Domincan Nuns' Habit

[tnavarro61]

i feel sorry for the moniales op for the comments they receive here . i know they don't have the intention to desecrate things. by the way they have the comments section at their blogsite.

[Saint Therese]

This thread may be the low point of this phorum.

From the Catechism:

2478 T[b]o avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love.[/b] If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.[279]

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.




<a name="AGAINST">

Edited March 19, 2010 by Saint Therese

[DameAgnes]

[quote name='DevotedtoHim' date='19 March 2010 - 02:19 AM' timestamp='1268983160' post='2075576']
Yes, Sister, I thought the garter thing was also sort of strange and disrespectful. Like someone else said I thought stuff that the foundresses had are relics. But I also thought the photos of the dead nun that they had on their blog was really gross!!!!
Katherine
[/quote]

Katherine how old are you? You sound like you're 14: "A dead nun! How gross!"

I guess those pictures of Therese of Lisiuex, and Bernadette Soubirous and Mother Teresa, and Sister Lucia really "gross you out," too?

"That's different. They were SAINTS."

Well...they weren't saints when the photos of their corpses were taken and sold for profit.

Monasteries have friends and supporters who may know their members. Since not all can travel everywhere, all the time, it is not unusual at all for deceased nuns to be laid out in choir and photographed thusly. Then supporters can "pay their respects," as it was, via the photograph. These sisters did nothing unusual, it was the equivalent of sending out the death notice-with-photo.

Really, you guys. Do you realize how you sound like gossiping biddies at the hair dressers?

"Did anyone else think: psst psst psst?"

"Wasn't anyone else bothered by psst psst psst?"

I imagine the serpent in the garden sounded like that: pssst, pssst, psssst.

"Oh, yes, That was SO disrespectful, psst, psst, psssst!"

Was it?

How about: NO ONE WEARS GARTERS LIKE THAT ANYMORE; THEY ARE A REAL HISTORICAL CURIOSITY. SISTER, HOLD THEM UP SO I CAN TAKE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THEM. Oh. Look. THEY'RE LONG. SO YOU'LL HAVE TO HOLD THEM HIGH UP.

As I said earlier. You can choose to interpret things in a charitable way (and in this particular instant the common sensical way) or a judgmental way. It seems to me this thread is choosing the judgmental way. The sisters of this community seem to me to be enthusiastic, loving and respectful of their history and all who came before them. But I suspect some like the spiteful little thrill of being able to cry "scandal! scandal!"

You say more about yourselves with this thread than you do about these sisters. And frankly you GIVE SCANDAL by your nasty little "oh so charitable" whispers.

It is true that the Monialesop site has a comments section, just like the Passionist Nuns blog, which didn't manage to scandalize you when it showed nuns in silly Christmas hats, or postulants and novices playing croquet and acting like they were attacking each other with mallets. But with the Summit nuns there seems to be a particular animus. No matter what they do, some here sniff, "real nuns, respectable nuns, nuns like "I" would be would never do that." And "they're not SERIOUS enough for me!"

I wonder what you will think of the post they have put up there, today? Doubtless it won't be "serious enough" for some. It will be too joyful, and it will lack the breast-beating, floor-kissing, climbing-stairs-on-knees example of "holiness," for some.

St. Teresa of Avila, who asked God to save her from "pious saints" and would urge her nuns to dance with castanets, pray for us and teach us about holiness that is free of romantic trappings.

I agree with Saint Therese, that this is a low point on this forum. As to the notice that "they have comments section" on the site -well, I really hope this uncharitable lot can refrain themselves from bringing their gossipy criticism to the moniales site, so they can expose themselves to a broader readership and further scandalize us.

"See how these Christians love one another."

I think I will send a small donation to the Summit Dominicans, in reparation for the slander, gossip and meanness they have endured, here. And I will know better than to post anything about them in the future, in these threads.

I am ashamed of this thread. I hope the moderator will close it before it degenerates further

Edited March 19, 2010 by DameAgnes

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='DameAgnes' date='19 March 2010 - 12:22 PM' timestamp='1269012126' post='2075674']
I hope the moderator will close it before it degenerates further
[/quote]

me too

[osapientia]

[quote name='Saint Therese' date='19 March 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1269006627' post='2075632']
This thread may be the low point of this phorum.

From the Catechism:

2478 T[b]o avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love.[/b] If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.[279]

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.




<a name="AGAINST">
[/quote]

I have not posted on this thread for a number of reasons...but now it dawns on me that we could go round and round about this for a very long time. Those in agreement with each other judging that the "other side" is judging. In my opinion (and who doesn't have one?) those who don't like the particular blog being discussed were not judging nor detracting persons...but rather were stating their opinions about a particular action that they found distasteful. Perhaps it got too close to judging "persons" because we all knew the "persons taking the actions". When anyone posts personal things on the Iternet, they ought to be aware that they open themselves for public scrutiny. A good piece of advise, I think, is "if you don't want it judged/seen/talked about" don't put it out there, if you choose to put it out there just know that you will get comments...negative and positive.

