Nuns in pantaloons (habits in cold weather)

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

13 hours ago, Julie said:

So, that title was a little odd, but I'm wondering about wearing a habit in freezing cold weather.  

Everyone talks about habits being hot, but sure there's the opposite problem as well.

At my college, all of the girls need to wear skirts for most of the day on weekdays. We're in SoCal, so it doesn't really get cold here, but there are still a few days where tights aren't really enough. Most girls wear jeans or sweats under thier skirts (obviously nearly floor length skirts, so you can't see the pantaloons.) 

In REALLY cold places, are sisters allowed to wear pantaloons under habits? I don't see why not, but I am wondering.

Personally, I get really cold. I guess that would be a good penance...

I have no idea why    p a n t s    Changing to pantaloons

I don't have an answer to whether Sisters wear pa.nts under their habits in winter, but I can tell you about winter weather, having moved from the LA area to Chicago.

First off, it isn't as if the weather suddenly goes from 80 degrees F to below zero F. It gets colder gradually during the fall months and your body does get used to colder weather. By the time February comes around, if it's 40 degrees F, it feels warm!

I vote with the others on long johns. Although they are more expensive (so I doubt Sisters wear them, unless they are donated) the best long johns are silk. Silk is very warm and very light. On the other hand, I also found a couple of $5 pairs of fleece leggings at Walgreens and they are great! Fleece is warmer than cotton, but it can also get too warm.

Really the most important piece of clothing in very cold weather is the right coat. I have a couple of coats that vary in warmth, including a very long synthetic down coat that keeps me warm down to -25 below F (obviously worn over other warm clothes). The Sisters that live near me rely totally on donations for winter coats, so there is no requirement that their winter coats be black, although many of them are. If you ever see the pictures of the Summit Dominicans sledding, you see that they also appear to be wearing donated winter coats, because their coats are many different colors and styles.

Also, as others mentioned, boots are very important. Many times women wear snow boots outside, then carry their "inside" shoes and change when they get inside. Snow boots are usually insulated, plus they have traction on the sole so that you don't slip on the ice. I also have a pair of "snow sneakers" that I bought on sale from Lands' End and I like them so much I wear them all year. In addition to leggings and boots, you also wear heavy socks, wool or synthetic.

One reason that women in LA care so much about how they look is that the weather is so mild that they wear far fewer clothes. In Chicago, where it snows for about 6 months of the year, we could care less how we look. The important thing is to stay warm. I find that aspect of colder weather very nice. EVERYONE looks fat wearing warm winter clothes!

One last thing--The insulation and heating systems in houses and apts in LA are made for warm weather--to help keep the house cool. And, the heaters are very weak. In cold weather places, our houses are insulated, partly so the pipes don't freeze, and our heaters work much more efficiently. So actually, I've found that I'm warmer in my home in Chicago than when I visit my family in N. Calif.

Millions of people in the U.S. live in colder weather (including two of the three largest U.S. cities)--you'd be surprised at how well people learn to cope.

In discerning, you can think about the weather, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor. If you start seriously discerning a Community where the weather is colder, ask the Sisters about winter clothing. They may laugh at you for being a "wimpy" Southern Californian--but ask anyway. And, look around, are the Sisters cold? I suspect that wearing a full habit in summer may be worse than winter. 

The only Order where I suspect that being cold may be part of the penitential life is the Missionaries of Charity. Even here in Chicago in winter they wear the same cotton sari as in warm parts of the world, and often they seem to be wearing only sweaters. (However, I confess, I've never see a M of C Sister in Chicago in the dead of winter, so I don't know if they wear coats when it's cold.) However, the M of C Sisters live in the poorest parts of Chicago, where people die from not having proper heating or clothing (but also die from the heat in summer) and these Sisters live the same way as the people they serve. Bless them--I wouldn't be physically capable of it.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2015 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Julie]

1 hour ago, IgnatiusofLoyola said:

I don't have an answer to whether Sisters wear pa.nts under their habits in winter, but I can tell you about winter weather, having moved from the LA area to Chicago.

First off, it isn't as if the weather suddenly goes from 80 degrees F to below zero F. It gets colder gradually during the fall months and your body does get used to colder weather. By the time February comes around, if it's 40 degrees F, it feels warm

...

