Why do some priests and nuns never wear religious clothing

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It’s not “silly” nor did I mean to be funny. I hate to say this, (and I’m not being critical here), but FYI, there is is a difference between nuns in the true, canonical sense, and religious sisters that were/are generally called “nuns.” In all of the links provided, the Irish Sisters of Charity are referred to as “congregation of the Sisters” (nor “order”) which means they are “sisters” and not canonical nuns.

There were/are a few *Orders * (not congregations) where the term nun is appropriate. e.g., the Carmelties (O.Carm or OCD), what was traditionally called the “2nd Order of Dominicans” (OP, and not the myriad and sundry 3rd Order Regular congregations that use OP – I mean the real 2nd Order), the OSU (Ursulines of the Roman Union only), the OSB, etc etc, bound by solemn vows (at least those professed outside the US). The rest (various groups of Sisters of Charity, the 3rd order regular Dominicans, the various groups of SSJ, Sisters of Mercy, etc etc etc, are religious sisters bound by simple vows. There is (at least there always was) a major canonical difference. In any case, first group were called nuns, while the second were called sisters.

It’s not a slur against any particular congregation, but there is a difference between true nuns and religious sisters. Jist because common parlance refers to them as “nuns” does not mean that they are nuns in the true canonical sense.
 
Simon_X said:
I wonder if this is a geographic or local type thing? I live in a very Catholic town and am very used to seeing priests walk around in their collars. I think it’s a good thing, you never know when some poor soul might turn to a priest he happens to find on the street or at an airport and want to seek help or a confession. If they all dressed like civilians, those opportunities could easily pass…
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Yes. Some priests make it a point to wear clerics when at airports, for example, because they do get approached there, and some of those confessions are life-changing (as all can be).

I heard a funny story once from a priest at a high school who said that once a police car pulled him over – siren and all. He watched with some surprise and trepidation while the officer approached his window, only to hear these words, “Bless me father, for I have sinned…”
 
malphono;:
the Irish Sisters of Charity are referred to as “congregation of the Sisters” (nor “order”) which means they are “sisters” and not canonical nuns.
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Furthermore, they take simple vows, not solemn vows.

Wondering how many people appreciate the distinction between the two types of vows.

jonathon
 
LilyM said:
Nice of you to judge these ladies’ hearts by their clothing - for all you know the jewellery was a gift from a beloved friend or relative. But then I guess if you saw ME wearing one of the necklaces given to me by my parents and grandmother, you’d call ME vain too.
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I’m not judging-I just feel that a Sister who has taken a vow of poverty should not be wearing superfluous jewelry. And the earrings and necklace are superfluous! They don’t belong on a woman who has consecrated herself to Our Lord as His spouse.
 
barb finnegan;:
I just feel that a Sister who has taken a vow of poverty
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She took Simple Vows, not Solemn Vows.

There is a world of difference between the two types of vows.

Had she taken the latter, you might have had a point.
They don’t belong on a woman who has consecrated herself to Our Lord as His spouse.
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There are half a dozen passages in the TaNaKh that support the hypothesis that, for a woman, wearing makeup and jewellery for the benefit of one’s lover, is mandatory.

jonathon
 
jblake said:
Furthermore, they take simple vows, not solemn vows.

Wondering how many people appreciate the distinction between the two types of vows.

jonathon
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Yes, quite. Note, though, that even those Orders that are normally bound to solemn vows traditionally took in the US, simple vows. (The exceptions are those nuns professed outside the US, and the Visitation Nuns in Georgetown and Brooklyn (at least those Visitations were an exception: I have no idea of what their post-conciliar situation is. Nor am I certain the solemn-vs-simple anomaly in the US still exists, but I think it does)). In any case, all members of Orders that are normally bound to solemn vows (despite the oddity of solemn vs simple vows in the US), are legitimately part of their Orders, and are bound to observe the Rule, so they are still considered nuns.
 
the habit has been described as a holy gift from Our Lady, and it is a privilege and honor to wear. some never take them off, even for exercise! i asked if it was ok to wear a shirt underneath to absorb all the sweat, and they said it may be permissible, as long as you don’t take the habit off. very noble indeed.

however i respect those consecrated who either don’t wear them or choose not to wear them all the time. i can never judge or assume what their reasons are for doing so. often when i assume something negative, i get a swift kick, i mean, humbled, by God when i find out the reason.
 
