The question about the habit being the answer to vocations recruitment comes up every now and again on the blog in various forms. It’s an interesting question that is way more complex than a simple “yes” or “no” can account for. Here is one of those questions that came in from Hilary:
Nuns are practically invisible nowadays, even in my very Catholic area, which is probably part of the reason why more women are not becoming nuns and even do not realize that that is an option. Perhaps if more orders wore some sort of habit – not necessarily the full, traditional habit – to distinguish them, to make them visible to the public, more young people would answer a call to vocation?
A couple different ways to look at this … one would be to look at the visibility issue by looking at priests, for example, who are clearly dressed as priests during liturgical events and often in other settings. One might say they are clearly visible yet why are U.S. seminaries not overflowing?
Another way to look at this is to consider the Internet. In this day and age, it is possible to get bounds of information about any subject (provided one has access to the Internet). One can easily, “visibly” find any number of Catholic sisters, nuns, brothers, priests, monks, friars, deacons, hermits, consecrated virgins, etc. There is more information accessible to a larger number of people than ever. Yet seminaries and houses of formation are not overflowing — of course that begs the question, do they need to be? Is quantity what we are aiming for here?
What do you think? Is the habit the answer to vocations recruitment? Are there other other ways that the issue of “visibility” could be addressed?
Archived Comments
- April 28, 2009 at 6:41 am
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This is an interesting topic. When I “think” about the topic of nuns and habits, I understand that “being” a nun embodies more than this aspect of this vocation. However, in 2002 the parish I belong to welcomed 3 sisters from the Trinitarians of Mary based in Mexico (with one of the sisters being a graduate of the local Catholic high school). These sisters wore their habits of a long white veil and a light blue outer garment. While we have/had a few resident sisters for the Sisters of St Joseph – who wore the dark blue half veil with a white blouse and dark blue skirt – i.e. a person could tell they were Sisters — the sight of the Trinitarians evoked within me a deeper sense of –I don’t know how to even put it into words — awareness, acknowledgement, respect, spirituality, solemnity. It was quite refreshing to see these sisters walking in the city next to a busy road with these habits. When I would see them “in the world”, I would find myself mentally pausing , reflecting and my spirit rising up from my secular/urban activities. This redirection and uplifting of my mind/spirit was done without these Sisters uttering a single word ie it was their presence preceded (and accompanied) by the wearing of their habit. My experience resonated throughout the church/parish and was shared by many people. I witnessed first hand while attending various masses and church related events, that when the Trinitarians of Mary were present–there was a palpable difference in people’s demeanor -that showed in people’s actions and also evident in a deeper sense –as seen by their faces i.e. the people seemed elevated/transformed (in a positive sense). While the charism and devotion of the sisters of The Trinitarians of Mary are at the deepest level of their affect/influence on people, their habit served as an indication and both of reminder of these qualities.
- April 28, 2009 at 8:03 am
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I thought sisters didn’t exist anymore until I met a Carmelite DCJ. Turns out there were about a dozen elderly sisters at my parish church, they just didn’t wear the habit! As with everything in marketing, better visibility leads to better product sales. So more visible sisters leads to more people thinking about (becoming) sisters. That’s simple. However, you are completely right to question whether more people thinking about sisters also leads to more vocations, since actually starting discernment is something a tad more radical than changing soap brands (unless one is allergic, like the undersigned ). So in the “direct” sense it might not have a great effect.
But discernment, as you also know, is a very tender process that doesn’t only involve the discerner. There are parents, parish priests, and friends involved. In my own experience, and from what I hear from discerning friends, these people are often very concerned about their loved child/parishioner/friend, and a MAJOR part of it is that they are sure the discerner is stepping onto a sinking ship (yes, priests think that, too). And that’s where clearly visible sisters most certainly do help. And why the seminaries aren’t overflowing? Because visibility is not enough. Having habited sisters around will also not be enough. But it will be a lot.
- April 28, 2009 at 6:13 am
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I met a young nun when I was in my eary teen who never wore a habit around my family because it was no longer required and my family was protestant and yet her demanor and behavior said she was a nun, To me actons and behaviors speak louder than outer garments. She showed me and my family God’s love just by being a good friend.
- April 28, 2009 at 8:51 am
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I have observed nuns in many differnt types of habits-I was born in 1959. I can’t imagine today’s sisters in the older habits I was first farmiliar with. They seem so cumbersome and impractical. I do love to see a nun in a habit-it is such an outword sign of faith. I still want to stand up straighter and smile and say “Good Morning/ Afternoon/ Evening, Sister”. Anything that takes me back and makes me feel 12 or younger is welcome at this stage of the game. Anytime I see a woman in modest clothing wearing a large cross and simple wedding band I think she may be a nun. I think what makes a person a nun is inside and how she conducts herself. Wearing a veil is a very recognizable thing for me but I don’t think it should be a requirement. Diversity is one of the catholic church’s best qualities.
- April 28, 2009 at 6:54 am
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We recognize servants of God by the fruit of their works, not by their clothing.
- April 28, 2009 at 9:06 am
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I can’t believe that if nuns in habits suddenly start thronging the local shopping malls (to use a little poetic exaggeration) it will lead to a huge increase in vocations. I tend to agree with Eric and his comments about idealism. There can be a romanticism about monastic life which I suspect the mystique of the habit reinforces, to begin with at least. I thought Hilary’s comment that you quote was interesting – surely nuns are likely to be active in parish work and therefore visible in ‘Catholic areas’ through what they do, not how they look. One very hopeful area is the resurgence of interest in retreats and in spiritual direction (at least in the UK, I don’t know about the US). Monasteries pretty much have the track record in retreat work, and many nuns are spiritual directors. Both of these are in my opinion deeper and richer ways of being visible.
- April 28, 2009 at 7:51 am
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Sr. Julie, I think you make good points about the issue of visibility.
Honestly, I think the reason why communities which wear a religious habit are attracting younger vocations is because of the idealism of the many who are entering today. I see this, as a member of a religious order and as one who interacts with other religious on a regular basis. Though being idealistic is not necessarily a bad thing, this must be tempered with reality as soon as possible or else a vocation can be lost.
