The Religious Habit
Ever wonder what the big deal is about Sisters and Nuns wearing a full Habit? You might even think, what difference does it make? Well, first of all, it is an outward sign of that individual’s self-giving to their Spouse, renouncing all that the world offers. There is no longer need of makeup, jewelry, worries about hair styles and fashions. Being a Sister, nun, monk or friar is a life time commitment to Christ alone. That being said, it seems these days that that has been tossed by the wayside by many Orders, not even being able distinguish the members of their Orders from the common laity. Personally, I miss seeing the different beautiful habits of the many Orders. It’s like when a child, I could tell one car from another and now they all look the same or indistinguishable to make or model.
Each Habit has a meaning, a history and the desire of the founders that the Habit be worn by the members until the end of time.
Below are some of different Orders , male and female, that still wear the traditional Habit and you will see each and every article has a meaning.
Handmaids of the Precious Blood
“The Precious Blood of Jesus is your wedding garment, dear Handmaids, treasure it for it speaks to you of love.”
– Father Gerald, s.P. Founder
Why is our apparel red?
Why do the Handmaids wear red? Precisely, why do they wear wine-red? And white veils?
What do the symbols of the habit and veil mean?
When their Founder, Father Gerald, penned his poem, “Crimson Robes” , he had in mind both the crimson robes worn by the Crucified Christ as well as the garment he had in mind for his spiritual daughters, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood. Father Gerald stipulated that he desired his Handmaids to dress in the wine-red color symbolic of the Precious Blood of Christ shed for our salvation and the white veil symbolizing the white Host of the Eucharist.
Although slight variations have occurred in over the past 70 years plus history, Handmaids have always worn a full habit and full white veil. All Handmaids, novices and professed, wear a white veil.
First professed Sisters receive a triangular emblem over the heart on the scapular. The scapular emblem, designed by Father Gerald, 
pays tribute to the Blessed Trinity in its three sided shape, Our Lady in the blue outline, and the Priesthood in the Holy Spirit being called down upon a golden chalice.
Finally professed Sisters receive a simple silver ring depicting two hearts on each side of a chalice of the Precious Blood.
Handmaids also wear a full length side Rosary and cincture.
Handmaids of the Precious Blood
Carmelite Monks
The Carmelite monk, like a soldier, is clothed in the armor of the habit as he bravely does battle for God and for souls. Although the Holy Scapular is the habit properly speaking, each article of the monk’s clothing has been entrusted by Holy Mother Church with a significance that urges him on to the heights of holiness: mystical union with God.
The habit of the Carmelite monk is made of durable brown wool as woven after the manner St. Teresa of Jesus first taught her daughters. Brown like the cross and the soil of the earth, the Carmelite wears a robe of brown, since he is called to carry the Cross of Our Lord, Jesus Christ and to imitate the humility of the Blessed Virgin.
Tunic
The monastic tunic, commonly known as a monk’s robe, clothes the monk in modesty. Although not commonly known, tunics were the garments worn by men throughout history until modern times. Now however, the tunic stands as a sign of contradiction to modern fashion and the vanity of the world that the monk leaves behind when he enters the monastery.
When a monk is clothed in the tunic at the time of his Investiture in the Holy Habit, the suit coat is taken off and in its place the prior invests him in the tunic. While doing so, the prior prays, “May the Lord clothe you a new man, who is created according to God in justice and holiness of truth.” Indeed, the tunic is ultimately this: a sign of the new man who has renounced the world that he might be united to God and bring God to the world through his life of prayer and penance.
Sandles
Ss. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila when instituting the Discalced Reform of Carmel in the sixteenth century prescribed a return to the poverty of the original hermits on Mount Carmel. This poverty was manifested in many ways, but one of the best-known ways was that the Discalced Carmelites did not wear shoes. The word “discalced” actually means “barefooted” or “shoeless.” Although originally the Discalced Fathers did not wear shoes and went about barefoot, St. Teresa of Jesus moderated their austerity by urging them to wear poor sandals.
