the vestments of our order
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soqu...@ix.netcom.com
Aug 30, 2009, 10:45:41 AM8/30/09
to assisi_sfo
Dear fellow tertiaries,
I was looking through my bedside table for something yesterday and came across my old profession cord. When I was professed into the third order in 1965, I received the cord and scapular. I still have the scapular but wear a newer one. I put the cord away years ago and just put it back on this morning while getting ready for Mass. I got to wondering what you all wear as a sign of your profession. I have a Tau pin, a Tau cross with folded arms that I wear with my pectoral Crucifix and my Scapular which I wear every day. What do all y'all wear?
in filial love,
Jim aka Brother Michael
Pax et Bonum!
esa...@pacbell.net
Aug 30, 2009, 11:26:02 AM8/30/09
to assis...@googlegroups.com
The constitutions of SFO-USA say that our
"habit" is the tau. It doesn't say how it is to be worn. I have a
wooden one - a little over an inch tall - that was carved by some nice gentleman
in Assisi and given to me by a dear friend. I wear it all day - every day-
over my clothing. It hangs on a cord.
When I was working in the district office of a
large public school district, I wore a medal that had a tau, with a cord as the
edge of the medal. It was obvious enough, but didn't look like I was
proselytizing. A lot of people asked me about it - a little chance for
evangelization - mentioning Ezekiel gets people's attention, Christian or
not.
Pax - E
Al Howad
Aug 30, 2009, 12:06:24 PM8/30/09
to assis...@googlegroups.com
My wife and I both wear an identical Tau to yours. Our friars brought them for all of us in formation, in an emerging fraternity, from Assisi. Also from that famous “nice gentleman”, who wore a paper hat.
I wear mine all the time. At work, under my shirt, elsewhere outside. It too is on a cord, with the three knots.
Pax, Al
<BR
BrBearSFO
Aug 30, 2009, 3:01:49 PM8/30/09
to Assisi_SFO
Brothers and Sisters,
I was quite the surprised one seeing a video that was posted on You
Tube o an SFo Fraternity that shows the members and those being
professed wearing full blown tertiary habits. with the chord.
the subject of our habit is a much debated topic that seems to renew
and divide or a number of people. It is a subject that seems to
bring the debate on the subject of
IF you should wear more than a Tau and iF so under what conditions.
there are many questions and issues that surround this issue.
Is there beneit to doing so ? What are they ?
When should you wear more than just a Tau if you should ?
One person in our community voiced concern over keeping the overly
zealous out.. some who may want the habit more than the life ?
Some believe it is because we are not a "religious" order as opposed
to a "lay" order ?
What about the burial shroud ?
I would be curious to know what you all think.about these things
Peace !
Mark
I was quite the surprised one seeing a video that was posted on You
Tube o an SFo Fraternity that shows the members and those being
professed wearing full blown tertiary habits. with the chord.
the subject of our habit is a much debated topic that seems to renew
and divide or a number of people. It is a subject that seems to
bring the debate on the subject of
IF you should wear more than a Tau and iF so under what conditions.
there are many questions and issues that surround this issue.
Is there beneit to doing so ? What are they ?
When should you wear more than just a Tau if you should ?
One person in our community voiced concern over keeping the overly
zealous out.. some who may want the habit more than the life ?
Some believe it is because we are not a "religious" order as opposed
to a "lay" order ?
What about the burial shroud ?
I would be curious to know what you all think.about these things
Peace !
Mark
Tom
Aug 30, 2009, 5:07:20 PM8/30/09
to Assisi_SFO
I found this article by CIOFS, SFO Internation Council, on the subject
of habit. and thought I would share it. Our "habit" is the Tau cross.
Tom
What about the wearing of a "habit" by Secular Franciscans?
In Circular 41-02/08, the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) was provided
with guidance and direction regarding the wearing of a habit by
Secular Franciscans.
