This is the third entry in my series on the habit. I am not sure that I intended for this to be a series, but it seems to have turned into that.
What makes a habit a habit?
cording to Elizabeth Kuhns in her book “The Habit: The History of the Clothing of Catholic Nuns”, different communities wore their habit for different reasons. For example, while the Benedictines’ and the Dominicans’ habits were intended to set their Sisters apart as women consecrated to God, other communities donned habits in order to blend in among the people they served. The Daughters of Charity, for example, chose their habit because it was the common dress of the poor of the day.
While some communities were committed to simple habits, sometimes made of rough material, some were not. According to Elizabeth Kuhns,
“…the Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1197) had ‘lavish taste’ and designed ‘elabor
ate crowns … from memories of her heavenly visions. She allowed her nuns to wear these ornaments along with loose, flowing hair and floor-length, luxurious white silk veils on feast days, reasoning that Christ should be presented with as much beauty as they could offer.’”
Still, there were a couple of things that were true of most, if not all religious communities during these earlier years. The members were expected to dress common clothing.
So, maybe the only thing that makes a habit a habit is that it is something worn by all me
mbers of a religious group. Maybe it is simply a way of dressing that is reflective of a calling, but does it have to be a dress with a veil? Could a habit be a sort of common dress, but something more reflective of our times and culture?
Could a group of Sisters, for example, decide to wear a polo shirt with the name of their community, or some other type of insignia embroidered on it and perhaps a simple pair of slacks or a skirt, and call it their habit? What about the veil? In a society where so few women wear head coverings, is it necessary for women religious to do so?
In my own view, I think that a habit, or common dress, could be something simple and modest that will serve to make the members of a community more visible in public, and serve as a subtle reminder to the wearer of her identity and commitment, but needn’t be something that bears no resemblance whatever to the everyday dress of the times.
As always, I am anxious to know what you think, so please let me know by leaving a comment.
Filed under: Reflections
Sister, I like the idea of the habit being something that might recall the historic past of a congregation; for example, the habit of my high school teacher, a Vincentian Sister of Charity, made me think about the foundress of that order, St. Louise de Marillac. The old-fashioned dress of that order recalls the cornets that the original Sisters of Charity wore in 17th century France, that sort of headgear having been common for women of that time.
On the other hand, I have heard, for example, of what you are talking about with a “modern habit.” Perhaps you have heard of Fr. Reggie Foster, often described as “The Vatican’s Chief Latinist”? If you don’t mind me quoting from his Wikipedia article: “Returning to Milwaukee every August, Foster is sure to order another one of his blue outfits of wash pants and jacket from JC Penney… He does not wear the traditional habit of a Discalced Carmelite friar because, he says, it intimidates people. The irony is that his outfit has a lot in common with that worn by plumbers.”
Of course there are pros and cons here. The first thing I can think of with the Fr. Foster example is that it doesn’t show a visible sign of unity with the rest of his fellow Carmelites. The external signs of one’s religious vows are important for that common identity, and as a visible message to the world that one is “set apart.” This needn’t be intimidating.
I like to err on the side of traditional Catholic custom, but if a group of religious were to be founded with the intention of reaching out to our “modern world,” perhaps a modern type of habit would better suit that mission. And who knows – maybe their spiritual descendants would be wearing polos and slacks 300 years from now!
Dear A.J.S.,
Hi. Thank you so much for your open and well-thought-out comment. I know that many people feel as you do, and I respect that view very much. Also, I love the quote that compares the Discalced Carmelite to a plumber.
I guess I am really a middle of the road person when it comes to the habit. I think there is a real value in common dress as a witness to unity and simplicity, but for me, simplicity is wearing something that is more of the people, and not something that has us standing out so much.
I found out once that the tradition of taking on a new name in religious life came about in some earlier century when some younger Brothers/Sisters decided that since they were taking on a new identity, they should take new names.
The older members of their communities didn’t like it because it broke with tradition, but as time went on it became the tradional way in religious life. Then more recently that tradition was dropped by many communities and some didn’t like it because that broke with tradition.
I am not about breaking with any tradition simply for the sake of it, but I think we always need to examine our lifestyle (all of us, not just religious), and be willing to challenge ourselves to be ever better witnesses to the Gospel. We have and will make mistakes, but I think that if our intentions are well-directed, God will give us the graces that we need to carry on His work.
Thank you so much for writing in. I wish more people would take the time to say what is on their mind.
Peace to you,
Sr. Judy
Dear Sr Judy,
A great post! I write in from India where things are quite different…. I think we are still in the place where ALL sisters wear habits and are only slowly moving towards a stage were they have started being more ‘modern’ to be able to mix with the vast majority of non-Christian, non-religious people. Still, there is a long way to go as most people think it is diluted or a half hearted vocation when people choose differently…… It feels like our future is your current present. I suppose its a cycle that comes and goes. What is important, as you said, is that all this leads us and others to Him, love of Him and knowledge of Him.
Thanks again… keep posting!
Dear Rosemary,
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I think you are right that things seem to be cyclical. The habit is definitely an important question to many younger people in the U.S., and for reasons that I fully understand.
I am happy to hear from someone of another culture on this topic.
Thanks much.
Peace to you,
Sr. Judy
There was a book published on women religious back in 1958, and it showed some truly different kinds of habits. One that I recall of an order founded in the 1940s or 50s showed the sister in a shirtwaist dress (gasp!) with am Army surplus cap (the kind that a peak front and back and folded flat).
Then there are the Daughters of Charity of Rolling Hills, founded in 1960. They still wear the slim skirts and pillbox hat made popular by Jackie Kennedy!
Hi Sr. Judy!
I’ve been reading a book called The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris. It is a sort of memoir-style reflection of her time spent being a part of a Benedictine community. As a Protestant, she offers some really insightful comments about why and how we can appreciate and learn from the tradition and lifestyle of nuns and monks. Yesterday I read a chapter about the wearing of habits, and it reminded me of what I had just read here! Next up on my reading list is one titled Monk Habits: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with the wearing of a habit, but I’ll let you know!
~Wendy
Dear Wendy,
Hi. It’s interesting that you should mention The Cloister Walk because we have that book in our house and I have been thinking of reading it. After reading your post I have decided to look at it.
I would be interested to know what you think of the Monk Habits book. I often wonder how it is that people of other faith traditions perceive us folks in religious life.
Thanks for writing.
Peace to you,
Sr. Judy
I think the problem with the idea of a polo shirt with the name of the community on it would be a group of nuns being confused with a bowling team :>
Dear Ed,
Hi. How funny! I never thought of a bowling team, and you may well be right.
I have been struck by how much of a response I have gotten to these three posts I put in here on the habit. I have to admit that I myself have given much thought to the topic and have had long discussions with a number of my Sisters about it.
People often say that the issue of dress is only a trapping, a side issue. I agree that dress is not at the core of our life, but I also know that this is not a fringe issue either.
I suppose we just keep discussing and trying our best to grow into who it is that God is calling us to be.
Thanks again for your comment.
Peace to you,
Sr. Judy
Go back to the habit and God will send vocations! The liberals have had enough time!! Show by example and maybe we won’t have as many people showing up for Mass dressed like they are going to the pool! Don’t be ashamed of your vocation!
HABIT PRO OR CON!! How many Sisters chose to go back to the habit. Last Thursday I was delivering bread to the poor and a lady came out to see if I needed help with some men! I had to ask are you a Nun oh yes she said a Sister Of St Joseph oh I wondered I said I never had trouble picking you out as a young boy. Kind of sad! I guess when you become ashamed of your vocation things change!!! Sister Ann Mary doesn’t sound as good as Judy because I guess it has St Ann and Mary our Blessed Lady in it. It will change !!God I feel is showing now the world he is not happy. Floods
tornadoes, earthquakes, homeless, hungry! SAD
Al,
I am not sure I understand your position about nuns and habits, but I am concerned that you would think that God would want pain and death to innocent millions because God was “upset” about how some other people (who apparently did not feel the wrath of God) dressed. That “god” you describe is not the God I know. Nor is your described god the God of The Church as I understand it.
