Postulants and Novices in good standing within The Order who, in the course of their duties in worship services in their individual churches/parishes and of expressions of the Christian faith are required by tradition or other cause to wear outer garments over their usual clothing, may be given the option to wear the the traditional friars habit for the purposes of conducting said duties with the approval of their respective ministers, priests or pastors and, as with other outer garments, to remove said habit immediately at the conclusion of worship services.

NOTES:
Although input from all members would be encouraged, I would say that it would be ultimately up to the more senior novices and the professed along with the MG, and I don't mean Morse Garage the British auto maker, to determine what constitutes good standing within The Order.

From conversation with the Order Historian, and I find this unsurprising, that given the "nature of the beast" this was not nor will it be the last time this subject is broached. Or, as they would say in Texas, this is not your first or last rodeo. Ooops! Too much Texana. I think it may be time to move to Colorado.

Article VI ("Membership") of OEF's statutes includes the following language:

3. Members of the community may identify themselves by:
a.The wearing of the San Damiano neck cross, which is the designated “habit” of the community.
b. The use of the monogram “n/OEF” after one’s name for novices, or “OEF” for professed. The monogram is used within the community, as well is in correspondence with other religious communities. Other usage should take into account particular denominational sensitivities and practices.
c. The OEF does not embrace any particular religious habit. If one chooses to wear a habit, the motivations for its use should be carefully examined, and it should not be used until one has professed.

The question of OEF's position on the "habit" (part c, above) is a recurring one. Most recently, Jack Newsom has questioned our position that postulants and novices -- in a spirit of humility and obedience -- refrain from wearing the habit traditionally associated with the Franciscan tradition.

We have discussed this repeatedly over the years. It might be good to capture the spirit of our conversations at this new website forum.

I encourage everyone -- postulants, novices, professed, and others -- to comment on your understanding of this language in our statutes. What wisdom is captured in our current position? What might justify a change? How do you personally feel about wearing a traditional Franciscan habit? How do you personally feel about others in the Order wearing a traditional Franciscan habit? If you are a professed member of OEF, what is your rationale for wearing or not wearing a habit? Other thoughts or comments?

Jack, as you've already noted, this is a recurring topic of conversation among us. I think the kind of responses your query may elicit might best take place in the "back room" (rather than the "living room") of our virtual friary. Therefore, I've posted a message there to solicit reflections on OEF's position on the traditional Franciscan habit.

Thanks for raising the issue in our forums!

Just a quick comment.

Some may have noticed that I wore a white stole at the last worship session at Chapter. Shoshanah tells me that Michael Vosler gave it to her years ago, as was done for all novices; when one became professed, one got a purple stole. (Apparently the source of these stoles ran dry.) Shoshanah passed it along to me when I started doing my daily office, and I use it for that, too.

I just want to emphasize that this stole, to me, is not a habit, but a kind of prayer shawl, and I use it only during times of formal worship or prayer (of course, I'm praying all the time!). The habit I plan on wearing all the time after I profess (if that is God's will) will be a cross. (Well, I do think the rope is stylish, at least when worn by our MG )

Perhaps we want to talk about all the garb we might encounter in OEF? How ecumenical that might be, eh?? Quaker plain-clothes, hats (oh yeah, we did those at Chapter!!), ...

peace,

br. bruce, n/oef

Dear Ones, I find before venturing on this subject a note from the annals of history may be in order which, to me, captures some sense of the subject..(thanks to the Conventuals for this)

"In the Middle Ages most people wore basically the same style of clothing: a simple tunic, a small shoulder cape and perhaps a hood to keep off the rain. Depending on one's class in society, the cloth would have been either rich or simple. Because pockets had not been invented, the wealthy wore a leather belt fastened around their waist on which was suspended a money bag, dagger and sword.
After his conversion, Francis decided to throw off his adorned belt and instead tied an ordinary rope around his waist as all the peasants wore. He eventually tied three knots in the rope as reminder of his three promises to God: poverty, chastity and obedience.

