Elizabeth Kuhns

Interesting read, since there's not any other books specifically on the habits of Women Religious. But it's compiled from selected secondary sources rather than scholarly written, and just not terribly well-done. Mostly the book sloggishly meanders through centuries and centuries of details on religious habits and related topics, not well-organized and rather random on the included content for specific communities. I have a personal nitpick that the author conflates the Kentucky-based show more Sisters of Loretto and the IBVM/Loreto Sisters, who are two entirely separate communities. The final chapters, on the changes to habits since Vatican II, were by far the most interesting and valuable, exploring in an even-handed manner the various decisions and opinions for and against retaining the habit. show less

I loved this book. It's not just about articles of clothing, but the belief systems and sacrifices associated with the nun's habit.