Should Postulant's Outfits Be More Aesthetically Pleasing?

[HeavenlyCalling]

I also like the CFR sisters outfit. It is long and seems very practical, but it is also very different from their habit.

[abercius24]

I do think the outfit should have a religious connotation and shy away from being of a "street" or "business casual" style.

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='abercius24' post='1359846' date='Aug 15 2007, 11:49 PM']I do think the outfit should have a religious connotation and shy away from being of a "street" or "business casual" style.[/quote]

All Canon Law states is that they are not to be religious habits. That is for after investiture, not during candidacy/postulancy.

Just out of curiosity, what do you suggest for men if not something like "business casual"?

[VeniteAdoremus]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1362168' date='Aug 19 2007, 02:22 AM']All Canon Law states is that they are not to be religious habits. That is for after investiture, not during candidacy/postulancy.

Just out of curiosity, what do you suggest for men if not something like "business casual"?[/quote]

Pink frillies. Honestly, I wouldn't know. (I'd write an essay on the differences between men's and women's habits if I didn't need to be out of the house ten minutes ago.)

I think people really should remember that they aren't supposed to be religious habits... the pity is that lots of "habits" these days look so much like normal dresses that a postulant of a more conservative community will look more like a religious than a professed of a very-much-adapted-habit community!

[abercius24]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' post='1362168' date='Aug 18 2007, 07:22 PM']All Canon Law states is that they are not to be religious habits. That is for after investiture, not during candidacy/postulancy.

Just out of curiosity, what do you suggest for men if not something like "business casual"?[/quote]

One question I'd like to ask is whether or not the term "habit" refers directly to the garments placed over the shoulders (which is the strict, traditional defintion) or whether it is referring to the colloquial understanding of a habit (the full religious gown). I have a feeling Canon Law uses the first definition. If so, I believe an attractive robe with no "frills" should be sufficient. What makes a robe look religious is all the extras, like a stole, a cincture, a crucifix, Christian symbology, liturgical colors, etc. The robe should avoid these to follow Canon Law. A nice material with the right cut should be all the robe needs to be attractive.

If Canon Law goes with the colloquial definition, I would maybe go with something of a "robe-like" look that is still pants and shirt. Despite the fact that a postulate isn't meant to directly represent the Church with the look of a religious, a somewhat "religious" look will subconsciously contribute to the postulate adopting the attitudes that will prepare him/her for the religious like. It would lead others around them to be reminded of the postulate's calling, thereby helping them to keep the postulate focused on living a holy life.

Edited August 25, 2007 by abercius24

[VeniteAdoremus]

You could go for trousers and something more tunic-like on top, like halfway thigh-length?

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='abercius24' post='1370345' date='Aug 25 2007, 04:59 AM']One question I'd like to ask is whether or not the term "habit" refers directly to the garments placed over the shoulders (which is the strict, traditional defintion) or whether it is referring to the colloquial understanding of a habit (the full religious gown). I have a feeling Canon Law uses the first definition. If so, I believe an attractive robe with no "frills" should be sufficient. What makes a robe look religious is all the extras, like a stole, a cincture, a crucifix, Christian symbology, liturgical colors, etc. The robe should avoid these to follow Canon Law. A nice material with the right cut should be all the robe needs to be attractive.

If Canon Law goes with the colloquial definition, I would maybe go with something of a "robe-like" look that is still pants and shirt. Despite the fact that a postulate isn't meant to directly represent the Church with the look of a religious, a somewhat "religious" look will subconsciously contribute to the postulate adopting the attitudes that will prepare him/her for the religious like. It would lead others around them to be reminded of the postulate's calling, thereby helping them to keep the postulate focused on living a holy life.[/quote]


I'm not qualified to go into all of these definitions, but it is my understanding that what is meant by the postulant "not wearing the habit of the order" is that the postulant must appear to be different from the rest of the community, and should not be confused with an invested religious (meaning, novices and up).

[Saint Therese]

I think the postulant outfits should be aesthetically pleasing without being stylish.

[photosynthesis]

Yes, it's true that many postulants' outfits are ominously dorky. One of my best friends from college joined the Nashville Dominicans and she could not WAIT to wear the postulants' habit, saying that "it's the Catholic school uniform I never had!" Postulancy is a time to discern whether you should formally join a community and make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Compared to the rigors of authentic religious life, spending a year wearing a dorky uniform should not be a big deal if your soul is ready to leave the world for Christ.

I was told that the seminarians in my archdiocese are required to be clean-cut and clean-shaven at all times. That means no hair above the ears and no beards or mustaches. When my future husband was discerning the priesthood, he didn't like that idea because at the time, he had long hair and a beard. However, a life of obedience means you have to do as your told even when it doesn't make sense. Developing this virtue is key during years of religious formation.

[AlterDominicus]

Yeah I agree with St. Therese. I mean your not supposed to be "worldly attractive"

[Jennifer]

I think that the postulants of the Regular Canonesses of the Mother of God have a very appealing outfit with their veils and capes.

See picture in Nuns Picture Thread....................Post Jennirom Aug.26th.

Edited August 27, 2007 by Jennirom

[Saint Therese]

I really like the postulant outfit of the Lockport Dominicans. (I'm discerning there!)

[photosynthesis]

Do the Lockport Dominicans have a website?

[AlterDominicus]

[url="http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Ldominican"]http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Ldominican[/url] a blog with pictures.

[photosynthesis]

Those are some nice pictures! I definitely like that style of veil that the Lockport Dominicans have. That's what I'd want if I were a religious--a full black veil with a white robe, white scapular and Dominican black cloak.

[DameAgnes]

I remembered this thread from a while back. These sisters, the Benedictines of Mary, seem to have a nice habit for the postulants.
[url="http://benedictinesofmary.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-dreamt-of-white-christmas.html"]http://benedictinesofmary.blogspot.com/200...-christmas.html[/url]

Click on the pic to enlarge

[VeniteAdoremus]

[quote name='DameAgnes' post='1440702' date='Jan 1 2008, 01:32 AM']I remembered this thread from a while back. These sisters, the Benedictines of Mary, seem to have a nice habit for the postulants.
[url="http://benedictinesofmary.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-dreamt-of-white-christmas.html"]http://benedictinesofmary.blogspot.com/200...-christmas.html[/url]

Click on the pic to enlarge[/quote]

I found it rather hard at first to see which one was the postulant (at the far right, right? ). It's easier with the picture on their home page, I think: [url="http://www.benedictinesofmary.org/"]http://www.benedictinesofmary.org/[/url]

I feel a bit mixed about it: it's absolutely beautiful as a mode of dress, but it's not very different from the habit. And I think it should be a bit more different.

[elizabeth_jane]

Random thoughts--

1) I like the jumper. I went to Catholic school and that's what we wore grades 1-6 (7-8 it was a skirt/blouse). It's generally flattering and it's easy to wear. As long as it's functional, I'm in.
2) I think it should be flattering, but not necessarily "Pretty". I like pretty clothes and all, but that's part of what I'd leave behind once I joined an order (along with make-up, too, I'm guessing, which kind of scares me more than the clothes! I love my mascara. )

[HeavenlyCalling]

I agree that it should be different from the fully professed habit, but I do think that it can be similar in some respects ( such as color or length ) like the CFR sisters. The outfit seem to be function and modest and although it is a similar length and color, one would not confuse it with the habit.

[HeavenlyCalling]

Silly Double Post

Edited February 4, 2008 by HeavenlyCalling