The Habit: A History of the Clothing of Catholic Nuns (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "It is this particular image to which many in the laity object..." (more)
Key Phrases: nun dolls, fluted cap, white scapular, United States, New York, Sisters of Charity (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Even though relatively few Catholic nuns actually wear the distinctive uniforms today, the habit still fascinates and disconcerts Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This "wearable sacramental" sums up much about Catholic spirituality and history, and Kuhns does a workmanlike job of taking readers back to the habit's early origins, through its myriad medieval variations and up to its conflicted present. Along the way we are reminded of the many roles that religious women have played in the development of Catholicism and of Western society, roles that were reflected in the clothing they wore, from peasant simplicity to elaborate creations of silk. Kuhns pays particular attention to the complex interplay between social class and the life of the cloister-different orders drew their membership from distinct social strata. Unfortunately, aside from a deftly written introductory chapter that examines the habit's contemporary fascination, much of the book sorts dutifully through too much history, without a clear story line to keep the reader's interest. [...] Kuhns is strangely neutral on the question, still hotly debated, of whether the habit is a liberating or oppressive force today. This inconclusive conclusion is something of a letdown in a book about Christianity's most dramatic and durable fashion statement.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"…Kuhns does a workman-like job of taking readers back to the habit's early origins, through its myriad medieval variations and up to its conflicted present."
--Publisher’s Weekly


"The author evenhandedly offers historical context and careful explanations . . . This readable overview is recommended for public and academic libraries."
--Library Journal


"A revelatory work that 'opens the nun’s closet doors for the first time,' then scans the contents for all their historical and symbolic associations."
--Kirkus Reviews


"…the door to the sister's closet has swung open..."
--Buffalo News


"…Elizabeth Kuhns' book about the history and culture of the habit is a sheer delight, wonderfully informative…."
--The Catholic Review


"An original, informative and engaging work…."
--The Catholic Advocate


"Fascinating details fill the book…."
--Our Sunday Visitor


"A welcome and important contribution to the literature on a sensitive subject that often inspires more heat than light."
--Margaret Susan Thompson, Professor of History, Syracuse University


"Elizabeth Kuhns’ readable account chronicles the development of the habit, while pointing to the important witness of the veil in the future.... Bravo."
--Raymond Arroyo, News Director, EWTNews




From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (October 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385505884
• ISBN-13: 978-0385505888
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #519,431 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as up to date or comprehensive as I wished, September 13, 2004

By	Lizzie Darcy - See all my reviews

If you are interested in the historical clothing and traditions of Catholic religious women, this book is certainly worth having, and the author does a better job of getting things right than some reviewers are willing to admit. (One reviewer chides that the woman on the cover is not a nun but a 'sister', but if she had read the forward, she'd know that the author DID discuss the distinctions while explaining that she would, for the purposes of narrative, use the terms 'nun' and 'sister' interchangably...which is perfectly alright to do, btw.)

I have two issues with the book which kept me from really enjoying it. The first is that while she discusses those modern and rapidly growing religious orders (such as the Sisters of Life, the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, the Kentucky Dominicans, the cloistered sisters at the Abbey of Regina Laudis, etc) which have retained or re-introduced a more traditional habit to their order, she does not enhance her narrative with visuals. One would appreciate seeing what these new young nuns LOOK like, as doubtless, they're not still in multi-pleated architectural headpieces and heavy woolen skirts. A few images would have made the whole exercise feel more 'up to date'. And it would be good to see a few modern religious in their more casual wear, too.

The second quibble I have is that the author - good and devoted as she is - makes some statements that are much too broad and sweeping to be excused, as in "all mail was censored, and the nuns would even have to ask permission to use a piece of thread".

Well, no. While some orders did censor mail - most of them did not, and it would be very interesting to find out which orders did and didn't. I would be willing to bet that those orders that did censor mail have also died out, while orders like Benedictines and Dominicans, which did not censor, did not listen in at private conversations and did not treat their members like idiot children, are still existant and flourishing. And while some very over-controlling or pinch-penny order might have quibbled about a length of thread, most nuns had their own sewing boxes and those personal items such as they needed in order to live life with some dignity! As to the REASON why a sisters and nuns so frequently needed to ask permission to do those things which we modern/civilian women would not think twice of, the system was not so iniquitious as it seems. This communication was what would keep supervisors apprised of the state of the community, of its holdings, its supplies, its mindset, etc. In a community of busy women, each with her own responsibilities, only in such a way could a supervisor such as an abbess, prioress or reverend mother keep good track of her 'flock', still interact with them on a daily and 'usual' basis, and still have a good sense of where they were at and what they each needed. It is, in fact, wiser than it first seems.

These are minor quibbles, as I said, but they detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I am hopeful that the author will write a SECOND book of nuns, a compilation of those orders (like those mentioned above and so many more) who are growing rather than dying, who are celebrating their conspicuous consecration rather than shrinking from it and who seem to be vibrant and happy women. The world needs to hear about them, I think.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book fills a gap, June 10, 2004

By	Gemma (Piedmont Triad, NC) - See all my reviews

+JXP

Ms. Kuhns--a convert--wrote this book as an act of love for the Church and our women religious. Her work answers questions that have long lingered in the minds of Catholics and non-Catholics alike: Where did the nun's habit come from? Why did the nuns throw their habits away? Both questions are respectfully answered. I was very happy to see a clothing list included, also.

Ms. Kuhns is not a mystic trying to explain the heavenly side of the habit. I cannot understand what else the other reviewers were wanting. However, if she had included more mystical information, and photos with details of the habits, culled from fresh research, then I imagine I would have given the book a five star review. However, out of charity and encouragement, I give her three stars. The book definitely fills a gap, and the information needed in today's world.

In this age of air conditioning, why should long habits be discarded? Even some austere Capuchin nuns in the American southwest have air conditioning in their dorm and chapel. I can understand lighter fabrics for the missions, but in this world of hard-molded plastic, some of the starched items could have been replaced with something requiring less maintenance. Many communities have summer and winter habits.

As everyone is beginning to learn, religious orders who have retained a modest habit, are faithful to the Holy Father, have community prayer, and areas of cloister in their convents are blessed with the lion's share of the vocations. Traditionalist orders are bursting at the seams. Unfortunately, our "undercover sisters" do not want to wake up and smell the incense. They continue on their path of modern day fashions, which in our opinion, are not modest enough.

"The Habit"--well worth the price in hardback--is a wonderful addition to the bookshelf, sitting alongside Elenor Tong Dehey's monumental "Religious Orders of Women in the United States," and Fr. McCarthy's synoptic "Guide to the Catholic Sisterhoods in the United States," both of which have been reprinted.

Gemma, Lay Passionist

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needed better pictures and detail, November 21, 2003

By A Customer

After a long wait for this book and seeing the price shoot up to over $50 on eBay for advanced copies. I was not impressed when I finally purchased my copy. Its a very nice book for those who are just learning about the history of the Sisters. For someone who has other books on the nuns and are searching for something new and fresh they wont find it in this book, many of the pictures can be found in other books about nuns that I already have. I was sorry there were not more detailed pictures of the pendents and crosses the nuns wore that identified the order they belonged to, and the lack of attention to detail. I was eager to learn about details the clothing and customs, and did not find in this book. It would of been nice to have the Sisters who wore the habit share personal stories about the garb while they are still around to do so.