Clothing, And What Is Worn Before It.

[Chiquitunga]

I always find it curious when people mention that the cap is helpful for postulants for them to start learning how to put their hands under their scapulars. I remember reading that in MY BELOVED and thinking what a neat idea it was. When I received the habit it was just a natural thing to do because everyone else around you is doing it, too! Remembering NOT to sit on your scapular was harder.

 

The skirt, blouse, cap was basically "uniform" for all postulants at one time, at least in the US. I know that in Europe most postulants just wore their secular clothes. Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity wore her own dress but they gave her a cape to wear over it.

 

And for awhile that mop cap was standard, too! We have a photo of our Sr. Mary of the Immaculate Heart wearing hers and it was such a frilly little thing!

 

I forgot about that with the scapular... I think that would be much harder to always remember. I need to go check out the OCD Ceremonial from the 1920's to see if there is a particular penance for that, lol. probably :blush:

 

I'm also glad the mop bonnets are pretty much never used anymore (none to my knowledge) although I still would prefer it to no headcovering at all, I think....  I couldn't stand to have to mess with my hair either! I usually just tie it up, but it takes extra long to wash and all. If I were to enter the Poor Clares I would want to grow it out for the investiture, but for Carmel since it's not part of the ceremony, I'd rather have it really short from the start. I was late once for Vespers because of washing my hair (which was still pretty short) and had to kneel down with my face on the floor in choir and wait for Reverend Mother to knock to get up (it was a very short time though :))

 

Here is Sr. Teresita of the Infant Jesus & the Holy Face as a postulant at the Ã‰cija Carmel :heart:

 

 

http://carmelitasecija.es.tl/ALBUM-/index.htm

Edited July 13, 2013 by Chiquitunga

[graciandelamadrededios]

 

 

Before Vatican II - Discalced Carmelite Nuns folds their scapular this way when kneeling.

 

 

[Chiquitunga]

the image link is broken there, can you try it again? thanks! :)

[Chiquitunga]

my image there is broken too, here we go 

 

"Carmelite postulants wore a secular dress with a little capelet, and a small net bonnet on the head. The photograph below of Marie Guerin [cousin of St. Therese] as a postulant (she entered August 15, 1895) shows how St. Therese and all postulants dressed until they received the habit." http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/4/8/an-essay-illustrated-with-19th-century-photos-to-celebrate-t.html

 

 

[AnneLine]

I've never seen that photo of Marie Guerin before, Chiquitunga!  That is a great set of photos they have put up on that blog!

 

I think the Lisieux archives and Maureen O'Riordan's blog and website in particular are very strict about non-copying of the photos.... I've seen all sorts of copyright reserved comments on those photos. 

 

So I think posting a link is probably the way to go....

 

BUT thank you, Gracian and Chiqui for doing this!

[graciandelamadrededios]

An error with phatmass? Probably?

[graciandelamadrededios]

Before Vatican II - Discalced Carmelite Nuns folds their scapular this way when kneeling.

 

[graciandelamadrededios]

Before Vatican II - Discalced Carmelite Nuns folds their scapular this way when kneeling.

 

 

There you go, Chiqui!  You probably have seen this photo many times....

[AnneLine]

An error with phatmass? Probably?

 

 

I don't think so, Gratian, although I could be wrong.  I've tried to copy photos from Lisieux archives before and always get that whether I am on Phatmass or elsewhere.... I think it might be a copyright thing....

 

About the cap... I'm not sure if it is a 'mop' cap or a 'mob' cap -- if it was the latter, it was a commonly-worn item of women's clothing from late 19th & early 20th C. used when doing housework.  Kind of like the little frilly caps that Victorian and Edwardian maids wore.  So it would make SENSE that that would be what they would have the postulants wear.... again, secular clothing for that time period.  Same comment with the little capes... they may have been used as 'scapular training wheels' but they may also simply have been clothing of lay people of that period.

 

Many of the religious sister costumes of that time that don't have habits that trace to religious orders (Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, Benedictines, etc.) often had the capes because it was a common article of women's clothing for that time...

 

 

As far as postulant outfits in general.... I think some kind of uniform non-habit makes sense.  Either a jumper, a simple skirt & blouse, or something comparable.  I think the whole idea is to get someone unconcerned about what they look like... and any of those do that.

 

I was in a community that had the ugly blue jumpers and white blouses... and mantillas.  HATED the mantilla.  It was always sailing off into the center of the choir during the Liturgy of the Hours.....  the danged thing had a life of its own!   I would think a simple veil would be much less bother.....

 

 

Edited July 13, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Another website that won't let me copy photos, but does have good, detailed pictures of what postulants wore at the Davenport Carmel... not sure when, but my guess would be about a hundred years ago..... habits make it difficult to gauge dates!  ;)

 

http://carmelsong.com/Davenport.htm

 

 

UPDATED:

 

Searching a bit further, this would probably just about date the photo:

 

"Quo Vadis ~ Whither Goest Thou

 

.... On June 29, 1916 two automobiles drove the little community of nine to their new home. Realizing that the vehicles would never make it to the crest of the hill on 14th Street, the sisters trudged up the perpendicular incline with their luggage, all the while lamenting horses were no longer at their disposal. This also put new meaning to the biblical: "Take up your bed and walk!"