Perhaps all posters deserve the same kind of "judgment" spoken of here in the Catechism. In other words...isn't it also wrong to judge harshly the thoughts/actions/intentions of those whom you perceive to be judging harshly in the first place? As I say we could go round and round.

As for this being the low point of this phorum, I personally wouldn't go that far. I have seen worse. In fact (somewhere around a year ago or so) there were posts in which a good and faithful community was reported to be something other than that. The fact that the information was given by a religious woman meant that no amount of defense of this community would suffice - despite the fact that the original information was at best "old" and at worst, untrue.

Wise counsel might say let's not take ourselves "over-seriously" recognize that we are sharing opinions and so anyone with an interest in a community ought not to judge it by what they read here (or anywhere really) but rather, should "go and see" for themselves.

We are, all of us in these corrupt bodies, merely tangled, knarled branches on The One Vine, Jesus....we get caught up and entangled with each other all the time...let's not berate each other for being who we are...but as the catechism and Scriptures say, correct one another with love.

Just my .02

[alicemary]

I, too no longer post on this site. I am horrified by responses. I only come on from time to time to check out any new orders or people entering. This is supposed to be a site that inspires us to holiness, but sadly it is down right nasty most times. Summit is a beautiful order who has been around for years. They dont have a revolving door of postulants like some orders. Thank you for the sanity of the last few people who responded. It is truly sad that people with maturity and openness are in the minority here. Mods close this topic, and leave good communities out of your bickering, small minded lives.

[brightsadness]

[b]Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian[/b]
O Lord and Master of my life, cast away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power and vain talk.

But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters.

For You are blessed forever. Amen.

[cmotherofpirl]

Ok, here is the bottom line.

If you have an opinion that is in any way lacking in charity, don't post it here. This board is to foster vocations, not criticize the men and women who give their lives to Christ Jesus. You are not walking in their shoes.
If you are just bursting to discuss something that is not in perfect charity, discuss it with a member of the order in question, do it privately among yourselves, contact the local bishop but again, NOT HERE.

In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas

[dominicansoul]

i happen to know this community very well, and they are solid, orthodox, Brides of Jesus Christ in every way, shape and form...

i find it absolutely ridiculous, that people will criticize them over pictures they see on their blog! I also find it very sad that traddies can be hyper-critical over the way certain religious behave, or wear their habits, or treat their relics....I even know some traddies who are hyper critical just because a person doesn't seem to be holding their heads up a certain height or angle, or walk a certain way, or use the proper posture in Church!

...all of that sounds very much the same type of criticism the saducees and pharisees had over the behavior of Jesus and His Apostles!

I say, to all my Dominican Nuns in Summit...thanks for being HUMAN! I couldn't imagine if you all were ultra-traditional! You all would be suffocating robots! Keep up the beauty and the Love and the splendor of religious life! You are living as Jesus lived, and being criticized just as He was....you are doing everything well!

[Macies]

Very glad to see the moderators weigh in on this issue which indeed seems to reflect the wider Church as a whole. It makes me very happy to see that unlike prior threads which had differing "opinions" this one was not shut down; communication is good. I am very happy to know that ALL communities (no matter their appearance) will be treated with respect and charity, which is so often not the case. As one leaving one place to go to another, I am dealing with all kinds of issues and I appreciate support on all levels.

This has been a good reminder of how we behave, what we do, what we "put out there" - especially if we chose to be a public witness - reflects on the whole and leads others to think more deeply. A very deepening experience on all levels.

Also glad to see St. Augustine's quote. In Latin.

[Beatus]

None of you really know what you are talking about. These nuns make a mockery out of holiness and truth and they went the wrong way after VAT II everybody knows that. Also, you CAN'T leave a message on their stupid website because they will delete anything that doesn't say how great they are.

Also, for those of you who think that ALL nuns are great, you are wrong. THE ONES IN THE HABITS that are FULL AND COVER UP are the real ones. I'm sick and tired of the fake ones.

[Beatus]

Also if you quote a MAN SAINT you should give him CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tnavarro61]

thank God I wasn't alone in my thoughts.

respect. respect. respect (just like what Aretha Franklin sang.)

Like what the MonialesOP posted in their blog,

"They shall judge no one. If they see anyone doing something, even though it appear evil, they shall suppose that it is good or done with a good intention, for human judgment is often deceived."

-Primitive Constitutions of the Order of Friars Preachers, XII

Edited March 19, 2010 by tnavarro61

[tnavarro61]

[quote name='dominicansoul' date='20 March 2010 - 05:41 AM' timestamp='1269031292' post='2075892']
I say, to all my Dominican Nuns in Summit...thanks for being HUMAN! I couldn't imagine if you all were ultra-traditional! You all would be suffocating robots! Keep up the beauty and the Love and the splendor of religious life! You are living as Jesus lived, and being criticized just as He was....you are doing everything well!
[/quote]

you're the best dominicansoul!

