Saint Bonaventure receiving the habit of the Franciscan order of Friars Minor in a Franciscan Clothing Ceremony.
I'm not sure if it's allowed daily or if it's only for meetings and special occasions. It seems rare as most have stopped or disallowed the practice. They were a twelfth-century adaptation of the medieval monastic confraternities.
The habit has two parts: a tunic and a capuche (hood).
The Third Order Secular are married and single individuals following the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi but are without vows, therefore, they do not wear habits. Painting by Francisca de Herrera el Viejo, 16th Century Museum del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
Because we are an Order, the shape of our lives is formed in context of the Order’s Principles and Rule. "They make profession to live out the Gospel life and commit themselves to that living out the Gospel according to the example of Francis."
The Friars Minor Conventual up to the constitutions of 1803 were bound to wear ashen gray, but in1823 black began to prevail.
Now, many of these Third Order groups have an associated secular branch, but generally in my experience, the secular branches may only wear the religious habit when they are in community with the father or mother religious order. Padre Lino Temperini, a spokesman for the Third Order who has written a book on Franciscan garb, is the man responsible for spearheading what he calls the habit "revolution".
On top of the tunic is the capuche that can cover one’s head. If you are Roman Catholic please see the Roman Catholic Secular Franciscans Order at www.nafra-sfo.org.
The only thing Secular Franciscans are called to do, is to not have money as their sole desire. The sisters don’t have the capuche, but simply the mozetta along with the veil, both sky-blue colored. Traditionally, sandals were worn with the habit. When I was in the Third Order Franciscans (from 1979 to 1988) I wore a habit over my secular clothes.
Since the third orders are linked to religious orders, sometimes the members will distinguish themselves from ordinary laypeople by the garb or insignia they wear, or even by the letters after their name, as is common with members of religious orders. But the wearing of the habit was discouraged by the
Secular Franciscans are still part of the secular world and have responsibilities that require them to continue to work and make money. Tertiaries (members of the Third Order) are normally confirmed or received members of the Episcopal Church or churches in communion with the See of Canterbury. Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism all recognize Third Orders. We do not live together in community, wear habits, or follow the rule of literal poverty that Francis chose for himself and his friars minor; that was surely never his intention for secular Franciscans with family and work responsibilities. The term "Third Order" signifies, in general, lay members of religious orders, who do not necessarily live in community and yet can claim to wear the habit and participate in the good works of some great order.