What's It Like To Wear A Habit In Hot Weather?

[MissScripture]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='06 July 2010 - 11:15 PM' timestamp='1278472534' post='2138811']
There is almost nowhere in the U.S., except perhaps the Pacific Northwest along the ocean, or Alaska, where you won't experience at least some serious summer heat. One difference, however, between various parts of the U.S. is whether the temperature cools down at night. In most of California, for example, the temperature cools down at night, and it isn't as humid during the day. But, in the California Central Valley, for example, the daytime weather will probably be in the 90's/100's all summer. The parts of California along the ocean have more temperate weather, and parts of San Francisco can be downright cold in summer. Mark Twain is rumored to have said something to the effect that the worst winter he ever spent was July in San Francisco. But, SF is built on hills, it has a number of microclimates, and it might be warm in one part of the city and very cool in another. People think of California as being warm and with lots of sunshine everywhere, but, in fact, it has a very wide variety of climates.

Here in the Midwest, it doesn't cool down at night in summer, and is more humid. But, Chicago weather is actually not bad most summers, and air conditioning is almost universal. (Unfortunately, this summer so far is too warm for my taste. ) But, last summer and the summer before, I teased my family that the summer weather was better in Chicago than in the SF Bay Area.

Note: Nashville may not be the "deep south" but it is quite warm there in the summer. The tradeoff, of course, is that Nashville is milder in the winter. Also, the Nashville Dominicans send Sisters to schools all over the U.S., so you can't predict where you will end up living. But, I suspect this is also true for many (most?) active Orders.
[/quote]
There are also some Nashville Dominicans in Australia...though I don't know the climate, there.

[OnlySunshine]

When I went to the "Come and See" in January with the CFR Sisters, I brought Cuddl Duds with me since it was freezing cold weather! I wore them everyday. I happened to ask what the Sisters do when it's cold outside since they wear sandals, and I was told that they also wear long underwear, socks (with sandals), coats and whatever else they need (gloves, scarf, etc). One of the Sisters showed me her wool socks that she brought with her to keep her footsies warm.

[CatherineM]

I also wore pettipants when I was able to wear dresses. Good thing too. I once tripped into the jury box head first, and my skirt went over my head. I never thought I'd feel a breeze there in court.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='06 July 2010 - 11:18 PM' timestamp='1278476299' post='2138828']
I also wore pettipants when I was able to wear dresses. Good thing too. I once tripped into the jury box head first, and my skirt went over my head. I never thought I'd feel a breeze there in court.
[/quote]

I wore pettipants (of various styles) all through high school and college. This was the first era of the mini-skirt, and our skirts were truly mini. My skirts were in no way the shortest, but they were still very short. About the only way to keep even a semplance of modesty when getting in and out of cars, or when there was a wind, or even crossing your legs, was to wear pettipants under our mini-skirts. We could have worn shorts, I suppose, but, shorts could make your hips look fat if the skirt was somewhat tight. We had some wild pettipants--defininitely not your grandmother's pettipants. I had several pairs, including one pair that were purple and green striped. I wore jeans more often than skirts, but we did wear skirts, too. Thank goodness I inherited my mother's nice legs, because this was an era where your legs definitely showed!

[DameAgnes]

I've often marveled at pictures of nuns in those heavy old habits, with the close (or elaborate) wimples, who served in places like New Orleans. What an offering they must have made of their discomfort.

[tnavarro61]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='07 July 2010 - 08:28 AM' timestamp='1278458901' post='2138720']
The Filipino nuns who go to our parish have switched to their white habits for summer. In winter they wear a dark blue. One wears Harley Davidson boots under her habit in winter. She's only 4'8" tall, so quite dramatic.
[/quote]

Filipina nuns? What order? O my sisters.


