- Nov 26, 2007
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שלום, Ειρήνη, Pax!
When I was still a Dominican Friar in the Studium, I recall an amusing conversation while one of my fellow friars ("brother barber") was cutting my hair. I was new to the Priory, and he said that – basically – any hair-style (unless completely, obviously ridiculous) was permitted for us. One exception was made very clear however: a Roman tonsure. He even joked that many of the brothers would get a tonsure in the barber's chair, just to see how it looked, then shaved it off.
Naturally, this made sense because we're only about 50 years out from a time when the tonsure, which began as an ascetic practice rooted in Second Temple Judaism (the Nazarite Vow, Numbers 6:18) & the example of St. Paul, who made one (Acts 18:18), was abolished in the restorative, post-conciliar reforms by St. Paul VI. Historically, as time passed, this simple practice of asceticism, which was even part of the baptismal rites, became thought of as an Apostolic institution, and was made a necessity in both monastic (and, later, other consecrated life-types) profession, and entrance into what became called the "clerical state" in canon law. The document Ministeria Quaedam ("Certain Ministries", A.D. 1972) did away with tonsure primarily because it was so tied to the clerical state canonically. The goal wasn't so much the ending of tonsure as it was to distinguish lower orders of ministry (then reduced to Lector & Acolyte/Subdeacon – now, including Catechist – in the Latin Church) as lay in nature. Conversely, only ordination to the Apostolic ministries of Deacon, Presbyter/Priest, and Bishop would be considered "clerical." This, in many ways, helped clarify an area of confusion, as well as stress the newly reaffirmed sacramental nature of the Apostolic Holy Orders (cf. Lumen Gentium, Ch. III).
Anyhow, there were three major types of tonsure; only two of which remain to this day. The first is the "Oriental" tonsure, which owes itself to the Nazarite practice & St. Paul: total shaving of one's head. This is primarily still practiced in the Eastern Catholic Churches, to varying degrees & methods. Then there was apparently a "Celtic" tonsure; the exact nature of which is not clear. It likely derived from the Druid tonsure, but it was used by Christian monks especially. It was supplanted by the "Roman" tonsure. The last is very noticeable because it creates a "crown" of hair, and it resembles the Apostle St. Peter's balding head in some iconography. Many Roman Catholics are at least familiar with the look. Since A.D. 1972, the Latin Church no longer confers tonsure, excepting (at the moment) certain religious orders who maintain it as a custom. The Eastern Catholic Churches maintain it in accord with their various traditions, as per Vatican II's Decree, Orientalium Ecclesiarum – which itself follows previous Papal practice.
Yet, there seems to be a rising resurgence of the original purpose of tonsure: that of devotion & asceticism. The point of tonsure in ancient times was to, frankly, disfigure the hair of one seeking to live the Christian life. In other words, it was an attack on the vanity of the prevailing culture (then and now, really) in which the styling of hair was important. Among some modern Roman Catholics, I've noticed various tonsure-like cutting of the hair; up to and including the Roman style (although I have only seen that as a devotional practice among Benedictine monks). Indeed, I myself observe it out of my own deeply held sense of vocation & delight in being an instituted Lector. I do so according to the late, devolved practice of the 20th century: that is, simply by having my barber shave completely to the scalp a round, quarter-sized area in the back of my skull. Ironically, this degraded type of "tiny tonsure" in the West was a major reason it was abolished among secular clergy even.
All that said, it's an interesting concept and even more fascinating that it's being revived privately; especially among millennials like myself and those generations of young Catholics coming up after us. Moreover, I see it increasingly in monastic communities (especially Benedictines). And this not as part of the profession rite (as far as I know in most communities now), but rather as a devotional practice. I have also encountered Byzantine Catholics and other Eastern Catholics, mostly laymen, who shave their heads for devotional reasons. It's also interesting to note that the basics of Nazarite Vow is still possible for any Christian to do – albeit without the Temple rites, for obvious reasons. Hence, some Hebrew Catholics will take the basic Nazarite Vow to shave their heads, to abstain from wine or any fermented drink (nor even to drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins, not even the seeds or skins), and to not to cut his hair for the length of the vow (it is temporary). Lastly, to not to go near a dead body nor touch one. Moreover, there are some interesting canons from the Early Church & late Patristic period that seem to incorporate some of these ideas. For example, an ordained Lector/Reader (and probably higher up the ladder) was not to be involved in any shedding of blood; not even butchering to prepare food and much less serving militarily. The warrior monks of the Crusades sort of blew that one out of the water, lol.
One of the things that millennials and many other younger generations want is authenticity & identity. We grew up in a world where both of those were and are in scant supply; often even in the Church, at times. Hence, the revival of many practices voluntarily reflects a desire for both these things – not to mention the longing to be closer to God in a world that only offers continuous emptiness. Fasting, asceticism in general, novenas, better liturgy, use of the Divine Office, devotional cutting of hair...all of these are manifestations of this, I contend.
So what do y'all think? Is this a good thing; a trend in a better direction? Or is it out of place, or otherwise not to be encouraged? After all, as I said, it was not long ago that tonsure had a very specific meaning in the Church...and still does in some places. What think ye?
