Tag: Dominican habit

But will she take a new name??

On July 29–the feast of St. Martha–Sr. Maria Goretti began her novitiate with our community. Some of you may be aware that Sister had been a member of our community many years before, and left to join a Franciscan order. We’re happy that she came back! Everyone assumed she would keep the name “Sister Maria Goretti” since she has had it for so long (both here and elsewhere). To our surprise, a box and slips of paper were set out with it a sign: “Guess Sister’s New Name”. What?? Sr. Mary Margaret only smiled mysteriously.

The clothing was held in the morning, in our chapter hall. Since Sister was changing into our Dominican habit from her Franciscan habit, we did the full ceremony.

Sister Maria Goretti answers the questions put to her.

After being vested in the habit, the new veil is deftly slipped on to replace the old one.

Just a little adjustment needed…Perfect!

Sister is vested in the cappa, which we wear during the Triduum and for certain ceremonies (like this one–but today only Sr. Mary Christine and Sr. Mary Margaret are wearing it)..

Finally, after greeting the community, the great moment came.

“In the Order of Preachers, your name will be: Sr. Maria of Jesus.”

We all cheered with relief and joy and a little confusion. The new Sr. Maria quickly explained that she plans to keep St. Maria Goretti as her patroness, but decided to drop the “Goretti” because people often assume it’s her last name. Sr. Maria’s last name is Italian but it is nothing like Goretti! Following this, we read the guesses the Sisters had submitted, and had a good laugh to get ready for dinner.

Yummy Louisiana style shrimp gumbo for dinner!

After dinner we had our traditional party in the novitiate. Sr. Marie Augustine made an assortment of delicious cookies, and tea was served as well. We all enjoyed recreating together, and watching Sr. Maria open her many gifts.

Can I wear these socks with my habit?

We are blessed to have Sr. Maria back with us as a member of our community. Please continue to keep Sister–and all our novitiate sisters–in your prayers as they progress through their time of formation!

Sr. Mary Christine, Sr. Maria, and Sr. Mary Margaret

Visit with the Nashville Dominicans

Most people don’t consider Lufkin, TX a crossroads in America–but it sure does seem like we get a lot of visitors! And we’re delighted to have them! Recently, these two sisters from the Dominicans Sisters of St. Cecilia, based in Nashville, TN, stopped by for a brief visit. They’re vocation directresses for the community, and they were busy driving to various spots in Texas to promote vocations. They promised to spread the word about us, too, which we appreciate. We’re always struck by the similarities in our habits–only the veil is noticeably different.

May God bless the Nashville Dominicans with many good and holy vocations, and may He send some our way, too!

The White Scapular

During our retreat, Fr. John Sica, OP reminded us of a few things characteristic of Dominicans that we thought might be interesting to highlight here on the blog. One of these is the Dominican “white scapular”.

People sometimes ask us, anxiously, if we are wearing a brown scapular. This refers to the Carmelite brown scapular and its famous promise that those who wear it will be delivered from Purgatory by our Blessed Mother after they die.We usually smile and say, “No, but I am wearing a white scapular.”

“It’s not the same,” they insist. “The brown scapular is the only one that can save you.”

There\’s nothing wrong with wearing the brown scapular if it inspires you to lead a better life, go to Confession regularly, and have a devotion to Mary. But no mere scapular, white, brown, green, or any other color, is a Get Out Of Purgatory Free ticket.

That being said, why do Dominicans wear a white scapular?

A scapular was originally a kind of work-apron, meant to guard the habit from wear and tear and stains. So when St. Dominic began founding the Order, he had his new followers wear a habit like his, which happened to be the habit of the Augustinian canons: a white habit with a white hood (capuce) and a belt, and shoes (sandals are permitted today). There was no scapular, because they weren’t planning to do a lot of manual work. Their work would be intellectual.

And then Blessed Reginald of Orleans came on the scene.

Reginald was a priest and a canon lawyer before he met Dominic in Rome, in about 1218. He was dissatisfied with his somewhat worldly life and wanted something more, and had long conversations with Dominic about the new Order of Preachers. Still, he remained undecided until he fell extremely ill. One evening, as he lay on his sickbed, he had a dream in which the Blessed Virgin Mary came to him and anointed him. Holding out a Dominican habit, she also told him that if he put on this garment he would be saved. Our Lady’s version of the habit included a white scapular. When Reginald awoke, he was completely cured. He entered the Order and received the habit–with the white scapular added. And Dominicans have worn this white scapular ever since. (Usually with hands neatly tucked under.)

So, Our Lady plays a big part in the Dominican devotion to the white scapular, which (unlike most work aprons) is formally blessed when a brother or sister makes profession. Sometimes Dominicans even say (modestly) that the Dominican habit is special because it was a particular gift from Mary.

But why don’t Dominicans go around promoting the white scapular? Well, as we mentioned above–it\’s a part of the habit. It is also given to members of the Dominican Laity when they make profession as a sign of their part in the Order. It doesn’t carry any universal promises of blessings for the general public.There are other white scapular out there in Christendom that may carry such promises with them, but not the Dominican scapular.

If you are interested in a Dominican devotion that does carry promises, we highly recommend the Rosary. But that’s a huge topic! Maybe we\’ll look at that another time…