Origin and Significance of the Religious Habit
The habit is probably the first thing that people notice about the brothers.
It's a sign that gives rise to various questions; in particular: "Why wear a religious habit?", "Why a gray habit?"
The decision to wear a religious habit was
made at the beginning of the community and responds above all to a desire
for fidelity to the Church which, at the time of the Second Vatican Council,
presented the religious habit once more as a "sign of their consecration"
(Perfectae caritatis, 17).
The
habit is a sign of belonging. It distinguishes, points out, and reminds
the one who wears it that he represents his Community, and by extension,
the Church.
More precisely, the religious habit bears
witness to a life consecrated to the Kingdom of God. Just as the habit
envelops the entire body, this consecration takes hold of our entire being.
Just as the habit is worn throughout the day, this consecration is for
one's whole life.
But as for the choice of a habit... a "work habit" was needed
and the brothers chose, with a few minor modifications, the work habit
worn by the Cistercians at Hauterive, an abbey near Fribourg which the
brothers often visited.