Information AboutCowl |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT COWL | |
| monasticism | |
| catholic religious life | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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The cowl (from the Latin, ''cuculla'') is a long, outer garment, with wide sleeves, worn by Catholic Monk s when participating in the Liturgy . Developed in the Middle Ages as a more practical alternative to wearing a cloak, they became the formal garment for those in Monastic life. They were worn to give warmth to people who often spent long hours in unheated and drafty churches. They are most commonly bestowed upon the monk at the time of his making solemn, or lifetime, Vows . They are generally worn in conformity with the color of the monk's Tunic , with the Benedictine s wearing black, and other groups which follow the Rule Of St. Benedict , e.g., the Camaldolese and Cistercians wearing some form of white. The garment, without a hood, is also worn by Nun s, in the same manner. It should be noted that those orders which are not part of the Benedictine tradition, e.g., the Carthusians and the Franciscans , do not make use of this garment. |