Your god certainly does not sound very just or merciful. Your god seems to be very obsessed with outward signs of ritual, and not at all concerned with what resides in a person’s heart, and that person’s acts toward others (my God’s children).
The concern about ritual is not without merit, but the lack of recognition of the other factors is problematic. Although not alone, I recall that a couple of thousand years ago, a Jew named Jesus expressed some concern about such one-sided beliefs being attributed to his God.
I appreciate your sincerity, and I deduce from your writings that you are active within The Church and in helping others. May God bless you with good health and continued spiritual energy, and open your heart a little wider to accept those women and men of good will and deep faith who hear God a little differently than you.
Thank you Al for your honest comment. Of course it should come as no surprise that I agree with David on this issue.
He is right that the Pharisees were fixated on exteriors to the neglect of the interior life and that Jesus spoke very strongly against that. His concern was especially acute because the Pharisees were among the spiritual leaders of the people.
Giving attention to, and striving to understand and develop the interior life is much harder and one has to be prepared to deal with a lot of gray areas. It can be scary, and I think that is why we sometimes cling to exteriors and try to make them the whole picture.
Exterior, tangible symbols of our faith are important, and I have said repeatedly on this blog that they are important to me, but I probably need to say that they are important only insofar as they support the Godquest. If the Godquest is not at the center, then the exteriors become meaningless and can even be seen by some as an affront to the faith.
We need both, but they are not of equal importance. It is the Godquest that has the greater significance.
Peace to you Al and to you David,
Sr. Judy
Dear Sister
I guess I will never change and I will always feel that it is a sad day when our church turned in the 60’s. Vocations gone 3 new priest ordained this year in Pittsburgh, convents are begging and advertising for Nuns WHY!! As David puts it my god as he would say, no he is wrong on that point, IT IS my and your GOD
NEVER A SMALL G IN MY GOD. The best thing to do though it hurts is watch the closing of churches, schools maybe a few convents unless they can merge.
Because we are ashamed of our vocations that stood out to all who saw the dress of a Sister or a Priest.
Now our people those that come to church dress like they are at the beach, our Sisters come in slacks and flowered dresses etc. Not one of them would visit the White House dressed like that but can come in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament our “G” OD who will judge our final days. As my Dear Mother used to say everyone takes their own hide to market. I guess this is the belief I’ll go out with. The Sisters of Charity and Of St Joseph who today I can’t tell who they are ,taught me this! I guess a lot of them weren’t happy
Years ago in my parish there were some Little Sisters of Jesus, whose “habit” was bluejeans (or a denim skirt for Sunday Mass) and a plain blue shirt. It worked well for them, and seemed appropriate to their particular charism. (For myself, I have such a hard time finding jeans that fit well and modestly … just the thought of it stresses me out!)
The trouble with “something more reflective of our times and culture” is that our times & culture are characterized by constant, rapid change in women’s clothing styles. I find nowadays that it’s easy to pick religious sisters out of a crowd — they’re the ones whose clothes and hairstyles are ten years out of date, just don’t look quite right. Not to the extreme of the ones described by the Other Sister Judy, but just — OK, 500 years out of date is “timeless”, 10 years out of date is tacky. The plumber uniform is actually pretty timeless.
I’d like a habit that’s comfortable, modest, and practical (lots of pockets, washable, warm in winter and cool in summer). There might be a dress habit and a work habit, like some monastics have. A veil — well, for myself, I don’t see the need for it over very short hair. Long hair becomes an ornament you might cover in modesty, and anyway, for me, I find it practical to tie a scarf to keep the hair out of my face and off my neck.
Why is it that monks and friars don’t go through this angst? Why is this so much an issue of WOMEN’s religious orders? I think you are right that it is “not a fringe issue”. Not for women in our culture. A woman’s clothing and hairstyle choices say volumes, like it or not. I wish you and your sisters, and all the other sisters who are grappling with this, some real Spirit-led discernment of ‘what to wear’.
