Moneybags has put up an excellent post on the wearing of habits by female religious. I experienced a huge disappointment when visiting St. Bernadette's convent in Nevers on discovering that the sisters no longer wore "proper" habits, favouring instead the type of skirt and cardigan ensemble usually sold by Marks and Spencer's...I described my feelings to a young priest friend a few years ago, and he took great delight in regaling me with the following anecdote. I have no idea if it is true... if not, then it ought to be...
Apparently, (so the story went), the good sisters of Nevers wanted to make St. Bernadette appeal to the tastes of modern misses. They proposed to kit the saint out in their new habit when the old one needed to be changed (I'm not sure if her clothing decays.) When the time came to undress Bernadette, her limbs - normally so supple and pliant - completely stiffened, making it impossible to remove her clothing...
...whether the story is true or not, it is an indisputable fact that she is currently in the habit traditionally worn by the Sisters of Nevers...
I agree with your post! I love the traditional habit and 'if' I were a Nun would want to wear it myself.
ReplyDeleteThe Nuns at the Convent I visit regularly still where the traditional habit, as you can see here: http://www.curzonpark.org.uk/comm2.jpg
I'll bet it's true. Sounds just like her.
ReplyDeleteI have heard the same story Mac and it endeared me even more to St. Bernadette.
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