I have known women and men religious who both wear and don’t wear distinctive clothing and there are exemplary examples of holiness in each “category.” However, I have noticed a trend in that the older and often un-habited religious are more in touch with the signs of the times, while the more youthful often busy themselves with the superfluous things of religious life.
The key to this debate is understanding that the playing field of the Church is big and there is room for all.
So, with regards to visibility, I do not believe this to be central to the “crisis” of vocations for a vocation is not based on what one wears but how one responds to God’s call.
- April 28, 2009 at 7:53 am
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I’ve read and heardmany debates for and against a formal habit. I’d like to think we could allow the diversity of gifts that the Spirit gives and allow others the freedom to make choices that fit their community and their mission. After all, when a community’s Constitutions are approved by Rome, we need to assume that Rome knows who we are and what we’re about. I also like the point about visibility on the web. Most of my contacts in our Membership (Vocation) office are on line.Women pretty well know who we are before they contact us. Leet’s just focus on being loving, serving women, no matter how we’re dressed.
- April 28, 2009 at 8:00 am
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My pet peeve abut the habit is that we have lost sight of it’s meaning. It was to show that, in our dedication to God, we identified with the poor we served. That’s why Mother Teresa’s nuns wear a sari, because that was the dress of the poor women in the time and place their community was founded. I wear the alternative habit of my order–simple, modest clothing in brown or beige. I am required to wear my profession cross and my profession ring. When I was on pilgrimage to Italy in my skirt and blouse, cross and ring I had no trouble being identified as a religious.
Thank you, Annie, for saying, “We recognize servants of God by the fruit of their works, not by their clothing.” Beautifully said!
- April 28, 2009 at 9:49 am
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I agree with Venite; marketing is important. If people don’t know about something, it probably won’t have a chance of crossing their minds. Wearing a habit would help market religious life, but it isn’t enough.
Seeing the fully-habited nuns in my parish certainly helped plant the seed of curiosity about religious life, but it wasn’t enough. Being from a rather secular Catholic family, the lifestyle of these nuns was so foreign to me that I couldn’t picture ever being able to live it. And I didn’t like the way people attempted to change when they were around, it felt fake. It wasn’t until I started having casual pre-mass conversations with a non-habited nun that religious life became tangible for me. While it became tangible, I realized that her lifestyle looked TOO much like my own. I simply couldn’t justify taking vows to live the kind of life I already had. I’ve now found a community whose lifestyle lies somewhere in the middle. They wear a common color and have the option of wearing a modified veil.
To bring this back on topic, the habit may be good for visibility, but I don’t think it is the only answer. I think the real answer is threefold: becoming visible in a person’s everyday life, making the wide variety of religious lifestyles visible, and promoting the spirit of the community so that the people being drawn are there for the right reasons, not just the fashion sense.
- April 28, 2009 at 10:06 am
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Hi Julie (love your blog), and all you who have made comments. This is a great discussion!
I am inclined to think that habits should not be imposed. When nuns were ‘freed’ of their habits, there was a lot of emotional and spiritual energy that came with that. Though not all women religious chucked the robes, some who did found it refreshed them and allowed them to better engage their humanity and their calling as religious people in the world.
At the same time, (always a counter perspective!) I think by bringing the habits back (They don’t have to look like they came straight out of the courts of early barbarian Europe. Something more practical and contemporary would be fine.) there is a solemnity (good word, Kazimer) of intention that accompanies them.
I am a seminary student and part of a ministry team at a local church. Soon I will have a pastorate (I am Methodist with great respect for other faith traditions), and I have thought about this a lot. The idea of ‘holiness of life’ is the question that makes me think about conduct in life. Clothing is part of conduct, and there is absolutely no doubt to me that my clothing matters.
Methodists rarely wear the collar, but in doing so, there is an intentionality about it. The very person themselves has put themselves forward as someone who has not only declared for Christ, but has chosen to live that declaration with each step. This can create social barriers, true. You can feel set apart in a way that can feel obstructive to ministry. (This may not be appropriate for someone like me who is married, has children, and is certainly not set apart.) And yet, in declaring yourself, you are moving into a kind of intentional space, and a place, potentially, that challenges a deep kind of spiritual formation.
Eric would call me idealistic, and I think Eric would be right about that. I am, like many, deeply interested in reconnecting my faith to holiness, spirituality, and I am in search of mystic traditions resonant for today. Dealing with my real life as a human being is a struggle in the face of that.
As a woman, I know too well how identity can be imposed on us and used to trap us into ‘saying,’ ‘doing,’ and ‘being,’ according to the Good someone else imagines would be good for us. For this reason, I would not want any imposition. Who knows better the clothing that fits their ministry but the person whose ministry it is?
Yet for me, as I seek to live out my calling in the world, I do seek ways to bring a tangible holiness, a solemn intentionality, that will help me when encountering and engaging with the world. And that means I think about what to wear.
Of course, if there was an actual habit I had to struggle to get on in the morning, I recognize I might change my mind in a hurry (nothing like theorizing about someone else’s life!). Maybe there is some modern middle ground?
Julie, thank you!
- April 28, 2009 at 12:51 pm
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Christopher said: “And do those of you who wear the habit when you’re out and about (assuming that you’re not in an enclosed order) find that strangers come and speak to you sometimes?”
Oh, yes! That reminds me of when I was serving my first jury duty many years ago. I was wearing our veil and modified garb (dress and scapular) then. While I was waiting in a giant room of 200+ people, at least five of them came up to me and said something like, “I was taught by the Dominican Sisters in New York”–and waited there for me to say something in response (What that was, I don’t know. Did they think all nuns know each other?) I smiled and said something like, “That’s nice,” or “Lucky you.”
Of course, there’s also the negative attention. While wearing my habit and veil, I was once propositioned by a young man! I gave him a polite, “No, thank you,” and hurried home. The nerve!