In discerning, you can think about the weather, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor. If you start seriously discerning a Community where the weather is colder, ask the Sisters about winter clothing. They may laugh at you for being a "wimpy" Southern Californian--but ask anyway. 

 

 

Thanks so much for the crash course in "winter"! I think it's kind of hilarious that most of the things you said were totally common sense, but never occurred to me! 

As far as discernment goes, I don't think I'd make a decision based on weather. People have lived in cold weather for a long, long time. I'm sure I could manage.  Though, I'm going to visit the DSMME in February, and my mother jokes that I'll freeze to death. Then my father said something like "I bet they have the retreat in winter so they see who's really called to join them. Everyone wants to stay where they go for summer travels, but nobody wants to move to Michegan in the winter!"

My parents are funny  They contribute to most of the really silly questions/wondering a I have about religious life. My mom has also recently become find, after I visited some Norbertine sisters, of asking why all the orders I've seemed interested in have white habits. I'm very tall and rather clumsy- she says I'll end up looking like a price of modern art, all stained up. Everytime I mention it, she says "why don't you become a Franciscan? Then you can spill!"

[katherineH]

The rule of thumb seems to be that if the undergarments or warmers aren't showing underneath the habit then they are permitted.  The RSM have a light blue cotton habit they wear in the summer and a dark blue wool habit they wear the rest of the year.  The sisters in hotter places (phoenix, rome) wear the light blue habit year round. 

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

2 hours ago, Julie said:

Thanks so much for the crash course in "winter"! I think it's kind of hilarious that most of the things you said were totally common sense, but never occurred to me! 

As far as discernment goes, I don't think I'd make a decision based on weather. People have lived in cold weather for a long, long time. I'm sure I could manage.  Though, I'm going to visit the DSMME in February, and my mother jokes that I'll freeze to death. Then my father said something like "I bet they have the retreat in winter so they see who's really called to join them. Everyone wants to stay where they go for summer travels, but nobody wants to move to Michegan in the winter!"

My parents are funny  They contribute to most of the really silly questions/wondering a I have about religious life. My mom has also recently become find, after I visited some Norbertine sisters, of asking why all the orders I've seemed interested in have white habits. I'm very tall and rather clumsy- she says I'll end up looking like a price of modern art, all stained up. Everytime I mention it, she says "why don't you become a Franciscan? Then you can spill!"

Just a warning, if you fly from LA to Michigan in February, the cold WILL be a shock for your body. Just keep in mind what I said earlier, that if you live in Michigan, your body has the chance to gradually adjust from summer weather to winter weather and it isn't such a "shock."

February is often the coldest month of the year. However, because of El Nino, there are hopes that the weather in places like Illinois and Michigan will be milder this winter.

Why don't you make a post a couple of weeks before the retreat so we can update you on how the winter weather is going, so you can think about what to pack? Then, post again a day or two before you leave, and we should have a good idea what the weather will be like the weekend you are there.

I wouldn't buy special winter stuff for the retreat. You'll likely be inside most of the time anyway. Also, any coat etc that you buy in LA is not going to be warm enough for Michigan in February unless you go to a ski shop where they sell very overpriced warm ski clothes. You can simply wear lots of layers. The fact that the retreat is in Feb will give you a good chance to see how the Sisters are dressed for the cold, and to ask questions about that if it feels appropriate. After all, the DSMME's get new Sisters from all over the country, so you would be far from the first applicant who had to consider moving to Michigan from a warmer climate.

[AveMariaPurissima]

5 hours ago, Julie said:

As far as discernment goes, I don't think I'd make a decision based on weather. People have lived in cold weather for a long, long time. I'm sure I could manage.  Though, I'm going to visit the DSMME in February, and my mother jokes that I'll freeze to death. Then my father said something like "I bet they have the retreat in winter so they see who's really called to join them. Everyone wants to stay where they go for summer travels, but nobody wants to move to Michegan in the winter!"

FYI, the chapel at the school (where you'll be staying for the retreat) gets very cold overnight!  Especially on the February retreat!

[MarysLittleFlower]

22 hours ago, vee said:

-28C? I dont usually put my ski pantaloons on until it hits -30.  -48C now thats fun

For me its not really my legs that I worry about, more like feet, hands, and face/head.  Good boots are essential!

