A Nun-hermit

[DameAgnes]

Interesting story: [url="http://deacbench.blogspot.com/2007/10/in-habit-and-hermit.html"]http://deacbench.blogspot.com/2007/10/in-h...and-hermit.html[/url]

Her blog: [url="http://notesfromstillsong.blogspot.com/"]http://notesfromstillsong.blogspot.com/[/url]

Edited October 8, 2007 by DameAgnes

[chelsea]

I dont know what to think about this. It says this nun "frequently wears blue jeans" and it seems that she thinks nothing of it. I feel like she isnt being a true hermit if she is teaching and changing out of her habit.

[Guest Perpetualove]

The Benedictines have a long standing tradition of teaching. They also have a long standing tradition of wearing attire appropriate to their work, at the time it is performed. If you will look on Regina Laudis' website (abbeyofreginalaudis.com), you will see that many of the Nuns there where blue denim habits and scarves on work-days. They also wear boots when they are outside, working. I'm sure Sister wears her cowl when she prays the Liturgy of the Hours, as Benedictines are privileged to do.

I think her vocation is a beautiful testimony to the vastness of our Church. We have so much to offer, all kinds of different spiritualities and ways of expressing them...I am thrilled she is making her vocation visible to the world wide Church!!!

Thanks so much for posting the links...what a nice break in the day!

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1399465' date='Oct 8 2007, 03:41 PM']I dont know what to think about this. It says this nun "frequently wears blue jeans" and it seems that she thinks nothing of it. I feel like she isnt being a true hermit if she is teaching and changing out of her habit.[/quote]


Hi there.

I am the Sister referenced in the article, so let me clarify. When secular newspapers write articles on something as rare as an eremitical vocation, they will emphasize the things which make the person accessible or approachable. The eremitical life is known mainly by stereotypes, and most of them are far from positive. They do not encourage people to understand the vocation as important for contemporary society. The reporter did an excellent job in stressing how completely normal a diocesan hermit really is, and how normal, if rare, the vocation itself is. Sometimes a habit separates in ways which are not helpful, and the fact that I MAY wear jeans on the days I do heavy house cleaning or laundry gets translated into, "frequently wears jeans."

By the way, if I ever thought that wearing a habit made me less approachable, or marked those who do not wear them as "less than true religious or hermits" etc, I would seriously consider dropping it. In any case, I might well trade to jeans for a while in such circumstances. The sign value of the habit is significant, but if it becomes something elitist and prevents people from seeing (in the case of the hermit) how truly normal solitude and silence SHOULD BE for every person, then it has become problematical for living out the vocation itself and should be reconsidered. (I am not referring to the cowl here since that is a liturgical garment and IS required by my Bishop.) Some hermits who stress the hiddenness of the vocation do not wear a habit outside the hermitage at all; while I don't think I can adopt their conclusion re habits at this point, they are welcome to them and have spent time thinking and praying about the matter. In any case, they are every bit as much a hermit as any other.

The more serious objection in your post relates to my doing some teaching (adult faith formation). I think the bottom line is that what I do is approved by my Bishop and is quite minimal. What it translates to practically is a series of three lectures (given twice) during Advent and another similar series during Lent. It does not detract from silence and solitude. More, it is the fruit of the eremitical life, and demands more intense silence and solitude, prayer and penance.

One thing I think people need to realize is that the original desert Fathers and Mothers were, in the main, accessible to the people in the areas surrounding them. They were not recluses for the most part. While the eremitical vocation has certain non-negotiable elements (spelled out in the canon governing the life), every individual hermit has to work out the negotiable elements for herself. This allows each vocation a very personal flavor, rhythm, or character. Further, the diocesan hermit may discover her eremitical vocation is a particular kind of gift to her parish and diocese, and this may cause her vocation to differ in some respects from either that of the hermit who is part of a community or the non-canonical hermit. The notion that every hermit looks like every other hermit is a misconception, just as the idea that one who wears a habit is a true hermit, whereas one who does not is NOT a true hermit is a serious error. Hope this clarifies things.