- April 28, 2009 at 11:07 am
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I once met an Anglican priest here in England who told me that he always wore his dog collar when he was outdoors – even on holiday, because he never knew when a passer-by might seize the opportunity to talk to a priest. This is, I’ve no doubt, not a common practice among priests, who deserve their holidays as much as the rest of us. I’m wondering, though, whether those of you who are nuns might feel that wearing a habit in the street (not necessarily when you’re on holiday, I hasten to add) might helpfully identify you to passers-by, who wouldn’t have the opportunity to recognise you by the fruits of your works? And do those of you who wear the habit when you’re out and about (assuming that you’re not in an enclosed order) find that strangers come and speak to you sometimes?
- April 28, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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The argument about whether the habit is necessary is pointless — of course it helps visibility and has its advantages, but sisters (and Christians for that matter) are recognizable by their goodness and LOVE!!
That said…it certainly would help vocations if sisters were outwardly outfitted as well as they are spiritually. People forget sisters exist when they don’t.
Of course that’s not the POINT of wearing a habit (visibility, vocations, etc.) but it isn’t a bad side effect!!!
- April 28, 2009 at 3:22 pm
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I love seeing nuns in their habits. I always hated it when they stopped and just started dressing like everyone else. I get so excited when I see a nun in Walmart. I go over and say; “Sister; may I please hug you. It is so great to see a nun who looks like a nun.” I always get a positive response from them with their hugs. I think nuns should wear habits more for the same reason I am the only woman in our Catholic church who wears a chapel mantilla veil; because Jesus asked us too. The habit doesn’t make a nun more holy just for wearing it, but it differentiates between a nun and someone who isn’t a nun. Hugs, Mary
- April 28, 2009 at 5:23 pm
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By the way, I think I should also say that, when I entered the convent 16 years ago, I specifically chose my congregation because they do not wear a habit. We have had two women enter this year, and hopefully another will join us in the summer. None have or have had the expectation of wearing a habit. That also applies to the other women who have joined us over the last 15 years. We’ve never been a large congregation. I’m glad God continues to call, and women continue to answer.
In response to Mary: Religious life is not a sacrament instituted by Christ. There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that Jesus called women and men to what we know now as religious life. It was started well after the evangelic era.
Actually, all Christians are called to the evangelical counsels. And the early Church, as we read about it in the Acts of the Apostles, struggled with doing so. Jesus never suggested any particular type of clothing for anyone, so it is hard to see how Jesus asks religious women to wear a “habit.”
- April 28, 2009 at 4:36 pm
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While I am in vocation ministry, and involved in “marketing” to some extent. I hope that, as religious women, we never make our choices about the way we live our lives as a way to market religious life. I hope we will simply be true to the Gospel.
As to habits, I believe that when nuns first wore them, they didn’t really stand out as being all together different from what other women wore. Certainly they were not as colorful as some of the dresses that married and single (hopeful to be married) women wore, as they were the dress of widows. So, perhaps religious women, if they were even allowed out on the street in those days, looked very similar to widows.
Widows dress differently now, and their dress has changed over the centuries. How is it that the clothes that sisters and nuns wore became “religious” and unchangeable, when initially their costume was teh simple clothing of widows?
Our congregation’s constitution, as it is approved by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life in the Vatican, states that we should wear “simple and appropriate attire as witness to both our vow of poverty and our religious consecration.” I don’t understand how it can be said that the Church calls us to wear something different from the clothing we are wearing, when the Church has already approved simple attire.
- April 28, 2009 at 5:21 pm
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Plain jeans, plain white t-shirt, plain cross, plain veil, plain sneakers.
How’s that for a happy compromise?
There’s no doubt that something that looks different draws attention. It’s human nature. The first thing we notice about ANY person is the way they look, they way they appear, the way they dress. Ergo, it stands to reason that nuns seen in some sort of habit = greater exposure, greater “brand awareness,” to borrow a marketing term.
Does that necessarily mean that orders still using a traditional nun’s habit attract vocations? I think the real question to ponder is whether they attract GENUINE vocations. Having said that, the issue of genuine vocations is not one that concerns only those orders who still have the habit. In the end, only time will tell if a person really feels called to a life given to God.
This isn’t just a modern issue, by the way. Back in the Middle Ages, not everyone became a religious because they had a call. Many, many women became religious for non-vocational reasons – being a youngest daughter with poor marriage prospects, being a widow, being a young woman whose honour had been lost and had to be “put away ” somewhere… the list goes on.
I see the habit as a trigger, a symbol that can lead a person to contemplate the possibility of religious life. Not necessarily with the order who has that exact habit, but just in general. Some people are repulsed by the habit, some don’t really care one way or the other, some love it. I happen to love the old tradition full-blown habit, but I am drawn specifically to the habit of the cloistered Discalced Carmelites. I can’t see myself in any other habit. I have come to view this strong attraction to this particular habit as an indication of my vocation. I may be wrong, but so far the idea of wearing it feels right.
Anyway, just my two cents.
- April 28, 2009 at 5:24 pm
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Although a modified habit appeals to me, the congregations that wear them are far more conservative than I am. The congregations that do not wear habits are generally more liberal. I have also noticed a difference in how they view themselves and their relationship to their governing bodies.
Habited congregations will not admit a woman my age. Younger women are not encouraged in the non-habited communities. That means that the data is skewed. Beware of correlational data.
Women do not choose religious life anymore because they don’t have to. If you notice, there was a huge drop off of women becoming religious after the 1960′s which coincides with the cultural revolution that was taking place in our country. That means civil rights,the sexual revolution, the pill, and…women’s rights. Since then, women have made incredible progress in the world of work which brings them much more autonomy over their lives, which means more choices and a heck of a lot more freedom, especially over the use of their bodies. They are also better educated than their mothers, which means they have had more exposure to other religions, cultures, economies, etc. The world offers a lot more possibilities.
Religious life seems to be appealing to one of two groups of people. The very young who see nothing but superficial meaninglessness for them in their popular culture, or those who have gotten to middle age and are looking for more meaning in their lives. Either way what they are looking for is meaning, purpose, BELONGING and Love. Authentic, real, non-superficial Love.
