De·con·struct·ing the Habit

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 3)

By Fr. Stephen Rossey, O. Praem.

With its roots in thrift, practicality, and symbolism, the four-piece Norbertine habit has a fascinating history.

  1. The tunic is the basic garment of the habit. It originates from the everyday vesture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Worn as an outer garment over street clothes, it is a great equalizer; in it, everyone has the same status.
  2. The scapular is essentially an apron, such  as was worn by manual laborers. It consists of a piece of cloth spanning nearly the width of the body and reaching to the feet in front and behind. It keeps the tunic clean.
  3. The sash, or cincture, is a long, narrow strip of cloth that confines the loose, flowing tunic and scapular, preventing them from impeding the movement of the wearer. It circles the waist and is tied in a knot at the side.
  4. The elbow-length shoulder cape fastens at the neck. It originally was worn only in choir but today is an essential part of the habit. Its small “hood” is a symbolic leftover of the full monastic hood worn during the medieval era.

Why White?

The Norbertine Religious Habit
The Norbertine Religious Habit

The choice of the Norbertine religious habit caused some lively disputes in its 12th-century day. Monks then wore unbleached wool dyed black. Canons regular—members of ministry-oriented rather than cloistered orders—wore fine white linen. St. Norbert himself wore a tunic, belt and cape of undyed wool, a poor man’s garment made from the cheapest material available in his native Germany, where flocks of sheep were numerous.

This unorthodox combination of a traditionally monastic fabric with a traditionally clerical color spawned great controversy and set the Norbertines apart. While no longer controversial, the Norbertine habit still does distinguish clearly members of this ancient order.

Read More

  • Habit By Mary
    By Kevin T. Di Camillo
    November 8, 2017
    Catholic Digest

Canons on the RunCanons on the Run

Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., are co-hosts of St. Norbert Abbey’s biweekly podcast, Canons on the Run. In episode 008, compellingly and with a bit of humor, they discuss their habit, the conversations that have occurred because of it, and their continual witness to God’s call.

Listen now »


The Habit: An Outward Sign of Inward Spirit

As seen in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 14)

An interview with Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
By Gina Sanders Larsen

Managing Editor, Abbey Magazine

Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., wears his habit on the streets of Chicago.
Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., wears his habit on the streets of Chicago.

During a recent academic break, I sat with Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., 26, to discuss a seemingly simple idea—whether or not to wear the ankle-length white habit of the Norbertines when he is out in public in Chicago, the city where he studies for the priesthood at Catholic Theological Union.

What is it like wearing a habit in a secular environment?

The most important thing is that when you are wearing the habit, everything you do reflects not only on you, but also on every Norbertine. The habit elicits a lot of emotion, both good and bad, yet it expresses my Christian faith and vocation. Am I hiding it, or am I on fire? It’s an outward sign of inward spirit.

Tell me more about that phrase, “an outward sign of inward spirit.”

If I choose not to wear the habit, I am choosing to blend in. In the streets, the white habit is a visible witness to Christ. It’s like when Jesus called himself “the door” and no one can come to the Father except through Him. I am certainly not Jesus, but I choose to be present and visible to people. At times some religious or priests hide behind a collar or habit. You have to remember that what counts is a person’s true character, and no article of clothing can change that. For me, the habit is a call to authenticity.

You said the habit elicits both good and bad responses from people. Can you give me some examples?

People often ask me, “What are you?” and I tell them I’m a Christian in formation for the Catholic priesthood. Many people ask me to pray for them, or they are intrigued by the idea of a priest. I’ve helped people who need a bus ticket or something to eat, but I’ve also provoked feelings of hatred. It is an imitation of Christ: trying to do good but realizing even the Son of God was not accepted by all.

Will you continue to wear your habit in public?

Yes. Even for people who do not approach me, wearing the habit shows them that someone is still interested in Christianity and Catholicism in a secular world. I hope that in wearing the habit, it is a visible sign of Christ in me and through me, and that it fosters Christian hope in a city plagued by poverty, violence, and racism. I am putting myself out there—humbly, I hope. The streets have a way of keeping you humble.

Read More

  • Habit By Mary
    By Kevin T. Di Camillo
    November 8, 2017
    Catholic Digest

Canons on the RunCanons on the Run

Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., are co-hosts of St. Norbert Abbey’s biweekly podcast, Canons on the Run. In episode 008, compellingly and with a bit of humor, they discuss their habit, the conversations that have occurred because of it, and their continual witness to God’s call.

Listen now »


Rev. Joseph Sabbas Rékasi, O. Praem.

August 28, 1921 – March 26, 2016

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2016 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 21)

Fr. Joseph Rékasi, O. Praem.
Fr. Joseph Rékasi, O. Praem.

Fr. Rékasi, a member of Gödöllő Abbey, Budapest, Hungary, residing at St. Norbert Abbey, was born on August 28, 1921, in Jaszbereny, Hungary. His home parish was in Jaszbereny.

In 1940 Fr. Rékasi graduated from Jozsef Nador Realgimnazium, Jaszbereny. He received degrees in philosophy, theology, and French, including a doctorate degree in French in 1960.

Fr. Rékasi was vested as a novice on August 15, 1940. He professed Simple Vows on September 9, 1941, professed Solemn Vows on September 9, 1945, and was ordained to the priesthood on March 25, 1946.

He began his teaching assignments at St. Norbert College, De Pere, in 1953 as an associate professor of French and Latin. He had numerous assignments at the University of Detroit as an associate professor of French. After retirement, he continued various ministries at Old St. Joseph Church and St. Joseph Priory.

Fr. Rékasi will be remembered for his love of the language and culture of France, and without a doubt the city of Paris. He loved to converse about his travels, his remarkable early life, and escape from Hungary due to political unrest. He enjoyed showing his collection of personal pictures, carefully organized and identified.

Rev. Robert Matthew Feller, O. Praem.

December 28, 1922 – February 8, 2016

As seen in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 17)

Fr. Robert Feller, O. Praem.
Fr. Robert Feller, O. Praem.

Fr. Feller was born on December 28, 1922, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His home parish was Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.

After graduating from West High School in 1942, Fr. Feller received a B.A. degree in philosophy from St. Norbert College, De Pere, in 1952.

Upon entering the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey, Fr. Feller was vested as a novice on August 28, 1949. He professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1951, professed Solemn Vows on August 28, 1954, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955.

In 1954 Fr. Feller began teaching assignments at St. Norbert High School, De Pere. His parochial and chaplaincy ministry included numerous pastorates in the Green Bay area. A military chaplain in the United States Air Force, Fr. Feller also served as director of pastoral services and chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay for many years. He was chaplain at Veterans Administration Medical Center and Veterans Administration Hospital, Tuskegee, Alabama, from 1983 until 1993.

Although retiring from external ministerial duties in 2001, Fr. Feller continued internal ministry at St. Norbert Abbey, ministering to his Norbertine confreres and abbey employees with any number of charitable acts of kindness. In a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, Fr. Feller celebrated the 60th anniversary of his priesthood ordination on June 5, 2015.