Are people dressing immodestly during Mass?

[turtle18]

Well, I normally wear a suit and tie to Mass. But this past weekend I wore jeans and a t-shirt.

Why? I was out of town and didn’t pack any of the good cloths. But better to go then skip due to the mistake…

That’s the mindset of so many people…it is better to go than skip. But I tell you 90% of the people dressed inappropriately during Mass are regulars week after week. They are not traveling–they just wear what they want.

And trust me, 90% of women will look in the mirror before they leave the house they are aware of how they look in their outfits. Now maybe they’ve been conditioned to believe that form-fitting clothes or showing off their figure is okay so they don’t think anything about it—but don’t kid yourself–most women know how they look when they go into Mass.

 

[atassina]

Well, I normally wear a suit and tie to Mass. But this past weekend I wore jeans and a t-shirt.

Why? I was out of town and didn’t pack any of the good cloths. But better to go then skip due to the mistake…

I agree. Modesty is the exact focus of this string. I have noticed that people are confusing casual and formal style of clothing. Jeans and dress pants are modest. Pants or dresses above the knee and sleeves above the shoulder are not. Wear pants or dresses below the knee and sleeves over the shoulder. Tops above the breasts (no exposed breasts) and below the waist are modest. This means t-shirts are modest, t-shirts without vulgar sayings or vulgar pictures.

 

[TruthisBeauty7]

If the Church is going to accept Evolution then she should be more understanding of immodest dressing. How else will a female attract a suitable mate? Just like a peacock shows off its wings of feathers so women should show off there bodies… this evolution at work.

 

[CKNICKERBOCKER]

I try to dress modestly, and try to look a little nicer when I lector. What I try to remember about everyone is that it isn’t important what they are weraring on the outside, what is important is the state of their soul on the inside.

I’ve known some people to dress fashionably, but I have no desire to know them because of their attitude or approach.

There is a homeless gentleman who comes in to church in a pretty bad state-but I always try to thank God that he is there and to ask Him to guide this man’s way in life so that he can function normally again some day.

Judge not others lest we be judged.

See through the outside, to care for the inside!

 

[OhMalley]

I am making plans to visit this automotive museum this summer. Their dress code? “No jeans, t-shirts or shorts please.” Those 6 words say volumes about how one should dress for at least THAT venue. I doubt you’ll see any skintight mini-skirts even though they are not expressly prohibited.

 

[jmjconder]

Actually I would like to see my parish adopt the Vatican standard. Men guard the doors of the St. Peter’s (and many other Churches in Rome) and stop all those who are not dressed in an honorable manner for our Lord and have them place a shawl over their shoulders/hips before entering the Church! I have often thought it would be a great idea for the US to follow since I have seen too many people dressed like they were going to the beach and not to visit the King of Kings.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Are you having a problem with people dressing immodestly during Mass and any other liturgical services? I have seen teenage girls come to church in a dress that my mother used to call a nightie. Men and women wearing shorts in church is also immodest-- I think.
What have you seen and experienced?

I agree that there are some terrible Church dressers out there. I’ve seen one girl who came to Church with a halter dress that was WAYYYYY too short! If she bent over, that would have been the end. I’m over the idea that “less is more” in the way of material. I prefer long dresses and jumpers with at least short sleeves. I hate strapless tops, halters and dresses that come above the knee, but that’s me. I’ve always been modest–even prude-ish, and I’m proud of it.

 

[peary]

Are you having a problem with people dressing immodestly during Mass and any other liturgical services? I have seen teenage girls come to church in a dress that my mother used to call a nightie. Men and women wearing shorts in church is also immodest-- I think.
What have you seen and experienced?

**A lot. I have seen tank tops, shorts, short-shorts, flip-flops, even bare-feet. I have seen men come in with white T-shirt underwear or their pants down revealing their buttocks. These people dress like they normally dress, I guess. I don’t know how they dress down at work, but it would be an interesting research. Most pastors say nothing for fear that they won’t come back. I don’t think any pastor wants to think himself responsible for the estrangement any parishoner or person from the Church over a matter of clothing, although I think he could make a good case from the pulpit about modesty without mentioning anyone in particular.