In the opinion of the Juridical Commission, Secular Franciscans were
reminded that their apostolate is the personal witness that they offer
to the society in which they live - in their families, in their
workplaces, in their local communities and in the Church. This witness
must be recognized by others through the way in which they live and
love each other as brothers and sisters ("see how they love one
another"). It is this witness that is to be the "sign" of the Secular
Franciscan presence in the world, not any habit, dress or uniform. The
Juridical Commission also reminded Secular Franciscans that a "habit"
is the sign of the religious friar, not the secular. The SFO General
Constitutions further remind us that "The secular state characterizes
our spirituality and our apostolic life and is expressed according to
our respective conditions; that is, contributing to building up the
Kingdom of God by our presence in life-situations and in temporal
activities" (CC. GG. 3,1-2).
With respect to wearing a habit within the Secular Franciscan Order,
the opinion of the Juridical Commission is clear. Local fraternities
of the SFO must not use a habit as part of their fraternal way of life
and should not practise the rite of "taking the habit" in admitting
new candidates. Rare exceptions to this direction is provided for
fraternities who have been in existence for hundreds of years (ie.
"ancient" fraternities) and whose fraternal life has included the
wearing of a habit as part of their fraternal way of life, based on
their spiritual and cultural history. Permission to wear a habit is
provided in these circumstances as a rare exception based on a long
history and tradition. However, this exception is not intended to
imply that, if some fraternities wished to go back to the days when
habits were permitted, other exceptions could be granted. As a general
rule, the wearing of a habit by Secular Franciscans is not permitted.
In addressing this subject, reference should be made to the SFO Rule
(Article 23) which states that "... the distinctive Franciscan sign
(is) regulated by the statutes." The General Constitutions (Article
43) further state that "The national statutes establish ... the
distinctive sign of membership in the Order (the "Tau" or other
Franciscan symbol)." And, in most countries, National Statutes specify
that the distinctive sign for Secular Franciscan is a form of the Tau
cross. It is also important to note that all Secular Franciscans
within a nation fall under the jurisdiction of the National Fraternity
of that nation, irrespective of the Province of friars who established
the fraternity and are bound by the provisions of their respective
National Statutes.
"The Juridical Commission of the CIOFS Presidency is of the opinion
that, in obedience to the Rule, the Constitutions and the Ritual,
local Fraternities of the SFO cannot continue practising the rite of
"taking the habit" in admitting new candidates, who in turn, must not
use a habit, under the responsibility of the respective Councils and
Ministers. It insists, furthermore, that each National Council of the
constituted fraternities is responsible for ascertaining that the
distinctive sign established by their National Statutes is respected
and that each of the provisional National Councils are respectful of
the decision taken in the Chapter. The above mentioned sign must be in
harmony with the secularity of the SFO." (Circular 41-02/08, dated May
28, 2006)
For more information on this subject, please consult the CIOFS website
at http://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva6en41.html.http://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva6en41.html.
Prepared by
Doug Clorey
Presidency Councillor
May 2008
of habit. and thought I would share it. Our "habit" is the Tau cross.
Tom
What about the wearing of a "habit" by Secular Franciscans?
In Circular 41-02/08, the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) was provided
with guidance and direction regarding the wearing of a habit by
Secular Franciscans.
In the opinion of the Juridical Commission, Secular Franciscans were
reminded that their apostolate is the personal witness that they offer
to the society in which they live - in their families, in their
workplaces, in their local communities and in the Church. This witness
must be recognized by others through the way in which they live and
love each other as brothers and sisters ("see how they love one
another"). It is this witness that is to be the "sign" of the Secular
Franciscan presence in the world, not any habit, dress or uniform. The
Juridical Commission also reminded Secular Franciscans that a "habit"
is the sign of the religious friar, not the secular. The SFO General
Constitutions further remind us that "The secular state characterizes
our spirituality and our apostolic life and is expressed according to
our respective conditions; that is, contributing to building up the
Kingdom of God by our presence in life-situations and in temporal
activities" (CC. GG. 3,1-2).
