I am Sr Hanna, the Major Superior of a congregation. Our Constitution (typicon) very clearly prescribes a dress code for our members. However, Sr Sapphira, one of our members, is going around without following the given dress code. Even after repeated admonitions, she continues to do the same. How should I proceed further canonically in this situation?
The life consecrated to God through profession of the evangelical counsels is indeed a particular way of life. By the very fact of their consecration, they embrace a life-style which involves observance of certain constitutive elements of this way of life. It would imply that they should embrace obligations which are directly and indirectly connected to religious vows which they make through public profession. It includes a wide variety of obligations referenced in the teachings of the Church, Codes of canon law and in the Constitutions (typicon) of the particular Institute.
Canon 669 of CIC and Canon 540 of CCEO enumerate the obligation of the dress code for a Religious. Both these canons emphasize that as a sign of consecration and as witness to poverty. Those who are consecrated to God through religious profession must wear the dress which their religious institute (constitution) prescribes for them.
Sr Navya Thattil OSF
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