Someone is wearing my habit. I was an OFM in formation but left before final vows. My charism was to be married and have a family, but I've tried to live out the Franciscan charism within my family life.

The former wearer really does sound like a legend. What an amazing life of service he lived.

I'm a protestant (Baptist). But as I'm going through a lot right now I find your videos very comforting. Its nice to watch a brother in Christ make nice wholesome content. Pray for me please

I am a member (founding member, actually) of St. Francis of Assisi parish in San Antonio TX. The legacy and spirit of St. Francis is constantly around us. In our city are several old Spanish missions dating from the 1700s that remain, except for the Alamo, active parishes staffed by Franciscans. Occasionally, the friars will come to visit our parish and it is a marvelous experience to welcome them.

As a Brazilian, I was particularly touched by this story. God bless you, Father, as he blessed the one who had the robe before.

I am not religious at all, but your words about not owning even the clothes on your back was inspiring. Even though I am not a believer, I appreciate your channel and the knowledge you bestow.

Two weeks ago I was in Assisi and saw St Francis robe! It was patched up and humble and it was such a witness to the Franciscan way!

I think I've probably mentioned this in your comments before, but the most important thing I have ever been taught was when my former pastor said in a homily, "your life doesn't belong to you." You live this so radically, and we keep you in our prayers always.

I'm just wondering how are the Friars buried. What do they wear in their coffins if their habit is given to someone else?

What an absolute honour it must be to wear that Habit.

Ordained on the Feast of St. Francis, I’ve been a member of a community without a habit for 40 years. We are beginning to rediscover our original habit and I thank for this video.

The religious brothers/sisters in my community don't wear habits at all, they just wear regular clothes like everyone else. I asked a Dominican why he doesn't wear his habit, he said it stains too easily. I get it, but I wish more religious brothers/sisters would wear the habit rather than pants-suits and a short haircut.

Your comment about shopping second hand is a great idea. I'm sure I've got things at a charity shop that were out of the wardrobe of someone who passed away - it's good to think about the continuation of items. When I get something which has a small hole, or missing button, torn seam, etc., I mend it, and when I pass it on to another charity, it may make the item useful again to someone else. Do you mend your own habit, Father Casey?

This is the most beautiful and humbling story I have ever heard... what a beautiful tradition!

I'm an amateur violinist. I own a violin that I love very much that was made in Germany between 1910 and 1920. Because it was made so long ago (though really not that long ago in the grand scheme of things), I know that other people played and loved this instrument, and I hope that other people will play and love it after I die. This is different from a habit that you don't own, but it's similar: I've sometimes wondered about my violin's previous owners, how it got from Germany to Maine, USA where I chose it and brought it to New Brunswick, Canada, what stories this instrument would tell if it could talk. It's inspired me to research exactly what Germany was like during the 1910s: no surprise, but things weren't great, and to me, the fact that people were still making beautiful instruments in such an awful time is an incredibly hopeful thing.

I can testify to it being a Franciscan tradition. When I was in the Felicians (who are Third Order Franciscans), I was getting ready to enter novitiate. I elected to wear a habit and so I was fitted for one "dress" habit that I would receive at investiture and then I was given access to a large collection of habits worn by sisters who went to the big motherhouse in the sky. I would have had my one dress habit for special occasions and then a few daily habits and a couple "work" habits that could get jacked up without too much guilt.

Thank you, Fr. Casey! A follow up video might be necessary on Franciscan funeral traditions. Are Franciscan priests buried in alb, cincture, stole, and chasuable? How are the brothers buried who were not ordained? Interesting questions sparked by a fascinating video.

On top of all those reasons listed, wearing a habit is an effective evangelistic tool. It probably elicits a lot of questions by curious onlookers, and that can spawn interesting, and even life changing conversations for those who ask such questions about the habit. Aside from this, as someone who does not live a consecrated life, I admire the simplicity that adhering to just wearing the habit brings to ones life. It frees the wearer from the burdens of vanity that most of us are shackled with.