Quantity or quality? What will it look like for the generation of religious entering now when the baby boomer generation needs geriatric care? What will missions be reduced to? What will happen to monasteries, catholic schools, motherhouses, when there is no one to put in them or to pay for tuition? I think there are more serious questions to be considering besides habit wearing.
There is an acronym in marketing and adult education. WIFM stands for What’s In It For Me? This generation wants that question answered.
- April 28, 2009 at 5:52 pm
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I’d argue that the Church needs both nuns who wear a traditional habit and nuns who wear plain clothes. Seeing a nun in full habit may lift the hearts of active Catholics, but that same habit can be a barrier to conversation with a Catholic who’s fallen away from the Church or a non-Catholic. My pastor doesn’t wear his Roman collar when he’s walking his dog through the neighborhood. Conversations get started because of his dog–then they find out he’s pastor at the Catholic Church, and he has the perfect opportunity to invite them to come join us.
- April 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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I am the vocation director for a religious community that wears a modified habit. I have received stares, questions and hugs from people. Some say they are glad to see a sister in a habit. Others are just surprised/awed to see a black nun (yes, they say that). I do think that visibility is important. More important than the question of to habit or not to habit, however, is whether parishes, families and Catholic schools present the religious life as a viable lifestyle. People tell me they want to see sisters working in their parishes, but when I visit their parishes for vocations talks, I don’t hear a prayer for vocations in the intercessions. All of us are responsible for encouraging vocations, whether we wear a habit or not.
- April 28, 2009 at 6:44 pm
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All these comments are so interesting. It’s amazing how the habit issue always stirs up so many different emotions.
I too have that instant emotional reaction to the habit. I spent most of my childhood dreaming of becoming a nun and seeing someone in a habit brings back memories of all these things I held dear. Though I think emotional reactions should be cherished, I do think it needs to be tempered with rationality when it comes to painting a portrait of what is happening in the world.
Many people have mentioned that habits are an obvious sign of one’s dedication to Christ. This might be theoretically true, but I don’t believe this is why people like the habit so much. I think there is a feeling of security in being able to “size up” a person by looking at them; the world is chaotic and I think that to some people, seeing nuns in habits somehow makes people feel safer, like a reassurance that some things never change. I don’t think it is any coindence that people who are more conservative are more likely to want all nuns to wear habits.
It is true that habited sisters are easily recognizable and that people may go up to them and thank them for wearing the habit, or even offer hugs! That’s sweet, but you have to think of all the other people who have different associations with the habit – many of them negative – and those people are not likely to go up to a Sister, hence one would never know how they felt. There are many many many ex-Catholics who have had interactions with many mean nuns, especially as children. I know there are many wonderful nuns who did nothing but care for the children they taught or nursed, but there are also many nuns who were anything but caring or loving. In my experience these ex-Catholics have a lot of trouble dealing with their feelings toward the Church, and toward nuns in general. I think nuns should be more aware of that – of the fact that even though they themselves might be caring loving individuals, a lot of people associate nuns with being mean and distant, and a lot of it is from personal experience, unfortunately. It’s easy to blame the media, but I think that actually a lot of the “nun-bashing” in the media comes from the unresolved feelings of former Catholic school kids who are now movie producers. There’s a lot of hurt among ex- Catholics that have to do with their past encounters with nuns, and I think that is rarely acknowledged. A lot of nuns were mean and distant (sometimes worse), and I’m sure some still are. So for those people who have had bad experiences with nuns, seeing someone in a habit hardly brings up good feelings, quite the contrary. You’re just less likely to notice their presence at the supermarket, because instead of giving you a hug, they just look and walk away. This is similar to what Ingrid was saying about skewed data. If you don’ t have a representative sample of the population, you don’t have a valid result.
As Anays Nin’s once said, “we see things as we are, not as they are.”
- April 28, 2009 at 6:58 pm
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I wasn’t going to jump in, but when I was thinking about religious life, the last thing I was thinking about was what I’d be wearing. What I was concerned with was whether the charism of the order matched what I thought I was being called to. Now it just so happens that the orders I was looking at (cloistered and semi-cloistered contemplatives in the Benedictine tradition) wear habits, but that wasn’t remotely on the forefront of my mind.
- April 28, 2009 at 7:46 pm
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I really agree with you Another Sr. Julie about losing touch about what the habit really meant. Sometimes I think that people associate the habit with the only “real” nun. I’m like many others who get a warm feeling when I see a nun in a habit. They are beautiful, but I recognize that they don’t make the sister. I can’t say that the nuns I know (most of whom don’t wear a habit) are any less of a nun. It’s their joy for life and love that shine through.
As I’m beginning the discernment process, clothing is one of the furthest things from my mind. I’m looking at charisms and missions/apostolates. It does so happen that they do not wear a habit.
I don’t think the habit is the answer to vocation recruitment. I think that kids/adults just need to be made aware that religious life is still an option and work that into the fabric of life. I know for me that religious life wasn’t even on my radar growing up even though I knew nuns. So, yes, I think that there is a problem with visibility, but the internet (blogs like this one) and even more access/openess to religious life will help.
- April 29, 2009 at 1:07 am
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Here’s another view from a non-nun, but obviously interested enough to read most of the comments in this blog. As someone who travels frequently, I am also one of those who smile upon seeing a nun especially at the airport. In past blogs/comments many sisters have tried to communicate that nuns do “normal” and unrestricted activities. I truly do see as nuns as mavericks and progressive in their life choices, but how are “we” (the general public) to know it without seeing it in action? A veil or habit, like a full business suit, a quaker/muslim/mennonite/amish outfit or a police uniform sticks out. It’s just nice seeing this when you aren’t looking for it. Yes, the internet greatly enables us to reach out to the religious just as 911 is available when I need the police. But that still doesn’t change the fact that I am comforted and feel safer upon seeing a uniformed police officer. Or personally joyful and proud upon seeing a sister in public in a habit. I think it is within this context that a habit should be viewed – as a uniform that will be recognized and evoke emotion, good and bad. So I think there should be choice in whether habits are worn (everyone needs a day off), but they also certainly should be utilized in making the choice to follow that lifestyle more visible. People are yearning for what I think the religious still represent – hope, charity, and kindness – and using the habit as a beacon in public can transform the previous conotations (from exaggerated school days, movies, halloween costumes, etc) into a modern, diverse view.
