Caput XX. De vestimentis et calceamentis.
Sufficient for Necessity
The recluse's garments should simply ward off the cold, with seasonal adjustments of furs in winter and lighter tunics in summer.
Furthermore, let her have only enough clothing to keep out the cold. Let her use thicker skins and furs in winter; for summer, though, let her have just one tunic — and in both seasons, two undershirts of coarse fabric or linen.1
Plainness of Appearance
Her head covering must be plain black to avoid vanity, and her footwear should be only what is sufficient.
Her head covering shouldn't be made of fine or costly cloth, but of plain black — so that she doesn't appear to be seeking adornment through varied color. As for footwear — foot coverings, boots — let her have only what's sufficient.2
Guardian of Poverty
She should carefully hold herself to even less than strict necessity would permit, as guardian of her own poverty.
And as the guardian of her own poverty, let her carefully consider having even a little less than what strict necessity would allow.
A Measured Way for the Weak
These outward prescriptions are offered not from rigid attachment to ancient custom but as pastoral accommodation for the weak, while the stronger are free to pursue greater perfection.
These things, dearest sister, about the outward conduct of life I have written — not out of zeal for ancient custom, but because the circumstances of our own time compel me — proposing to the weak a measured way of living, while leaving to the stronger the freedom to advance toward greater perfection.
Read the original Latin
Porro talia ei vestimenta sufficiant quae frigus repellant. Grossioribus pelliciis utatur, et pellibus propter hiemem; propter aestatem autem unam habeat tunicam: utroque vero tempore duas de stupacio camisias vel staminas. Velamen capitis non sit de panno subtili vel pretioso, sed mediocri nigro: ne videatur colore vario affectare decorem. Calceamenta, pedilles, caligas, quantum satis fuerit habeat. Et paupertatis suae custos sollicite consideret, ut etiam aliquantulum minus habeat quam indulgere sibi possit justa necessitas. Haec, soror charissima, de exterioris hominis conversatione non pro antiquitatis fervore, sed pro hujus nostri temporis spatio te compellente conscripsi, infirmis temperatum quemdam modum vivendi proponens, fortioribus ad perfectiora progrediendi libertatem relinquens.
Notes
De institutione inclusarum (A Rule of Life for a Recluse) companion
A rule only lives if you keep it daily
Chosen Portion gives your new rule its anchor: one free devotional portion every day.
Aelred built his sister's day around fixed times of prayer and meditation; Chosen Portion supplies the fixed daily portion that makes a modern rule of life keepable.
- Anchor your rule with a fixed 10-minute daily portion
- Practice Aelred's threefold meditation with guided daily prompts
- Review and adjust your one-page rule after 30 days of tracked practice