For Those Discerning.. (How We Present Ourselves)

[Annie12]

[quote name='mantellata' timestamp='1331929463' post='2401947']
Perhaps my silly little princess emoticon was misleading. Perhaps poise is.... mmm.... an ill fitting word to use. I'm not speaking of that fake quality that some "worldly folk" possess..... but there are many interactions that a religious must have with those who are in the world.... without being [b]of[/b] the world (here I am speaking of non-cloistered religious). Perhaps grace, candor, confidence and a Marian caring heart would be better words.

I just think of all the active religious I know..... say, Mother Agnes SV, Mother Assumpta OP etc.... each one a lady. I'd hardly call them worldly but I would say they had "poise"..... in the good sense.

I guess I'm just "fearful" of those who as the above poster mentioned head towards what seems to border (in my mind) on Puritanism or possessing Jansenistic qualities. Worldliness is an excess of human passion but the other -- is it not a deficiency? (Feeling Thomistic here) I am - of course, not speaking about any lack of modesty in dress.
[/quote]
OO! OO! OO! I think you are thinking of modesty of self, beyond just attire. That one should have the whole package of modesty and that it doesn't just apply to clothes. Is this what you mean?

[TheresaThoma]

Just use good common sense when dressing. Something I have noticed that as I continue in my discernment I have tended more towards more modest clothing (longer skirts. higher necklines etc). I just don't feel comfortable in certain clothes anymore. I can't say this was something that happened overnight, I think it was more gradual. So basically dress nicely with common sense and you will be fine.

[PhuturePriest]

Of course, my opinion is biased, but you should look at the Duggar girls for reference on how to dress, in my most humble opinion.

But really, as Theresa says, simply use common sense. Don't wear tank-tops, or tight jeans, and especially no bikinis. Those things should be illegal.

[Lilllabettt]

O.K. Ayatollah

[the171]

My dress has become more feminine and modest. Long skirts, blouses, cardigans, pearls. I rarely wear jeans. Discernment really helps you too discover true womanhood.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1331953285' post='2402211']
O.K. Ayatollah
[/quote]

Anytime.

[marigold]

[quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1331833707' post='2401242']
When eating lunch with a friend, her athiest friend came around and we were talking about nuns and things. He was so shocked that I was so NORMAL. When I left (yay work!) he told my friend "I can't believe I like her so much; she's so Catholic but so normal."

It's been a tool of evangelization, to be sure. He's asked me questions about the faith, and I have been sure to give he concrete answers as to why Catholics believe what we do. According to my friend, in high school this kid was not at all open to hearing the views of Christians.
[/quote]

Hahaha! LPS, that should be your tagline on your blog: "So Catholic, but so normal."

[beatitude]

Well, yes, I didn't mean that anybody should be going about looking as though they had been dragged through a hedgerow backwards. You can look neat and smart and have some fun with choosing clothes without thinking about them very much. How you dress is an expression of personality. I love deep warm colours, and my wardrobe reflects that. But I don't spend hours choosing them, or pay a lot of money for my clothes (most of them I get second-hand), and I don't spend hours fretting over their modesty either. Strangely enough, I think that has the potential to turn into just another form of vanity: "How devout am I looking today?!"

[Annie12]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1331950419' post='2402175']
Of course, my opinion is biased, but you should look at the Duggar girls for reference on how to dress, in my most humble opinion.

But really, as Theresa says, simply use common sense. Don't wear tank-tops, or tight jeans, and especially no bikinis. Those things should be illegal.
[/quote]
So, I have one problem with men saying the way women should dress. You guys haven't had to wear dresses all you life! They can get very annoying sometimes. Like, when it's 20 below zero outside (where I'm from in the winter) and you don't want to freez into a Popsicle. Also, long skirts get in the way during sports and especially when hiking. So, while your intentions may be good, they, in my opinion are not completely realistic for every woman! I also am hounded by my father every time I put a pair of pantaloons on. he always tells me to go put a skirt on. I just wish he knew what it was like to wear a skirt. For me skirts are only practical at church and in the summer when I am not doing athletic activities. I do admire the women that do wear skirts all season long though but for me I wouldn't be doing that until I am A nun! As long as you don't look like Britney Spears, I think your doing good!

