Stephanie, Thank you for your willingness to share your story. What a source of inspiration. I admire your courage and the depth of your searching. Know of my thoughts and continued prayers. Sister Mary Ellen
Thank you Stephanie for sharing your journey so freely. Yes, discernment continues for many years to come. May you be open to God's grace and wisdom on your journey. Blessings. Sr. June, OP
I noticed a discussion a bit down on the fact these women are not wearing a habit. Do I like the idea of the habit yes, but the one persons reasoning is very, Im not even sure of the word to use, but he stated he found it "hard to respect any woman that calls herself a sister or nun that does not wear a habit". Really, thats not right. It actually does not make you sound very nice. That just caught a cord with me making such a statement. Yes I appreciate the habit and wish more would still do this, but it is not taking away from the fact that they are there to praise God weather they wear a habit or not. Don't judge unless you wish to be judged yourself.
I always found it hard to respect any woman who called herself a sister or a nun and didn't wear a habit. Its a symbol of being a part of a community, true, and a discipline. But I also know that there are some who don't have habits and that the Pope, with Vatican II, allowed women to have more liberties. Which I also don't like.
Vatican II asked religious communities to return to the desires of their founder/founders. Many discovered their habits were just the common dress of the time they were founded. Some communities were founded in secret & never wore habits. The “theology” behind women wearing habits as a way of witnessing is akin to the manner the Church figured out a “theology” for priests not to marry though that’s not how the Church started (actually 1000 years). The habit does not make the religious! You can be holy in lay clothes & a complete jerk in a habit. It’s the spirit that counts.
R Madsen. Clothes in society traditionally are not just meant to hide our nakedness, but to tell others about your role in society. If someone is dressed as a religious brother/sister/Priest, then someone walking by can tell immediately. They will be treated with more reverence because they have been consecrated and will not be hit on by people. If someone passes me on the street and I could not tell the difference, it is not a good thing. It's the modesty on the inside that counts for sure, but the way we dress and present ourselves helps to influence our spirit. People who dress immodestly for instance are rarely modest on the inside. There are modestly dressed people who are not modest on the inside absolutely, but it does not follow that this is a cause to get rid of modest dress. Modest dress promotes internal modesty. It is the same with people who are disgusted by external mortification. They claim it's internal mortification that counts. This is true of course, but the purpose of external mortification is to bring about internal mortification. I have not met one person who attacks external mortification who practices internal mortification themselves. It is just something they say to explain to themselves why they see no need for it. The way you quote the word 'theology' makes it seem as though you hate Catholic theology and her Traditions. You know that Eastern Catholic Priests are allowed to Mary if before their ordination and yet 70% don't. Interesting. It's almost as if Church teaching is natural and guided by the Holy Spirit, and as though theology is a natural process of discerning what God wants for his Church.
Atrociously taking seats with the purveyors of Prosperity teaching and Faith Healing...this is falling away from the truth and giving ear to fables. These religious should not be allowed to do this.
Stephanie,
Thank you for your willingness to share your story. What a source of inspiration. I admire your courage and the depth of your searching. Know of my thoughts and continued prayers. Sister Mary Ellen
Thank you Stephanie for sharing your journey so freely. Yes, discernment continues for many years to come. May you be open to God's grace and wisdom on your journey. Blessings. Sr. June, OP
Thank you for sharing. God bless you sister!
I noticed a discussion a bit down on the fact these women are not wearing a habit. Do I like the idea of the habit yes, but the one persons reasoning is very, Im not even sure of the word to use, but he stated he found it "hard to respect any woman that calls herself a sister or nun that does not wear a habit". Really, thats not right. It actually does not make you sound very nice. That just caught a cord with me making such a statement. Yes I appreciate the habit and wish more would still do this, but it is not taking away from the fact that they are there to praise God weather they wear a habit or not. Don't judge unless you wish to be judged yourself.
Its too bad its not in Danville Virginia.
I always found it hard to respect any woman who called herself a sister or a nun and didn't wear a habit. Its a symbol of being a part of a community, true, and a discipline. But I also know that there are some who don't have habits and that the Pope, with Vatican II, allowed women to have more liberties. Which I also don't like.
***** Didn't you just answer your own question?
Vatican II asked religious communities to return to the desires of their founder/founders. Many discovered their habits were just the common dress of the time they were founded. Some communities were founded in secret & never wore habits. The “theology” behind women wearing habits as a way of witnessing is akin to the manner the Church figured out a “theology” for priests not to marry though that’s not how the Church started (actually 1000 years). The habit does not make the religious! You can be holy in lay clothes & a complete jerk in a habit. It’s the spirit that counts.
R Madsen. Clothes in society traditionally are not just meant to hide our nakedness, but to tell others about your role in society. If someone is dressed as a religious brother/sister/Priest, then someone walking by can tell immediately. They will be treated with more reverence because they have been consecrated and will not be hit on by people. If someone passes me on the street and I could not tell the difference, it is not a good thing. It's the modesty on the inside that counts for sure, but the way we dress and present ourselves helps to influence our spirit. People who dress immodestly for instance are rarely modest on the inside. There are modestly dressed people who are not modest on the inside absolutely, but it does not follow that this is a cause to get rid of modest dress. Modest dress promotes internal modesty. It is the same with people who are disgusted by external mortification. They claim it's internal mortification that counts. This is true of course, but the purpose of external mortification is to bring about internal mortification. I have not met one person who attacks external mortification who practices internal mortification themselves. It is just something they say to explain to themselves why they see no need for it. The way you quote the word 'theology' makes it seem as though you hate Catholic theology and her Traditions. You know that Eastern Catholic Priests are allowed to Mary if before their ordination and yet 70% don't. Interesting. It's almost as if Church teaching is natural and guided by the Holy Spirit, and as though theology is a natural process of discerning what God wants for his Church.
I agree; I was just attempting to explain VII’s teachings. Of course, JPII DID want the habits to return but apparently anything goes with this one.
Amen to that. Couldn't say it better myself.
No habits..... Are they going to be getting on a bus anytime soon?? 🙄
Atrociously taking seats with the purveyors of Prosperity teaching and Faith Healing...this is falling away from the truth and giving ear to fables. These religious should not be allowed to do this.
No habit, no real religious life!