Pope John Paul II spoke on this issue, among others, in his Vita Consecrata of 1996.

The part that addresses religious dress of consecrated persons is in paragraph 25. The pertinent section, unedited, in its entirety, is:

The first missionary duty of consecrated persons is to themselves, and they fulfil it by opening their hearts to the promptings of the Spirit of Christ. Their witness helps the whole Church to remember that the most important thing is to serve God freely, through Christ’s grace which is communicated to believers through the gift of the Spirit. Thus they proclaim to the world the peace which comes from the Father, the dedication witnessed to by the Son, and the joy which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.Consecrated persons will be missionaries above all by continually deepening their awareness of having been called and chosen by God, to whom they must therefore direct and offer everything that they are and have, freeing themselves from the obstacles which could hinder the totality of their response. In this way they will become true signs of Christ in the world. Their lifestyle too must clearly show the ideal which they profess, and thus present itself as a living sign of God and as an eloquent, albeit often silent, proclamation of the Gospel.The Church must always seek to make her presence visible in everyday life, especially in contemporary culture, which is often very secularized and yet sensitive to the language of signs. In this regard the Church has a right to expect a significant contribution from consecrated persons, called as they are in every situation to bear clear witness that they belong to Christ.Since the habit is a sign of consecration, poverty and membership in a particular Religious family, I join the Fathers of the Synod in strongly recommending to men and women religious that they wear their proper habit, suitably adapted to the conditions of time and place.Where valid reasons of their apostolate call for it, Religious, in conformity with the norms of their Institute, may also dress in a simple and modest manner, with an appropriate symbol, in such a way that their consecration is recognizable.Institutes which from their origin or by provision of their Constitutions do not have a specific habit should ensure that the dress of their members corresponds in dignity and simplicity to the nature of their vocation.

I suggest that the Holy Father has provided for flexibility on the issue of habits within the traditions of the particular order.

Further, in the hope that this brings some peace to the issue, I note Pope John Paul II’s exhortation about relationships between the different religious orders:

Communion among different Institutes
52. Fraternal spiritual relations and mutual cooperation among different Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life are sustained and nourished by the sense of ecclesial communion. Those who are united by a common commitment to the following of Christ and are inspired by the same Spirit cannot fail to manifest visibly, as branches of the one Vine, the fullness of the Gospel of love. Mindful of the spiritual friendship which often united founders and foundresses during their lives, consecrated persons, while remaining faithful to the character of their own Institute, are called to practise a fraternity which is exemplary and which will serve to encourage the other members of the Church in the daily task of bearing witness to the Gospel.

Saint Bernard’s words about the various Religious Orders remain ever timely: “I admire them all. I belong to one of them by observance, but to all of them by charity. We all need one another: the spiritual good which I do not own and possess, I receive from others … In this exile, the Church is still on pilgrimage and is, in a certain sense, plural: she is a single plurality and a plural unity. All our diversities, which make manifest the richness of God’s gifts, will continue to exist in the one house of the Father, which has many rooms. Now there is a division of graces; then there will be distinctions of glory. Unity, both here and there, consists in one and the same charity”.

Peace to all.
David

“Defining people by their clothing (or any other narrow criterion) is a sure way to limit our ability to appreciate the plethora of traits and thoughts that are inherent in every human.”

I also agree with Cathy’s statement:
“There are poor, sick, and hungry who don’t care what any of us wear if we would just care. I pray that God will bless us all in our endeavors to care for each other despite how we are clad.”

But then you can’t ignore Father Ferrell’s assertion that externals are a part of our faith and do have some “ability to dispose one to a more fruitful reception of sanctifying grace.”

I think that when we are literally outfitted in a symbol of our identity and commitment, it helps us to kind of live them better.

I guess my view is that this is no easy question. I don’t think it is a worthless discussion, because what we wear does matter, but I don’t think habits are at the core of our commitment as religious. I think that if I am dismayed at all when it comes to this question, it is how often I hear people wanting to place habits is such an all-important position.

Anyway…thanks again Sr. Julie. Peace to you all,
Sr. Judy