Canon XLV.
Whereas
we understand that in
some monasteries of women those who are about to be clothed with the
sacred habit are first adorned in silks and garments of all kinds, and
also with gold and jewels, by those who bring them thither, and that
they thus approach the altar and are there stripped of such a display
of wealth, and that immediately thereafter the blessing of their habit
takes place, and they are clothed with the black robe; we decree that
henceforth this shall not be done. For it is not lawful for her
who has already of her own free will put away every
delight of life, and has embraced that method
of life which is according to God, and has confirmed it with strong and
stable reasons, and so has come to the monastery, to recall to memory
the things which they had already forgotten, things of this world which
perisheth and passeth away. For thus they raise in themselves
doubts, and are disturbed in their souls, like the tossing waves,
turning hither and thither. Moreover, they should not give bodily
evidence of heaviness of heart by weeping, but if a few tears drop from
their eyes, as is like enough to be the case, they may be supposed by
those who see them to have flowed
μὴ μᾶλλον
on
account of their affection (
διαθέσεως
,
affectionem) for the ascetic struggle rather than (
ἢ
) because they are quitting the world and
worldly things.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XLV.
Parents shall not deck out in silks a daughter who has
chosen the monastic life, and thus clothe her, for this is a recalling
to her mind the world she is leaving.
This canon is at the present day constantly broken at
the profession of Carmelites.