Franciscan Cincture (in burlap bag)

The cincture is a sign of chastity, and has been since the Church’s beginning — and before. Old Testament priests wore cinctures, as do consecrated virgins and religious, and their wearing in honor of a particular saint is ancient, first spoken of in the life of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, and carried on by St. Dominic, who wore the cincture in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Certain Confraternities and Archconfraternities (groups of faithful to a religious cause) also wear cinctures as signs of their affiliation and chastity. Franciscans wear a white cincture around the waist called a ‘cintura bianca’ which translated means ‘white rope.’ The three knots represent Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, the three cornerstones of the Franciscan Order. This cincture can be worn unobtrusively inside trousers or under a dress as a private devotion. Rope is about 3/8″ in diameter and made with durable, easy-to-clean synthetic materials. Available in one large size (maximum circumference about 55″) which can be shortened.