One time i asked a poor clare nun (wears a wimple a scapular, and two tunics) and she said it is hot but she's get used to wearing it. We're in the Philippines and it's perpetual summer for Americans (i think)

[Cherie]

We wore a full habit, but without the wimple, similar to what LC was saying. We were in Alabama ... and oh, it was so hot! I remember once sweeping the breezeway (the huge outside "porch" kind of area) with Sr. Clare Marie one day shortly after I entered, and we were sweating like PIGS, it was terrible! Honestly, though, like someone else said, the first summer was the worst, and for me, that wasn't even in my habit, that was in my postulant outfit (long-sleeved, buttoned-up-to-the-top oxford shirt with a T-shirt underneath, polyester brown vest with a polyester brown long skirt that probably fell mid-shin with a regular silky slip underneath [those slips were only worn by postulants, after that you got a petticoat], knee-high socks). I never got used to the Alabama heat (I'm in PA now, and the heat wave sure reminds me of why I never liked the Alabama climate!!!) but it actually wasn't as bad as people thought it would be. Or maybe it was just so traumatic I've forgotten how bad it was ... Just kidding, of course!

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='06 July 2010 - 07:27 PM' timestamp='1278458878' post='2138719']
What does one wear under a habit during the summer? Or in general? I've always wondered that too.
[/quote]

Pretty much the same as LC. We had what we called a "petticoat" made of some sort of thin cotton material - it served basically like a pocketed slip. We wore knee-high socks all year long, even the Sisters who wore sandals (you could choose if you wanted regular shoes or sandals -- you were supposed to have two pairs of shoes, so whatever combo you wanted) wore socks under them. A plain white T-shirt went under the tunic, and this was all year long. In the winter, also, we were allowed to bring some thermal long underwear, so you could wear that under your habit if you chose -- but even if you wore the long underwear pants, you were supposed to wear your petticoat over that. You could replace your T-shirt with the long-sleeved thermal underwear, though, if you wanted.

The Sisters were given a clothing list of things to bring with them to the convent, so no, it was nothing like having as many clothes as I have now! (Unless you don't have very many clothing!)

Taking LC's list as a reminder, these are the things we were supposed to bring, as far as I can remember!

- 2 long-sleeved white blouses (for postulants)
- About half a dozen white T-shirts
- White undergarments, including those specific to women, but no "hip-hugger" underwear (they had to go to your waist, at least)
- A dozen brown knee-high socks
- 2 pair of black shoes (similar to the SAS kind), or brown/black sandals if you wanted them
- Pair of tennis shoes, didn't matter what kind - this would be used for exercise times
- 2 sets of long underwear, if you wanted them
- Brown sweater, if you had one--if not, the Sisters would provide one for you if you needed it
- winter coat (preferably dark color, and preferably one that was waterproof)
- 2 plain long nightgowns (color didn't matter)
- A full-length housecoat (aka robe) preferably one that had a zip-up front rather than a tie
- RSV CE Bible (which could be purchased from Scepter publishers or Ignatius press, or via the Sisters' bookstore)
- 4 volume Franciscan Liturgy of the Hours (which could be purchased through the Sisters' bookstore)

That's all I can remember?

Any other books that we brought with us were approved by the Novice Mistress - no, we weren't supposed to bring our entire library! But you could bring some other religious books, like Imitation of Christ, or even some more modern religious books, as long as they were approved. The Sisters had the BEST library in the world, so we were never in want of good spiritual reading material!!! Although the postulants and novices could only read a certain section of the library - if they wanted to read a book outside of their designated section, they had to get permission.

[ksterling]

Since I have really started looking at the websites of communities I am interested in - and they all wear a habit - I now have a lot of questions on this issue. I mentioned in my first post that I am looking for a community that treats its members like adults - I don't mean in the sense that you can do what you want. I am well aware that I would take a vow of obedience. But here's an example. Several communties, e.g. Nashville, Sisters of Mary, seem to require postulants to wear men's undershirts. Why is that necessary? Why should a woman have to wear a man's t-shirt? What's wrong with a regular slip? These communities all have a postulant uniform that includes a vest or jumper - no modesty issue that I can see. The undershirts just seem weird to me.

[vee]

[quote name='ksterling' date='07 July 2010 - 10:23 AM' timestamp='1278516191' post='2138899']
Since I have really started looking at the websites of communities I am interested in - and they all wear a habit - I now have a lot of questions on this issue. I mentioned in my first post that I am looking for a community that treats its members like adults - I don't mean in the sense that you can do what you want. I am well aware that I would take a vow of obedience. But here's an example. Several communties, e.g. Nashville, Sisters of Mary, seem to require postulants to wear men's undershirts. Why is that necessary? Why should a woman have to wear a man's t-shirt? What's wrong with a regular slip? These communities all have a postulant uniform that includes a vest or jumper - no modesty issue that I can see. The undershirts just seem weird to me.
[/quote]

