Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Religious Habit

"Put on the new man, which has been created according to God in justice and holiness of truth." Ephesians, 4:24.

St. Elizabeth, princess of Thuringia, was the first in Germany to wear the Third Order habit. Although she lived during the time of St. Francis himself, the two never met in this world. However, the saint of Assisi was so delighted with reports of her holiness and heroic devotion to the Crucified One that he wished to give her some special mark of fatherly favor.

Before he died St. Francis requested the brethren to send his very own mantle to her after his death, as a token of esteem and affection. The friars carried out the Poverello's wish.

Picture the joy of this saintly woman when she received the mantle that had been worn by one who was known as the closest follower of Jesus Christ, the mantle reddened with blood from the stigmata, the mantle that meant so much to the many who followed the Little Poor Man.

In a similar sense everyone who puts on the habit of St. Francis, whether in the First, Second, or Third Order, is really receiving the garb from the saint himself. It is his very own uniform. It is the dress of those who follow him in following Christ.

The same can be said of every religious habit, whether it is that of the followers of St. Benedict, St. Dominic, St. Francis or any of the many religious founders. It holds for the sisterhoods and brotherhoods too. To don the habit means to put on the garment that identifies some great spiritual leader.

Religious habits are sacramentals. They help the wearer and they help the beholder to remember the heroic life of some saintly founder, to remember the spirit of his or her religious family, and to remember the work and program of those who profess that particular rule of life.

The religious habit is the distinctive uniform of some group who devote themselves to the work of God in this world. It is like the uniform of a nurse, a policeman, a soldier, a chief justice, or even a king. When you see someone dressed in the uniform of the United States Army you know he is a soldier sworn to defend the United States, one who is following to the best of his ability a certain set of regulations which govern the life of a soldier. To the uninformed a particular religious habit may seem fantastic and meaningless. Yet, it has a fascination and a meaning.

We might briefly explain some of the more common parts of religious garments, especially of women. The veil is worn to cover the head and often part of the face. A woman's hair is her adornment, a source of pride and vanity. Sisters cut their hair to remove this possible cause of pride.

Cutting the hair is also a means to cleanliness and comfort. The prayer said in putting on the veil helps us to understand:

"I have despised the riches and adornments of this world for the love of my Savior Jesus Christ, the sole object of my faith, my hope, and my love. Guard Thou, O Lord, my eyes that they may not give way to vanity."

Some groups wear headbands and some do not. In putting it on the nun prays:

"My Bridegroom has placed a mark upon my forehead, which will not permit me to regard a friendship other than His own.

The scapulars or panels and the cowl are a carryover from the church gowns of the doctors of the church, just as the cap and gown are for the graduates of today. Placing it on the shoulders, the religious prays:

"My yoke is sweet and my burden is light. Grant that I may so carry it, as to obtain Thy holy grace."

As the religious puts on the holy cord this prayer is said:

"Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of virginity and purity so that with the wise virgins I may have access to Thee, my heavenly Bridegroom."

The three knots represent the three vows--poverty, chastity, and obedience. The five turns in each knot remind us of the five wounds of our Lord.

Most religious ensembles include the Rosary, either the five or fifteen decade, or the seven decade Franciscan Rosary or crown, honoring the seven principal joys of our Blessed Mother.

The habit proper is the principal garment. Putting it on, the religious prays:

"Clothe me, O Lord, with the robe of salvation, and adorn me with the garment of righteousness."

Generally it is simple in color and design, reminding everyone of the poverty of Christ and the poverty of His followers.

To the religious every part of his habit is soaked with inspiration. It sings the spirit of his founder. It recalls the rule he has professed to follow. It brings to memory the many thousands, nay, millions who have worn that habit with honor and glory.

To those who behold the habit comes the thought that there is one who follows St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Benedict, or some other holy founder. The habit represents a rule of life that requires every grace and help, including the inspiration of a special garb. The religious uniform is more of a help than a handicap. It sets the religious apart. It points him out as one devoted to a special work, a special way of life.

One mark of the genuine Catholic is reverence for the religious habit whether worn by priest, sister or brother. It is not easy to wear that habit and live up to what it means. But the great majority are trying their best to do that very thing. The respect of lay people is an encouragement to us.

One, for example, who has the glory of wearing the garb of St. Francis can feel just pride and deep humility at remembrance of the long line of kings and queens, saints and scholars, preachers and penitents, missionaries and martyrs, who have honored that uniform through the centuries. That is the case with every religious.

Like St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, we say that it was given to us by our founder himself. Amen.