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Title: The Habit : A History of the Clothing of Catholic Nuns by Elizabeth Kuhns ISBN: 0-385-50588-4 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 21 October, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.38 (8 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Wonderful book fills a gap
Comment: +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
Rating: 1
Summary: that's not even a nun on the cover
Comment: The habit depicted on the cover of this book is that of a Daughter of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, before 1964. They do not identify themselves as nuns, since they do not take perpetual vows. They are "sisters." What a blunder!
Rating: 2
Summary: Decent "starter" book
Comment: Without reiterating the commentary from the five previous reviewers (all of whom I happen to agree with), I will only add that The Habit makes a decent primer for those who are new to the subject of women's clerical garb. It's a fast read and fairly interesting, but it really isn't worth the new hardcover price. Look for a used copy.
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Title: Sisters: Catholic Nuns and the Making of America by John J. Fialka ISBN: 0312262299 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Brothers and Sisters: Glimpses of the Cloistered Life by Frank Monaco, Ron Hansen ISBN: 1569245789 Publisher: Marlowe & Company Pub. Date: 09 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns by Cheryl L. Reed ISBN: 0425195112 Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group Pub. Date: 02 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Nuns Having Fun 2004 Calendar by Maureen Kelly, Jeffrey Stone ISBN: 0761130039 Publisher: Workman Calendars Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Cloister and Community: Life within a Carmelite Monastery by Mary Jo Weaver ISBN: 0253341841 Publisher: Indiana University Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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