Edited March 17, 2012 by Annie12

[somethingfishy]

I have seen habited religious sisters put on "work clothes" (i.e. trousers) because they had to repaint the convent and didn't want to get paint all over their habits or trip over them climbing stepladders... Trousers in themselves are obviously not immoral. I have to wear jeans for work every day, and for what I do a skirt would be incredibly impractical.

And it's not wrong to look pretty! It's a good and holy desire, from God the author of beauty.

When you're a teenager particularly it can be difficult, because so many of the styles are awful (and your alternatives are old-lady clothes). Do your best but don't fret about it, or worry too much that you're going to tempt men -- because it's not your responsibility to keep all others from temptation. You are not required to bear the burden of another person's temptations or sins. That is between them and God.

If you feel like you have to show off and uncover your body so people will pay attention to you, that is immodesty. Wanting to dress beautifully is femininity Dress in a way that makes you feel beautiful, and your beauty will point to the Lord who created you.

[the171]

[quote name='the171' timestamp='1331955338' post='2402228']
My dress has become more feminine and modest. Long skirts, blouses, cardigans, pearls. I rarely wear jeans. Discernment really helps you too discover true womanhood.
[/quote]

To, not too. Idk why I typed that...

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Annie12' timestamp='1331990705' post='2402313']

So, I have one problem with men saying the way women should dress. You guys haven't had to wear dresses all you life! They can get very annoying sometimes. Like, when it's 20 below zero outside (where I'm from in the winter) and you don't want to freez into a Popsicle. Also, long skirts get in the way during sports and especially when hiking. So, while your intentions may be good, they, in my opinion are not completely realistic for every woman! I also am hounded by my father every time I put a pair of pantaloons on. he always tells me to go put a skirt on. I just wish he knew what it was like to wear a skirt. For me skirts are only practical at church and in the summer when I am not doing athletic activities. I do admire the women that do wear skirts all season long though but for me I wouldn't be doing that until I am A nun! As long as you don't look like Britney Spears, I think your doing good!
[/quote]

Well, not to mention he Duggar girls again, but they hiked through a poor country in South America in long skirts and flip-flops. It was uneven and dangerous ground and they still did fine. However, I do know this is not practical for all situations. Obviously, when hiking Mount Everest, you shouldn't wear a skirt. But how many women are going to hike Mount Everest? The average women does not do much hiking in our society. But I do agree that skirts are not practical in all situations.

And what do you mean I don't understand? I plan to wear a Habit or Cathedral Cassock for the rest of my life!

[Nunsense]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1332044049' post='2402819']
Well, not to mention he Duggar girls again, but they hiked through a poor country in South America in long skirts and flip-flops. It was uneven and dangerous ground and they still did fine. However, I do know this is not practical for all situations. Obviously, when hiking Mount Everest, you shouldn't wear a skirt. But how many women are going to hike Mount Everest? The average women does not do much hiking in our society. But I do agree that skirts are not practical in all situations.

And what do you mean I don't understand? I plan to wear a Habit or Cathedral Cassock for the rest of my life!
[/quote]

Well, before you fall too much in love with the Duggar girls, remember that they are fundamentalists who consider Catholics to be 'Romanist's and 'atangonists to the nation'.


A p.ants wearing Catholic woman is a better witness to Christ than a skirt clad fundamentalist 'girl' any day of the week!

And your cassock wearing days are a long way away - try wearing a skirt now!

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1332045682' post='2402856']
Well, before you fall too much in love with the Duggar girls, remember that they are fundamentalists who consider Catholics to be 'Romanist's and 'atangonists to the nation'.


A p.ants wearing Catholic woman is a better witness to Christ than a skirt clad fundamentalist 'girl' any day of the week!