With with the civilian garb, they get to put on under garments. It’s a different feel for them I suppose?
 
To any Catholic religious who read this, and I’m aware of the issues raised here,…

PLEASE WEAR YOUR RELIGIOUS CLOTHING:
IT MAKES CATHOLICS FEEL GREAT, AND REMINDS US OF WHAT SOME GIVE TO MAKE GOD VISIBLE IN THIS WORLD!

Thank you all.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
It was last used successfully in 1983 against a Sikh teacher who wanted to wear** her robe and turban **to class.
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LOL!!!..ONLY Sikh men wear turbans…not sikh women! 😃 And they have no “robe”…they can and do dress normally. (as an indian RC on the forums i had to point this minor funny).
 
Anyway, i just wanted to add that the environment that the religious work in also has some bearing on the clothing they wear. Many missionary sisters/nuns in Africa and India are allowed an alternate uniform to deal with the extreme heat/humidity. It also helps them amalgamate more easily into the local culture too, which no doubt is essential to thier missionary activity.

For instance, many religious orders in India are permitted to wear the Sari…a traditional Indian dress, and this includes not only Indian-orders…the most recognisable of which are the Missionaries of Charity, but also Orders who’s members outside India otherwise don the Habit.

I also remember being told that hospitalier-orders were also allowed relaxations in their uniform, in connection with thier special medical vocation.
 
Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has stated that he wants women religious to wear a modified habit, if not wearing the full habit.
 
I have a couple of questions: 1.) Would you be able to wear the clericals/ habits yourself? 2.) Can you walk a mile in their shoes?
 
:eek:
PatrickJT914 said:
I have a couple of questions: 1.) Would you be able to wear the clericals/ habits yourself? 2.) Can you walk a mile in their shoes?
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Patrick–

I have taken my definitive promises of the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular i.e. Secular Third Order of Mt. Carmel. (It took me 6 years). We wear a large formal scapular to our monthly meetings. We live according to the rule and also live the evangelical councels.

I am presently discerning a monastic life with the Visitandine Order in full habit, and live with the nuns every chance I get (I presently work).

Yes, I can truly say I can walk (or do my best to attempt to walk) in their shoes! Live+Jesus God Be Praised!
 
I have always believed priest should always be in “uniform”. Such as if I am looking for a priest to confess for some emergency, it would be easier to find them. Also, I have heard people say a priest’s white collar is like a wedding ring. They shouldn’t take it off, no matter who is around them. If they are mistreated, “welcome to Catholicism”. In my booklet, How to Make a Good Confession, is a sin to deny your faith… maybe it’s boarder line, but taking off you vestments because you want to “hide” seems to be denying your faith, to pretend you are something else. Fr. Gobi is all about ALWAYS wearing vestments.
 
christine1 said:
:eek:

Patrick–

I have taken my definitive promises of the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular i.e. Secular Third Order of Mt. Carmel. (It took me 6 years). We wear a large formal scapular to our monthly meetings. We live according to the rule and also live the evangelical councels.

I am presently discerning a monastic life with the Visitandine Order in full habit, and live with the nuns every chance I get (I presently work).

Yes, I can truly say I can walk (or do my best to attempt to walk) in their shoes! Live+Jesus God Be Praised!
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Hi Christine,

I am so glad that you are discerning a religious call. I truly hope you be come one. Today not that many women consider joining a religious order. That is sad. Maybe one of the reasons for some is there isn’t a strong indentifable presense of habited sisters/ nuns in some areas. It doesn’t even have be a full habit, modified one with a simple veil and skirt or a standard uniform. Oh, and add a brooch, cross, scapular or whatever that peculiar order would normally wear.

I originally wrote my previous post for those were judging and not being charitable to our priests and religious about wearing clerical or religious garb. Before I get nasty replies everybody has valid points. However, I feel our priests and religious should dressed accordingly to their order rules, church laws, temperature, ministry, vacation, exercizing, days off etc. I know I would like to see them comfortable.
 
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