Our Habit

Our Franciscan habit is in the shape of a cross (Tau). On top of the tunic is the capuche that can cover one’s head. The sisters don’t have the capuche, but simply the mozetta along with the veil, both sky-blue colored. The color of our habit is grey-blue. The color gray indicates the course grey clothe of Franciscan traditions, symbol of austerity (“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis (RSV) 3:19), and the shades of light blue are a reference the Marian dimension and a reminder of celestial realities. Both friars and sisters wear, on the side of the heart, the miraculous medal. Both are cinctured by a hemp-colored cord with four knots which symbolize the vows which we profess: unlimited consecration to the Immaculate, obedience, chastity, and poverty. The rosary, attached to the cord, is the “Franciscan crown”, a particular devotion from the Franciscan tradition which contemplates the mysteries of the seven joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Brown colored sandals, with bare feet, a sign of poverty and penance. During winter, especially in the colder parts of the world, both friars and sisters use, at their disposal, a mantel of the same color of the habit. The friar novices, who aspire to live the life of a Franciscan of the Immaculate, wear a capuche without the hood on their shoulders with a knot-less cord. The sister novices wear a white veil with a knot-less cord.