I should mention that I am going through my own discernment process, considering a vocation to a contemplative convent or maybe as a consecrated hermit. As a hermit I could design or adapt my own habit, subject to the bishop’s approval.
Dear Regina,
Hi. I don’t know much about monks and friars and the angst they go through, but if they go through less, you are probably right that women often fuss more over clothing (metrosexuals notwithstanding).
I hope we aren’t out there looking 10 years out of style and tacky. I’ll admit I am no fashion-plate, but I don’t see myself that way. Now that you say it though, I will have to pay more attention.
Peace to you,
Sr. Judy
Sr. Judy, nothing personal!
I haven’t actually browsed through your website much to look at pictures, much less critique your clothing choices. It’s just the nature of women’s fashion, it is constantly changing and requires a lot of fuss to stay current…. Yech… :p Those of us who do not choose to obsess about our wardrobes can’t help but stand out. Might as well stand out in a habit! As long as it’s not stifling or itchy or otherwise miserable to be in. It was actually a monk who gave me the line about preferring to be 500 years out of date … he was quoting an elderly nun who had declined to give up the habit when it became optional. Supposedly she said, “Daahling, I’d rather be 500 years out of date than 50!”
Now that I am no longer a bureaucrat, I am spending most of this summer in men’s cargo shorts (they fit me better, and ….. have better pockets than the women’s!), a tank top and flip-flops. Denim dress, usually, to Sunday Mass, long cargo pants (sigh) to daily Mass when I go.
But for a habit … traditionally there’s a work habit (shorter, tougher fabric such as denim, probably better pockets!) and a formal habit to wear when not doing heavy or dirty work. There’s also a winter habit and a summer habit, I guess just different fabric weight. Personally, I think the belted tunic with scapular are hard to improve on for looks and comfort, they flatter every body type. But, if you are thinking of designing a new habit for your community (or I, for myself as a hermit), you can be creative. What about something like the Indian salwar kameez, the short tunic with slacks underneath? That looks soooo attractive and comfortable. It would work well as a work habit, when the longer tunic would be impractical (for someone like me, who will be farming). Mother Teresa used a sari. Like I said, the LSJ official habit is blue jeans.
Dear Sister Regina
I guess short skirts and blouses are ok, but as a young boy I spent some time under the desk as discipline. I am glad that they wore the habit! Those same Sister could handle 45 guys and girls in a classroom like a General handles his army. I loved and respected them all, and now that the years have gone by I pray for them for teaching me how things should be.
Bring back the teaching Sisters and the Habit!
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE NUNS HABIT WAS LIKE A WEDDING DRESS, A SIGN OF MARRIAGE TO GOD?
BUT LIKE SO MANY THINGS IN OUR FAITH NO ONE CARES. We have Sister?? pushing votes for Barac Obama who is a PRO ABORTION CANDIDATE totality
against the teaching of our faith, PRO GAY MARRIAGE.
It makes me sick. Without life we have nothing, without the sacrament of marriage we? have no life. Never will two men or women create life, and yet our Sisters back them and some priest. I would not want to stand before God in their shoes. It is funny and sad to think how this man came from no where to mesmerize the country. I think I read a story on this in the bible (the end times)
Good One! to look up! spirit daily.com
Just found your website. It seems to be taking a bit of a cynical stance closer to this date. I agree with the Wedding Dress view and have heard that from many nuns who still wear the habit in their orders. It is important to remember that the habit is a reminder to all people in parishes about holiness and a way to perfection that should draw us closer to Christ. When I wear my scapular in the parish, children ask questions. I have even had a vocation due to seeing me in my scapular. It helps people to see that others are still entering religious orders-first, second and third orders. Yes, one should not use it to be personally recognized and give into vanity and pride. Just like advertisers advertise their products often to keep the product readily in people’s minds, so the wearing of the habit keeps the knowledge of a better way current on people’s minds (especially children). Vocations did flourish when these outward signs were evident. Another note is that research shows that a larger portion of people from Generation X, Y and so forth prefer the habit to plain clothes for religious orders. They (orders that wear traditional looking habits) seem to be the orders that are taking on the most vocations at this point. Remember, this is a sign of one’s consecration to our Lord. How beautiful it is. It seems to inspire a majority of laity when they see it. From having a person stop talking ugly to stopping some bad behavior they began to exhibit when they suddenly see a nun in her habit. It helps remind people about God and holiness. God Bless!
