Dominicans, heresy, and the habit?

[dspen2005]

I have heard that the original Dominican habit included a white mantle (aka cape) that is typically worn on solemn occasions and in the presence of prelates. For us Mercedarians we still have the white mantle. The Dominicans have a black mantle and I have been told that this was a penance imposed upon the Order by the Pope b/c they had dabbled in with some heresy. Has anyone heard this? Furthermore, why is Martin de Porres depicted w/ a black scapular instead of a white scapular?

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
5/25 - Pope St. Gregory VII

dspen2005,

I have seen pictures of Dominicans with black mantles, but I have never actually seen a Dominican wearing a black mantle. All of my experience at the Angelicum and with the Dominicans in Cincinatti has shown me that they wear white mantles. Perhaps the habit has changed in very recent times; perhaps, too, they have a "summer mantle" and a "winter mantle" (like the Little Sisters of the Poor, whose habit changes color with the seasons). As for Martin de Porres, I don't know enough to address that issue. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono