, in heaven are many mansions.

I went to your website. What you folks are doing is amazing! I’ll have to pray that one day I see a Plain Catholic village or something. Maybe in Maine. Something to think about.

God bless,

 

[catholic_rn]

We’re also Plain Catholics. We do wear the prayer kapps because it creates common ground for ecumenical communication in the area in which we live which is heavily Amish and Brethren in the demographics. We also have Plain Catholics in China who do not wear prayer kapps but simple scarves. The Chinese farm clothing like all modest farm clothing looks essentially the same. No fancy bits just simplicity of construction and modesty. We know of Plain Catholics on every continent in the world. Even today, we don’t stand out from modest homesteaders which is why not many in the burbs and cities have heard of us.

The movement itself is more than 100 years old. Interestingly, the internet has made it easier for Plain Catholics to find each other and communicate. We do control what we access on the internet and other popular media.

Modesty, simplicity and separation from popular secular culture are three rationales for our living this plain life. It helps us to focus on Faith and Family. You can see the teachings for this from Catholic Popes, the Catechism, theologians and Scripture at the Plain Catholic website.

It is a charism and not everyone is called to it. We are. We do not show disrespect or engage in debates or sarcasm with those who choose to follow a different charism. As Christ said, in heaven are many mansions.

We have one small Amish community about an hour away from us, but it only consists of about four families. I only know of them through my midwife. Other than that, there really isn’t anyone around like us. I came across your website months ago looking for “Catholic modest dress.” We aren’t opposed to the prayer kapps, but don’t want anyone to mistaken us for Amish.

We just bought a farmhouse we are renovating and will be simplifying a lot more once we move into it, as well as learning a bit of homesteading.

 

[Plain_Catholic]

I came across your website months ago looking for “Catholic modest dress.”

I’m glad you found that website. It was an effort of multiple Plain Catholic families. Over the years we have found many who are Plain Catholic in mindset and life but did not realize it until they met one of us who was able to articulate the charism for them. You would be surprised how many Catholics live and think as we do. We can’t be everywhere so the idea of the website and contact was developed.

One of the Plain Catholic families said to check your yahoo account? They sent you an email.

As for mistaken identities, that’s going to happen no matter what you wear. People in general try to place everyone in a box. It’s part of human nature I suppose.

The Plain men, Catholic or otherwise all wear basic clothing with suspenders (helps hold up those tool belts) and hats (sun cancer is a killer). Even the Amish, Mennonite and Brethren men have to ask each other which congregation they attend because they all dress alike.

I have a female relative who wears short cropped hair, makeup, a jacket and skirt. She wears a tiny cross every day because she attends a protestant denomination. She is always being asked if she is a nun.

Some of our Beachy Amish ladies here in the traditional caped dresses wear a short veil instead of a prayer kapp. They’re asked all the time if they’re nuns. There are nun congregations who wear a habit very similar to the caped dress.

So if you ever feel a tug in the direction of the prayer kapp you don’t need to worry about mistaken identity. It’s going to happen no matter what you wear as it happens to the Amish, my relative and even among the Anabaptists themselves.

I’m told the Plain Catholic families who once lived in Virginia moved to the midwest, and other areas where the land is cheaper and the taxes are lower.

 

[catholic_rn]

I’m glad you found that website. It was an effort of multiple Plain Catholic families. Over the years we have found many who are Plain Catholic in mindset and life but did not realize it until they met one of us who was able to articulate the charism for them. You would be surprised how many Catholics live and think as we do. We can’t be everywhere so the idea of the website and contact was developed.

One of the Plain Catholic families said to check your yahoo account? They sent you an email.

As for mistaken identities, that’s going to happen no matter what you wear. People in general try to place everyone in a box. It’s part of human nature I suppose.

The Plain men, Catholic or otherwise all wear basic clothing with suspenders (helps hold up those tool belts) and hats (sun cancer is a killer). Even the Amish, Mennonite and Brethren men have to ask each other which congregation they attend because they all dress alike.

I have a female relative who wears short cropped hair, makeup, a jacket and skirt. She wears a tiny cross every day because she attends a protestant denomination. She is always being asked if she is a nun.

Some of our Beachy Amish ladies here in the traditional caped dresses wear a short veil instead of a prayer kapp. They’re asked all the time if they’re nuns. There are nun congregations who wear a habit very similar to the caped dress.

So if you ever feel a tug in the direction of the prayer kapp you don’t need to worry about mistaken identity. It’s going to happen no matter what you wear as it happens to the Amish, my relative and even among the Anabaptists themselves.

