“Let it also be recalled that their clothes and manner of wearing them should be modest and simple, as truly befits virginal modesty...” Rule - Chapter 2 - "How they Should be Dressed"
A word used by the Ursuline Sisters in years past, especially in the training of novices (women learning the life of a religious) and young students in Ursuline schools was “DECORUM.”
According to one dictionary, DECORUM is simply whatever is suitable or proper, especially in behavior, speech and dress. The Ursuline Sisters also saw DECORUM as the “outer respect for self and others which flows from inner serenity and self-discipline.”
In today’s world, all of us get caught up in the latest fashions, modes of behavior, slang, what is acceptable and what is not. Each generation had and has its own style—what’s in and what’s out.
One thing that is constant is that respect for self and others continues to be a value desired by all of us. We want to be respected and thus, others want respect from us. Respect covers a multitude of aspects—the body, language/terminology, speech, actions and behavior. All of us have been taught from as young as we remember that respect is of utmost importance in succeeding in life.
DECORUM may be an old-fashioned word, but its modern meaning—RESPECT, is a forever word. Actually, DECORUM is a “classy” word, a rich word for what we want of ourselves, and all we meet.
As adults it is our responsibility to model for the younger generation how to be modest in dress and still be “classy.” It is up to us to set the mark for respecting ourselves and respect one another as St. Angela envisioned.
Sister Donna Frey, OSU
Ursuline and Catholic Identity