Hair

[Nunsense]

I doubt that wearing a veil causes dandruff, but it probably doesn't help when one has any kind of scalp or hair condition... and if dandruff shampoo is not available then this could make it hard to cure the problem. All the convents I was in provided access to dandruff shampoo as well as regular. I think that if one let their NM know of any head problems, they would provide the appropriate help.

Francis Clare's comments about the headgear causing other problems is spot on though... I imagine it would depend on the type of headgear though. The modified veil caused my ears to hurt more than the toque and veil, but it was easier to hear things.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Francis Clare' timestamp='1317260585' post='2312048']
I don't believe it was the veil itself that caused hair loss, etc. I have two rather elderly good friends who are Sisters and were in habits for over 40 years. They also wore all the headgear that the veil sits on top of. When their order abandoned the habit in favor of street clothes, one of the Sisters did (and still does) have a permanent crease in her forehead from where her bandeau was tight. She also lost skin off both her ears from the constant rubbing of the headgear. The other Sister's hair is very patchy (and not do to age) from the constant covering, no air circulation, etc. It took them a few years to regain their peripheral vision once the guimpe, veil, etc. was off.

Oh, and the PCPA's do cut hair at investiture. One of the Sisters ties it up very prettily with ribbons, boxes it up, and sends it to the new Novice's mother.
[/quote]


I often wondered if the headgear was terribly uncomfortable. I saw many pictures of plastic or other stiff headgear and I thought, "I don't think I could get used to that." Thank goodness, it's no longer the norm with most communities. I know a few that still use the plastic, stiff ones like the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

[img]http://www.religiouslife.com/images/vocationsearchmembers/30_lrg_2008.jpg[/img]

[TeresaBenedicta]

I worry about headaches for the first few weeks. I can get them just from having too tight of a braid (or any at all!) or wearing a headband.

I worry about headaches for the first few weeks. I can get them just from having too tight of a braid (or any at all!) or wearing a headband.

[MissScripture]

My sister said she got headaches for the first couple weeks after receiving the veil, until one of the professed sisters was looking at it for some reason (they had to order more of some piece for some of the sisters, because they didn't fit correctly) and it was discovered she was pulling part of it waaaaay too tight. Since then, she hasn't had any problems with it.

[faithcecelia]

I had fewer problems than I had expected, the weight was only ever a problem if I was already feeling under the weather or if it was slipping. Most of the sisters liked a bit of hair showing at the front and my NM tried to get me to push it back a little when I was first clothed, but I found it far more comfortable right on my hairline. Actually, I do the same with scarves now. The bands I had to pin my veil to (Q has old style veils without a tocque, so there is a band, cap or scarf - own choice - to pin the veil to) were cotton, about 4" wide, but tied at the back with thin ribbon. Within a few months I had a little bald patch at the back of my neck, but that had less to do with the veil/band itself causing harm and more with me whipping it off without undoing it!

[faithcecelia]

This will sound crazy, but just writing there about pinning my veils has brought back a big wave of memories, there is something lovely about it that I cannot explain.

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1317413514' post='2312950']
My sister said she got headaches for the first couple weeks after receiving the veil, until one of the professed sisters was looking at it for some reason (they had to order more of some piece for some of the sisters, because they didn't fit correctly) and it was discovered she was pulling part of it waaaaay too tight. Since then, she hasn't had any problems with it.
[/quote]
[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1317414128' post='2312955']
I had fewer problems than I had expected, the weight was only ever a problem if I was already feeling under the weather or if it was slipping. Most of the sisters liked a bit of hair showing at the front and my NM tried to get me to push it back a little when I was first clothed, but I found it far more comfortable right on my hairline. Actually, I do the same with scarves now. The bands I had to pin my veil to (Q has old style veils without a tocque, so there is a band, cap or scarf - own choice - to pin the veil to) were cotton, about 4" wide, but tied at the back with thin ribbon. Within a few months I had a little bald patch at the back of my neck, but that had less to do with the veil/band itself causing harm and more with me whipping it off without undoing it!
[/quote]

I am hypothetically (since I haven't worn one yet!) more partial to softer veils as seen in my avatar. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple sweetie! But that's just me .