With respect to wearing a habit within the Secular Franciscan Order,
the opinion of the Juridical Commission is clear. Local fraternities
of the SFO must not use a habit as part of their fraternal way of life
and should not practise the rite of "taking the habit" in admitting
new candidates. Rare exceptions to this direction is provided for
fraternities who have been in existence for hundreds of years (ie.
"ancient" fraternities) and whose fraternal life has included the
wearing of a habit as part of their fraternal way of life, based on
their spiritual and cultural history. Permission to wear a habit is
provided in these circumstances as a rare exception based on a long
history and tradition. However, this exception is not intended to
imply that, if some fraternities wished to go back to the days when
habits were permitted, other exceptions could be granted. As a general
rule, the wearing of a habit by Secular Franciscans is not permitted.
In addressing this subject, reference should be made to the SFO Rule
(Article 23) which states that "... the distinctive Franciscan sign
(is) regulated by the statutes." The General Constitutions (Article
43) further state that "The national statutes establish ... the
distinctive sign of membership in the Order (the "Tau" or other
Franciscan symbol)." And, in most countries, National Statutes specify
that the distinctive sign for Secular Franciscan is a form of the Tau
cross. It is also important to note that all Secular Franciscans
within a nation fall under the jurisdiction of the National Fraternity
of that nation, irrespective of the Province of friars who established
the fraternity and are bound by the provisions of their respective
National Statutes.
"The Juridical Commission of the CIOFS Presidency is of the opinion
that, in obedience to the Rule, the Constitutions and the Ritual,
local Fraternities of the SFO cannot continue practising the rite of
"taking the habit" in admitting new candidates, who in turn, must not
use a habit, under the responsibility of the respective Councils and
Ministers. It insists, furthermore, that each National Council of the
constituted fraternities is responsible for ascertaining that the
distinctive sign established by their National Statutes is respected
and that each of the provisional National Councils are respectful of
the decision taken in the Chapter. The above mentioned sign must be in
harmony with the secularity of the SFO." (Circular 41-02/08, dated May
28, 2006)
For more information on this subject, please consult the CIOFS website
at http://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva6en41.html.http://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva6en41.html.
Prepared by
Doug Clorey
Presidency Councillor
May 2008
BrBearSFO
Aug 30, 2009, 6:07:36 PM8/30/09
to Assisi_SFO
Thank you Tom for doing that research for us ... I knew it was out
there but have not had the time to go dig around to find it.
Mark
> athttp://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva6en41.html.http://www.ciofs.org/circ/pva....
>
> - Show quoted text -
there but have not had the time to go dig around to find it.
Mark
>
> Prepared by
> Doug Clorey
> Presidency Councillor
>
> May 2008
>
> On Aug 30, 10:26 am, <esa...@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > The constitutions of SFO-USA say that our "habit" is the tau. It doesn't say how it is to be worn. I have a wooden one - a little over an inch tall - that was carved by some nice gentleman in Assisi and given to me by a dear friend. I wear it all day - every day- over my clothing. It hangs on a cord.
>
> > When I was working in the district office of a large public school district, I wore a medal that had a tau, with a cord as the edge of the medal. It was obvious enough, but didn't look like I was proselytizing. A lot of people asked me about it - a little chance for evangelization - mentioning Ezekiel gets people's attention, Christian or not.
>
> > Pax - E
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: soqui...@ix.netcom.com
> > To: assisi_sfo
> > Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:45 AM
> > Subject: Assisi_SFO the vestments of our order
>
> > Dear fellow tertiaries,
> > I was looking through my bedside table for something yesterday and came across my old profession cord. When I was professed into the third order in 1965, I received the cord and scapular. I still have the scapular but wear a newer one. I put the cord away years ago and just put it back on this morning while getting ready for Mass. I got to wondering what you all wear as a sign of your profession. I have a Tau pin, a Tau cross with folded arms that I wear with my pectoral Crucifix and my Scapular which I wear every day. What do all y'all wear?
