Religious Garb and Habit

... the copy for the ad reads, “Vanity Never Stops” and the images are of “nuns” whose elaborately shaped veils hint at exotic hairstyles beneath the drapery.

It is not often that I feel compelled to respond to someone’s comment in an actual post. But a recent comment touches on nun issues that I hear from folks from time to time. I am grateful for those who articulate how they feel about nuns even when it takes the form of respectful criticism. Your feedback is important and helps us nuns to reflect seriously on our ministry and life and on how people perceive us.

In my post TIME magazine article on nuns, veils, and blogs, Hans wrote a thoughtful comment about habits and his experience with the habit. He aptly notes that the modern view on habits is quite mixed.

The article “Today’s Nun Has A Veil—And A Blog” looks at the phenomenon of young women entering convents today and how they are changing “the sisterhood.” I like the diversity of religious life that this article illustrates. There are so many ways to live religious life.

In an earlier post I reflected on the question of what makes a nun different. One thing that in the past has set nuns apart from others is the habit.