The Carmelite monks in seeking to imitate the purity and wisdom of the Carmelite life, prescribed by these great saints, wear poor leather sandals crafted by their own Brother Cobbler. Through the 
winter and cold months, the sandals are especially a reminder of the poor, and those in our society who are truly cold and without protection from the harshness of winter. The Carmelite Monks are conformed more perfectly still unto Our Lord whose poverty in this world was real and chosen.
Scapular
The Scapular is truly the “garment of salvation”, although it is humble even in its appearance. The scapular can best be recognized as the brown rectangular piece of fabric that hangs down the monk’s front and back, covering the tunic and hiding the monk’s hands folded beneath. Until Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock in 1251, the scapular was worn by many and varied religious orders as an apron to protect the tunic when working. It can be said that the scapular was the least important garment of the habit, a garment of work, a garment of a slave. And yet, the Blessed Mother offered the Scapular to St. Simon Stock in response to his prayer for a privilege and as a sign of Her particular love for the Order of Carmel. In the gift of the Holy Scapular, we see Our Lady’s humility: she is truly the Handmaid of the Lord, so how appropriate it is that she gave to Her Carmelites the garment of a slave as their privilege.
At the reception of the Scapular, which is simply the making of a Carmelite, the prior urges, “Take up the sweet yoke of Christ, and his light burden.” The Scapular is a constant reminder of the Cross borne by Our Blessed Lord for it shares its brown color and both 
are borne upon the shoulders. In this conformity to our Savior, we first conform ourselves to Mary and the “burden” becomes utter sweetness. The Scapular, long venerated and upheld by pope after pope, is indulgenced and its promise is protection from hell’s flames. The Carmelite monks, seeking to distinguish themselves from other Carmelite religious, wear the Scapular over the cowl. It is interesting to note that St. Teresa had her daughters wear the Scapular as the top vestment worn by her daughters as well, centralizing the role of the Brown Scapular in the Carmelite Habit.
The Cowl
The cowl (sometimes known as a capuche, especially for friars) is the hood worn by the Carmelite monks. The monk wears a monastic cowl that hangs over his upper back and is used to cover his head during the winter months. Although the cowl serves a practical purpose in keeping the monk’s shaven head warm, the cowl is more importantly a sign of mourning. The word “monk” is derived from Greek words meaning “one who mourns in solitude.” So what does a monk mourn? The Carmelite monks mourn for their own sins and the sins of others, begging for God’s mercy and justice. The cowl is a reminder of Christ’s Dolorous Passion on Calvary for sinners, a death that He would have endured had there been but one poor sinner.
The Holy Rule exhorts the Carmelite to “place the helmet of salvation on [his] head,” and this is what the Carmelite does every time he covers his head with the cowl. His head being covered in the brown wool and his face hidden unless you look directly at him, the monastic cowl also serves to hide the monk so that God alone might know his countenance.
The Monastic Tonsure
A shaven bald head has been continually identified as a sign of a man’s consecration to God and complete offering of himself to the service of Christ and His Church. We read in the Fourth Book of Kings that forty-two young boys of Bethel who had been raised with a prejudice against the true religion and its ministers mocked St. Elisha, the disciple of St. Elijah. And how was he identified and mocked? The boys said, “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.” Here we see that a bald head was a contradiction even in those days before Our Lord’s life on earth. And still today the bald-head is a contradiction to the world’s fashion and haircuts. The Carmelite monks wear the tonsure as yet another reminder that they have confounded the wisdom of the world and chosen instead the wisdom of the saints. The tonsure is a penance, too. In the cold of winter a bald head, like feet without shoes, is a penance. The monks embrace this opportunity to show obedience to the Church and the monastic tradition.
The priests and seminarians of the monastery have a thin crown of hair however, commonly called a corona that circles their heads as a reminder of the priestly dignity and duty.
Mantle
In a vision, Blessed Angela de Arena saw Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the saints dedicated to Her during their lives, but Bl. Angela saw no Carmelites. Asking the Blessed Mother where the Carmelites were, the Queen of Heaven pulled back Her white mantle and hidden below were Her Carmelite saints appearing as roses. The white mantle worn by Carmelites is an extension of the mantle of Mary where she protects and hides souls that have recourse to Her.