[Sister Marie]

I wear a very simple modified veil and it has a headband sewn into the front part which you can take out to wash. There have actually been days at morning prayer when all the sudden I think..."Do I have my veil on?" It really is that comfortable for me. When I get a new one it feels strange, but once it molds to my head - I can't even feel it. Now collars are a whole other situation... ugh...

[maximillion]

I used to pull my bonnet strings too tight too, untill a sister noticed and showed my how to get it right. After about two years I had a small patch on the crown of my head where the hair just broke off short all the time because of the weight of the guimpe, headbands and veil. Some of the white veils had for some reason (probably economy) been made from a very heavy cotton. I used to dread it when I saw one of them was on top of the pile in the cupboard and I had to take it and wear it.
(We had clothing in common untill final profession).

[Nunsense]

[quote name='Sister Marie' timestamp='1317509541' post='2313524']
I wear a very simple modified veil and it has a headband sewn into the front part which you can take out to wash. There have actually been days at morning prayer when all the sudden I think..."Do I have my veil on?" It really is that comfortable for me. When I get a new one it feels strange, but once it molds to my head - I can't even feel it. Now collars are a whole other situation... ugh...
[/quote]

I like the modified veils but like faith, I need to wear them closer to the front because of the shape of my head - if I don't, they start to fall off the back! I haven't work a collar - only a toque, but I would hate to have something rubbing against my neck! The toque rubbed more under the chin, and because we had the type that use pins, sometimes when one would start to come undone, I would stick myself!


[quote name='maximillion' timestamp='1317549521' post='2313810']
I used to pull my bonnet strings too tight too, untill a sister noticed and showed my how to get it right. After about two years I had a small patch on the crown of my head where the hair just broke off short all the time because of the weight of the guimpe, headbands and veil. Some of the white veils had for some reason (probably economy) been made from a very heavy cotton. I used to dread it when I saw one of them was on top of the pile in the cupboard and I had to take it and wear it.
(We had clothing in common untill final profession).
[/quote]


Maybe that's why the Carmelites in Melbourne decided to make their veils out of a really flimsy material - almost see through. I call it a shower curtain veil because it reminds me of the flimsy shower curtain material, but they probably find it quite comfortable. I had a cotton one as a postulant in Nedlands and it was razzle dazzle and comfortable.

[MarysLittleFlower]

Interesting topic lol I've always wondered, just how short do they cut the hair? Is it really short, or just above the shoulders?

I see there is a whole variety of veils... I was looking at the Passionist nuns [url="http://www.passionistnuns.org/blog/"]http://www.passionistnuns.org/blog/[/url] and I'm curious to know how their veils are held in place, do they pin them to something? (the same question is for any unmodified veils, like those of the Carmelites)

[Cherie]

For us, very short. Buzz cut, boy short. I wouldn't have felt comfortable going out in public with how short our hair was at the end of a haircut. I had to grow it out for almost a year before I felt comfortable leaving, and it was still ear-length short (much shorter than I'd ever had it pre-convent).

Other communities do cut their hair the same as ours did; I know of at least two well-known ones. Some will cut it short at the entrance to novitiate, then let Sister keep it as long or short as they care to thereafter. And I'm sure there are some who don't do that anymore.

I was very attached to my hair. It was very long, and I cried when I was alone in my cell the night after it was cut. But I loved the symbolism, and I was grateful our community had that tradition.

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1318811620' post='2322340']
Interesting topic lol I've always wondered, just how short do they cut the hair? Is it really short, or just above the shoulders?

I see there is a whole variety of veils... I was looking at the Passionist nuns [url="http://www.passionistnuns.org/blog/"]http://www.passionistnuns.org/blog/[/url] and I'm curious to know how their veils are held in place, do they pin them to something? (the same question is for any unmodified veils, like those of the Carmelites)
[/quote]
The Passionists wear a simple white coif under their veils. It's like a little cap, and the veil is pinned to that.

The SSFPA cut it short then, I think, more or less leave it up to each individual exactly how long/short she keeps it. Postulants right before receiving the habit:
[img]http://ssfpa.org/images/event/2011/Investiture2011/PostulantsB4Investiture10Aug2011.jpg[/img]

[OnlySunshine]

I've been wondering, for a few weeks, what the RSMs do when they receive the novitiate habit and veil. I know that most communities cut the hair, but the way that they have it pinned down under it, it makes me think that they do not have the hair-cutting ceremony. But, then, I remember that the SSFPA (posted above) DO cut their hair, and I wonder if the RSMs don't cut theirs quite as short as most communities so that they are able to sweep it over to the side in a part. I may ask, just out of curiosity, when I go for a visit in 26 days!