Praised be Jesus Christ! JMJT!
Dear Julia,
Hi. Thanks for your r esponse to my article on habits. I don’t know where you are finding the cynicism though. I am not at all against habits. Perhaps if you read my two other pieces on habits, you would see. Just a suggestion.
Peace to you,
Sister Judy
Sister Judy,
I say, for what it’s worth, please keep the habit. And the more elaborate and archaic, the better. They make the world more interesting to live in. They make me go, “Hmmm… Now isn’t THAT interesting?” I am not Catholic and am not even religious, but I have the deepest respect for men and women who have made a collective decision to pursue a distinct life of commitment to God, and to have their clothing reflect that distinction seems… Well, it just seems right! I do not want to live in a world of nuns in polo shirts. Respect should always be paid out to people of deep and consistent conviction based on reflection and introspection– the habit may only be an outward symbol of that conviction, but we live in a world of symbols and I, for one, always feel a sense of loss when symbols are changed for the sake of convention. God is not about convention so much as intention, action, and sincerity. A world without habits is a blander world.
Dear Kirby,
Thanks for your comment. I agree that the older habits are interesting, but I am not going to wear something to satisfy the curious nature of others. I am with you more on your part about symbols. There is a sense of loss when symbols go for the sake of convention.
Still, I feel that a habit is common dress, and even uninteresting polos and skirts are habits if the members of a community choose to wear that. I think it would make a statement about being both committed and a part of the 21st century.
Peace to you Kirby and thanks again for your comment,
Sister Judy
what an interesting reply! Polo is a recognizable symbol of Ralph Lauren. Is that really what you think religous communities need to convey? and maybe cynical is not the right word for how you appear to some readers but ambivalent and apathetic about what you may consider to be personally a touchy subject, the habit, yes, just a bit.
Sister Judy,
Thanks for your response– and fair enough: the outside world’s curiosity certainly should not be the excuse or reason for the continued wearing of the habit! I must agree with you 100% on that point. I guess I am only expressing my own experience as an outsider when I witness someone expressing their religious commitment through their clothing (I feel the same way about the Hasidim who are plentiful here in Hollywood, CA and dress in their own very distinct achronological garments). I do not understand the complexities or detailed histories behind all such clothing, but I know that these details are part of a belief system worthy of respect.
Having said that, I confess that there is far too much about the habit I do NOT understand to be considered an informed commentator on it. Thank you!
What makes a habit a habit?
I’m a senior in college in Chicago and I’m thinking very seriously about entering a religious order in the next 2 years. I think that the veil is a very useful aspect of the habit because it is recognizable. I don’t think that all sisters need to wear the habit or that all habits need to look the same – in the end, it’s just clothing! – but the veil is really useful for identification and solidarity.
I had never met a sister or considered religious life before coming to college and meeting them at my university’s Newman Center when I was 17. One of the campus ministers wore a veil, black longsleeved shirt, and calf-length black skirt – this struck me as a little odd at first since I’d never seen anybody wear such an outfit, but I was intrigued and went up to talk to her, and she turned out to be really nice so now we work together on a lot of campus ministry stuff. I’ve gotten to know her congregation pretty well and I volunteer in some of their ministries in the area. On the other hand, I didn’t realize that one of the other great campus ministers was also a sister for a really long time because she wears normal clothes and she usually just goes by her first name without the “Sr” in front. In fact, it was actually very awkward because I happened to mentioned to her that I was discerning and thinking of entering the first sister’s order, and she seemed hurt that I hadn’t looked at hers as well. Whoops – I had no clue that she was a sister too. Very awkward. How was I supposed to know? I guess I was supposed to notice that she wears a cross pin, but, for heaven sakes, my grandmothers wear pins too! Or I was supposed to deduce she was a nun because she’s really kind? Indeed she is, but there are a lot of wonderful lay Christians, so a beautiful witness doesn’t necessarily index vowed life.