The white mantle worn by the Carmelite monks for Holy Mass and the Divine Office on major feast days covers the brown tunic, scapular and cowl below, clothing the monk in white. This mantle is a “sign of [the] internal purity” which the monk aspires to in imitation of Our Lady; it is therefore most fitting that the mantle is worn at these times as a
reminder not only of the purity with which the monk should approach God, but also that the monk should approach God clothed in the virtues of the Immaculate Mother.
A monk when making his temporary profession receives the Profession Crucifix, which is worn upon the heart by being attached to a buttonhole on the tunic. The Profession Crucifix with its cross of wood and metal corpus is an outward sign of the 
conformity to Christ, which is sealed in the profession of the Vows of Obedience, Chastity and Poverty. Worn over the heart, the Profession Crucifix is also a reminder that the monk has nowgiven his heart to Christ in immolating himself for the love of God and the salvation of souls.
As one hymn proclaims, “Hail, O Cross, our only hope.” Indeed it is this very cry that must gush forth from the professed monk’s heart as his prayers challenge the world to embrace the Cross of Christ and to stand at the foot of that infamous gibbet with theBlessed Mother, St. John, St. Mary Magdalene and the others gazing up at Him whom we have pierced.
More marvelous still, the Profession Crucifix is hidden below the Scapular and not outwardly visible; this too ought to inspire the Carmelite to hide his sufferings, his little crosses, that God alone might know them.
In order to safeguard the poverty of the monastic life, each monk is permitted to two choir habits, a work habit, and a modified work habit to be worn as needed. It is permissible in hot and humid places to allow another brown material to be substituted for wool.
Work Habit
It is our charism that all the monks should be engaged in manual labor according to the Holy Rule, ” you must do some kind of work, so that the devil will always find you occupied.” As much as we love our woolen habits, they are not durable enough to 
withstand the abrasiveness of hard manual labor. To combat this, monks and nuns have always had a specific habit for work that looks similar to their choir habits. Following this very practical tradition we have designed a work habit of our own. In our work habit we have retained the capuche and scapular but have replaced the wool tunic with one made of a canvas material similar to Carhartt. This canvas material is much more durable and holds up well as the brothers carry out the chores of the monastery. Our Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus always taught her daughters to keep their habits neat and clean. The brothers therefore, by having work habits, keep their choir habits in a condition suited for Mass and the Divine Office.
For more serious work like running equipment or branding cattle, the brothers wear overalls with the monastic capuche. This garb is dubbed the “extraordinary work habit” and it serves as a protection for the brothers’ safety during serious work.
The work habit serves as a powerful reminder to the monk that his work too is consecrated to God through the vows. This reality 
keeps the monk focused on the spiritual realities always before him and reminds him continually of his mission to generate love within the heart of the Church. Thus the monk strives to sanctify the entire day, even at work periods, by uniting his labor with prayer.
“But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah. He girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab as far as the approaches to Jezreel.” Kgs 18:46
The Belt or cincture
St. Albert, the legislator of the Carmelite Rule, prescribes that the monk’s “loins must be girt with the belt of chastity.” The cincture is just that, a leather belt that the monk ties over the tunic at the waist. How prophetic are the words spoken by the prior when the monk receives the cincture, “When you were younger, you would gird yourself, and would walk where you willed; but since you will be older, another will gird thee.” This mysterious “another” is the Blessed Virgin whom the monk takes not only as his Heavenly Mother, but also mystically as his sister and greatest love among men.
In imitation of Our Lady’s virginal purity and that of St. Joseph, the monk girds his loins in chastity. The Carmelite does not marry or have natural children that he might have instead as spiritual children all the souls whom God places before him, both known and unknown.
The Carmelite monk’s cincture hangs on the right to the bottom hem of his tunic. On the left from the cincture hangs the Most 
Holy Rosary. The monk has his spiritual weapons around his waist; like a cowboy or a soldier, the Carmelite monk must always be prepared for spiritual warfare with the virtue of holy purity and the power of the Rosary of the Virgin Mother.
The belt around the waist represents binding in the virtues together with love, which makes them perfect. It also represents chastity, mortifying and subduing the selfish desires of the flesh and heart, and integrity and self-control.