- April 28, 2009 at 11:26 pm
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I know why some nuns were grumpy back in the day! Here are the reasons, straight from some of our older sisters:
1. SHOES–You nearly never, ever got a new pair sized for you. You took what you could find from the”dead nun” pile of shoes and made do with what you could get.
2. HUNGER–The sisters were paid very little, and most that money had to go to the motherhouse for the elderly sisters and the young ‘uns in formation. If you were lucky (o_O?), people in the parish would throw your convent a pantry shower and give you canned fruits and vegetables. Or a farmer may give you the liver from that hog he just slaughtered. In the history of my congregation, the sisters sometimes came to supper at a table that held only a pitcher of water.
3. OVERWORK–One of our sisters had 128 students in ONE room, 4 grades together. There was no teacher’s aide to assist her. Then she had to teach CCD after school, teach private piano or organ classes, do her chores at the convent, clean the church on the weekends, and say her prayers. When my congregation began, there were no Rules for an active/comtemplative orders to model. We were expected to observe the Rule and horarium of the cloistered Poor Clares AND do the active ministries besides. Some young sisters actually died from overwork until our Rule was approved, 44 years after we began!
4. CLOTHING–Our sisters wore a woolen habit, scapular, and mantle (from Sept. 29 (St. Michael the Archangel) to late spring, probably May 18 (St. Felix of Cantalice) no matter the weather. There were also tunics worn underneath, plus medieval undergarments that did their best to hide the fact that there was a woman in there! Top that off with a hood with heavy starch around the face, a starched band and a long veil. It didn’t matter in what part of the world you lived or what work you did. You either roasted, steamed or froze in that habit.
Any one of the above would certainly make ME grumpy!
- April 29, 2009 at 6:20 am
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For some reason I never hear anyone suggesting that Jesuits should dress as Benedictine monks. What is it with women religious who seemingly become the focus of such battles?
- April 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm
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Hi Sr. Julie, I do think that Nuns should wear a habit. Something very simple and practical, which could include a vail. Not for recrutement purposes…(I think the nun by her behaviour will speak volumes!) but rather as a way of showing the world that there is something or Someone who is worth giving your all for, and hopefully drawing people to know and love this compassionate and loving God.
- April 29, 2009 at 7:49 pm
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I’m a little late in contributing to the conversation, but I wanted to go ahead and read all the comments first. I’ve enjoyed everyone’s comments. All that I’ll add is that there are two *wonderful* articles in the most recent edition of Review for Religious (Issue 68.2) on the topic of habits: “Religious Habits Reconsidered” by Doris Gottemoeller, RSM, and “On Wearing a Habit, from My Perspective” by Patricia McCarthy, CND.
I will begin the formal formation process with a community in August who does wear a modified habit. But in reading the articles above, I was really struck by how *both* articles (and the arguments within) struck me. Unfortunately, they’re not available online, but if you have access to a library, they’re well worth the read.
- April 29, 2009 at 7:50 pm
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Re: the remark above about black or white habits, I have seen sisters wearing blood red, bright blue, pepto-bismol pink (!) and–get this!–purple habits! We’re a regular rainbow of colors. Well, we would be if we were to find yellow, green and orange-colored habits…
- April 30, 2009 at 2:39 am
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I am a member of the Third Order Society of St Francis (what St Francis used to call the Brothers and Sisters of Penance) – we have never had a habit, save for our Profession Cross, which I wear almost all of the time. However, I have chosen to wear simple clothes that all mix and match s I can simplify my wardrobe down to bare essentials. I wear no makeup (I’m allergic anyway so that was no sacrifice!), no perfume, and a very limited palette of colours (mostly black, white, grey, and some dark blues). I work as a health and safety consultant so I have to look professional, but I have managed to do that on a shoestring and dress simply.
I have been investigating wearing some kind of head covering for worship, especially for high feasts like Easter. In fact, I actually got one of those wide fabric headbands that covers your whole head and wore it to the Easter Day 6am service – not to stand out in the crowd or anything, but to remind myself that I belong body and soul to God. I would welcome it if TSSF introduced a simple habit for worship!
- April 30, 2009 at 10:12 am
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This has been one fascinating thread. I certainly cannot add too much to it. I just have a few comments:
-From what I have heard, women as late as 40 or 50 years ago were still sort of chosen by their families to become nuns. I don’t know that it was always forced, but it was strongly encouraged. It’s like the role was identified for them. A few sisters I know were picked as they were they were the most religious ones in their families. Strangely enough, my husband has a cousin who (don’t know exactly how this works) dedicated her daughter to God at the altar – with the idea that she may become a nun one day. This girl is now only 14. And her mother doesn’t force a vocation in any way. I don’t even know if she mentions anything about vocations. But she’d be happy and supportive if her daughter was called. Evidentally this altar dedication thing is a very old tradition. Does anyone know anything about it?
-I’ve heard that one of the reasons folks feel it is good of a sister to wear a habit when out and about is that if a person needs help, be it an listening ear, a prayer, directions, money, whatever, he/she believes the sister, as an agent of God, would be more willing to help than the average person. I don’t know if this is always true though. But, in theory at least, a sister is supposed to be available to minister at all times (within reason I guess). Correct me if I am wrong.
-I too would be very interested in seeing what the “exit rates” were for y0ung women entering these super conservative orders these days. I have a feeling it would be high. But only time will tell.
-I remember a while back one of the posters referred to the full, traditional habit as “medieval garb.” I agree. It is. Why don’t religious orders who want habits develop more practical threads, i.e, all black/white skirts, shirts, pants, jumpers, whatever, a large crucifix, short hair, no jewelry or makeup, etc. It might not jump out at you as much as a veil and long dress, but it would be comfortable, easy to manage and would provide the visibility desired. Just an idea.
