Historically, there have always been communities that did not wear a formal habit. Many habits started out as the lay clothing of the cultural era at the time of their foundation. Many kept their original dress long after fashions changed. In time many of these became the basis of what we came to know as habits. All religious reviewed the style and place of the habit after Vatican II. Initially there were trials to modernize the habit but gradually some communities opted for lay clothes.

Those who maintain habits today do so for various reasons. One of the primary reasons is that religious dress is a sign. The habit is an instantly recognized symbol of faith in God and commitment to Christianity. Another frequent rationale for religious garb is that it is simple dress and therefore a way to live out the vow of poverty. A sister who wears a religious habit can own just two or three changes of dress and be free of the expense that may be involved in a more extensive contemporary wardrobe. Other communities say the habit is an important sign of penitence for them.

Some communities have opted to wear lay clothes, saying that the most valid sign of Christian faith is lifestyle, how one lives, not how one dresses. They have noted that among certain populations religious dress creates an undesirable barrier between them and those with whom they work. Some Catholics and non-Catholics distance themselves from people in traditional religious dress.

There is also an historic reason. Many have discontinued wearing habits noting that the dress worn in times past was that of the common people. When styles changed, religious continued to wear what they had been wearing. Lay or street clothes are the clothes of common people today.

Our Community

Our Sisters are permitted to make a choice. It often depends on the particular ministry a Sister has. Among our older Sisters you will find some who wear a religious habit. Many of our Sisters have chosen to retain the veil as the distinctive sign that they are a religious and wear professional clothes for ministry; others do not. There is a tendency among many to distinguish professional dress for ministry and casual dress when they are in the convent or at recreational events. We recognize that these are changing times for religious life in general and we respect each Sister’s choice.