The biblical phrase “gird up your loins” refers to pulling and tying up the lower portion ofa garment to prepare for action. A Carmelite should always be ready to take action in the name of the Lord.
Scapular
The scapular is a cloth that hangs over the shoulders, covering the chest and back, it represents work and being a handmaid of the Lord. Carmelites should always be ready to serve the Lord.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Lk 1:38
The Blessed Virgin Mary is our example of a servant of the Lord in her great hidden work of raising Jesus. Originally the scapular was a work garment, like a smock or an apron. Carmelites should be prompt in carrying out the Lord’s work, give themselves to work of some kind, and never be idle.
Since the earliest days of the Order, Carmelites have been devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The habit, particularly the scapular, is a symbol of Mary’s special protection and desire to clothe us in Christ. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is usually depicted wearing the Carmelite Habit. It is truly a privilege to wear the Carmelite Scapular. Devotion to the Carmelite Scapular is very popular among the laity, and there are many scapular confraternities.
Benedictine Habit
“The belt reminds us that Christ wore chains,” referring to his obedience. “The scapular represents our commitment to conversion—to take on the yoke of the Lord, which is sweet. A yoke is usually carried by two: we carry half and Christ carries the other half.”
The veil is the sign of the nun’s consecration. “You put the veil on and you know you belong to (God), You are not your own.” The veil and coif cover the nun’s hair, which the Scriptures call a woman’s “adornment,” to protect her from vanity and to remind her that she is given fully to God.
“You act as you wear. If people wear jeans and T-shirts they act differently than if they are dressed up in a suit. There is a certain dignity that goes along with wearing the habit … a certain nobility you are expected to carry. Clothing does express your heart.”
Benedictines wear black tunics, both as a sign of penitence and because it was the cheapest fabric in the fifth century, when the Italian St. Benedict founded the order, the oldest in the Church.
“Wearing the habit is also a sign of poverty, you get a habit and that’s all you’re wearing.”
The Capuchin habit
CAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN FRIAR’S HABIT
Hooded robe: brown for poverty and penance; shaped like a cross
Cord: tied at the waist with three knots symbolizing vows of poverty, chastity and obedience
In 12th century Italy, when St. Francis of Assisi left his life of privilege for one of poverty and preaching and established the Order of Friars Minor, he took on the clothes of a penitent: a hooded brown robe in the shape of a cross tied with a cord around the waist.
Capuchin Franciscans who reformed the order 300 years later to return to the ideals of simplicity and prayer that had been lost over the years, continue to wear this same habit today.
“Our hood helped to give us our name. In Italian, the word capuche means hood. People would see the giant hoods and would call them capuchins—‘the ones who wear the big hoods.’”
A Capuchin’s cord, is tied with three knots that symbolize their vows to observe the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Religious life is an eschatological sign, it is pointing us to the fulfillment, the coming of the kingdom. It’s important that we make that visible by our action, our ministry, our prayer, and by what we wear.
In conclusion
Here are just a few examples of the major Orders and what their Habits mean in their religious life. People just don’t understand the gravity of the religious “hidden” life. Some Orders have modified habits and some don’t wear habits at all. If you were to see some of them walking down the sidewalk, what would give you any indication that they are even a Sister? They dress like office personnel or lumberjacks. Maybe they wear a lapel pin or a little cross on a chain. Those in religious life are to stand out, like a Zebra in a pack of Cheetahs. Sisters, nuns, monks or friars should have an aire of nobility because they are the Brides of Christ. Their lives are prayer and sacrifice, which this world and Church are in desperate need of despite what Bergolio says.
I was day dreaming one day about all the different religious habits and how wonderful it would be, if the habits were able move about as if occupied by a human body. Every time a habit would pass by, there would be a beautiful smell that would linger in the air, the aroma of pure sanctity, ahhh, what a wondrous thing that would be.
Well written and quite informative. I’ll need to read it several times to have an idea how to identify those that I see. I mostly see brown, but now have an idea what the other things mean.
And quite pleasing to know you had a nice quiet holiday with a nice meal. Would have been happy if your brother or sister or a child had taken the time to stop and visit. I’m sure they would have been warmly welcomed and invited to join in on a delicious meal. I’m blessed that I get to see several every holiday with a very large amount on Christmas where I always get to see my Godson. I’m curious do you have any Godchildren? I’m still amazed how much he has added to my life. One of the great blessing our Lord has given me.