The word "habit" is derived from the Latin, habitus, "to put on a way of a life". The external garment represents an interior change. In traditional imagery, the religious habit is appreciated as the armour of salvation and a mantle of justice. Within the Franciscan fraternity the habit acts as both the wedding garment and the burial shroud; it is the sign of unity and the visible link between members long since in heaven and those yet to be born."

Ahhh, 'to put on a way of life' is as multidimensional in its outpouring as the individual, and so should always be preserved in my opinion. For some its a garment, cords, for others a Tau or perhaps a demeanor. (Or for some all four, or more!) For me however, the Calling to live as a Franciscan is etched on the palm of the Divine's Hand-no less or more-than for any one. Yet it is distinctly Franciscan-OEF-for me.

I am Franciscan.

When I wear my habit, I do not look at it as a status symbol, but a link to our Founder, St. Francis, and a reminder of this calling in my life. As a Franciscan its an 800 year right, in my opinion. When I dress in the habit, I'm not 'playing' Franciscan. Not OFM, PC, PCC, OFM Conv, OFM CAP or any entity other than OEF. It's not a costume, its as the conventuals say, a link to those who have come and those yet to have arrived.

Can I be Franciscan without the habit? Absolutely, but since I to am solemnly vowed for life (just as my fellow Franciscan Brothers and Sisters before me) in the evangelical counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, it is my choice (with God's grace)how to live these prayerfully out. The habit serves as a connector, a link. A 'unification' if you will- to all vowed Franciscans everywhere-one of which I'm a small part.

In God's Love,

David Luke, OEF

"To put on a way of life."
That is a good definition and direction re: wearing a habit. And it fits forme each and every day... often several times during a day -- in this hotweather.

For the OEF, THE habit is the San Damiano cross. Mine sits where I get dressed ("habitually" in the same place, but that is another meaning)... with all the other stuff I put on/take along into the world.

I will admit that when I go out to the garden in the current heart and humidity, I may forgo putting it on. But, usually, the final act of getting dressed to go into world, for me, is to repeat that which was done when I first professed life vows to follow Francis as a part of the OEF: I put the chain over my head. In that way, I am reminded of what I have promised to do that day.

jacobus

Sr. Magdalena and I absolutely respect everyone's freedom of choice in this matter. We wear a full habit in lieu of a cassock, when we would otherwise wear one in an ecclesiastical setting--including, when appropriate, Franciscan gatherings.

We also wear brown scrubs around the house, and indeed often when venturing forth from our matrimonial friary.

Peace!

Thomas oef
Huntsville TX

Though I am only a new novice I would like to add a few comments. First, in my case, I am also an ordained protestant minister. Even though in most protestant settings, vestments and such are not necessarily worn by many denominations, I can see the place where wearing a Franciscan habit may be appropriate in certain ceremonial settings when I want it to be known that I am Franciscan as well as a protestant minister.

I do plan, when fully professed to wear a Franciscan habit during certain religions ceremonies. Until then, I have been looking at some alternatives for certain circumstances.

Nancy and I have considered, when in our house living by both our personal rule and our house rule, wearing brown sweat pants and a brown hooded sweatshirt during colder months. During warmer months we have considered the idea of brown scrubs.
These are purely as a physical reminder of our commitments to the Franciscans, our rule, and the order.

Although I normally do not wear a clergy shirt as a minister, there are certain occasions when it would be beneficial and appropriate. One might be when in a church environment or setting (certain church functions) and it is needed to be recognized as clergy at a glance. Another might be when doing my hospice and bereavement duties or visitations to hospitals when clerically related. In these cases I have considered wearing a brown clergy shirt with brown slacks.

It is true that each person must evaluate their reasons for wearing any distinctive clerical clothing.

Just an idea to throw into the mix...
Certain Franciscan orders do have novices that wear a plain brown Franciscan habit but without any hood. Something like this may be something to look at for religious ceremonial use. Just a thought.

Peace!

Phil Evans