Our Lady of Fatima once said that certain fashions would be introduced in the world which would offend Our Lord very much. **

 

[OhMalley]

The one thing I get darned tried of is the false dichotomy: Either go as I was (dressed inappropriately) or miss Mass. Those aren’t the only opinions. The third was to actually plan and bring a pair of pants and a shirt a long. Traveling? On vacation? Just plan a bit…

 

[OhMalley]

Actually I would like to see my parish adopt the Vatican standard. Men guard the doors of the St. Peter’s (and many other Churches in Rome) and stop all those who are not dressed in an honorable manner for our Lord and have them place a shawl over their shoulders/hips before entering the Church! I have often thought it would be a great idea for the US to follow since I have seen too many people dressed like they were going to the beach and not to visit the King of Kings.

What’s that? That’s the $10.00 question.

 

[AHapka]

The one thing I get darned tried of is the false dichotomy: Either go as I was (dressed inappropriately) or miss Mass. Those aren’t the only opinions. The third was to actually plan and bring a pair of pants and a shirt a long. Traveling? On vacation? Just plan a bit…

I’ve travelled for years to family and friends and have never forgotten to bring proper cloths until the other week.

I am a human being, and I do forget things and make mistakes. It happens, I’m sorry to say.

However, at the time of the Mass occuring the third option is no longer valid (unless the Lord would allow me to bilocate to my closet to get dressed and then come back for Mass).

 

[Sarabande]

I try to dress modestly, and try to look a little nicer when I lector. What I try to remember about everyone is that it isn’t important what they are weraring on the outside, what is important is the state of their soul on the inside.

I’ve known some people to dress fashionably, but I have no desire to know them because of their attitude or approach.

There is a homeless gentleman who comes in to church in a pretty bad state-but I always try to thank God that he is there and to ask Him to guide this man’s way in life so that he can function normally again some day.

Judge not others lest we be judged.

See through the outside, to care for the inside!

I agree with most of what you say, but I was confused about your second statement. Are you saying that you don’t bother with people who dress fashionably because they dress well and you think their attitude reflect their dress or because you know them personally to see that they are superficial and the clothing reflects that? It’s just that I’ve known plenty of “fashionable” people who are very spiritual and good people and have met and known people who dressed like slobs and were total, ignorant jerks. Of course, I’ve experienced the opposite as well, which is why I agree with the majority of your statement. We definitely can’t judge a book by its cover. Thanks!

 

[Sarabande]

Actually I would like to see my parish adopt the Vatican standard. Men guard the doors of the St. Peter’s (and many other Churches in Rome) and stop all those who are not dressed in an honorable manner for our Lord and have them place a shawl over their shoulders/hips before entering the Church! I have often thought it would be a great idea for the US to follow since I have seen too many people dressed like they were going to the beach and not to visit the King of Kings.

I agree. Many of the churches and cathedrals I visited in Italy actually had this kind of policy. It was the middle of summer when I was there, but always brought a sweater with me because of this. At the cathedral in Florence, they actually placed these paper covers over the women AND the men who they deemed were dressed inappropriately.

Even in the classical music world that I work in, whenever we do concerts in church settings, it is common knowledge and respect to always wear gowns that cover the shoulders and most of the arms. It doesn’t matter what faith you are. When you don’t, it is thought of as disrespectful.

 

[Sarabande]

What’s that? That’s the $10.00 question.

I think for those churches in Italy that I visited, they didn’t want people walking around in mid-riff tops, halter tops, tube tops, chests popping out, short-shorts, short skirts that can show the bum, muscle shirts, sleeveless tops, etc. The paper covers they distributed went down low enough to the middle of the thigh at least. It seemed they were most concerned about bare chests, showing cleavage, bare stomachs and sleeveless arms showing.

 

[OhMalley]

I’ve travelled for years to family and friends and have never forgotten to bring proper cloths until the other week.

I am a human being, and I do forget things and make mistakes. It happens, I’m sorry to say.