All my best,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

Edited April 9, 2008 by SRLAUREL

[Saint Therese]

[quote]By the way, if I ever thought that wearing a habit made me less approachable, or marked those who do not wear them as "less than true religious or hermits" etc, I would seriously consider dropping it. In any case, I might well trade to jeans for a while in such circumstances. The sign value of the habit is significant, but if it becomes something elitist and prevents people from seeing (in the case of the hermit) how truly normal solitude and silence SHOULD BE for every person, then it has become problematical for living out the vocation itself and should be reconsidered. (I am not referring to the cowl here since that is a liturgical garment and IS required by my Bishop.) Some hermits who stress the hiddenness of the vocation do not wear a habit outside the hermitage at all; while I don't think I can adopt their conclusion re habits at this point, they are welcome to them and have spent time thinking and praying about the matter. In any case, they are every bit as much a hermit as any other.[/quote]

Edited April 9, 2008 by Saint Therese

[cathoholic_anonymous]

Thank you for your post, Sister. I have never had the chance to read much about the eremitical life from one who is living it, so it is good to have you here.

[praying4carmel]

Welcome Sister!

I enjoyed your blog and your responses to the posts.

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='Cathoholic Anonymous' post='1495419' date='Apr 9 2008, 08:25 AM']Thank you for your post, Sister. I have never had the chance to read much about the eremitical life from one who is living it, so it is good to have you here.[/quote]


Thanks, it is good to be here (I think!!). My participation will be necessarily limited though.

best,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

[VeniteAdoremus]

Yes, thank you, Sister, for that excellent and informative reply.

[Guest sbros89]

What an intreresting blog there sister.

[Graciela]

HI Sister-

I wonder if you would share how you found your monastic cowl, since your site says that you had not expected that requirement as you were preparing for your consecration.

Did you sew it yourself? Where did you get ideas about what it should be like? What did you choose for material- something that would work year-round or one in winter weight and one for summer?

Thanks for your sharing here.

Graciela

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='Graciela' post='1496731' date='Apr 10 2008, 06:26 PM']HI Sister-

I wonder if you would share how you found your monastic cowl, since your site says that you had not expected that requirement as you were preparing for your consecration.

Did you sew it yourself? Where did you get ideas about what it should be like? What did you choose for material- something that would work year-round or one in winter weight and one for summer?

Thanks for your sharing here.

Graciela[/quote]

I had expected a prayer garment of some sort, but not the cowl. I had also not expected to wear the garment outside the hermitage, so yes, surprising in a couple of ways. Since I am a Camaldolese oblate (and made final oblature just two months before perpetual profession), and after conversations with my diocese and the Camaldolese it was determined that a cowl was appropriate and further, that the diocese approved. I had the cowl made, although I also borrowed a cowl from a Camaldolese nun for the purposes of the Profession (she express mailed hers out to me). This Sister referred me to the person who had actually made her own cowl and he sewed me one. (He regularly makes habits for a number of Benedictine congregations.) As it turned out, he did it very quickly (understanding it was an emergency), express mailed it to me, and I had two cowls available on the day of the Profession. (I did not use Sister Donald's, but it was available just in case.)

The garment is made of a midweight serge (wool and cotton), washes really well, and seems fine for most seasons. During the Summer I think it will continue to work (it was fine last September and October when we have an Indian Summer), but I have a couple of other garments (hooded scapular, hooded short tunic) in case that is not true, and can always have a second cowl made in a lighter material if necessary. I also have a regular alb with hood for Mass which allows me to leave a garment at the church/chapel in case of need, and which itself may be lighter in Summer. Unfortunately, the material the alb is made of breathes less well than the serge of the cowl, so it may NOT be helpful in the Summer.

Sincerely,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

Edited April 11, 2008 by SRLAUREL

[EWIE]

I feel like she isnt being a true hermit if she is teaching and changing out of her habit.""

One of the major challenges that a hermit faces is being self-supporting and you must be if you want canonical blessing. No one, not even the Bishop takes "care" of the hermit. Finding employment/housing are basic needs and the most difficult ones to fulfill, without compromising the 'call'.

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='EWIE' post='1498022' date='Apr 12 2008, 11:17 AM']I feel like she isnt being a true hermit if she is teaching and changing out of her habit.""

One of the major challenges that a hermit faces is being self-supporting and you must be if you want canonical blessing. No one, not even the Bishop takes "care" of the hermit. Finding employment/housing are basic needs and the most difficult ones to fulfill, without compromising the 'call'.[/quote]

Your points are important to emphasize. The hermit is self-supporting and must undertake whatever she can within the parameters of hermit life which allow that. Ther diocese supplies NOTHING except her canonical approval of the vocation and a context for living the life, not stipend, insurance, housing, transportation, etc --- and generally that is a good thing. Many Bishops do not allow the hermit to work outside the hermitage: they will not profess someone if that is necessary still, but they do ordinarily allow limited activities and sharing of gifts, talents, and education outside the hermitage. Since the hermit [u]may[/u] receive a stipend for this work it can help her support herself. Again, though, as I noted above, the amount of teaching I now do is VERY limited and takes place mainly in my own parish. It may increase (there is both need and demand), but that will happen slowly and only with care and as permitted.

Thanks for raising an important, and often little-known fact. The idea that the church takes care of hermits or of religious men and women is one of the most common misunderstandings I have run into over the years.

Sincerely,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

[jkaands]

This Thing about habits continues to surface.

Wearing a full-length habit while farming can be quite dangerous. It is common for monastics who farm or who work near machines to wear long pants, and not a full-length habit. This is certainly true of the Trappists--check out the Genesee website-- and other orders. Some may be able to wear a full-length habit if they work in fields only,(although this is very hot and impractical), but not if they are near a tractor or any sort of machinery.

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='jkaands' post='1498150' date='Apr 12 2008, 02:20 PM']This Thing about habits continues to surface.

Wearing a full-length habit while farming can be quite dangerous. It is common for monastics who farm or who work near machines to wear long pants, and not a full-length habit. This is certainly true of the Trappists--check out the Genesee website-- and other orders. Some may be able to wear a full-length habit if they work in fields only,(although this is very hot and impractical), but not if they are near a tractor or any sort of machinery.[/quote]

Your points are good and true. Practicality, health and hygiene must always be borne in mind. I continue to be a bit surprised at how big an issue the habit is, and how little it appears the substance of the vocation is to some, whether to religious life or eremitical consecration. I read somewhere else where someone wanted to have a habit made despite the fact he is not a consecrated monk or hermit, nor even in the process of becoming one. He contended he wanted to adopt this way of dressing partly to honor the habit. What is amazing about this is it actually dishonors the habit by using is as a costume for dressup, while ignoring what it actually symbolizes. The same is true of those who measure the depth and integrity of a religious life by whether or not the person wears a habit. Indeed there are stories about regarding young people who are enamored of the habit and choose religious life (and particular congregations) merely on that basis. As important as the habit can be, that is an appalling way to discern a vocation and congregation.

I have friends, women and men religious whom I consider truly holy, who choose not to wear a habit. Their consecration is real (indeed it is profound) and shows in all they say and do. And yet, they are treated as second-class or "pseudo" religious by some despite the fact they have given their lives completely to Christ in his Church through profession of the evangelical counsels. I choose to wear a habit for a number of reasons, and am privileged to wear the cowl for liturgical functions and other prayer, but as I noted, if it ever seemed to make me elitist or was seen to represent a judgment on those who do not wear one, I would rethink my choice very seriously.

Why is it this issue of the habit continues to surface? Why, for instance, was my own eremitical commitment and life seen as dubious because it was written that I often change into jeans eventhough the questioner had never met or spoken to me? I really don't understand that at all. (Questions are rhetorical.)

Sincerely,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

[EWIE]

[quote name='SRLAUREL' date='Apr 13 2008, 01:26 AM' post='1498400']

Why is it this issue of the habit continues to surface?

Sister Laurel, try asking this same question on the "Monastic Life" forum and see what answers you receive. There are quite a few on there who wear a habit and are not anywhere near being "consecrated" religious.

[Sister_Laurel]

[quote name='SRLAUREL' post='1498400' date='Apr 13 2008, 01:26 AM']Why is it this issue of the habit continues to surface?

Sister Laurel, try asking this same question on the "Monastic Life" forum and see what answers you receive. There are quite a few on there who wear a habit and are not anywhere near being "consecrated" religious.[/quote]


You are joking! (Well, actually, I am only [i]somewhat[/i] shocked by the information --- mainly that there are "quite a few people" doing this.) The habit is the sign of consecration (and by this I mean [u]public[/u] profession and consecration where the person has been extended and assumed rights and privileges in law (both civil and canon) [u]or is formally preparing to do so under the auspices of an Order, Congregation, or Diocese[/u]). [i]It is not a costume.[/i] Of course I know a couple of people who affect such dress, but ordinarily I consider them nutcases who have not come to terms with their own LAY VOCATION! The habit is a MEANINGFUL symbol, and should not be trivialized, or emptied of its meaning. Otherwise, it makes it hard for non-Catholics (or really, anyone who simply runs across the habited person on a train, etc.) to actually trust those who DO WEAR HABITS LAWFULLY. Why should religious choose to wear habits in public if lay people affect the wearing of them and make them of hypocritical and "untrustable" or dubious import??? Why should people turn to those in habits as though they are REALLY official agents of the Church, and living a particular kind of life IN HER NAME, if the habit is used by many to PRETEND to this status (standing and life)? Why should religious continue to esteem the habit if those who claim to do so affect them for their own pretense and fraud?

Thinking about this, I believe this practice indicates several different things: 1) the inability to come to terms with one's lay vocation or esteem it as highly as it deserves. That is especially repugnant on this Vocation Sunday, but also in a church which has, since Vatican II, stressed the dignity of [u]and serious need for[/u] this vocation in today's world; 2) a failure to understand the difference between personal and private consecration (the gift of oneself with private vows, for instance), and [i]the public consecration of a person by God through his Church[/i]. The first does not raise the person (sorry, but that's the verb ordinarily used) to the consecrated state and gives them no new rights or responsibilities in law; the second DOES THESE THINGS. One of the rights AND RESPONSIBILITIES is the use of the title Sister, Brother, or (in some cases) Father, etc, AND THE WEARING OF THE HABIT; 3) It indicates a failure to really esteem the Church's own theology of consecrated life.

The simple fact is, people have a right to expect certain things of someone in a habit, not least that the CHURCH has validated and mediated God's own call in what is an ECCLESIAL AND PUBLIC vocation, not a private and unverified commitment of some sort. There is that basic notion of TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, especially when the God one is representing is Truth Himself. A few other things that come with the habit (and consecrated standing) --- and are things people have a right to expect from one wearing it include: accountability to superiors (people who know me also know that I am accountable to superiors (Bishop and delegate), spiritual directors, pastors, a prioress, etc, in ways others are not; now that does not mean I will be without faults, but it does mean people [i][u]can reasonably assume my day to day life is consistent with the wearing of the habit and the vows/consecration it signifies[/u][/i]).

They have a right to expect proper spiritual formation, training, and theological education and competence, as well as emotional or psychological wellbeing and personal integrity (which, frankly, is not something one can predicate of people who can't come to terms with their REAL vocation but instead need to play dressup!). This is true so that should someone turn to someone in a habit in public, they will not be pouring their hearts out to someone who will damage, exploit, or lie to them in some way. Finally, people have a right to expect a kind of availablity which public consecration makes possible both formally and substantially through the commitment and graces that come with that consecration; it means that this person has truly given up EVERYTHING for Christ and will spend his/her life for all s/he meets, but especially those in his/her parish and diocese. (This will include the assurance that the wearing of the habit involves no ulterior motives, and that persons turning in need to the one wearing it may expect to be heard by one who is genuinely poor, chaste, obedient, prayerful, and puts the other's life first at this point in time.) It should go without saying that one wearing a habit represents not merely a way of being but a STATE of being IN CHRIST.

The bottom line, of course, is that the habit represents PUBLIC religious or eremitical consecration, and THAT comes with legal rights and responsibilities. (Again, I am including one who is preparing formally and officially for such an assumption of rights and responsibilities here.) The habit is not a romantic bit of sentimentalism. It MEANS something in a world that has been emptied of meaning in so many ways. ABOVE ALL IT WITNESSES TO AN ECCLESIALLY MEDIATED WAY OF LOVING IN CHRIST which is different than the lay vocation, and it signals a different kind of commitment and availablility. I guess what I am hearing of here is another way something which is truly sacred has been trivialized and emptied by those who pretend also to "honor" it. I guess there is no question I feel strongly about such profanation (and there is no gentler word for this).

Sincerely,
Sister Laurel M O'Neal
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland

Edited April 13, 2008 by SRLAUREL

[EWIE]

...." Finally, people have a right to expect a kind of I guess what I am hearing of here is another way something which is truly sacred has been trivialized and emptied by those who pretend also to "honor" it.

Aaaahhhh agreement 99%, but I don't think most people mean to trivialize it, as much as they want to "be somebody"....to call attention to themselves as someone of importance.
I now you are on a lot of forums and you are not naive -- not at our age. We've seen it all and you KNOW some of our friends on ML are not consecrated, certainly not in any denomination, currentlly in existence, let alone the RC one.

[puellapaschalis]

A while back I was on ML (at least, I believe it's the same one you're talking about) and that some folks there who aren't consecrated are wearing habits doesn't really surprise me.

Why might someone do this? I wonder if some might simply feel lonely and unanchored. They see the religious life (accurately or otherwise), including the habit, as giving one a really deep-rooted sense of belonging, they long for that themselves and wear a habit in an attempt to provide that.

Or maybe I'm just projecting my current paranoias on other people's behaviour!