The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS

DURING THE NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL,
VARIOUS PENANCE PRACTICES WERE ENCOURAGED. ONE OF THESE
PRACTICES WAS KNOWN AS THE CHAINS, WHICH INVOLVED WEARING
A METAL CHAIN AS A BELT UNDERNEATH ONE'S CASSOCK. THE BELT
WAS DESIGNED SO THAT SMALL METAL PRONGS JABBED ONE'S STOMACH
TO MAKE THEM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. THE PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT WAS
VIEWED AS APPROPRIATE PENANCE FOR ONE'S SINS. THE BELT WAS
WORN THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND MANY NOVICES FOLLOWED THIS
PRACTICE DUE TO PEER PRESSURE AND CONFORMITY.

Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-20-1984