Have you considered an article on Sedevacantism? I think I spelled it correctly.
JM+JT. May our Lord keep you safe and healthy.
Thanks for “well written”, but I did a lot of copy and paste. I could in no way express what these Religious hold in their hearts regarding their Habits. It’s kind of like, you have to be there and experience the beauty and wonder of such exquisite yet simple garments. It’s just something that people don’t understand and for those Religious that have given the Habit up – what do the secular clothes mean or their vocation in general?
It is so sad that wearing the Habit is going by the wayside. It is so special and is so Holy and respected. I’ve never known anyone who didn’t maintain total respect to someone as to a Nun wearing her Habit. I know I always have total respect when I see one. I also very much enjoy seeing a woman/girl wearing a veil, I certainly don’t understand why the Nuns would choose not to wear a Habit. For some reason in Florida I saw the wearing of a Habit far more often than up here. Maybe someday I’ll get a chance to have a discussion with one and maybe get some insight into the reasoning for giving it up. At least I haven’t seen any dress in a flashy manner. Only time up here is at the annual parish festival-probably 5-10 attend it each year. I think there is a convent out in the northeast out in the Parnell area if you’re familiar with that area. The only other I’ve known of was at Valley and Walker which you probably know about due to your school days. Villa Maria which ended up being sold to Hope Network. I understand a couple Nuns are living out their remaining days in your old school which has been converted to apartments.
If you do have a chance to speak with any of the Sisters that have changed to the modified Habits, try to speak to the older ones that may have actually worn the old Habit. The thing is, those Sisters would be up in years and probably not out doing Festivals. The convent at Walker and Valley was occupied by the Little Sisters of the Poor, I believe. I remember them from grade school because they would come and pick up donations of food or what ever else was requested. The Sisters were like little Ninjas. You’d almost never see them and certainly didn’t hear them. I was able to see them a couple of times and they were in and out very quickly and quietly. It was really quite cute thinking back on it. I don’t remember where Parnell is, but the Carmelite Monastery is out by Canonsburg. Our Monastery here was founded by Sisters from there. It’s a shame that the Mount went belly up.
Little ninjas-now that is funny and brought a smile. And the one you’re thinking of in Canonsburg is probably one and the same. I used to work in that area and saw signs out in the 5 mile area. I thought it was at 5 mile and Parnell rd. I think Parnell was a town at one time, but went by the wayside. This is the link for the only one I know of in the northeast http://carmelitenuns.org/ Has some nice pictures on their site.Some that visit the festival are up there pretty good in years-look even older than me-wow. I always just kind of thought they were from there to play a little bingo. I did buy some cards for one two years ago-she looked like she was enjoying herself. They usually don’t stay long-an hour or so I’d guess. They wear the full habit and it must be very warm since I’m very warm in shorts and a T. I’m seeing pics of the bridge andUP and you sure get more cold and snow than I care for so stay may our Lord keep you safe and warm and Mass is early tomorrow so to bed early for me.
Happy to make you smile. That is right Carmelite Monastery from which ours was founded. It is very interesting story of how the one there in Parnell came to be. Next summer, just walk up to one of the Sisters and ask if you could speak with her and she’d probably be very happy to do that. Ya, it’s cold and snowing here.
NN Ninja Nuns. Masters in the art of stealth and the ancient weapon the wooden ruler. Never see the wrath of a wooden ruler in the hands of a Ninja Nun something I’m confident you haven’t ever experienced. 😀
In all my years in Catholic School, there was only one Sister that did the ruler thing. Otherwise all the Sisters seem to be rather docile, but they are human and subject to faults just like the rest of us.
Well they are sure known for the wooden ruler to the knuckles. The Habit does command much respect and I imagine looking back I wouldn’t have the same experiences that I did had I had a Nun for a teacher. I went to Grandville and a couple teachers believed in the wood paddle. I can say it got my attention and accomplished the desired effect very well. I wasn’t Catholic back then, but always had respect for Nuns. They are so Holy and deserving of the utmost respect even if I too made a few jokes about penguins. I do think it would have a wonderful positive effect if Habits were worn at least to every Mass.