[img]http://www.rsmofalma.org/random_images/array08.jpg[/img]

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1318812332' post='2322346']
For us, very short. Buzz cut, boy short. I wouldn't have felt comfortable going out in public with how short our hair was at the end of a haircut. I had to grow it out for almost a year before I felt comfortable leaving, and it was still ear-length short (much shorter than I'd ever had it pre-convent).

Other communities do cut their hair the same as ours did; I know of at least two well-known ones. Some will cut it short at the entrance to novitiate, then let Sister keep it as long or short as they care to thereafter. And I'm sure there are some who don't do that anymore.

I was very attached to my hair. It was very long, and I cried when I was alone in my cell the night after it was cut. But I loved the symbolism, and I was grateful our community had that tradition.
[/quote]

Yup- this is what we do, too. Although ours isn't cut until the night after investiture (so when one receives the habit and veil, they still have their hair- usualy braided).

To tell you the truth... I can't wait for this. I don't have a huge attachment to my hair... and frankly, it's going to make showering so much quicker!

[Queen'sDaughter]

The Benedictines have a hair cutting ceremony during the reception of the habit, but I don't know whether or not they let it grow out once their in habit.

Kind of off topic...But they wear bridal gowns during this ceremony, and I just [i]love[/i] the symbolism.

I am with Teresa on the hair cutting, the sooner it's cut, the happier I'll be! (Of course, getting it cut will mean I'm receiving the habit.... and that is cause of joy enough!

[Feankie]

The bridal gown you'll be wearing....is it provided by the Monastery? Do they accept gowns as I sure as heck won't be needing mine as I'm 63 and don't plan on getting remarried if my husband passes before I do. My girls are both married, and I doubt if I could fit into a size 6. Haven't seen that size for a mighty long time

[cmaD2006]

Someone mentioned collars ... I remember being in my postulant shirt when I became a postulant in the 2nd community. I had (argued? :blush) talked with the sister who went out shopping with us, and had been adamant that the collar was too small.

She didn't listen.

So ... I got myself ready that day. We went through the ceremony. Then off to a nice lunch in community.

I'm sitting straight across from the Major Servant (she is in charge of all in formation). She then goes ahead and says "Cma ... you have permission to undo your collar. You look like you could pass out at any moment."

They went ahead to inform me how red I was.

That's when my superiors arranged to move the button on that shirt so that it wouldn't be so efficient at choking me. *Then* they believed me.

One word -- duh! But then again it was a 22 yr old professed sister telling the 37 yr old postulant-to-be that "the collar fits fine." So after I gave up trying to convince her -- I obeyed.

[Queen'sDaughter]

[quote name='Francis Clare' timestamp='1318883910' post='2322853']
The bridal gown you'll be wearing....is it provided by the Monastery? Do they accept gowns as I sure as heck won't be needing mine as I'm 63 and don't plan on getting remarried if my husband passes before I do. My girls are both married, and I doubt if I could fit into a size 6. Haven't seen that size for a mighty long time
[/quote]

The gowns and veils are usually donated, and altered as needed by the sisters (their sewing room is a work of art, pity they kicked me out of it ). So if you would want to donate yours to them, I am sure they would be overjoyed to take it. Perhaps, God willing, I will even wear it someday!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1318901366' post='2322959']

The gowns and veils are usually donated, and altered as needed by the sisters (their sewing room is a work of art, pity they kicked me out of it ). So if you would want to donate yours to them, I am sure they would be overjoyed to take it. Perhaps, God willing, I will even wear it someday!
[/quote]

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles have the most BEAUTIFUL investiture ceremony! I love the symbolism of the bride of Christ in a wedding dress before abandoning the worldly garment and putting on her perpetual wedding garment. I am a hopeless romantic (always have been). Even their vow ceremonies are utterly incredible. Through the BMQAs, I've developed such a love of the Benedictine charism that I didn't have before.

This is my favorite symbolic picture of the bride waiting for her Beloved:

[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ9IzlWvLqE/TbqpShbm9MI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Wc8y4G9OcbY/s1600/Bride-of-Christ.jpg[/img]