> > in filial love,
> > Jim aka Brother Michael
>
> > Pax et Bonum!- Hide quoted text -
> Prepared by
> Doug Clorey
> Presidency Councillor
>
> May 2008
>
> On Aug 30, 10:26 am, <esa...@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > The constitutions of SFO-USA say that our "habit" is the tau. It doesn't say how it is to be worn. I have a wooden one - a little over an inch tall - that was carved by some nice gentleman in Assisi and given to me by a dear friend. I wear it all day - every day- over my clothing. It hangs on a cord.
>
> > When I was working in the district office of a large public school district, I wore a medal that had a tau, with a cord as the edge of the medal. It was obvious enough, but didn't look like I was proselytizing. A lot of people asked me about it - a little chance for evangelization - mentioning Ezekiel gets people's attention, Christian or not.
>
> > Pax - E
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: soqui...@ix.netcom.com
> > To: assisi_sfo
> > Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:45 AM
> > Subject: Assisi_SFO the vestments of our order
>
> > Dear fellow tertiaries,
> > I was looking through my bedside table for something yesterday and came across my old profession cord. When I was professed into the third order in 1965, I received the cord and scapular. I still have the scapular but wear a newer one. I put the cord away years ago and just put it back on this morning while getting ready for Mass. I got to wondering what you all wear as a sign of your profession. I have a Tau pin, a Tau cross with folded arms that I wear with my pectoral Crucifix and my Scapular which I wear every day. What do all y'all wear?
> > in filial love,
> > Jim aka Brother Michael
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Kathleen White SFO
Aug 30, 2009, 8:09:06 PM8/30/09
to assis...@googlegroups.com
I am quite content to wear the Tau. Mine is a gold ring made from my
father's wedding band and my mother's scrap gold.
We profess the Rule, and in the Rule we are called to follow the General
Constitutions, a document approved by Rome (as was our Rule, of course).
The GC Article 43 states that the distinctive sign is set by the national
fraternity. In the United Stated, the National Fraternity Article 16.4
states that the external sign is the Tau.
I feel that those SFOs in the United States, (as I am not privy to other
national fraternity statutes, I do not know what they have declared as their
external sign) who insist on wearing habits are going against Rome.
That is not what we have professed.
Kathleen
Indiana
father's wedding band and my mother's scrap gold.
We profess the Rule, and in the Rule we are called to follow the General
Constitutions, a document approved by Rome (as was our Rule, of course).
The GC Article 43 states that the distinctive sign is set by the national
fraternity. In the United Stated, the National Fraternity Article 16.4
states that the external sign is the Tau.
I feel that those SFOs in the United States, (as I am not privy to other
national fraternity statutes, I do not know what they have declared as their
external sign) who insist on wearing habits are going against Rome.
That is not what we have professed.
Kathleen
Indiana
BrBearSFO
Aug 30, 2009, 9:28:59 PM8/30/09
to Assisi_SFO
Quite correct Kathleen ! The Tau is the only external sign
approved in the US. and we are all obliged to follow those
Constitutions.
Mark
> Mark- Hide quoted text -
approved in the US. and we are all obliged to follow those
Constitutions.
Mark
Al Howad
Aug 30, 2009, 9:32:13 PM8/30/09
to assis...@googlegroups.com
I believe that those professes under the "old rule" may still be buried in a
habit.
Pax, Al
habit.
Pax, Al
esa...@pacbell.net
Aug 30, 2009, 10:22:11 PM8/30/09
to assis...@googlegroups.com
I don't think any "rule" had force about being buried. Franciscan Resources
used to carry a "burial shroud" that looked like Franciscan habit (with a
lace collar on the version for women!), but I don't believe they are made
any more.
Pax - E
----- Original Message -----
used to carry a "burial shroud" that looked like Franciscan habit (with a
lace collar on the version for women!), but I don't believe they are made
any more.
Pax - E
----- Original Message -----
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