And your cassock wearing days are a long way away - try wearing a skirt now!
[/quote]

I know. I was really sad to know that their family listens to a preacher that is actually very dark in his teachings about the Church. I simply respect the family a lot.

And of course, a good Catholic woman simply can't be beat. There's nothing like praying the Rosary during a date and going to Eucharistic adoration together!

Patience, young one, patience. I will be made fun of for my [b]a[/b]wesome clothing by secular men and liberal Catholics that believe Priests should be wearing normal clothes soon enough.

[Nunsense]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1332046702' post='2402878']
I know. I was really sad to know that their family listens to a preacher that is actually very dark in his teachings about the Church. I simply respect the family a lot.

And of course, a good Catholic woman simply can't be beat. There's nothing like praying the Rosary during a date and going to Eucharistic adoration together!

Patience, young one, patience. I will be made fun of for my [b]a[/b]wesome clothing by secular men and liberal Catholics that believe Priests should be wearing normal clothes soon enough.
[/quote]

Patience, young one??? Are you not aware that I am nearly 60 years old?

And my comment was made in reference to the fact that you equated your wearing a cassock with a woman wearing a skirt - not the same at all, and you aren't doing it now, so leave it alone and wait til you have your own 'skirt' to talk about your hardships with it!

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1332047695' post='2402887']
Patience, young one??? Are you not aware that I am nearly 60 years old?

And my comment was made in reference to the fact that you equated your wearing a cassock with a woman wearing a skirt - not the same at all, and you aren't doing it now, so leave it alone and wait til you have your own 'skirt' to talk about your hardships with it!
[/quote]

I go by shoe size. Unfortunately for me, that puts me at six. I hated being six...

Well, I have always aspired to wear a kilt, as I absolutely adore Scotland. I'll work on wearing one soon. Plus, I also mentioned a Habit. That's kind of like a skirt.

[Nunsense]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1332048392' post='2402894']
I go by shoe size. Unfortunately for me, that puts me at six. I hated being six...

Well, I have always aspired to wear a kilt, as I absolutely adore Scotland. I'll work on wearing one soon. Plus, I also mentioned a Habit. That's kind of like a skirt.
[/quote]

Well, come back then, when you actually are wearing a skirt and let us know how that is working for you!

I will be in a habit very soon, and very glad of it I am, but I also know that there are times when a pair of p.ants (even underneath) can be helpful and more modest than hiking up one's skirts to do something. All I'm saying...

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1332048802' post='2402895']
Well, come back then, when you actually are wearing a skirt and let us know how that is working for you!

I will be in a habit very soon, and very glad of it I am, but I also know that there are times when a pair of p.ants (even underneath) can be helpful and more modest than hiking up one's skirts to do something. All I'm saying...
[/quote]

You're probably more experienced in this than I am. Though thanks to my sister and my cousin's even minds, I have worn a dress and most likely a skirt when I was younger, so I probably do have experience in skirts.

Being a Benedictine Nun will be a splendid experience. Especially since they'll make sure you're wearing that Habit 24/7!

[Nunsense]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1332049460' post='2402899']
You're probably more experienced in this than I am. Though thanks to my sister and my cousin's even minds, I have worn a dress and most likely a skirt when I was younger, so I probably do have experience in skirts.

Being a Benedictine Nun will be a splendid experience. Especially since they'll make sure you're wearing that Habit 24/7!
[/quote]

I doubt your experience in skirts was comparable... fact.

These Benedictine nuns are very practical though, and they have a denim work habit that they wear for farm work and a work veil as well. Some communities change into jeans instead - neither one is 'right', believe it or not.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1332049598' post='2402901']
I doubt your experience in skirts was comparable... fact.

These Benedictine nuns are very practical though, and they have a denim work habit that they wear for farm work and a work veil as well. Some communities change into jeans instead - neither one is 'right', believe it or not.
[/quote]

Neither one is right? What are the Nuns supposed to do, go naked? That's a scary thought in and of itself...