Behold your groom, your master, your king. Do you expect to be dressed better than He? He wore this for love of you. Wear whatever He asks you.
[img]http://virtualreligion.net/forum/images/JX_Caviezel.jpg[/img]

[Sister Marie]

[quote name='ksterling' date='07 July 2010 - 10:23 AM' timestamp='1278516191' post='2138899']
Since I have really started looking at the websites of communities I am interested in - and they all wear a habit - I now have a lot of questions on this issue. I mentioned in my first post that I am looking for a community that treats its members like adults - I don't mean in the sense that you can do what you want. I am well aware that I would take a vow of obedience. But here's an example. Several communties, e.g. Nashville, Sisters of Mary, seem to require postulants to wear men's undershirts. Why is that necessary? Why should a woman have to wear a man's t-shirt? What's wrong with a regular slip? These communities all have a postulant uniform that includes a vest or jumper - no modesty issue that I can see. The undershirts just seem weird to me.
[/quote]

My community wears a habit and a similar postulant outfit to what others have described here. The men's undershirts are really important. I know that seems strange, haha, it seemed that way to me when I entered but it really makes sense. First, an undershirt because as much as women like to think they don't sweat - they do! The undershirt protects the white blouse from the unfortunate effects of such sweat. I think the reason why most wear men's undershirts is because they are relatively inexpensive when you buy them in the packs from walmart or k-mart.

My community wears a modified habit which includes a lighter summer habit. It is a light color so I still wear my undershirt but we aren't required to because we wear slips as well. Without the undershirt though the habit needs to be washed more frequently in the summer and you can't "protect" it as well without the undershirt.

It is true that you get more used to the heat after the first summer, but I live in PA and right now this heat wave has definitely been... memorable. I have abandoned my undershirt until the temperatures go down to the nineties, haha. I'll just do more laundry for these days.

Last night when I went into our kitchenette to get a glass of water on my way to the community room there was a message on the white-board that said, "Your mission: Find a cool room and sleep there." We don't have air conditioning in our bedrooms but some of the common areas do have AC. The temperature didn't go down last night and so the sisters scattered to anywhere they could find some relief from the heat, especially the older sisters. So, as hot as it gets, we always make it work! I thought it was a little funny. Anyway, keep cool and hydrated everyone, habits or not!

Prayers,
Sister Marie

[CatherineM]

[quote name='tnavarro61' date='07 July 2010 - 05:21 AM' timestamp='1278498064' post='2138865']
Filipina nuns? What order? O my sisters.


One time i asked a poor clare nun (wears a wimple a scapular, and two tunics) and she said it is hot but she's get used to wearing it. We're in the Philippines and it's perpetual summer for Americans (i think)
[/quote]
You know, I've never asked. They work at Catholic Social Services with immigrant women. CSS is a block away from church, so they make daily mass every day.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='tnavarro61' date='07 July 2010 - 05:21 AM' timestamp='1278498064' post='2138865']
Filipina nuns? What order? O my sisters.

One time i asked a poor clare nun (wears a wimple a scapular, and two tunics) and she said it is hot but she's get used to wearing it. We're in the Philippines and it's perpetual summer for Americans (i think)
[/quote]

The Order of Sisters who live across the street from me, the Sisters of Christian Charity (not the same as the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity) have a mission for the blind in the Phillipines. They are in Quezon City. The original work done by the founder of the Order in the mid-1800's was working for the blind.

Their Web site has a picture of the Sisters and they are all in white, including their veils. From the picture, it doesn't appear they have air conditioning, since there is a large fan in the corner of the room. Although only a few Sisters are shown in the picture, I'm pretty sure there are more. It seems that the Phillipine Sisters have a small, but steady number of new vocations each year. I think most of the Sisters in the Phillipines are from the Phillipines, so they are probably used to the weather, although I'm sure they get hot like anyone else.

The Order wears a modified habit, but from everything I can tell (and from others on Phatmass who have looked at the Order's Web site), they are fully orthodox in their beliefs and practices.

I live in the U.S. near one of the convents for retired Sisters, and I worry about the elderly Sisters in hot weather. But, their convent does have air conditioning, at least in the portions that function as a hospital. Loss of electricity can be a problem when it gets very hot, but the town I live in has made special arrangements so that, even if the rest of the town loses electricity, the town provides electricity from another source to the Sisters, so they always have electricity.