I’m told the Plain Catholic families who once lived in Virginia moved to the midwest, and other areas where the land is cheaper and the taxes are lower.

This is all very true. And I am rather curious about the prayer kapp, so it may be a possibility in the future. I have been asked if I’m Quaker. I don’t know that I can get my husband in the Plain dress, though. Mostly he wears his work uniform, and his medical condition makes it difficult to use buttons and the like.

I am wondering about what other Plain Catholic do in medical crisis situations?

 

[Plain_Catholic]

This is all very true. And I am rather curious about the prayer kapp, so it may be a possibility in the future. I have been asked if I’m Quaker.

That falls into the same category of “As for mistaken identities, that’s going to happen no matter what you wear. People in general try to place everyone in a box. It’s part of human nature I suppose.”
The best way to deal with people asking questions like that is to tell them a simple, “No”. Most will apologize and leave you be. Others will ask “What are you”. We tell them “Plain Catholic”. Some of our Plain Catholics carry a card with the website listed on it to give to them if they want to know more. People aren’t interested in long explanations. They don’t understand the differences in the clothing details. They just want to know into what " labeled box" to put you inside their heads.

I don’t know that I can get my husband in the Plain dress, though. Mostly he wears his work uniform, and his medical condition makes it difficult to use buttons and the like.

I am wondering about what other Plain Catholic do in medical crisis situations?

Plain dress is just simple work clothing. Whatever work clothing is modest and simple is what we wear.

We avoid neon colors, huge prints and other items that are in fad then gone. Exception: the men do wear international neon orange or yellow to go hunting: safety. You can read more about it at the website. Modesty and simplicity are the two determinants.

 

[twk001]

gotta be honest here…unlike many responders to this thread, i am VERY intrigued by the lifestyle. as a teen and young adult i researched ‘infiltrating’ an Amish community nearby because I am so taken by the lifestyle! I say if this lifestyle is your conviction, go for it!

i would actually be interested in developing these practices into my own life…but would love it if there were many ‘plains’ living around me so we wouldn’t be all alone in it., something to think about.

 

[Eleanor61]

This is fascinating. I have never heard of plain Catholics. About 18 years ago when we were troubled by the liberalism in the Church, and the priest scandals, we left the Catholic Church and joined a plain Mennonite church. We were both cradle Catholics, but despaired of finding like minded people for our children to fellowship with. We never had a problem with Church doctrine, we simply didn’t see many (any?) Catholics around us living their faith in a meaningful way. We did feel that we were turning our back on the sacraments, but we were afraid for our children in the secular world. I would say we were primarily motivated by fear.

We found that without family ties within the Mennonite community, the lifestyle is nearly impossible to endure. Most of them are amazing, sincere Christians, and their lives are transparent, but if they have a besetting sin it is family pride.

Also, the restriction on higher education became a problem for us as our children grew up, and we returned to the Catholic church after 6 years so our children could go on to college.

We do live very near Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, so have associated closely with many different plain communities over the years, including horse and buggy, but our church did have cars, dark colors only, and electricity. Very similar to the Amish in most other respects.

This would have been a real possibility for us back then!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

This is fascinating. I have never heard of plain Catholics. About 18 years ago when we were troubled by the liberalism in the Church, and the priest scandals, we left the Catholic Church and joined a plain Mennonite church. We were both cradle Catholics, but despaired of finding like minded people for our children to fellowship with. We never had a problem with Church doctrine, we simply didn’t see many (any?) Catholics around us living their faith in a meaningful way. We did feel that we were turning our back on the sacraments, but we were afraid for our children in the secular world. I would say we were primarily motivated by fear.

We found that without family ties within the Mennonite community, the lifestyle is nearly impossible to endure. Most of them are amazing, sincere Christians, and their lives are transparent, but if they have a besetting sin it is family pride.

Also, the restriction on higher education became a problem for us as our children grew up, and we returned to the Catholic church after 6 years so our children could go on to college.

We do live very near Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, so have associated closely with many different plain communities over the years, including horse and buggy, but our church did have cars, dark colors only, and electricity. Very similar to the Amish in most other respects.

This would have been a real possibility for us back then!

Very interesting! I have never met anyone who joined the Mennonites or Amish communities.

Do you think it is really family pride, or is it just the effects of living in a closed community, that makes them clannish and suspicious of people who come in from the outside? I would guess it’s partly suspicion of the outside world…which, in a way, your family reinforced, by coming in, staying 6 years and then leaving again. Maybe next time, they will refuse to let a family from the outside join the community at all, so as not to be a disruption.