77 having been inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so in order to honor the Immaculate Conception. It is now called the solemn garb of the confreres. The rest of the point is largely unchanged which speaks about the usual garb of the clerics and religious brothers. They each may wear ecclesiastical garb according to local norms and their attire should be simple and modest. Directory #8 has also been changed. The old title, Safeguarding the Patrimony has been changed to Principles regarding the Solemn Garb. The first sentence remains unchanged. It speaks of the white habit as belonging to the inalienable spiritual patrimony of the Congregation. The point then states that the confreres would normally receive this solemn garb during perpetual vows. It is described as a simple white cassock with a fascia (band cincture). The General Council will approve the pattern of the habit, the manner for its reception and when it will be given in various jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions may wish that it be given at a time other than at final vows. The confreres are then encouraged to wear it at least on 8 days which are listed which are important feasts for the Congregation. The Chapter also approved a declaration on the white habit which will be printed along with the Acts of the Chapter. This will give the context for these decisions of the Chapter – the 350th Jubilee along with some of the history. It then explains the implications and how the decisions will be lived out. How did the Chapter come to make these decisions? There are various resources on padrimariani.org which give the history of the use of the white habit in our Congregation. Briefly, after the Founder donned the habit in 1671, it was worn by all who entered the Congregation until 1909 – 238 years. For our Founder, it was a symbol of the Immaculate Conception and an essential sign of our identity. Blessed George along with two others wanted to don the habit and enter the Congregation however State authorities didn’t allow it and they had to join clandestinely(cf: Request by Rev. George Matulaitis to General Vincent Sekowski for admission to the Order together with his friends, St. Petersburg, 8/9 September, 1908). Due to the persecution of religious orders at that time, Pope St. Pius X was very supportive of religious communities without the habit. In almost every General Chapter since 1924, the possibility of returning to the habit has been
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