As a deacon I wear my clerical collar while attending community events. It helps people see how we fit into 'normal' situations

Fr Casey, to myself as an Irish Catholic and as an older Irish gay man living in the U.K. 21 years who grew up in Rural Ireland in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the Catholic Religious habit is nothing strange to me at all, as I grew up with friends of our family who were Priests, Friars & Nuns, everyone from the Dominicans to the Franciscans, the Good Shepherd Sisters to the Poor Clares, in the rich Irish Catholic tradition - indeed, I’m still in contact with my late father’s former employers and longtime family friends, the Poor Clares in Dublin and I visit Sr. Brigid and Sr. Carmel in St. Damien’s every time I come home to my family in Rural Ireland from the U.K. - when the Poor Clares had thier 800 years centenary a few years ago, I took part the celebrations in Dublin

I really needed to hear this video. Its true sometimes we seem to stray from our walk with God just by slowly imperceptibly drifting away without even being conscious of it. This video and its message was a reminder. Thank you.

Questions for a follow-up, maybe. Who makes habits? Do you do your own mending? How do you decide when a habit is too far gone for further wear & do you just put it in the trash? Who gets a brand new habit? Is there a habit storage & distribution system between the previous wearer & the new one?

Well said father Casey. A habit is a witness in the church.

That concept of detachment that the Brothers are given at the time of their vows: "From now on, call nothing your own" is something we all could benefit from. Because you're right, they're only ours for a limited time.

Fr. Casey, another point is that the habit was based on the clothing of the poor people of the time the order was founded. Look at St. Teresa of Kolkata’s sisters wearing saris, or the garb St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton’s widow’s garb worn by the Sisters of Charity. Also, as a TOR I use the breviary of a sister who went to God. Before I wrote my name in the book I added ”,pray for us” after her name.

I just could not stop thinking about how younger brothers wear their oldest brother's clothes.

Love this. Way to honor a legacy while creating your own. We all leave a legacy by what we say and do. Thanks Fr. Casey!

I think my great grandfather named my grandmother something different than what her mom wanted at the baptismal ceremony. My grandmother is 99 yrs old (born the same year as Myles, who passed down your habit, and that is actually her maiden name!!).

Watching from the Philippines. I love the simplicity of the Franciscan habit, while those of the Dominicans has great color combination (B&W) ❤️

Thank you Fr Casey. My mom just passed away last week; and as we siblings were going through her stuff, it felt a bit strange to think about wearing her clothes. But I did wear a jacket and a watch at her funeral mass to honor her in some small way. She was a person of limited means but rich in family & those whom she welcomed into her circle of friendship. I will now have a different perspective when I wear the couple it items that she wore. ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

As a Brazilian, is cool to know the story of this other friar. Glad to know he was a blessing to my country.

Fr. Casey, If the robe fits wear it! And what and awesome Franciscan to follow in this garment. God bless you and I am thankful for all the videos you do 🙏💞

i still miss my (Franciscan) habit everyday , youve the gift of oration, a light shining bright.

Always uplifting and spiritual. We need more priests like you in our church

It takes great dedication to live such a lifestyle, mad props to the consecrated.

I can certainly appreciate carrying the legacy of others. In the Order of St. Lazarus I was invested with the fighting habit (cloak) of a deceased member. It was truly an honor and to learn about my predecessor and his legacy to the order.

Father, I am watching your video's from Europe, The Netherlands. As a Roman-Catholic born and babtised in 1966, I am still searching. I have seen other American Catholic channels. I wanted to experience Catholisism from other parts in the World, and American Channels, well there are lot of them. But yours I sticked with. As it is truly universal. This video in particular showes that to me. I think it is a beautiful Fransican tradition i did not know about it. Thank you with all my hart.

Thrift stores are pretty good. I am a teenager and shop at them all the time!

Love these little snippets of information. What a man St Francis of Assisi was. Fr Casey is the kind of person you'd approach when you're lost in a new place.

Very thought provoking. I want to make 2024 the year of declutter. My home is bursting with things and I am finding it hard to manage it. May God give me strength and health and diligence in this coming year to make more room more Him by getting rid of all the extras! ❤

I spent my childhood attending Mass at the parish with the Franciscan monastery. Now, as a diocesan priest, there was a time when I wanted to become a Franciscan and wear that tunic."

