A Roman Catholic monk wearing a cowl

The cowl (from the Latin, cuculla) is a long, outer garment, with wide sleeves, worn by Catholic monks 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. made it myself This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... made it myself This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... A monk is a person who practices asceticism, the conditioning of mind and body in favor of the spirit. ... From the Greek word λειτουργια, which can be transliterated as leitourgia, meaning the work of the people, a liturgy comprises a prescribed religious ceremony, according to the traditions of a particular religion; it may refer to, or include, an elaborate formal ritual (such as the Catholic Mass), a daily activity such... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote ones life to spiritual work. ...

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 Benedictines wearing black, and other groups which follow the Rule of St. Benedict, e.g., the Camaldolese, Dominicans and Cistercians wearing some form of white. The garment, without a hood, is also worn by nuns, in the same manner. Monastic vows are the public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience professed by the monks in the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox tradition. ... Tupa Inca tunic The tunic was the common masculine garment of Roman civilization. ... A Benedictine is a person who follows the Rule of St Benedict. ... St Benedict of Nursia The Rule of St Benedict by Benedict of Nursia (fl. ... Camaldolese Priory on Bielany in Kraków The Camaldolese are part of the Benedictine family of monastic orders founded by St. ... Cistercians coat of arms The Order of Cistercians (OCist) (Latin Cistercenses), otherwise Gimey or White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which is worn a black scapular or apron) are a Catholic order of monks. ... Nun in cloister, 1930; photograph by Doris Ulmann In general, a nun is a female ascetic who chooses to voluntarily leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent. ...

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. A Benedictine is a person who follows the Rule of St Benedict. ... A Carthusian Monastery in Jerez, Spain The Carthusians are a Christian religious order founded by St Bruno in 1084. ... Franciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. ...