And you are right that most that attend festival are younger than I am. I’m starting to feel like everybody is younger than me. Hope this post finds you having a wonderful Advent and well prepared for Christmas. May our Lord watch over you and keep you safe.
JM+JT
I do agree the Habit would make a lot of difference, but the way of this present false church will not allow it to happen. Pray for all the religious that are trying to hold to their Rules and Constitutions and that they follow them no matter what. I had one teacher in public school that used a yard stick on male or female. He was a real piece of work. He paced around the class just waiting for some reason to have someone grab their ankles and wham across the backside.
Didn’t know you went to a public school also-how did you get lucky and able to transfer to a Catholic school-not booted out I hope-I have a really nice image of you. Did they play Grandville in sports? I think there were some who went into teaching that did enjoy the punishment aspect. I remember one(I didn’t have him as a teacher) who seemed to enjoy physical punishment used for public humiliation. I had him for study hall and saw him that way there and he didn’t care if the one to be punished was boy or girl.
I agree the presence of a Habit creates a beautiful aura of Holiness and has a very positive impact on those participating at Mass. Another thing I’d love to see more use of is the Chapel Veil. Again such a positive air of how we should present ourselves at Mass and there are such beautiful ones to choose from. Since Protestant churches don’t have Nuns or chapel veils I very much doubt the current pope would encourage either or both. The impression I get is the pope would like to turn our Church into just another modernistic protestant church without Doctrine or any expectations-just another feel good church.
This last comment (sentence): “The impression I get is the pope would like to turn our Church into just another modernistic protestant church without Doctrine or any expectations-just another feel good church.” This pretty much sums it up, only it is not supposed to be a church at all. It is to be a globalist organization. It’s all about power and money and has nothing to do with saving souls. As long as the pews are full and collections profitable, that’s all that matters. The Bergolian church is not the Catholic Church and never will be.
The public school thing was really bad for me and I wish it never happened, but I had no say because I was the kid and did what I was told and my mom didn’t want to pay the tuition anymore.
Sorry you didn’t have a good experience attending public school=some sure could do much better. I was fortunate I think being able to go to Grandville. I would imagine your parents would have loved to be able to send you to a Catholic school, but sometimes essentials get in the way I know it takes some money for Catholic schooling(my brother sent his children to a Catholic through 8th grade and it’s not cheap). It’s a big plus when parents are able to afford sending their children there as you probably are well aware of. It’s not like they sent you off to Ottawa Hills or something I hope.
I’m sure your mom was a wonderful loving mother(nobody does everything right though). You were given some wonderful gifts by God and I’m guessing either your mom or dad encouraged those gifts in a good way. Anyone who has helped get a wretch onto a better path has to be doing something right. Our house had to make some tough choices too and I missed out on some things that I feel bad about, but accepted it was just what is-still is that way, but life is much easier than when I was a kid.
Was a really nice Mass today. I got to sit next to a young girl of about 9 years. She was so solemn and respectful during the whole Mass. So very nice to see a young one doing so well
I hope you were able to enjoy a wonderful Mass today. JM+JT
I was just reading an article that was stating there is about a 45% drop in attendance since 2013. It also dealt with information on younger people joining the Catholic Faith. It spoke about they generally desired the traditional aspect-not so much the TLM, but along the lines towards the TLM. They desired the firmer expectations of being solemn and respectful. They also like the more rigid rules, Basically they didn’t want easy, but something they would have to work at. They didn’t want a ribbon just because they showed up. The younger priest that wrote the article is working hard to get his parish to survive-he stated that without young people at Mass then what happens in a decade or two when there isn’t anyone there. Hopefully we’re both still around in ten years to see where things are going. I think our Lord will protect His Church.
I’m not going to hold by breath, but continue to pray for conversions, AND, that the young and old alike will learn to love the Latin Mass. The Latin Mass IS the only Mass.
I think I’ll hold my breath. Our Church will be healed with the help of our Lord.
