One of the most striking things about my visit to Krakow in 2005 was seeing so many Roman Catholic priests and nuns running around the city, doing "normal" things. It made my heart happy. :)
I had a job once where I would occasionally accompany nuns as they were visiting the US. They were my age (mid 20s) from Ukraine, and wore full habits. People certainly noticed them, but I never saw anyone be overtly unkind. I think it opened people up sometimes. There was one point where I brought the one sister and another young Ukrainian woman to Midway airport in Chicago. Airport staff allowed me to go through to the gate to help with any language issues, and as we were waiting there, I was trying to explain to them exactly what they needed to do in Cleveland, where someone would be to pick them up. However, they'd have to get their own luggage. Someone near us heard the conversation, and although he may have done it for someone else anyway, he spoke up and said that he'd make sure that they got through the airport in Cleveland safely. He didn't say it, but I'm sure he was Catholic and the habit influenced his decision - no sister was going to be in need of help on his watch! :)
How do you think that "public markers" such as those available to clergy might be relevant to lay parishioners, if at all?
For example, I recently had an interesting discussion with a waitress who knew that I was married but saw my wedding ring on my right hand (as is the Orthodox tradition).
It's interesting, because I do think a lot of people kind of crave that. Sometimes I do too (I'm Orthodox Christian). I may do some sort of thing later myself, but I wouldn't want it to be something that's absolutely imposed, such as with the Amish.
The scholars tell us that young people yearn for some kind of rite of passage. In some other cultures, public religious statements of this kind play a role in that. Of course, the Copts put it over the major veins in the wrist -- to remove this cross you need to kill me, in other words. That means something in Egypt.
Great reminder : The consecrated ones who have been blessed with their vocations are marked souls. They shine differently in Heaven , as they should. The Habit is the signal to the world that they have given their lives to God for our benefit . They are God’s Wittnesses. They should wear their Habits always and with great humility and pride.
I am a “not ready to retire” retired Lutheran (LCMS) Pastor in Arizona where I have regularly for the past 35 years worn a clerical collar (my preference is the “Tonsure” style) and find it opens doors at hospitals but also at the gas station, the Circle K, and the pharmacy. I am regularly asked for a blessing, a prayer, or just a smile. I am happy to oblige. I serve a large parish doing the pastoral care and traditional liturgy. Of the 3 Pastors on staff, I am the oldest and the only one who even owns a clerical collar shirt (I own several in different colors, plus basic black). It is my green clerical that often elicits “I didn’t know they came in different colors” a lot. Great fun and good witness!
I love this article! I agree it’s powerful to see marked people of God in secular places, in all places, it’s so beautiful to see nuns and monks and priests. It works on all our souls and hearts. I feel for the Catholic Church with the relentless modernisation centrally determined and enforced.
You mean like Coptic believers having an Orthodox cross tattooed on their wrists? Something permanent like that?
One of the most striking things about my visit to Krakow in 2005 was seeing so many Roman Catholic priests and nuns running around the city, doing "normal" things. It made my heart happy. :)
I had a job once where I would occasionally accompany nuns as they were visiting the US. They were my age (mid 20s) from Ukraine, and wore full habits. People certainly noticed them, but I never saw anyone be overtly unkind. I think it opened people up sometimes. There was one point where I brought the one sister and another young Ukrainian woman to Midway airport in Chicago. Airport staff allowed me to go through to the gate to help with any language issues, and as we were waiting there, I was trying to explain to them exactly what they needed to do in Cleveland, where someone would be to pick them up. However, they'd have to get their own luggage. Someone near us heard the conversation, and although he may have done it for someone else anyway, he spoke up and said that he'd make sure that they got through the airport in Cleveland safely. He didn't say it, but I'm sure he was Catholic and the habit influenced his decision - no sister was going to be in need of help on his watch! :)
How do you think that "public markers" such as those available to clergy might be relevant to lay parishioners, if at all?
For example, I recently had an interesting discussion with a waitress who knew that I was married but saw my wedding ring on my right hand (as is the Orthodox tradition).
It's interesting, because I do think a lot of people kind of crave that. Sometimes I do too (I'm Orthodox Christian). I may do some sort of thing later myself, but I wouldn't want it to be something that's absolutely imposed, such as with the Amish.
The scholars tell us that young people yearn for some kind of rite of passage. In some other cultures, public religious statements of this kind play a role in that. Of course, the Copts put it over the major veins in the wrist -- to remove this cross you need to kill me, in other words. That means something in Egypt.
https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/egyptianstudies/2011/05/14/coptic-tattoo/
Reminder: the IT in that statement -- put IT over the major veins -- is a reference to explicitly Orthodox tattoos.
I wear my cassock every day at my hospital chaplaincy. Starts a lot of conversations, and good for me!!
Great reminder : The consecrated ones who have been blessed with their vocations are marked souls. They shine differently in Heaven , as they should. The Habit is the signal to the world that they have given their lives to God for our benefit . They are God’s Wittnesses. They should wear their Habits always and with great humility and pride.
I am a “not ready to retire” retired Lutheran (LCMS) Pastor in Arizona where I have regularly for the past 35 years worn a clerical collar (my preference is the “Tonsure” style) and find it opens doors at hospitals but also at the gas station, the Circle K, and the pharmacy. I am regularly asked for a blessing, a prayer, or just a smile. I am happy to oblige. I serve a large parish doing the pastoral care and traditional liturgy. Of the 3 Pastors on staff, I am the oldest and the only one who even owns a clerical collar shirt (I own several in different colors, plus basic black). It is my green clerical that often elicits “I didn’t know they came in different colors” a lot. Great fun and good witness!
Carry on!
I love this article! I agree it’s powerful to see marked people of God in secular places, in all places, it’s so beautiful to see nuns and monks and priests. It works on all our souls and hearts. I feel for the Catholic Church with the relentless modernisation centrally determined and enforced.