Habit : A History Of The Clothing Of The Catholic Nuns
$19.00
Curiosity about nuns and their distinctive clothing is almost as old as Catholicism itself. The habit intrigues the religious and the nonreligious alike, from medieval maidens to contemporary schoolboys, to feminists and other social critics. The first book to explore the symbolism of this attire, The Habit presents a visual gallery of the diverse forms of religious clothing and explains the principles and traditions that inspired them. More than just an eye-opening study of the symbolic significance of starched wimples, dark dresses, and flowing veils, The Habit is an incisive, engaging portrait of the roles nuns have and do play in the Catholic Church and in ministering to the needs of society.
From the clothing seen in an eleventh-century monastery to the garb worn by nuns on picket lines during the 1960s, habits have always been designed to convey a specific image or ideal. The habits of the Benedictines and the Dominicans, for example, were specifically created to distinguish women who consecrated their lives to God; other habits reflected the sisters’ desire to blend in among the people they served. The brown Carmelite habit was rarely seen outside the monastery wall, while the Flying Nun turned the white winged cornette of the Daughters of Charity into a universally recognized icon. And when many religious abandoned habits in the 1960s and ’70s, it stirred a debate that continues today.
Drawing on archival research and personal interviews with nuns all over the United States, Elizabeth Kuhns examines some of the gender and identity issues behind the controversy and brings to light the paradoxes the habit represents. For some, it epitomizes oppression and obsolescence; for others, it embodies the ultimate beauty and dignity of the vocation.
Complete with extraordinary photographs, including images of the nineteenth century nuns’ silk bonnets to the simple gray dresses of the Sisters of Social Service, this evocative narrative explores the timeless symbolism of the habit and traces its evolution as a visual reflection of the changes in society.
in stock within 3-5 days of online purchase
SKU (ISBN): 9780385505895
ISBN10: 0385505892
Elizabeth Kuhns
Binding: Trade Paper
Published: April 2005
Publisher: Random House Inc.
Print On Demand Product
Related products
-
Magic Of Motherhood
$19.99Add to cartThe ups and downs and joys and struggles of motherhood are not for the faint of heart. No matter where you are in your journey, find a new strength, beauty, and sisterhood you never truly believed possible in The Magic of Motherhood, a beautiful and encouraging book written for an imperfect, trying-her-best mom just like you. Motherhood can feel overwhelming. You hope you’re doing the very best you can for your child, but life with little ones can leave you feeling isolated and unsure. You find your feelings swinging between joy and uncertainty, intense love and anxiety, laughter and tears. The old adage is true: the days are long and the years are short. But how do you make the most of all the hours in between? The Magic of Motherhood celebrates your life-the good stuff, the hard stuff, and everything in between. Full of encouragement, humor, and wisdom that will speak to you right where you are, The Magic of Motherhood is like a long-overdue coffee date with your best girlfriend, the one who can look at you and say, “I see you, girl. You’re doing a great job. You got this, mama.” From the writers behind the popular blog Coffee + Crumbs comes a beautiful new book to remind you of your identity, both as a woman and as a mother. The encouraging essays in The Magic of Motherhood will inspire and refresh you, and flipping through the pages will remind you of some of the universal experiences of motherhood-joy, love, the good and bad kinds of heartache, and plenty of laughter. Through the beautiful words and inspiring messages in The Magic of Motherhood, be reminded of your own story and the sisterhood of motherhood that surrounds you and supports you. The moments of calm and chaos, beauty and mess, that happen between your coffee and crumbs are worth reflecting on and valuing.
-
Life Lessons From Matthew (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartThe Max Lucado Life Lessons series continues to be one of the bestselling study guide series on the market today. This updated edition of the popular New Testament and Old Testament series will offer readers a complete selection of studies by Max Lucado. Intriguing questions, inspirational storytelling, and profound reflections will bring God’s Word to life for both individuals and small-group members. Each session now includes a key passage of Scripture from both the NIV (formerly NCV) and the NKJV, and the guides have been updated to include content from Max’s recent releases (2007-2016).
-
Women Of The Bible Speak
$25.99Add to cartThe women of the Bible lived timeless stories–by examining them, we can understand what it means to be a woman of faith.
People unfamiliar with Scripture often assume that women play a small, secondary role in the Bible. But in fact, they were central figures in numerous Biblical tales. It was Queen Esther’s bravery at a vital point in history which saved her entire people. The Bible contains warriors like Jael, judges like Deborah, and prophets like Miriam. The first person to witness Jesus’ resurrection was Mary Magdalene, who promptly became the first Christian evangelist, eager to share the news which would change the world forever.
In The Women of the Bible Speak, Fox News Channel’s Shannon Bream opens up the lives of sixteen of these Biblical women, arranging them into pairs and contrasting their journeys. In pairing their stories, Shannon helps us reflect not only on the meaning of each individual’s life, but on how they relate to each other and to us.
From the shepherdesses of ancient Israel who helped raise the future leaders of the people of God, to the courageous early Christians, the narrative of the Bible offers us many vivid and fascinating female characters. In their lives we can see common struggles to resist bitterness, despair, and pride, and to instead find their true selves in faith, hope, and love. In studying these heroes of the faith, we can find wisdom and warnings for how to better navigate our own faith journeys.
The Women of the Bible Speak outlines the lessons we can take from the valor of Esther, the hope of Hannah, the audacity of Rahab, and the faith of Mary. In broadening each woman’s individual story, Shannon offers us a deeper understanding of each, and wisdom and insights that can transform our own lives today.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.