Here is the Web site for the branch of the Order in the Phillipines. [url="http://www.sccphil.com/index.htm"]http://www.sccphil.com/index.htm[/url]

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Sister Marie' date='07 July 2010 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1278522702' post='2138926']
My community wears a habit and a similar postulant outfit to what others have described here. The men's undershirts are really important. I know that seems strange, haha, it seemed that way to me when I entered but it really makes sense. First, an undershirt because as much as women like to think they don't sweat - they do! The undershirt protects the white blouse from the unfortunate effects of such sweat. I think the reason why most wear men's undershirts is because they are relatively inexpensive when you buy them in the packs from walmart or k-mart.

My community wears a modified habit which includes a lighter summer habit. It is a light color so I still wear my undershirt but we aren't required to because we wear slips as well. Without the undershirt though the habit needs to be washed more frequently in the summer and you can't "protect" it as well without the undershirt.

It is true that you get more used to the heat after the first summer, but I live in PA and right now this heat wave has definitely been... memorable. I have abandoned my undershirt until the temperatures go down to the nineties, haha. I'll just do more laundry for these days.

Last night when I went into our kitchenette to get a glass of water on my way to the community room there was a message on the white-board that said, "Your mission: Find a cool room and sleep there." We don't have air conditioning in our bedrooms but some of the common areas do have AC. The temperature didn't go down last night and so the sisters scattered to anywhere they could find some relief from the heat, especially the older sisters. So, as hot as it gets, we always make it work! I thought it was a little funny. Anyway, keep cool and hydrated everyone, habits or not!

Prayers,
Sister Marie
[/quote]

Thank-you for the explanation that many Orders wear a men's undershirt under their habits. I know that most Orders generally only change their habit every week or two (or maybe longer for some), and I always wondered how the habit remained "fresh" in the hot weather. The wearing of an undershirt explains it--and a men's undershirt really makes sense, because they are inexpensive, and "style" isn't a consideration, particularly since it is worn under the habit.

I hope this weather breaks soon. Here in the Midwest it hasn't been quite as warm as in the East (at least where I live), but it's still been too warm for me!

[osapientia]

[quote name='ksterling' date='07 July 2010 - 12:23 PM' timestamp='1278516191' post='2138899']
Since I have really started looking at the websites of communities I am interested in - and they all wear a habit - I now have a lot of questions on this issue. I mentioned in my first post that I am looking for a community that treats its members like adults - I don't mean in the sense that you can do what you want. I am well aware that I would take a vow of obedience. But here's an example. Several communties, e.g. Nashville, Sisters of Mary, seem to require postulants to wear men's undershirts. Why is that necessary? Why should a woman have to wear a man's t-shirt? What's wrong with a regular slip? These communities all have a postulant uniform that includes a vest or jumper - no modesty issue that I can see. The undershirts just seem weird to me.
[/quote]
I believe that a main issue may be cost and the ease of obtaining items in bulk as someone else mentioned. Slips would be more likely to be "individualized" and I've never seen them available in packages of multiple items. Some communities allow the sisters to just wear any T-Shirt at all, including colored ones because no one sees it...but in larger communities such as the ND's and DSMME's I'm sure doing laundry is a real chore and having to separate colors from whites or having to keep track of extra individual needs would just add to an already arduous task. I think you'll find that "odd" customs like this usually have a very practical explanation, especially in big communities what seems like a small issue can become a large/difficult thing to manage. I find that women religious are nothing if not practical (and resourceful)....and I mean that with great love and respect.

Pax,
Osap

[teresitacarmel]

Well, it's getting really hot where I live (I won't reveal the location cuz of privacy issues, sorry), and I made a visit to the community I'm discerning with last week. I asked the nuns about how they feel wearing the Carmelite habit in the sweltering heat, and they're like, we're used to it, and I was like, oh ok.....The monastery does not have air conditioning....well, they have it for the kitchen and for the elderly nuns, and that's it. This has really got me thinking and I feel really concerned, cuz like if I actually enter, I'll probably fail to persevere because of some stupid problem like air conditioning! *sigh* Even as I'm typing this, I'm sweating I've not been using my air conditioner, just to see how much I can take, and it's not very pleasant, especially when I sleep....I actually wake up with sweat on my face, ugh...and I'm not even wearing anything remotely close to a habit.

I really wanna know: realistically, does one truly get used to wearing a habit in extremely hot and humid weather?

[Macies]

It is exactly what you would imagine. Very hot, very uncomfortable! When I first entered the community I am in the process of leaving (for a cloistered order), we wore full habits. Of course, at that time, we considered it a penance to wear clothing that was uncomfortable! In fact, I quite clearly remember my novice mistress telling us it was a good penance for all those who who did not dress modestly. I have to say, it did help me get through the terrible humidity, knowing I was doing reparation for those who didn't care!

[Cherie]

[quote name='ksterling' date='07 July 2010 - 11:23 AM' timestamp='1278516191' post='2138899']
Since I have really started looking at the websites of communities I am interested in - and they all wear a habit - I now have a lot of questions on this issue. I mentioned in my first post that I am looking for a community that treats its members like adults - I don't mean in the sense that you can do what you want. I am well aware that I would take a vow of obedience. But here's an example. Several communties, e.g. Nashville, Sisters of Mary, seem to require postulants to wear men's undershirts. Why is that necessary? Why should a woman have to wear a man's t-shirt? What's wrong with a regular slip? These communities all have a postulant uniform that includes a vest or jumper - no modesty issue that I can see. The undershirts just seem weird to me.
[/quote]

We wore undershirts (aka T-shirts) but they were women's. They [i]do[/i] have women's T-shirts! But honestly, there isn't much difference at all between a men's T-shirt and a women's, so it really doesn't make any practical difference. Perhaps the men's T-shirts are less expensive, and hence the reason why some communities prefer them.


Are you referring to a slip vs. a petticoat? The biggest reason why the Sisters wore a petticoat is because of the pockets. The habits themselves don't have pockets, but simply holes in them, where you can reach in to your pockets in your petticoat. It's really not so bad, I promise!

Edited July 8, 2010 by CherieMadame

[Mary Veronica]

[quote name='CherieMadame' date='07 July 2010 - 11:10 PM' timestamp='1278553222' post='2139136']
We wore undershirts (aka T-shirts) but they were women's. They [i]do[/i] have women's T-shirts! But honestly, there isn't much difference at all between a men's T-shirt and a women's, so it really doesn't make any practical difference. Perhaps the men's T-shirts are less expensive, and hence the reason why some communities prefer them.
[/quote]

They also wear things called tunics. it's a thin but loose [i]over[/i]-garment that covers the wrists and passes the knees. it goes above your undergarments. then comes the habit. what is that three layers? unless your Carmelite and you wear the cape. that makes four.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Mary Veronica

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='CherieMadame' date='07 July 2010 - 09:40 PM' timestamp='1278553222' post='2139136']
We wore undershirts (aka T-shirts) but they were women's. They [i]do[/i] have women's T-shirts! But honestly, there isn't much difference at all between a men's T-shirt and a women's, so it really doesn't make any practical difference. Perhaps the men's T-shirts are less expensive, and hence the reason why some communities prefer them.


Are you referring to a slip vs. a petticoat? [b]The biggest reason why the Sisters wore a petticoat is because of the pockets. [/b]The habits themselves don't have pockets, but simply holes in them, where you can reach in to your pockets in your petticoat. It's really not so bad, I promise!
[/quote]



I had no idea petticoats had pockets. That is a very exciting thing indeed!

Sooo... do pettipants have pockets, too?

Our habits had nice big pockets. I think that's one of the things I miss the most. However, when one pocket got a hole in it or ripped open, that was something tragic, I tell you. Hmmm... so, do Dominican habits of pockets, or do they have holes to reach into one's petticoat? (That's something I didn't think to ask! Haha!)

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Mary Veronica' date='07 July 2010 - 09:46 PM' timestamp='1278553610' post='2139140']
They also wear things called tunics. it's a thin but loose [i]over[/i]-garment that covers the wrists and passes the knees. it goes above your undergarments. then comes the habit. what is that three layers? unless your Carmelite and you wear the cape. that makes four.
[/quote]

In my former community, our habits consisted of one big ankle-length tunic, belt, and full length scapular.

If we had to wear a tunic and then another "habit" that went over it (plus the scapular) -- wheeew! -- that would have been rough.