I've never worn snow pant.s since I was a kid, but I definitely layer up at -30 I'm glad it doesn't go to -48 where I am!! Yes I see what you mean about feet hands and head. That's the riskiest for frost bite too. 

22 hours ago, Julie said:

I can't even fathom.

When It's 48 ABOVE zero I wear boots and leggings under my skirt, a sweater, a coat, and a scarf... and I'm still COLD!

Maybe it's because my winter wardrobe is almost entirely cotton skirts and "Spring Weight" sweaters.

Boots make an enormous difference.

They make wooly leggings?

It's becoming increasingly obvious to me that my question stems from a deplorable ignorance of cold weather.

My mom made my wool leggings ive never seen them in stores. They do sell fleece lined leggings and wooly leg warmers though! 

17 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said:

MaryLittleFlower, how do you do it ? I live in a hot part of France. Between 30 et 40° Celsius in the summer, and 0°/10°C in winter. I wear a wool's thights (is that the good word ? or pantyhose ?) and a pantaloon (not a jean - jean are so cold) and boots, and I'm still freezing to death ! Maybe it's because I'm in a wheelchair so I don't move a lot ? And my disability tends to make you sensitive to temperature. My "secret" is to wear a plaid on my knees. Look like a grandmother but I'm don't care. I thought about studying in Canada/Québec for one year, but I'm sure I would never survive the winter ! 

It does get freezing in the winter! I find it very cold too but I think that's a valid point about the wheelchair. I also think people might have different sensitivity - for example 30 Celsius (plus) is extremely hot to me, almost hard to bear. But my roommate likes it.

Edited December 13, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower

[NadaTeTurbe]

13 hours ago, MarysLittleFlower said:

 

It does get freezing in the winter! I find it very cold too but I think that's a valid point about the wheelchair. I also think people might have different sensitivity - for example 30 Celsius (plus) is extremely hot to me, almost hard to bear. But my roommate likes it.

It's because 30°C is unbearable in Canada ! I was in Québec this summer, and it was hot the first week, 28°/30°. In France, I would find this normal and cool, but in Canada it was so humide I could barely breath. Also, the A/C was very high everwhere, so it was very cold inside, and very hot outside. We don't have A/C in my house, we just open the windows around 5 p.m, close them at 9, and close the curtains in the whole house. In the winter, also, my mom try to keep the house fresh and not too hot, to make the cold outside more bearable. 

[dominicansoul]

I wore flowery, pastel thermal leggings.  It went well with the holy habit of St Dominic 

[vee]

2 hours ago, dominicansoul said:

I wore flowery, pastel thermal leggings.  It went well with the holy habit of St Dominic 

I should think so

Im like mary's little flower's room mate, I only stop whining that Im cold when it hits at least 30C.  i start to complain its a little warm when it hits 105 F or 40C  

[TheresaThoma]

The community I am discerning with is in northern IL so it gets cold there. Also they keep the heat down low and the main house is heated by a wood stove. So it can get cold there. I think the Sisters are able to wear long johns or leggings under the habit. Long sleeves under the habit and sweaters/cardigans over. It is also common to see jackets worn inside especially if one is going back out soon. A good hat and heavy gloves are a must too!

The postulants taught me another trick of wearing two skirts with leggings. It really is quite warm and comfortable!

[vee]

I have no idea how the community Im discerning with deals with winter but I can assume postulants get to spend lots of time shoveling outside and mopping inside.  As long as my cell doesnt have frost on the walls like St Therese's reportedly did then I should be fine.   

[Mags]

If I am accepted by the community I have been discerning with, it was recommended that I bring long john's with me! Luckily they can wear cardigans too as I'm feeble with the cold!

[vee]

This thread also reminds me of this nun in Chile.  While cardigans, sweaters, and long johns seem to be common this sister is looking especially chilly with what appears to be a scarf!

[dominicansoul]

I thought she had her scapular wrapped around her neck!   

[HopefulHeart]

6 hours ago, vee said:

This thread also reminds me of this nun in Chile.  While cardigans, sweaters, and long johns seem to be common this sister is looking especially chilly with what appears to be a scarf!

Chilly in Chile... Maybe Sister could use a bowl of nice hot chili! 

Sorry, couldn't resist.