However, at the time of the Mass occuring the third option is no longer valid (unless the Lord would allow me to bilocate to my closet to get dressed and then come back for Mass).

I don’t think that’s typically the case. We read and hear about it all the time “either I went as I was (dressed inappropriately) or I could not go to Mass” with great frequency. Not as an explanation why they did but as an excuse for why they will.

If someone was traveling and truly forgot to bring some appropriate duds we would very rarely hear the “either I went as I was (dressed inappropriately) or I could not go to Mass” comment.

 

[OhMalley]

I think for those churches in Italy that I visited, they didn’t want people walking around in mid-riff tops, halter tops, tube tops, chests popping out, short-shorts, short skirts that can show the bum, muscle shirts, sleeveless tops, etc. The paper covers they distributed went down low enough to the middle of the thigh at least. It seemed they were most concerned about bare chests, showing cleavage, bare stomachs and sleeveless arms showing.

“No mid-riff tops, halter tops, tube tops, chests popping out, short-shorts, short skirts that can show the bum, muscle shirts, sleeveless tops, etc. allowed.”

 

[OhMalley]

I think if most parishes simply had a sign that read something like:
*
“Please no shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops or other inappropriate clothing inside God’s House. Gentleman please remove your hats.” *

along with extremely tactful, on-going catechesis by the local pastor (including a perpetual note in the bulletin) is all it would really take. It would take some time and effort to re-calibrate people who dress inappropriately for Mass but after awhile an esprit d corps would develop. From there, peer-pressure would take hold…

 

[Sarabande]

I think if most parishes simply had a sign that read something like:
*
“Please no shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops or other inappropriate clothing inside God’s House. Gentleman please remove your hats.” *

along with extremely tactful, on-going catechesis by the local pastor (including a perpetual note in the bulletin) is all it would really take. It would take some time and effort to re-calibrate people who dress inappropriately for Mass but after awhile an esprit d corps would develop. From there, peer-pressure would take hold…

There are some parishes which do this or have it in their bulletins. I think it can work for the most part. Although I know they do this at my grandmother’s parish, but she says that there are people who still dress inappropriately.

I think people have lost the line of what is and is not modest dress. I know many mothers and grandmothers who will say things to their daughters and granddaughters like, “If you got it, flaunt it.” They are teaching their daughters that it is totally ok to dress the way they do. After all, in many circumstances they are the ones who buy these outfits for their daughters. I have also born witness of fathers seeing their daughters dress in a manner they wouldn’t want and would say something, then the mother would get on the father’s case saying that there isn’t anything wrong with it. Then the father retorts, “I was a young man once. I know what those young men will be thinking if they saw her in that. I don’t want my daughter in that outfit.” Then the mother, along with the daughter this time, will still give them a hard time about it and say that it’s the guy’s problem and that there isn’t anything wrong with the outfit.

For me, when I was a teen, I really didn’t know the line too well. It was so blurred because of what I’d see in society and I really didn’t know or understand what turned a male on. What I thought was modest back then, I wouldn’t think was modest now as a young woman today. But, I always took to heart what my father or mother would say - especially my father because he is a man and I knew he was young once. Fortunately, I had parents who taught me, but not everyone does and I saw this particularly when I was teaching. I’d see these young teen girls strolling into mass with mini-skirts that would show the bum if a wind would blow by or if she bent over. They’d be walking right next to their fathers and mothers. It really does start at home, unless the person has someone they look up to.

 

[Kolbelover]

a few years ago, I was having an animated conversation about this very topic and said, “i don’t know what these mothers are thinking…” a dear friend and very holy woman that I know overheard and said to me, “it’s not the mothers… it’s the FATHERS”

she pointed out to me that it is the husband/father’s role to help determine what is modest dress, and that to not do so is to abandon a key element of our roles as spiritual heads of our families…

I am so grateful to her for setting me straight…

 

[atassina]

One of the Fatima statements regards people in hell because of sexual sins. How much sin eventually comes from this immodesty? Is anybody able to give a historical development of this scandal?

Yes, the Fathers are responsible for the purity of their daughters.