[tnavarro61]

[quote name='dominicansoul' date='20 March 2010 - 05:41 AM' timestamp='1269031292' post='2075892']
I say, to all my Dominican Nuns in Summit...thanks for being HUMAN! I couldn't imagine if you all were ultra-traditional! You all would be suffocating robots! Keep up the beauty and the Love and the splendor of religious life! You are living as Jesus lived, and being criticized just as He was....you are doing everything well!
[/quote]

you're the best dominicansoul!

[sistersintigo]

Just wait, you guys, until you read about the MAFIA BUNNY. I did not make this up.

[Hilde]

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Beatus' date='19 March 2010 - 05:51 PM' timestamp='1269035482' post='2075938']
None of you really know what you are talking about. These nuns make a mockery out of holiness and truth and they went the wrong way after VAT II everybody knows that. Also, you CAN'T leave a message on their stupid website because they will delete anything that doesn't say how great they are.

Also, for those of you who think that ALL nuns are great, you are wrong. THE ONES IN THE HABITS that are FULL AND COVER UP are the real ones. I'm sick and tired of the fake ones.
[/quote]


[quote name='Beatus' date='19 March 2010 - 05:52 PM' timestamp='1269035522' post='2075940']
Also if you quote a MAN SAINT you should give him CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]

This poster is troubled. The best course of action-- the one that the other moderators, the webmaster and the poster's mother have agreed upon is to IGNORE his posts. Just carry on. If you feel moved to do so, pray for Beatus' family. If you see him post in the future, please report it. Thanks.

[sistersintigo]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='08 April 2010 - 03:17 PM' timestamp='1270750648' post='2089334']
This poster is troubled. The best course of action-- the one that the other moderators, the webmaster and the poster's mother have agreed upon is to IGNORE his posts. Just carry on. If you feel moved to do so, pray for Beatus' family. If you see him post in the future, please report it. Thanks.
[/quote]
Maybe the bunchies would be useful....

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

It's funny, this afternoon I spotted the thread about Dominican habits, so I clicked on the link. I found myself fascinated by the Web site and by all the pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and wasn't "scandalized" in the least. In fact, I came away with a very positive feeling about the nuns of Summit NJ, and was thinking I would buy some of their soaps from their Web site.

I liked the openness. As someone who knows virtually NOTHING about nuns, I was grateful for the details of their daily life. To me, the pictures of the nuns made them seem HUMAN. For some, this might have seemed a disrespectful image, but for me, it was exactly the image that I needed to see. These nuns are real people, living a holy life, and they seemed HAPPY!

As a non-Catholic, the images of nuns I was given as a child, were of stern, dour, women with rulers. I couldn't imagine how a "normal" person could ever choose to be a nun.

But, the Summit nuns seem both holy AND normal. They seem to like being nuns and like each other, and the life suits them.

I can understand the negative reactions to the pictures of the relics. I was interested, not scandalized. But, I was also pleased to see that the young sisters in formation were allowed to have human reactions and emotions. The convent was helping them become closer to Christ, but wasn't trying to "wipe out" their personality in the process.

As for the picture of the nun who had died, I liked that they showed that, too. I thought the picture was respectful--it was taken from a distance and didn't show her face. The picture illustrated that, for these nuns, death is a natural part of life. This nun had apparently been living in a nursing home, but after her death, she was brought back to the place where she had likely lived most of her life and will be laid to rest in the garden where she walked every day. If I remember correctly, the site said that the nuns took turns keeping vigil with her all day. She remained part of the community, even in death.

I was trying to study the dates on the site, but it seemed possible that the nun who had died was lying in the chapel at the same time that the young novice was taking her simple vows. To me, the idea of a new life in Christ alongside another Sister who had passed to the next life was a fascinating juxtaposition.

One last thought--The novice mistress looked very young to me, and I was impressed. There are obviously much older Sisters than she in the community, but the Prioress apparently chose the one she felt was best qualified, not simply on the basis of seniority. The novice mistress must be very gifted if she was given such responsibility at such a young age. (To me, she didn't look more than 25, but she is likely older than that--but in her early thirties at the oldest.)

After looking at all the pictures, and wishing there were more, I came back to this thread to find that some posters had had negative reactions to the same pictures that had charmed me so much. And, the negative reactions were thoughtful ones--I could understand why some might have reacted differently to the pictures than I did.

This post has no point except to illustrate how all of us are very different. The Summit NJ Dominicans are doing their best, and for some people their Web site works, and for others it doesn't. I guess that is one reason why there are so many different communities of religious women. Women who are called to the religious life all have very different gifts, and have different needs in terms of the best community for them to join to best serve the Lord. But, after looking at the Dominican nuns' Web site, I came away feeling like I "knew" these women, and none of them fit my old sterotype of a dour, cranky Sister with a ruler, so for me, the Web site "worked" and this non-Catholic was not only not "scandalized" but came away with a very positive feeling about the these nuns.

BTW--I thought the "Mafia bunny" was funny.

Edited April 8, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola