Habit
The traditional outfit or uniform of a Religious is called a “habit” (hence the old joke about Religious Life being “habit forming”!). Although the wearing of a habit is not an essential element of Religious Life (R.L.) it seems to be important to many young people today.
Young people, raised in modern secular society, have not grown up in a strong “Catholic culture”. On the other hand, modern society is strongly individualistic, secular, and materialistic (consumeristic). In an individualistic society the wearing of a habit gives young Religious a sense of belonging (identity) to a group. In a secular and materialistic society it also symbolizes a radical, prophetic, counter-cultural witness of Jesus. Jesus emphasized the priority of the spiritual life and therefore living simply. The plainness of the cut and colour of the habit emphasizes this simplicity and not putting selfish material wealth ahead of God.
The Franciscan habit is a simple long brown gown with a detached “capuch” (hood) and a white, knotted wool cord. The cord has three knots symbolizing the three religious vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience.
The issue of where and when to wear the habit is a complex one. As a general rule, the Franciscans of western Canada wear the habit during church functions or during ministry with “churched” people. We recognize that there may be appropriate times to wear it and there may be times when it is not appropriate. With Church people the symbol of the habit is valuable. Among non-churched people, however, wearing medieval clothing may give the impression that Religious are strange fanatics out of touch with reality.
In my experience, I have felt fairly uncomfortable wearing my habit in purely public, secular settings. I feel totally out of place because I draw attention to my self which is contrary to humility. This discomfort is partially due to my “introverted” personality. Wearing the habit in those setting always draws lots of stares, occasionally it provokes a negative response but as often, if not more so, it draws a positive one – if it draws any at all.
It seems to me that the most important issue is whether wearing the habit is going to help or hinder the Gospel. Nothing can come before the Gospel – not even something so time-honored as the habit. (After all, Jesus did not prescribe his followers to wear a habit.)
Today our younger friars tend to wear the habit more than the older ones. Those who entered R.L. before the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965) had a different experience than our younger friars. R.L. before the Council had become out of touch with society due to a multiplication of structures and rules that had evolved over the centuries. Furthermore, R.L. had become so exalted that Religious were often put on “pedestals”. This made it hard for them to relate to others (creating an unhealthy situation for the Religious) as well as it sometimes lent to an abuse of power.
It is important for young people to understand this background. Once I heard a young woman imply that Religious who do not wear habits were not fully committed to their vocation. This was an unfair statement but at least it was made out of innocent ignorance. The uncompromising commitment of older Religious - even if they do not wear the habit - is very inspiring.
Older Religious, on the other hand, need to understand that the times have changed. Young people who want to wear the habit do not come with the same negative “baggage” that they may have had from wearing the habit.
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