 

Those moving from Davenport besides Mother Clare, Mother Aloysius and Sister Gertrude were: Sisters Mary Enright, Teresa Seelbach, Magdalen Heun, Joseph Angerer, Paula Doersching, and Veronica McGinty.

 

The next day, feast of the Sacred Heart that year, the first Mass was celebrated by Father N. Meinhardt. The room for Mass later became the library and chapter room."  

 

http://carmelitesofeldridge.org/heart.html

 

Edited July 13, 2013 by AnneLine

[Chiquitunga]

I've never seen that photo of Marie Guerin before, Chiquitunga!  That is a great set of photos they have put up on that blog!

 

I think the Lisieux archives and Maureen O'Riordan's blog and website in particular are very strict about non-copying of the photos.... I've seen all sorts of copyright reserved comments on those photos. 

 

So I think posting a link is probably the way to go....

 

BUT thank you, Gracian and Chiqui for doing this!

 

Okay, thanks for the heads up! :like: And I want to prop all your posts here!! very interesting insights indeed!

 

p.s. just noticed the edit on your last point too, to let you know. thanks!! I love history!!

Edited July 13, 2013 by Chiquitunga

[graciandelamadrededios]

Discalced Carmelite Nun sitting on a chair without back rest - she let her scapular hung at the back instead of sitting on them:

 

• 

Discalced Carmelite Nun sitting on the choir stall- she placed the back portion of her scapular on the side:

 

• 

 

Photos are from Loretto Carmel's website

 

[Totally Franciscan]

My Franciscan community's habit regarding the scapular was to grab it at the back, fold it at the fold at the bottom, and tuck it under the front part of the scapular in one's lap.  Sadly, they don't wear a habit anymore. 

[graciandelamadrededios]

 

Discalced Carmelite Nun sitting on a chair without back rest - she let her scapular hung at the back instead of sitting on them:

 

• 

Discalced Carmelite Nun sitting on the choir stall- she placed the back portion of her scapular on the side:

 

• 

 

Photos are from Loretto Carmel's website

 

 

We asked around and one Discalced Carmelite Mother Prioress said they avoid sitting / kneeling on the scapular.  If one accidentally sit / kneel on them, it’s like being grabbed at the back or in front.

 

However, this custom is not specifically legislated and the custom may differ from one monastery to another.  After Vatican II, each community may retain or not the custom depending if they find such custom practical or meaningful.

 

The way to do it is take the edge of the back of the scapular with the right hand and hold it aside as you sit down – same can be done while wearing the mantle.

[ACS67]

Thanks for the pictures of the scapulars and the explanations for not sitting on it everyone.  It would have never occurred to me not to sit on it.   That just shows how "unschooled" I am in all things about the religious life! :)  Although I am sure the novice mistress or reverend mother tells the novice about this practice so that they know beforehand.

 

Now, can someone tell me why the hands are always hidden?  I remember seeing this in the Nuns Story (the postulants even hid their hands under they capes) but I don't think they ever explained why the hands are hidden.  Is it something to do with "idleness"?  

[AveMariaPurissima]

As an aspirant, I wore a blue jumper (same fabric as the habits) over a white tunic-y thing.  We had white mantillas that we wore for Mass.  (We frequently had the windows in the chapel open, esp. during the summer, and since it was so windy, we learned very quickly to keep our hands folded in such a way that we were also holding the mantilla in place so it wouldn't blow off! ;) )  When I became a postulant, I received a short blue veil.  Personally, I loved having a veil!  Besides, when I was an aspirant I had such a hard time getting my hair the way it was supposed to be! :P

~~~~

A side note...those photos of Carmelite postulants look like the outfit St. Teresa of Andes wears in the movie! 

Edited July 14, 2013 by AveMariaPurissima

[OnlySunshine]

Thanks for the pictures of the scapulars and the explanations for not sitting on it everyone.  It would have never occurred to me not to sit on it.   That just shows how "unschooled" I am in all things about the religious life! :)  Although I am sure the novice mistress or reverend mother tells the novice about this practice so that they know beforehand.

 

Now, can someone tell me why the hands are always hidden?  I remember seeing this in the Nuns Story (the postulants even hid their hands under they capes) but I don't think they ever explained why the hands are hidden.  Is it something to do with "idleness"?  

 

I believe that it has something to do with keeping your hands hidden unless they are busy.  It's been a while since I've watched that movie.  At my friend's convent (the Carmelites), they are supposed to have their hands folded in prayer under their scapular unless they are working.  You see it most of the time with cloistered nuns.  :)

[maximillion]

The scapular and hands thing is about stillness and recollection....as with most things, exterior practice both calls to mind the interior attitude and helps reflect it. The stilled, hidden hands are a reflection of the stilled mind hidden in Him.

This is how it was explained to me by my NM.

[ACS67]

Thank you for your answers! 

[MarysLittleFlower]

"Carmelite postulants wore a secular dress with a little capelet, and a small net bonnet on the head. The photograph below of Marie Guerin [cousin of St. Therese] as a postulant (she entered August 15, 1895) shows how St. Therese and all postulants dressed until they received the habit." http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/4/8/an-essay-illustrated-with-19th-century-photos-to-celebrate-t.html

 

that's so fascinating, thanks for the link! :)