Changing habits.
Posted by Terry Nelson on Aug 27th, 2008
Did you know?
In 1952 Pope Pius XII granted permission for the modification of nuns’ habits. (To accomodate modern necessities - such as driving nuns, and nursing nuns.) In America designer Hattie Carnegie came up with a simple black dress that also became a ready-to-wear success. Christian Dior followed suit and designed a habit for French nuns in 1960. That “new look” was worn by the Sisters of Charity for awhile, and looked similar to what some sisters wear today - box pleats, very tailored tunic, tight veil with a white band to pull the hair back. (I couldn’t find original photos, although I remember it in the news.) Pius XII never envisioned nuns abandoning the habit all together - no one did.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I met a franciscan once during a march. I wanted to march all the way back to his monastery with him ,and his friends.
He was wearing brown wool clothing with patches,and sandals in the winter with no socks. He was full of joy ,and wasn’t sad at all that he had only 1 spare outfit besides the one that he had on , and it was probably full of patches too. Some of Gods people are so amazing that they just blow me away, and then I am reminded again , I suck.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Why was a Franciscan friar in a monastery?
August 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Dear Mr. Thom, I am a convert. Hasn’t it become clear already that I don’t know anything ?
Hum, I guess I would have followed him back to his cave with his pet wolf .
Your begining to grow on me Mr. Thom. Not in a fungal kind of way ,but in a nice way.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Thom - Belinda won’t know that friars live in a friary, although in Europe they are called convents - and monasteries are often the term used for nuns - abbey and priory for monks and some nuns, such as Benedictines and Dominicans. I know you are just teasing, so I’m writing this more for Belinda. But in English speaking countries - women religious and nuns are usually said to live in convents, while male religious - friars or monks - are often called monks and are said to live in monasteries. People who do not know the distinctions will call just about any man in a habit with a hood and sandals a monk - and refer to his residence as a monastery.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
True Mr.Terry, and we think that all Nuns wear their habits and sing ,because it’s always that way in the movies. Oh they usually wear their black,and white habits too.
There is always some drastic pending issue.
Like a death( usually a lung ailment of some variety) ,or a eviction notice, or perhaps a much needed concert to raise funds for the delapitating convent,usually a bad boiler in the basement, or even for slutty band uniforms even though the head Nun objects.
See I try to pay attention ,when you Catholics give me good direction.
My brain is running as fast as it can to keep up with you kind people.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Belinda, I, too, am a convert.
My comment was all in good fun, or that was my intent, at any rate.
(And Terry, there’s a reason I specified “Franciscan friar” in a monastery, and not Franciscan only. Poor Clares and all).
August 27th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Thom - I knew you were playing - and I also know you know.
Thanks.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Dear Mr.Terry, I have to say though that your sentence- “Belinda wont know” does sting .Even though it’s true. I do feel like the odd man out ,but I love to learn about Catholic stuff so I keep coming back. Thank you for sharing.
I love it when God shows me how my learning disabled daughter feels. Thanks God.
Mr Thom, I didn’t take any offence. I think that the people who comment on Terrys blog are generally above being mean like those folks on youtube. Terry is awesome,and so are his friends.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
My apologies Belinda - but just about everyone gets stung once or twice when they visit my blogs.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I love to see nuns in full habits - they are truly a rare sight these days. A nun dressed like a lay person does not command the same respect that a nun dressed in her habit does. I hate to think of how many times guys may have “sized up” a nun who was dressed in lay clothing. Ewww!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Okay Terry, I have to admit that I am sorta twitchy around you ,cause I am still expecting a big slap. Just do it already so I can relax okay? We know that I deserve it.
When I was 5, I watched a Nun seem to float across my neighbors sidewalk into their home. I yelled for my Mom, and asked her who that lady was. Mom said , “she’s a Nun”. I said, “I am going to be one of those when I grow up”. Mom started laughing at me (not in a nice way either)and said, “yeah ,sure”.
That Nun,and Padre Pio got the ball rolling for me so to speak.
I seriously believe that it started with that habit.
(I married a Saint instead . I did REAL well.)
Still down deep down inside I will always be that goofy ,pagan, half wit, Catholic wannabe. I love smart Catholic people like you ,and your friends. I will pray for you today Mr.Terry ,and 10 of YOUR audience members . Now I am off to “stalk” some other nice people that I love ,and admire.
http://www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml
BTW Thanks for letting me practice my poor social skills ,and grammer on you ,and your friends. Oh ,and I have just deleted my “spell check” button, so I am screwed.