When I was still a Dominican Friar in the Studium, I recall an amusing conversation while one of my fellow friars ("brother barber") was cutting my hair. I was new to the Priory, and he said that – basically – any hair-style (unless completely, obviously ridiculous) was permitted for us. One exception was made very clear however: a Roman tonsure. He even joked that many of the brothers would get a tonsure in the barber's chair, just to see how it looked, then shaved it off.
Naturally, this made sense because we're only about 50 years out from a time when the tonsure, which began as an ascetic practice rooted in Second Temple Judaism (the Nazarite Vow, Numbers 6:18) & the example of St. Paul, who made one (Acts 18:18), was abolished in the restorative, post-conciliar reforms by St. Paul VI. Historically, as time passed, this simple practice of asceticism, which was even part of the baptismal rites, became thought of as an Apostolic institution, and was made a necessity in both monastic (and, later, other consecrated life-types) profession, and entrance into what became called the "clerical state" in canon law. The document Ministeria Quaedam ("Certain Ministries", A.D. 1972) did away with tonsure primarily because it was so tied to the clerical state canonically. The goal wasn't so much the ending of tonsure as it was to distinguish lower orders of ministry (then reduced to Lector & Acolyte/Subdeacon – now, including Catechist – in the Latin Church) as lay in nature. Conversely, only ordination to the Apostolic ministries of Deacon, Presbyter/Priest, and Bishop would be considered "clerical." This, in many ways, helped clarify an area of confusion, as well as stress the newly reaffirmed sacramental nature of the Apostolic Holy Orders (cf. Lumen Gentium, Ch. III).
Anyhow, there were three major types of tonsure; only two of which remain to this day. The first is the "Oriental" tonsure, which owes itself to the Nazarite practice & St. Paul: total shaving of one's head. This is primarily still practiced in the Eastern Catholic Churches, to varying degrees & methods. Then there was apparently a "Celtic" tonsure; the exact nature of which is not clear. It likely derived from the Druid tonsure, but it was used by Christian monks especially. It was supplanted by the "Roman" tonsure. The last is very noticeable because it creates a "crown" of hair, and it resembles the Apostle St. Peter's balding head in some iconography. Many Roman Catholics are at least familiar with the look. Since A.D. 1972, the Latin Church no longer confers tonsure, excepting (at the moment) certain religious orders who maintain it as a custom. The Eastern Catholic Churches maintain it in accord with their various traditions, as per Vatican II's Decree, Orientalium Ecclesiarum – which itself follows previous Papal practice.
Yet, there seems to be a rising resurgence of the original purpose of tonsure: that of devotion & asceticism. The point of tonsure in ancient times was to, frankly, disfigure the hair of one seeking to live the Christian life. In other words, it was an attack on the vanity of the prevailing culture (then and now, really) in which the styling of hair was important. Among some modern Roman Catholics, I've noticed various tonsure-like cutting of the hair; up to and including the Roman style (although I have only seen that as a devotional practice among Benedictine monks). Indeed, I myself observe it out of my own deeply held sense of vocation & delight in being an instituted Lector. I do so according to the late, devolved practice of the 20th century: that is, simply by having my barber shave completely to the scalp a round, quarter-sized area in the back of my skull. Ironically, this degraded type of "tiny tonsure" in the West was a major reason it was abolished among secular clergy even.
All that said, it's an interesting concept and even more fascinating that it's being revived privately; especially among millennials like myself and those generations of young Catholics coming up after us. Moreover, I see it increasingly in monastic communities (especially Benedictines). And this not as part of the profession rite (as far as I know in most communities now), but rather as a devotional practice. I have also encountered Byzantine Catholics and other Eastern Catholics, mostly laymen, who shave their heads for devotional reasons. It's also interesting to note that the basics of Nazarite Vow is still possible for any Christian to do – albeit without the Temple rites, for obvious reasons. Hence, some Hebrew Catholics will take the basic Nazarite Vow to shave their heads, to abstain from wine or any fermented drink (nor even to drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins, not even the seeds or skins), and to not to cut his hair for the length of the vow (it is temporary). Lastly, to not to go near a dead body nor touch one. Moreover, there are some interesting canons from the Early Church & late Patristic period that seem to incorporate some of these ideas. For example, an ordained Lector/Reader (and probably higher up the ladder) was not to be involved in any shedding of blood; not even butchering to prepare food and much less serving militarily. The warrior monks of the Crusades sort of blew that one out of the water, lol.
One of the things that millennials and many other younger generations want is authenticity & identity. We grew up in a world where both of those were and are in scant supply; often even in the Church, at times. Hence, the revival of many practices voluntarily reflects a desire for both these things – not to mention the longing to be closer to God in a world that only offers continuous emptiness. Fasting, asceticism in general, novenas, better liturgy, use of the Divine Office, devotional cutting of hair...all of these are manifestations of this, I contend.
So what do y'all think? Is this a good thing; a trend in a better direction? Or is it out of place, or otherwise not to be encouraged? After all, as I said, it was not long ago that tonsure had a very specific meaning in the Church...and still does in some places. What think ye?
