A good number of the younger men do wear the habit regularly, though sadly many have given in to the "status quo." I know of one province that has "officially" given it up, although according to our Constitutions and Statutes they cannot. For some it has become a political tool worn by priests at liturgical functions sans surplice and stole to show "solidarity" with the brothers who cannot wear sacred vestments. The outer garment is not a cappa nigra, but what we call a zimarra. It is a long black very full coat (it has sleeves) with a shoulder cape that fastens only at the neck. Now that our houses and churches have heat it is not as common as it once was.
The habit is nice but its not used here in Asia-Oceania especially in the Philippines coz its impractical to use in tropical countries. What's the origin of this habit? Who designed it? I asked a Filipino Redemptorist but he can't give me an answer. Isn't it similar to old Jesuit habit?
The Redemptorist "habit" is a distinctive garment that brings symbolic and ceremonial unity to the members of that wonderful religious order. I recall as a boy seeing my parish priests in those robes with the white collars and jangling 15 decade rosaries. I still see the Redemptorists wear them, usually on ceremonial occasions. I can see that they are impractical in many settings and cultures for use beyond ceremonial occasions.
The beautiful habit of the Redemptorists, perhaps it will make a comeback with the younger men.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
ReplyDeleteLooking nice and traditional. Like it when you do vestments/clerical dress posts. :D
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo!
ReplyDeleteA good number of the younger men do wear the habit regularly, though sadly many have given in to the "status quo." I know of one province that has "officially" given it up, although according to our Constitutions and Statutes they cannot. For some it has become a political tool worn by priests at liturgical functions sans surplice and stole to show "solidarity" with the brothers who cannot wear sacred vestments. The outer garment is not a cappa nigra, but what we call a zimarra. It is a long black very full coat (it has sleeves) with a shoulder cape that fastens only at the neck. Now that our houses and churches have heat it is not as common as it once was.
ReplyDeleteThe Redemptorist province that "officially" gave up the habit I hope is small, and composed on a dwindling bunch of old men.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet it's in one of 4 countries:
Netherlands
Belgium
France,or
Germany.
Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not in Germany or Austria - most of the younger men are wearing their habits regularly.
ReplyDeleteThe habit is nice but its not used here in Asia-Oceania especially in the Philippines coz its impractical to use in tropical countries. What's the origin of this habit? Who designed it? I asked a Filipino Redemptorist but he can't give me an answer. Isn't it similar to old Jesuit habit?
ReplyDeleteFerderiz
The Redemptorist "habit" is a distinctive garment that brings symbolic and ceremonial unity to the members of that wonderful religious order. I recall as a boy seeing my parish priests in those robes with the white collars and jangling 15 decade rosaries. I still see the Redemptorists wear them, usually on ceremonial occasions. I can see that they are impractical in many settings and cultures for use beyond ceremonial occasions.
ReplyDelete