All of the religious sisters I've come in contact with who didn't wear the habit exhibited varying degrees of bitterness whenever in my ignorant curiosity I brought up the question of why they were not wearing one. One good sister, a cloistered nun of a monastery I was visiting replied that she believed the habit suppressed her femininity. I was astonished by these replies due to the fact that I was ignorant then of what had happened to the Church shortly after the Second Vatican Council. Nuns I've spoken with who wear their order's original habits explain it also as being a symbol of the holy modesty and purity of a bride of Christ. This idea inflamed my heart & seemed important to me particularly in these times in our culture as these virtues are rejected, rebelled against and even unknown and especially among women. It seems that nuns could adopt a uniform version of the common garb in earlier times because these virtues were definitely more esteemed by the Christian culture of that time. Shortly after my re-version I even thought that VII was the second council the church had ever had😄. Thank you for this (Sr.) Mary.
This is a great conversation to have. The traditional habit is the clothing peasants wore in the Middle Ages. When religious life began, the purpose of the clothing was not to draw attention as a symbol of their consecration. The sisters wore the simple clothing of the times. Fast forward to the years following the Second Vatican Council, religious congregations were asked to return to their roots and the charisms of their founders. This discernment led many communities to discontinue the use of medieval clothes and instead adopt simple clothes and a pendant of their community’s symbol, oftentimes a cross or crucifix. Fast forward to the 21st century and the habit has come back in style with new religious congregations. Young women discerning religious life today often seek communities that wear habits. What was once the clothing from the Middle Ages has become a powerful symbol of religious life. What’s important for us to remember is that it’s not a habit that makes a woman a sister. Rather, it’s her commitment to Christ and his Gospel. I think we get caught up in outward appearances so much that we forget what matters most. I’ve had the blessings of knowing many religious sisters. Some wear traditions habits, some wear modified habits, and some wear simple clothing. Ultimately it’s not their dress that drew me to them, but the way they lived their lives. I’ll be the first to say I love habits. It sure makes it easier to spot these holy women in public. However, that’s where the lackluster ends for me personally.
The Schoenstatt Sisters dressed in almost floor-length dresses, which at the time people couldn't tell if they were Sisters or not. Now, they are dark and hot and they wear stockings underneath. Now, it has been said that the dress forms them.
Well, Like They Say...If It's Not Broke, Don't Fix It!!! And About The Fabric, That Habits Are Made Of...Sometimes The More Uncomfortable Fabric, Could Be Worn, As A Mortification!!! Sometimes "Easy-Peasy", Is Not Always The Way!!! The Lord Says Strait Is The Gate, And Narrow Is The Way, That Leadeth, UNTO ETERNAL LIFE!!! I'M CATHOLIC...THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, IS LIKE A FABRIC...WHEN YOU BEGIN TO PICK A LOOSE, ONE CORNER OF IT, THE FABRIC IS WEAKENING, AND BEFORE LONG, YOU WONDER WHY THE WHOLE FABRIC, IS FALLING APART!!!
All of the religious sisters I've come in contact with who didn't wear the habit exhibited varying degrees of bitterness whenever in my ignorant curiosity I brought up the question of why they were not wearing one. One good sister, a cloistered nun of a monastery I was visiting replied that she believed the habit suppressed her femininity. I was astonished by these replies due to the fact that I was ignorant then of what had happened to the Church shortly after the Second Vatican Council. Nuns I've spoken with who wear their order's original habits explain it also as being a symbol of the holy modesty and purity of a bride of Christ. This idea inflamed my heart & seemed important to me particularly in these times in our culture as these virtues are rejected, rebelled against and even unknown and especially among women. It seems that nuns could adopt a uniform version of the common garb in earlier times because these virtues were definitely more esteemed by the Christian culture of that time. Shortly after my re-version I even thought that VII was the second council the church had ever had😄. Thank you for this (Sr.) Mary.
I've seen alot of nuns wearing street clothes and it makes me sad, it doesn't feel right to me. If I were a nun I'd be proud to wear a habit.
This is a great conversation to have. The traditional habit is the clothing peasants wore in the Middle Ages. When religious life began, the purpose of the clothing was not to draw attention as a symbol of their consecration. The sisters wore the simple clothing of the times. Fast forward to the years following the Second Vatican Council, religious congregations were asked to return to their roots and the charisms of their founders. This discernment led many communities to discontinue the use of medieval clothes and instead adopt simple clothes and a pendant of their community’s symbol, oftentimes a cross or crucifix.
Fast forward to the 21st century and the habit has come back in style with new religious congregations. Young women discerning religious life today often seek communities that wear habits. What was once the clothing from the Middle Ages has become a powerful symbol of religious life.
What’s important for us to remember is that it’s not a habit that makes a woman a sister. Rather, it’s her commitment to Christ and his Gospel. I think we get caught up in outward appearances so much that we forget what matters most.
I’ve had the blessings of knowing many religious sisters. Some wear traditions habits, some wear modified habits, and some wear simple clothing. Ultimately it’s not their dress that drew me to them, but the way they lived their lives.
I’ll be the first to say I love habits. It sure makes it easier to spot these holy women in public. However, that’s where the lackluster ends for me personally.
The Schoenstatt Sisters dressed in almost floor-length dresses, which at the time people couldn't tell if they were Sisters or not. Now, they are dark and hot and they wear stockings underneath. Now, it has been said that the dress forms them.
Well, Like They Say...If It's Not Broke, Don't Fix It!!! And About The Fabric, That Habits Are Made Of...Sometimes The More Uncomfortable Fabric, Could Be Worn, As A Mortification!!! Sometimes "Easy-Peasy", Is Not Always The Way!!! The Lord Says Strait Is The Gate, And Narrow Is The Way, That Leadeth, UNTO ETERNAL LIFE!!! I'M CATHOLIC...THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, IS LIKE A FABRIC...WHEN YOU BEGIN TO PICK A LOOSE, ONE CORNER OF IT, THE FABRIC IS WEAKENING, AND BEFORE LONG, YOU WONDER WHY THE WHOLE FABRIC, IS FALLING APART!!!
YES, Nuns should wear habits!!!!!
I love nuns who are in the habit of wearing them.