Cowls Off

The arrival of summer heat and humidity has made the wearing of our cowls and cloaks a sweaty affair at Liturgy.  We will hang them up until the cooler weather of fall in Iowa makes them more practical.

 

from Constitutions and Statutes: of the Monks and Nuns of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance

“The characteristic Cistercian habit is the white cowl.  Given at solemn profession it is a sign both of a monk’s consecration and of the unity of the whole Order.”(C.12)

“Temporarily professed and novices wear a cloak instead of the cowl.”(ST12.B)