I know that religious life isn’t about being seen – of course, the life and the intentionality are so much more important than the clothes! But something unambiguous helps a lot. If I do become a sister, I would at least like to wear the modified veil with whatever else I was wearing (habit, polo shirt, whatever) so people could immediately know what my life was about and not have to wonder.
Besides, for my sake, I want to feel part of something, and I think the veil is a reminder of solidarity within a group. I know that everyone experiences loneliness from time to time, so if I give my whole life to a community instead of having a family, I would like that togetherness to be visible to me on the days when I inevitably wonder if it was such a good decision to be a sister instead of having children. (I’m not planning to have doubts, I’m just trying to be honest with myself about the complexity of such a decision). Wearing something distinctive in common with my sisters would be a constant reminder of my identity within a community. It somehow makes the community seem more substantial – I’d be less afraid that the community would cease to exist, or that I’d be the only one left in 50 or 60 years when I’m old. The veil is distinctive enough to bind individuals together in the collectivity of consecrated life, but not so weird that it off-puts other people or gets in the way of ministry. I know this sounds very sociological, but I think God works through symbols – why can’t the collectivity of the habit communicate something of the cohesiveness of God’s love in the world?
actually the habit is about being seen. it’s about being recognized as what you are and your identity within a community. it is a representation of a giving up of the old self for a new life in Christ. unfortunately today so many have gotten caught up in individualism and the self. the answers that i read about why some don’t wear the habit are at best contrived and mostly convoluted.if you have spent time with a community and have experienced nothing more than what you might experience in any other corporate space then that community has lost its’ original charism and to the shame of many who broke ground before is probably not going to be around much longer.
What makes a priest defy the Holy Father , Cardinals, Bishops and fellow Priest. I wonder if it isn’t the same thing that makes a habit a habit. Notre Dame is an example of what is happening in our faith. Father Jenkins will accept the most pro abortion president we have ever had to speak and receive an honorary degree at this Catholic Unv?? against the teaching of the church and clearly stated by our Holy Father. How have we become so ashamed to defend our faith in actions and dress! We will answer! DEFIANCE
Sr. Judy, it seems the topic is veering from the original one, but I would like to steer it back to “what makes a habit a habit”.
Since you are a nun, your opinion, Sr.Judy is probably more important than any of ours, since you are living the life which we are discussing.
I like the stunning black and white habits of old. As a child who grew up in Catholic grade schools with nuns in full habit, I have always had a fascination with the nuns habit. Perhaps it is most effective in schools.
One can see and feel the simple, yet dramatic affect that the color black has on clothing. Nuns wearing this powerful and relatively flattering color commanded great respect from their students. The clothing and the lifestyles represented by that clothing, held great fascination and admiration for those wearing it.
I had always wanted to be a missionary nun when I was young. My life took a different direction. We all instantly recognize the look of the habit of a nun.
If you are more comfortable in slacks, then so be it. However, the frock of a monk or a nun looks so comfortable and, at the same time, respectable and recognizable. I would think you would enjoy wearing some form of a long black dress at some point in time. There is nothing wrong with admiring the outfit.
It is up to each individual nun to decide if they can handle wearing a long black dress, modified to look sleek and modest. It need not be the exact old fashioned outfit, not at all. However, a long black robe, or dress, what ever you would like to call it. It is an admirable look.
If you do decide to wear a long lovely and modest black dress, it is slenderizing, as you know. It is also
a highly respectable look, one that you might continue to consider among the others in your present wardrobe. A long black dress, somewhat fitted, will do. Don’t dismiss this clean cut and respectable outfit. Why not try one on and see how you feel and how others react to you while wearing it? This might be a revelation. I would be interested in what you experience when you wear something like this.
With hopes for your good fortune, good health, and happiness,
Laurie