- April 30, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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What an interesting discussion! To everything there is a season – when I was very small, many sisters wore habits that were silly, uncomfortable, or in some cases, dangerous. Thank goodness that has been changed. I think that bridging the gap between religious and lay was essential, and rightly identified through Vatican II. The ability to shed the habit and to interact freely with both groups was important. But I sense a shift again in what people are needing. It seems that there is a renewed place for the readily identified consecrated woman. However, it will (thankfully, in my opinion) never be the same as it was. The sisters in secular clothes are necessary to help to keep the link between religious and lay alive and well, while the habited sisters may remind us all that we are consecrated and dedicated to do good. It seems to me that now both are needed.
- April 30, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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1) I agree that if Canon Law requires religious to wear habits, they should.
2) Too often those congregations that changed to modern dress accompanied that with radical changes in behavior tending toward dissent from obedience to the Church.
3) Many of those who choose habited communities may do so to enter groups that are faithful to the Church.
4) My opinion – if a religious is going to wear a veil, it should cover all the hair. I really hate those “half veils.”
5) And – I miss the days when you could tell one congregation from another by their distinctive habits which, in some cases, were quite unique to their orders’ charism. - May 1, 2009 at 7:48 am
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My Aunt has a theory about grouchy nuns way back then. She said just imagine a class full of forty unruly teenagers and going through menopause with no understanding of it. Can you imagine hot flashes in those hot outfits that covered everything in layers? I wore a wool uniform for one year at an all girl catholic high school-it could be pretty hot and uncomfortable in late Sept., late May and the part of June we were still in school. I strongly feel an orders ‘ choice of a habit and the sister’s freedom to find the right order is so important. Modest street clothes no makeup etc. is a form of habit to me. I’d also like to say even with all they sacrificed and endured there were plenty of joyful happy nuns too. I had a couple of very nasty unbalanced lay teachers too. My worst memory of catholic grade school in the mid sixties/early seventies involves a lay teacher-not a nun.
- May 1, 2009 at 10:38 am
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Another Sister Julie-I was absolutely stunned when I discovered the are sister who wear purple. How did I not know this? Lovely lavenders, even some of their veils!! Why God did not lead me there will be answered in eternity. For this life I am a black/white/gray Franciscan (not brown actually some wear burgundy!). Indeed there is a rainbow out there!
- May 1, 2009 at 3:53 pm
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hi Julie and all – i have thoroughly enjoyed reading through all the comments on this thread! i am a Dominican sister – and i don’t wear a habit, but do wear simple clothing – and the outward signafiers of being a sister – the logo, the cross and the ring. where i am now, most everyne knows i am a sister by my actions, and by what i talk about. I was so glad to read Ingrid’s post – and many of the others along those lines. I am a firm believer that the habit does not make a good nun/sister and a good nun/sister does not necessarily wear a habit.
There are many younger women who are looking for something to grasp onto and have meaning in their life – but i believe if they are looking for ‘clothing’ to fulfill that need – or that the habit is going to transform them into that perceived notion – they most likely will run into a time where their motives will be in question and their vocation will have to reach much deeper than the outer garments.
the traditional habit was the dress of a widow and the dress of the day. many people think the habit is a wedding gown (as a spouse of Christ) which i believe is wrong! In the past, young women who were being received did wear a wedding gown, but then went and changed into the habit – after having their hair either cut or shaved. I don’t understand where people are getting the notion that the habit is and always should be the wedding gown and should be worn all the time….can anyone help me out here??
- May 1, 2009 at 8:54 pm
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I think it would be great if diocesan vocation offices could do more to promote and foster women’s vocations. I feel that it would be a wonderful show of pastoral support for women, who are certainly a part of their home dioceses.
But to be fair, I have to point out that most diocesan vocation offices also don’t provide many resources to men who are discerning religious life, but are instead focused on assisting those discerning the diocesan priesthood. I believe the reasoning behind this is that religious communities—whether male of female—usually have their own vocation directors and discernment programs. And it has often been suggested that a diocesan priest may be less helpful than a religious to someone who was discerning religious life specifically.
Also, consecrated virgins are about the closest thing there is to “diocesan sisters.” But since this vocation was restored to the Church so recently, right now consecrated virgins do not yet have a very visible or well-understood role in the local Church (which is probably why this form of consecrated life isn’t better known as a viable option for women).
- May 2, 2009 at 9:07 am
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Sister Gayle, OSF–These sisters wore the traditional Franciscan habit with knotted cord. The color was a dark, royal purple. I hearthey only minister in India. One of our purple-loving sisters nearly ran after them in La Verna, Italy until she heard that they didn’t minister in the US!
Red Franciscans? I’ve seen blue ones, one green monk (heavily into the environment), and one denim one (He wanted to look “cool” to the street kids), but not red ones. Hmmm–now to find yellow ones and orange ones, and the rainow would be complete!
- May 2, 2009 at 1:07 pm
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Another Sister Julie: I think it’s the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who wear burgundy. They have a website. I guess it represents the Precious Blood?
- May 2, 2009 at 7:37 pm
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I don’t think the FSE’s wear burgundy — one of them works in the vocations office in our diocese and she’s always wearing brown. I could be wrong, though. Perhaps she’s a rebel in the community.
- May 2, 2009 at 11:31 pm
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wow. Bring up the topic of women religious not wearing habits and the discussion grows like grass fire.
I didn’t become Catholic until I was in my 30′s. Up to then, I think the only time I ever saw a “nun” is on TV. I had no idea they STILL exist. I had no idea what they do. I discovered a whole new world when I began exploring vocations some years after becoming Catholic. So yes, no habit made women religious non-existent for me.
Clothing does not not affect the observer, it also affects the wearer. Wear play clothes and you’re ready for play. Wear dress clothes and you’re moer likely to avoid physical exertion and avoid getting sweaty. Wear formal wear and you feel elegant. Wear the habit and other’s awareness reminds you of the role of the religious as a “sign.” Wear the habit and it makes others pause and think about a lifestyle and a focus that is [potentially] much different than theirs.
