More about the Habit

Our habit is meant to be a sign of hope for others and to "remind the world of eternal realities." (Foundations of Religious Life, CMSWR) Living in the inner city, we find it especially important to give an external witness of hope, to be a light in the present darkness and to let our "light shine before all so they may see our good works and give glory to our Heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16)

Whether walking our dogs around the neighborhood, walking to the Mission, gardening in front of the convent or shopping in one of the local food stores, people can see us and remember God. And if we were nice to them, and this we take great care to do as a way of living our vow to uphold the dignity of every human person, they know God loves them. Very often, people ask us to pray for them, so we do, even in the midst of a busy shopping center. You see, it is not about the individual sister, but about Who we represent.

However, it is truly the habit of penance, as was evidenced one day while in a local food mart. A man who was very inebriated and "cussing up a storm," used the Lord's name in vain. I very gently said, "Please don't use the Lord's name in vain." He responded by heaping upon me a litany of "cusses" and appeared very agitated and aggressive. Understanding that I may be put in a position to "take a hit for the Lord," I knew that this man, whom I had never met before, was not angry with me, but angry at Who I represented. Consequently, the man was ushered out of the store by the people who came with him, after the store manager turned to call the police.

“The Church must always seek to make her presence visible in everyday life, especially in contemporary culture, which is often very secularized and yet sensitive to the language of signs…consecrated persons, called as they are in every situation to bear clear witness that they belong to Christ…The habit is a sign of consecration, poverty and membership in a particular Religious family.

(Vita Consecrata, 25, Bl. John Paul II)

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