A customary is a guide to liturgical and other practice for a church, diocese, or religious community.
Here are some things you may find helpful to know.
These are based on the Rule of the Order as well developed practice within the community.
HABITS AND CLOTHING
Full-Liturgical Habit:
- black cinctrure (prayer rope/rosary optional), black cowl, white alb, with scapular (optional), and cross (optional)
To be worn when serving in the liturgy in some way. It may be worn at anytime at the discretion of the brother or sister.
For example, I wore the full habit almost all the time when I served and lived in NJ (and this was at a camp and conference center!). I remember visiting a youth event once and playing football while wearing the whole deal, I still made some touch downs!
Street-Habit:
- any combination of black and white clothing, cross (optional), clerical collar or if lay member Morivian collar (like the one Brother Ken wears)
To be worn when engaged in any kind of ministry work or when attending weekend worship, but not serving in the liturgy (though it is perfectly acceptable to wear the full-habit when just attending worship).
For example, before I came to North Dakota I served in an essentially non-liturgical, very low, Lutheran Church near Philadelphia. We didn't use vestments, no liturgy, and no collars by the other two pastors. I wore a street habit (black trousers, white shirt, and black vest, with cross) for close to three years when I was there.
When Not in Liturgy or Engaged in Ministry
Left to the discretion of the brother or sister. You will find some look to wear black and white cominbations virtually all of the time as a sign of their vow of simplicity and their committment to their vows. Some are unable to do this at work and some discern another way for them.
For example, I almost ways tend to be in street habit (clericals for me as a priest), or even a white and black combination when at informal things, but on occasion, and esp. if I'm going out somewhere with my wife will wear civilian clothes.
FORMS OF ADDRESS
Brother or Sister As Appropriate to Gender
There are two major views on the use of religious forms of address (e.g. Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Bishop, etc)
1st: and this is by far the most popular view today, is that they are merely formal titles and should be rarely used, or perhaps used with children, or in very select settings. The thought is these are burdenson and seperate the ordained or vowed person for the rest of the body and this should not be done.
2nd: and this is an older more sacrament view, these aren't merely formal titles, but represent the fact that a person has given up their status as a "private individual" to become a living and breathing symbol of the Church. Calling the priest Father reminds the priest that he is a man under orders, called to represent the heavenly Father. It reminds the people that they are part of a sacramental church and that the priest is their soul doctor, a person who is to help them get close to God, and not just their buddy, or a nice guy who leads church services.
Most of us would not say "That guy is going to spalsh some water on that kid" or "we are going to have some bread today" or "we are going to that building with the fancy windows this morning" and so on. We are a sacramental church and don't believe its just water spashling on the kid, and we don't believe its just bread, and we don't believe its just a building, and so on. We believe more is at work here.
In the same way the Church believe that a priest is more than just a man wearing a funny shirt, and a brother or sister is more than just a person with a nice black hood.
Use of Religious Address
You will find it varies considerably in the Church and even within the Order. I for example am old school in a variety of ways including in the use of religious address - esp in the context of parish and diocesan life.
Please e-mail or post to the blog your thoughts, comments, questions, and experiences with these matters.
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7 comments:
We've kicked around the idea off and on for three years of getting polo shirts, which would make a nice top for a street habit. I've always thought it would be cool to have one with the dog on the breast panel.
I wear a modified street habit to church on Sundays and to work on Fridays. The rest of the time I wear a shirt and tie to work, but we are probably going to start allowing polo shirts soon.
For me the wearing of the habit needs to "say something". Being a lay person it probably says something different than it does for clergy. I wear the full habit to Wednesday night mass and on Sunday and have a brothers collar for other church events. My work is at a college and a hospital so wearing either there is not appropriate.
I asked our rector for her opinion and she insisted that I wear my habit whenever we worship - I like that attitude.
I am slowly buying black and white clothing, so my "casual" wear will eventually be more in line. I like the idea of the golf shirts and I am fine with the logo.
At chapter Sister Elena said something to me I am trying to work with, she said that whatever I wear I need to know why I am wearing it. So if someone has a document that explains what each piece of clothing is for I would appreciate it.
Br Ken, did you tell me at chapter that you had something that you say as you put each article of clothing on and then also when you remove it?
I don't wear my habit here in New Orleans as it freaks out the young and Black people, our two primary target groups. There's also a lot of bad baggage here re: the Roman Church so it's best not to reinforce.
Same with titles. Jesus calls me "jerry" so that's just fine with me. I've broken the parish of calling me "Father" (pronounced "faduh" here). The Black folk like to call me "Pastor Jerry." Which is definite improvement over "Bishop Jerry" . . . with my wife, Stacy, as "First Lady." They see any pastor with a big operation as a bishop.
It was pretty funny when my bishop came and the wanted to know who he was since i "was the bishop." Fortunately he has a good sense of humour and isn't in any way pompous.
So, if you come around here, you'll find Jerry in shorts, t-shirt and sandals. Listen for the guy screaming because someone took the last cup of coffee and didn't make a new pot.
To Brother Jerry's comments - I think context is very important matter for understanding these outward practices.
Something I should have mentioned more in my org. post.
When I served the non-liturgical Lutheran parish, using "Father" (mostly only the kids called me Pastor) may have been more counterproductive than useful.
The same with the liturgical habit (it just wasn't going to happen there)
That is why the rule has provision for variance here. But like Brother Carl said (and Sister) you should know why you are wearing what you want.
Sr. Jackie, OP said:
I wear the full habit when I acolyte in church and it definitely reminds me of the novice vows I took on August 9th. I somehow feel very spiritual in full habit compared to the ordinary vestments for acolyting.
I went to my VFW Ladies Auxiliary meeting and wore the street habit. Of course there was a lot of questions from the ladies. ( By the way, I am the Chaplain of our VFW Aux.) Everyone of my auxiliary sisters were very supportive, even though they all are Lutherans and don't really really understand.
I'm still not used to being called Sister Jackie. It surely gets my attention!!!
It's so nice to hear healthy Habit stories. I feel our identity is important one way or another...... whether to be seen or not is determined by place and circumstance.
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