While I am enamored with the habit, I don’t give it much importance. If the congregation I’m discerning with don’t wear a habit, then so be it. I think being romanced with the habit is not a good thing. But I also recognize that the habit has value in that it gives visibility; and as a uniform, it gives a sense of oneness – both a sense belonging and a sense of a larger identity (less “me” and more “us”). What I like most about the idea of the habit is that I wouldn’t have to worry about what to wear. A woman in religious habit is a far better image than a woman in t-shirt and warm-ups looking terribly frumpy (for lack of a better word at this moment).
I am neither for nor against wearing the habit. I leave it to the congregations to discern. Why is it that men’s orders don’t have this issue? Why were women’s habits so horrible? Can we now have better designs, and can we retain the option to wear the habit. And when we choose to wear the habit, can it NOT mean “wear it all the time?”
Back to visibility: does the average American person have any idea that women religious exist, and have they any idea at all what women religious do? I think it’d be interesting to survey high school students about that. (By “American” I mean USA citizens.)
- May 3, 2009 at 4:12 pm
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I’ve just read through these posts. I wonder why we sometimes feel a need to label a right way and a wrong way? Certainly there can be both positive and negative consequences related to wearing the habit. Can we honor that differenet sisters and different congregations have different calls as to how they are called to dress? I have always known I was not called to wear a habit, but I certainly understand why some sisters do.
There is the value of a blatantly visible witness, although we recognize that the response to the habit depends mostly on the receiver and can trigger extemes in both directions. There is also the value in saying, “I have made this public witness to God and I am not so different from you!” We are all called to live in the spirit of the vows; religious women just take them publicly. We are all called to place God first in our lives; religious women do that (or strive to) in a more exclusive way. Perhaps those who are not habited remind others that we are all called to these values. I am not so different from you is what I want to say to people. If I look so different, some people can say, “While, she is special, separate, different, so that’s why she (fill inthe blank). I’m just a regular person, so I don’t have to (fill in the blank).”
All of us are called to love and serve. Discernment is figuing out how we can love best – as a single person, a religious, or a married perosn. But we are all called to love and serve.
Just yesterday I was at a conference of Catholics. The others at the table were friendly, but when I introduced myself as Sister Lorraine the immediate response was, “Oh no, now we have to behave ourselves!” It amuses me when people find out I am a sister after they have been talking a while and they wonder if they have said anything wrong. Since we are all called to consistent Christian values and behaviour, it shouldn’t cause great alarm to discover that an incognito sister in in one’s midst!
I have also found that on the odd occassion people presume that they can be quite rude and show me no respect as a person becuase I am not dressed as they think I should be. It might make these people happy to see me in a habit, but their agressvie reaction to my not wearing the habit really makes me question their Christian motivation!
On that note, let me say that I am proud to be a sister and everyone in the parish where I minister knows that I am a sister. I hope we can be charitable in all our conversations and interactions with one antoher.
- May 4, 2009 at 6:39 pm
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The Handmaids of the Precious Blood wear a deep red habit and white veil. Most of the sisters I know entered when they were retired or widowed. Their main purpose is to pray for priests. They have a lovely home in Jemez Canyon in New Mexico (Halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque).
- May 5, 2009 at 8:29 am
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interesting how this conversation has gone into the various colors and styles of habits of the congregations that wear them! it sort of makes me chuckle at the seeming attempt to be stylish – or different – in choosing outlandish colors!
lorraine makes an interesting and valid point about the people who want or think religious women should wear the habit – there is a group on facebook – “Nuns Should Wear Habits” This group is mostly made up of Catholics who take on the theology and the time from The Council of Trent! They make mention of the SSPX – which is a pre-Vatican thinking and dismissing Vatican2 as not being valid. most of the people who argue that ALL religious sisters/nuns should wear habits are lay people(on this group) There is one gentleman on there that i have gotten into some conversations with – and i must say – he and most of them have been quite rude – and so stuck in this old way of thinking. This is where the thought of the habit is a wedding gown and should be worn at all times comes from. I think it is interesting and important to be aware of some of the thinking out there – while adhering to the essence of what we are being called too.
I value and take quite seriously the vows i made to God and to my Congregation – as all of us have – it is a wonderful life – filled with challenges and blessings – and i would hope that one of these challenges is not going to be that my vows are not valid, or my profession as a sister is not valid because i don’t wear a habit!!
- May 5, 2009 at 4:40 pm
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Now back to the question: Does the habit brings vocations? Personally, I don’t believe so. I tend to believe that people are deeper than that. They have intellects and feelings, and hopefully they aren’t so superficial to make a life decision based only on the outside habit. Personally, I believe what affects the amount of vocations to an order varies on the advertisement of the order, the charism, and general apostolate of the community.
- May 5, 2009 at 5:07 pm
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I agree with what DL25 said, but I want to add something of my own personal opinion: do habits bring vocations? of course not…ridiculous. Do they HELP bring vocations? Yes. they help ‘visibility’ and ‘awareness’. are they the most important? no…that would be an insult to nuns and sisters, habitted and non-habitted alike. For anything else refer to DL25′s comment. I agree wholly.
- May 8, 2009 at 9:36 pm
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There was a group in San Antonio, TX that we nicknamed the Rainbow Sisters. A company had donated all types of pastle material to their community. In a true sense of poverty, they had made their habits and viels out of the donated material. Very colorful in yellows, peach, green…as well as blue and purple!
- May 11, 2009 at 3:30 pm
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Thank you for this blog. I found it when I was searching for a nuanced discussion of the movie “Doubt,” and I’ve been fascinated by the other discussions as well. I’m an Episcopalian laywoman, and had no close contact with nuns until a few years ago whenI was a mission volunteer in Brazil for six months. I attended a language school run by the Catholic church and had the privilege of meeting nuns from all over the world. Some wore veils and a sort of habit, and others dressed in simple and practical clothes. The habits worn by those in orders that required them resembled work uniforms, and so I really learned that the lives of religious were bound up in their mission and vocation.