Please, don’t miss understand what I’m saying. The Church will never pass away. It just might not be healed and return as She is supposed to be in our life time. She will “appear” to be dead, but will rise again. Wonder where we’ve heard that before- – oh, just as Her Spouse died and rose again.
Have a very Holy and Blessed Christmas and a Grace-filled New Year. 🙂
Well considering how my health is going I’m sure it won’t during my life, but hopefully during yours. I think attendance will continue to plummet for a couple years and a large number of weak believers will go elsewhere. As long as the young people can see people like you they will search for the good. Your ways are better than what is offered in a Novus Ordo Church and I think they want more than what they are getting. Continuing engagement in conversations will strengthen their desires and belief so they will search for more and find it in the TLM.
My prayer for you is that you have a most joyous Christmas with comfort from our Lord and blessed with being surrounded by your children and grandchildren(hopefully you have a couple of them) along with a fine dinner Receiving all the love and comfort you deserve. The New Year filled with hope and seeing our Catholic Church growing back to where It belongs and you receiving all the blessings you richly deserve.
And a thank you for all you have helped me with. JM+JT
Thank you. I am only God’s lowly servant. He sends people our way for a special reason. So, don’t thank me – – thank Him. May He bless and keep you safe from harm of body and soul.
Christmas was quiet and I was well fed. 🙂
You are one of His very special servants and set a great example to others on how they should be. You evangelize very well by the person you are. I think that is the best way to draw people deeper into the Catholic Faith. People look and think what a great person-what are they doing that helps them be such wonderful people
It’s 12:05 here right now so MERRY CHRISTMAS. May it be a most glorious joyful day with continuous praise for our Lord.
I am home-bound and watched midnight Mass online. I thought you were going to midnight Mass too. Merry Christmas
I remember that you had mobility issues-had hoped your husband was able to get you to Mass. I watched Mass on tele and went to a 10pm Mass. I miss the midnight Mass, but the Priest got old which I relate to(May I ask which site you go to for watching Mass? I know there is one near st Pete in Florida which does live streaming). I watched Mass at the Vatican and not as nice as I would have thought it would have been. I’m not a fan of the pope and do not agree with many of the things he does. I keep hoping he’ll step down because I don’t think he’s good for our Church.
It was a very joyous Christmas. My sister had bypass surgery and it went well and she was released just before Christmas so she wasn’t at the family get together, but we did the Skype thing since the younger ones knew how to do that and that was fun. A wonderful meal and watching dad enjoy the day was very special along with one new member of the family-love seeing the new babies. Spent time with my Godson(19) and his girlfriend(she’s pretty nice and Catholic. I know someday I’ll lose him to some pretty young lady so seeing him with a nice Catholic one makes me happy.
Almost time for New Year resolutions. I’m praying for strength on a couple things to hopefully help avoid sin. I even have someone that is going to help me with guidance to help me be more tolerant and caring I hope.
I don’t know if you’re able to Skype, but I’m guessing you can with your comp and hope you were able to be with loved ones even if not in person.
May our Lord watch over and comfort you now and into the new year. I hope it a most glorious new year for you and throughout 2019. JM+JT
This is just a quick response— the URL for the streaming Mass is http://www.livemass.net/ Here is their regular Mass Schedule:
Sunday – 8:30am & 10:30am
Mon.- Sat. 9:00am (Fri. also at 6:30pm)
Tue, Wed., and Thur.: 7am
The Mass will only stream when there is a live Mass going on at the time. Otherwise, you will have to watch the last recorded Mass. There are Masses from other countries (different time zones), but you have to be able to understand the language in order to know what the homily is all about. The Latin and Mass remain the same.
That’s the one. It’s not in St. Pete, but Sarasota. I saw it years ago one the web when I was in Florida and should have visited it-it was tempting. I have it bookmarked now. Tks Happy it’s not in Latin since I didn’t take Latin in high school-I should have I guess.
And happy New Year. I sent a reply to your email wishing you a happy New Year, but I don’t think it went through. I hope the storm isn’t being too nasty to ya-I’m seeing a little bit of snow to the north. Another wild new years’s eve for me sitting at home nice and warm.
