The Habit: power and controversy
“Of course, the spotlight has fallen upon you as nuns. You entered the march in full habit. You led the March, as it were. You were right in the front…”
– KMOX “Sounding Board” host Bob Hardy
The Sisters’ decision to participate in the Selma marches while wearing their religious habits proved to be a powerful and controversial move. The habit served as a powerful and visible expression of their identity as women of faith. Their presence challenged the traditional image of nuns as cloistered figures – for better or for worse – and brought a new dimension to the civil rights movement.
For many supporters, the sight of nuns, traditionally associated with piety and service, actively engaging in the struggle for civil rights was both striking and inspiring. It confirmed that their presence in Selma was a moral imperative and a humanitarian duty in response to the denial of God-given rights to Black Americans.
However, the Sisters’ decision to march in their habits also drew fierce criticism. Many detractors viewed their actions as a violation of traditional gender roles and religious norms. The sight of nuns participating in public protests was deemed “disgraceful” and “unladylike,” with some callers arguing that they should remain within the confines of their convents. These critics saw the presence of the habit in the streets as a desecration of religious vows and a departure from the expected role of women within the Catholic Church.
“The nuns did something that was entirely unladylike…”
KMOX Radio Interview with Bob Hardy and Two Sisters of St. Joseph
Bob Hardy: Hello. Your question?
Female Caller: Oh, Mr. Hardy, I am Catholic and I have always had the utmost respect for any and all nuns because I knew they were set apart a little bit different from the rest of us and I knew they were always good.
I knew this – basically the first way I would know is – because of the habit they wore, and I think these nuns who marched yesterday did something that was entirely unladylike.
It was demeaning to them, to any community that they represented, and if the sisters wish to protest as citizens, I think this is fine.
But I wonder if they would like to protest as citizens in plain dress to lead and be the first in the line of march – it’s sort of like using a baby for a shield to get through when someone’s firing on you or something.
I was really sickened and saddened to see it. Honestly, I was.
Bob Hardy: All right, then. Thank you for the call. We’ll get a comment, I’m sure from Sister Thomas Marguerite.
Sr. Thomas Marguerite: Sr. Ernest Marie why don’t you take it over?
Sr. Ernest Marie: Well, in the first place we were very happy to be wearing our religious garb. We are not at all in a hurry to discard it. In regard to your previous comment, you and I and the citizens of Selma are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and this is not mere sentimentality.
Recall the words of Christ when he said – when he will say – to us on the last day of judgment, “I was hungry and you gave me not to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink. I was in jail and you visited me not.” We cannot ignore these words.
Sr. Thomas Marguerite: And may I add a comment, too, Mr. Hardy, to the lady. I think that her image of the sister as being somewhat distant, sort of wrapped up in her habit, I think this is the image that pleased God in the age of [inaudible], we’re breaking down and we’re becoming one with our brothers.