I myself had a very simple and practical wardrobe for my travels, as I could take only a small suitcase that had to suffice for a variety of settings and climates. I put away my jewelry in a safe-deposit box and haven’t retrieved it since. Mostly I wore simple cotton skirts or slacks, and plain (or floral-print) blouses. Although our life stories were all radically different, I felt that a great deal of solidarity in mission with the religious. Something about being in “work clothes” together made it possible for us to work and play and laugh together.
My understanding is that nuns’ and monks’ habits were meant to be practical and were modeled after the everyday clothing of humble people. Of course, the working and living conditions of each order are radically different, but I don’t think the decisions should be made by those outside the order. I do very much agree with a previous poster who mentioned how very politicized women’s clothing choices are. I long to hit upon a style of dress that can be viewed as “appropriate” without attracting further comment.
- May 12, 2009 at 10:15 am
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I can see why some would want to wear a habit but I really think that what is on the inside of her heart is more important. I wouldn’t want to wear a habit, I don’t think, because it seems like a barrier to the laity. We are supposed to work together. I am considering 3 orders, all of which are modern and don’t wear habits.
- May 14, 2009 at 2:24 pm
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Our society is inundated by ‘signs’, good, bad or indifferent! Given that, why would the Church and religious orders make it more difficult for people who may have vocations to seek out viable role models? Religious life is competing with all kinds of lifestyles and options. If we want young people to feel compelled to explore a call then we need to be viable, visible signs and yes this includes habits! Habits are visible and certainly fall within the vow of poverty so my question is,”why are some religious so relucant to wear one?” Maybe they don’t want to be held accountable in public? Recently the Pope called on priests to wear some visible sign of their vocation and clerical suits and cassocks were in short supply in Rome. I say, “bring on the habits”!
- May 14, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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Hi everyone! i’m a high schooler currently looking at the possibility of a religious vocation. being a potential “vocations recruit” , i thought I’d add my 2 cents. first, a nun’s wearing a habit tends to be seen as a symbol of commitment to Church teaching. NOT that nuns who wear civilian clothes necessarily aren’t, but wearing a habit is like saying “yes, I care about God and my vocation enough to tell the world every time they see me that I belong to Jesus”. also, a habit is one of the cool things about being a nun. if you’re going to live your life set apart for Christ, why not look like it? You bear witness with your appearance as well as your behavior. have a great day everyone and God bless.
- May 17, 2009 at 6:36 pm
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As a 56 yr. old who attended Catholic grade school, high school and Regis University, I find habits a bit creepy. They invoke an image of domination and separation, rather than service to the world. Not that I have had terrible experiences with nuns, I think I feared that ominous foreboding figure in the black, ancient habit. When nuns integrated into the world and softened their image by wearing modest suits and pants, showed they had real hair, they seemed much more approachable. I think a habit designed in a modern fashion might be helpful in certain settings.
- May 24, 2009 at 6:12 am
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What a great blog! Like an earlier commenter, I found my way here while looking for a discussion about the movie “Doubt.”
I spent 20 years wearing the “habit” of an active duty military officer. Uniforms have totemic value, conveying a tremendous amount of information to those who understand the significance of various bits of insignia. Conformity to the uniform also intills a sense of discipline, is designed for safety and mission focus, and contributes to a sense of esprit de corps.
To some people, I was more approachable in uniform: usually to express thanks for my service, to share their own experiences in the military, to ask for advice about enlisting, or to ask a technical question related to my job. Others, I know, avoided me. For example, when I was stationed in California, I went directly from work to a local grocery store that serves a primarily Mexican immigrant clientele. I clearly made them nervous and I did not go again in uniform. In that particualar context, the uniform did not serve a positive function. Out of uniform, I had many friendly encounters with the same people.
Let the clothing fit the mission.
- June 18, 2009 at 9:50 pm
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Hi Sr. Julie, I don’t believe ‘the habit’ is a recruitment tool. It’s a sign! The world is full of signs, good, bad and neutral. A nun in a visible habit, who is dressed differently than laity is a sign that her values and lifestyle are different and counter culture. The wearing of a habit is also a requirement of the Church! Many habited nuns manage to work in their apostalates in a habit without debate. I wonder why the unhabited sisters waste the time over this issue. Surely, their time would be better spent praying, meditating or working. Wearing a habit saves money and time and it’s about living the vow of poverty!
- July 8, 2009 at 11:52 am
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In regard to nuns wearing habits:::: A habit is a holy garment and commands respect. Nuns who wear habits such as the Trinitarian Sisters and the Missionaries of Charity and the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are witnesses to “who they are”. Habits are a sign of commitment to their calling. And have you noticed, the nuns who wear full habits are the ones who are getting the most vocations???? This speaks for itself.
- July 9, 2009 at 7:16 pm
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I think this debate has pretty much been exhausted…is the habit a beautiful, wonderful, significant enhancement to religious life, and a good way to increase vocations, holiness, and awareness out in the world? Sure. Definitely. But to the exclusion of more primary ways like love and holy charity? Um, no.
To refer back to the title…is it the answer? No. Can it be part of it? Well, yeah. Why not?
- April 9, 2010 at 10:28 pm
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I. as a woman religious who’s congregation doesn’t require a habit or veil to be worn, have heard this debate time and time again. Frankly, if vocations increased simply because of the habit, I would be a bit (more like a lot) worried. Those considering religious life should be more concerned with what God is calling them to do, not wear. We wear simple dress that reflects that of those we serve. Most people who don’t see a habit, recognize us by our symbols, but more often than not, people will recognize the “something special” that identifies us as women religious.
When I first entered the convent an acquaintance asked what the habit looked like. When I explained that there was no habit she exclaimed, ” Oh, no. I prefer that all nuns and priests were the traditional garb so that I know who I’m talking to.” My response to that was simply, “Why? We are people like you in many ways, no better or worse. So maybe you should ask yourself why you feel the need to speak or behave differently around us.