You’re welcome. The Mass is in Latin. I haven’t received your email. Happy New Year to you again and the weather is quite miserable, very cold, snow. The usual for us. Still willing to share if you would some. 🙂
We don’t have any snow so go ahead and send some-not fair that you get snowed in. I have a snowblower so cleaning the driveway isn’t too bad. Well it’s 10.13pm and I don’t think I’ll make it until midnight, but then that stuff is for the kids and have Mass in the morning anyway. If you send lots of snow I can stay home and study.
Sending some snow your way, but I don’t think it will be there in time to keep you from Mass. Email came through fine. 🙂
I can’t help myself. Are you throwing real snow or lake effect? Ok I’ll go study Latin and be good. We did get icy roads, but the main roads were clear. I did get a French Vanilla cappachino for ya and it tasted really good-that stuff is too good.
Looking for some advice. I’m looking at Missals that are pre vat II. I see St. Joseph and St. Andrew, daily and Sunday and Lent ones. Any imput would be appreciated.
Also I was out walking the puppy and walking to the north and suddenly got snow in my face. lol
Tks
Oooops, sorry about the snow. Our puppy likes us to throw shovels full in the air and then tries to catch them. About the Missals, they are both good. The St. Andrew is more complete. If I were going to get a new one, it would be St. Andrew. I used to have a Marian Missal, but my daughter adopted it. I bought it many years ago when I was still in the fifth grade at SJV. Think I got it for $5.00 back then. Here are some links, if you are looking for a brand new one. Best prices so far. I thought you had a 1948 copy of a St. Joseph?
https://www.daughtersofmarypress.com/store/item_view.php?id=1000060&item=st~1~1-andrew-daily-missal
http://www.libers.com/st_joseph.htm
A St. Joseph Missal is a few bucks cheaper but is much less complete…ie; considered a good missal for older children and young adults. Unless you’re looking for a used missal, these are about the best prices around. Check ebay and amazon and you’ll see. Hope this helps.
PS I’ve never had Cappuccino.
Wow what a memory you have. Yes I did-my nephew liked it so I gave it to him. You even remembered the year-is there anything you ever forget?
St. Andrew must be a lot better-on ebay it sure is more desired.
Wellll, I really don’t remember things as well as you might think, at least not according those here at home. Beautiful gift to your nephew. Here is a link for a reprint of The Marian Missal, probably the same year that I bought for $5.00. It’s a bit more now ($39.95), but much less than the St. Joseph and St. Andrew. I never got to use my copy because things started changing and I was trying to keep it in real good shape. My daughter liked and I told her she could use it for as long as she liked – – BUT she had to take real good care of it. She loves the Marian Missal. My copy had colored pictures. I don’t know that the reprints do. The reprint is from 1958, I believe. Look here This is the FSSP Bookstore.
I’m guessing you have a very happy daughter. What a beautiful gift to her so then you understand why I’d give it to my nephew. Hope she is still enjoying it and using it regularly. I imagine she will treasure it always.
You didn’t send much snow here. My little eskie doesn’t even have trouble getting through it. What kind of puppy do you have. I’m a dog lover and love em all.
The price would be about the same considering inflation. I bought a shotgun about the same time and a comparable one would be about 250.00 now. Makes me think of at that age I was finding golf balls and selling them to golfers to get money and trapping in the cold weather. Hopefully one of your Godparents bought it for you. Five dollars was a lot to us back then at our ages-that would have been 20 really nice golf balls back then. I’m guessing SJV was a pretty nice school back then and it’s still around along with a few others.
Yes, my daughter is a very faithful traditional Catholic and has put the Missal to good use. I saved birthday and Christmas money to but that Missal. SJV had religious articles for sale once or twice a year and I was determined to have that Missal. I guess it was meant more for her than for me.
I have a registered “Aussie” and she is quite the handful, very smart and beautiful. She was the only one in the litter with her coloring. She looked like a Coca-bean among the rest of the pups; thus the name Coco Bean.
CocoBean is gorgeous and hope not as spoiled as you. I see quite a few marian ones on ebay-some black and some white-I’m guessing you had the black one and most are from 1958 with some in nice condition
Yes, my Marian Missal was black and it should serve you well. If you have an eBay account and find one in real good condition, snatch it up.