Curiously, people rarely dress as stated above when appearing in court before a respected judge or for a job interview.
That is a one time thing and not a weekly regular thing. is it really necessary to wear a suit to mass every week or everyday for those who go to daily mass? I say no. for special occasions as first communion or baptism probably yes.
Many years of travel and experience have shown me this: the poor and homeless, upon entering a church or cathedral, often smooth the wrinkles from their clothing,(the best or the only clothes they have) and enter in awe and awareness of where they are. while some, (not all) who have access to vast wardrobes for their office and for socializing often just “go casual” when dressing for Mass. Yet strangely, they would never think of going to the office or to court, or to a job interview in shorts/sneakers/tank tops/jeans/etc.
I have business attire and would never attend mass in it. I think its inappropriate.
- It’s the intent that counts.* There can sometimes be a reverse snobbery going on when people wearing suits and ties or classic dress lines are called snobbish when all they want to do is respect God and His House of worship.
*Personally, i feel they are showing off. I could just as easily wear it and be a snob. The people who dress down are not the ones complaining on this thread. Rather it is the ones who dress up who are being snobbish and self righteous and conceited about the ones who dress down. They are full of puffery.
*
Side by side in many cathedrals are generous, compassionate people dressed in “classic” styles and those whose best is what is on their backs. Collections are taken for these dear brethren in need of basic necessities. * Soup kitchens and shelters are often backed by people who actually dress their best for Mass and who later put on jeans and t-shirts to volunteer at the same kitchens and shelters*. If all these people can pray together side by side, they can surely be safe from our judgements.
*obviously this thread has proven that the snobs who dress up look down on their poorer or less fashionable neighbors who could also be destitute but you wouldn’t know it and even the destitute they can recognize they stick up their noses at and turn away or feel threatened by their presence at church. *
But we can reason together here: At Mass, In the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Eucharist, anything that we can do not to call undue attention to ourselves either way, seems appropriate and caring.
I agree.
*
Just as we should never judge a poor person wandering into Mass in rags, we should not bow to reverse snobbery and proclaim someone dressed in more classic lines as snobs.*
*What i am saying in this thread is not reverse snobbery. I am addressing the snobs who dare to insult those who dress more casually or less showy than the fashion snobs and modesty snobs who feel it is their personal mission to put themselves up higher than their more genuinely modest parish family. *
Our hearts and eyes should be focusing on Christ’s Presence. *We need to ask ourselves * (not others) “Am I too casual about the meaning of Mass?” or “Is this merely classic or is it excess finery?” And finally, we can all look to" feed the hungry and clothe the naked," to help those with little choices in life not only in clothing but in daily challenges we can hardly imagine.
you won’t find the fashion snobs offering to clothe the naked or feed the hungry. rather they look upon the poor with disdain if this thread is not an indicator to you of their contempt for others then i don’t know what is.
*
If we ask ourselves* “why” we make the choices we have made, then others may not need to. Some may say that “anything goes,” but is that really true? What if several people entered Mass on their way to the beach in their bathing suits, flip flops and scanty coverups? Aren’t they just being “real?” Or is this disrespectful? Should we encourage this?
*if you live near the beach its not disrespectful if you live in the midwest it might be considered inappropriate because that is not the local culture. no beach, no such luck in getting to dress according to the season and occasion which is shorts and sandals.
*
Children are watching, observing. What are we teaching them about respect for the Mass?
*obviously if you are complaining about the way other people are dressing you are not teaching them anything about mass.
*
I have seen some of the poorest immigrant children dressed beautifully for their First Holy Communion, their parents sacrificing everything for that special day, the fathers wearing their best dress shirt, best jeans, and mothers with modest dresses. The latter cannot afford jewels, but these parents have a wonderful sense of awe about this special day and the Presence of Christ in the Mass is their focus.
*if that’s the way they want to dress that is their business. what about the people who are lagging after mass and sit in on their baptism or first communion in casual dress. are you going to turn them out? no. *
These fathers may not own a suit, but they’re wearing their best. Should we judge them for wanting to do that? Are they dressing to impress people? Are they snobs for wearing the very best they have?
sounds like you are reinforcing pride of the snobs.
Kathryn Ann*
From Katherine Anne