The sisters who completely discarded any type of habit did a great disservice to their congregation, eg St Joseph Sisters, Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, among others.

A very lovely way to reuse what isn't worn out or useless. I know my mother had issues with younger nuns in the 70s who didn't wear a habit. She still tells the story of picking my brothers up from Catholic school and thinking why isn't someone sending that female student home for dress code violation. She said she was shocked to learn that was a nun dressed like she was going to the disco with go-go boots and a mini skirt.

As a fellow Brazilian follower, it just made my day hearing that the habit you use was once in Brazil 🇧🇷!

Thanks for wearing a habit, Father. So many religious don't want to dress like one and that's so sad!

That was a fantastic video, truly amazing! Some day, another brother will be telling your story as the man who had the habit previously. You mentioned that the mother didn't go to the baptism back in the day, only the father, and that it was a story for another day; I truly hope you DO make that story, because I had never heard of that and that sounds fascinating as well!

I like the short hooded tunic Cistercians wear for labour work .

I like the story about the priest naming Sylvester. When my sister was born, there was complications, and my parents were concerned, so they called the priest. When he got there, he decided to give her his name for her middle name. So she was baptized, Jennifer Ramona, but my parents were not happy about that so her birth certificate is Jennifer Ann. We still tease her about that to this day.

Great title brother! And great video. I appreciate the upload 🙌🏽

What an amazing and beautiful tradition.

"I got my robe from a desd guy! Isn't that odd?" I also shop from Goodwill.

Great story Father. We all have legacies to live up to. My philosophy of education professors mentor was Ivan Illich. Every time I write an article, chapter or book I think of that legacy. It gives me pause.

I wear some of my late father’s clothes ,coats ,shirts ,boots etc, RIP Dad .

Very interesting to hear. Thank you 🙏

Sometimes when I'm praying the Hours I wonder who owned my little Psalter before me. Maybe it belonged to someone who did a lot of mission work and traveled frequently and needed a small compact prayer book to travel with. I got it from a used book retailer, so there's no way of ever knowing. But maybe someday I'll make like memories with it and then pass it on to someone else one day.

So awesome. Its miniscule in comparison, but its the same way I felt when I got my eagle globe and anchor.

Thanks Fr. Casey for your innovative videos. You rightly deserve the Habit you are wearing. God bless us all, Amen.

Amazing. Had no idea of habit being passed down. God bless you Fr. Casey; you are incredible. Wondering how often you wash your habit, though?

I have 4 friends of OFM. One othem is a bishop in Pangkalpinang Indonesia. Others work in parishes, orphan home and school of theology. Another friend is a member of OFMCap. He is a lecture. They are all amazing.

I LOVE this video (as I do with most videos, if not all). Your lifestyle is just loving and inspiring and even though you may think it's a small thing, I'm happy that this platform that is there anyways, is also used by you and others spreading this message and spreading light. The platform is here, so why not use it for good, right? I'm really glad I discovered father Patrick and you 😊

Thank you, Father! I had an uncle who was an OFM. I did not know that the brown-habit Franciscans did this beautiful thing.

Thank you for sharing. I always wondered about the Franciscan habit.

I attended Bishop Timon high school on the south side of Buffalo, N.Y. It's an OFM operated institution. Never heard about this.

I think the logic of "no need to make new ones" makes it less weird.

This is a wonderful video. It shows humility but realism about other lives.

Thank you for this video…you’re right, it’s a different point of view and we need to be more humble. My husband has told me, though family heirlooms are important, eventually, it will be trash or others will see items differently.

That’s a great motivation for you to go to Brazil.

re the baptism story, quite a lot of priests used to do this all the time, changing or adding the name of a saint - different from the name(s) proposed by the parents. Many would add Mary to the name of girls and boys, and a favourite saint of theirs. seems amazing today. Mind you, I am sad that people don't choose patron saint names for their children. we have started asking parents if they would like to add a patron saints name for their child prior to the baptism.

Beautiful story thank you

What a lovely message!

Bravo Father Keep up the good works From an old priest entering his Golden Jubilee Pax+

And then we have the Oblates of Mary Immaculate that pass down a cross, which could be suuuuper old. :O

Father, you have a big habit to fill, and you fill it well! Thank you for this video. It is inspiring.

This is why I Love Franciscans. They try their best to live like St. Francis, who's only objective was to be close to Jesus. I saw my priest in the group picture. I had to pause it, but I found him. Along with several other friars. God bless our Franciscans of the newly formed Province of our Lady of Guadalupe.

Beautiful witness. Thank you Fr Casey!✝️❤🌎🌍🌏

I am a Quaker with a deep respect for our history and traditions (and those of others) and I sometimes wish we still wore the old Plain Dress that distinguished us. I see the value in the witness of the habit and also the effect it has on you as a person.

Excellent. Thank you for sharing. Your ministry via KZfaq reaches thousands. How can I support you?

Thanks for this video. The message was really something I needed to hear and if you can, please pray for my discernment on my vocations. God bless

So you can have more than one Habit. Who makes new Habits?

As a Brazilian who's been watching your videos since you had professed your solemn vows, I'd suggest you to learn Brazilian Portuguese, as the first owner of this habit could! :-) man! congrats! you're videos are amazing! I love them all! Specially I admire who beautifully you protect Pope Francis from the crazy citizens from your country who consider our Pope a heretic. Keep up being this great Franciscan Friar and Priest you are!!!!!

Thank you so much Father for sharing this...this is gospel in action...you inspire ne and tge example of Fr Sylvester made a lasting impression on my soul...God bless you

Very interesting the non-standard aspect of the habits. . .never would have suspected so much color and cloth variation. . .and patching, which can be an art if they are to hold. The Mercy sisters who taught me originally reversed their pleats when they started to look shabby. A Benedictine sister once told me that they had to keep their habits respectable in order to "not give rise to scandal." Don't know about that one!

There have been a simillar thing among some Buddhist monks. All their robes are required to be made as a patchwork. But some monks used to make their robes out of found burial clothes, from decaying corpses. But nowadays in most parts of the world (except few places in India and Tibet) nobody leaves dead bodies in open cemeteries. They wash and boil the clothes and boil again with a herbal tincture that gives its signature color.

Most of what I buy belonged to another. I often wonder who those people are. There is something like being a link in a chain about owning another’s possession.

Great video, very humbling.

My Dad was a minister and he was buried in his robes .

This is so beautiful.

Absolutely brilliant.

The story of the previous guy was amazing!

Fr. Casey, this was meaningful for me, an OSF.

Wow! This doesn't surprise me in the least, knowing the little I know about St. Francis. Fr. Casey, a question off topic: Do you have any book recommendations about the life of St. Francis as HE actually lived it? As in, books that explain what he did and why, in his own words?

Wow. You wear the garment of a legend. That's awesome!

This is so interesting... I feel humbled by those facts.

This bro started wearing a robe, became somewhat of a habit 😂

This is so amazingly beautiful.

I voted for the title of this video, and sence then i have been waiting anxiously for this video! thank you!

My question is how old is your habit? Where does it originate from? I think it would be cool to find out who wore it before you and how far back it goes. Do you wear anything under the habit?

I recently invoked St. Francis, of Assisi. My friend's cat was dying. He intervened, in the name, of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gave us all comfort and a renewed spiritual grow. They are protestant (they both prayed, too St. Francis.) and I am a Roman Catholic. Out of all, of this. Came the knowledge, of the invocation. Too all, of the Blessed Saints. To help us all, in this world.

And in the Catholic church, for a religious, a habit is and should be considered NORMAL!🙂

This is extremely powerful. The franciscan ideology is so humbling and beautiful to see that we truly have nothing, God is the only one that truly does own everything. Seeing St. Francis' robes is awe inspiring. I can only hope to live so humbly and this has inspired me to be as such. I only have a faint semblance as for my calling but seeing this really does help me see what i need to do to grow in god's love and have more guidence