Are shorts appropriate for mass?

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Not so sure I understand. Are shorts not acceptable because it may be considered immodest to wear shorts or it may be considered sloppy to wear shorts? In the former case, wouldn’t it depend on the legs? I hardly think my legs would be the subject of anyone’s temptations.

Dress codes are subjective. I am new to the Faith. Throughout my life I have always felt VERY uncomfortable when dressed in a manner that others thought of as “dressed up” or “properly” dressed, or “neatly” dressed. To me, the closest I ever come to fulfilling these descriptions are when I am wearing a clean shirt and a non-faded, fairly new pair of jeans. If I am not wearing jeans I (probably a psychological thing) feel quite uncomfortable and not myself.

I find it difficult to dress (even as described above) for church. Weekends are my time to change oil, paint the house, take a trip to the dump, clean the boat, work in the yard, fix my daughters cars, fix my car etc. I find when I wake up, if I were to put on something “neat”, I’d find my self changing clothes multiple times throughout the day. Or, as I so often do, ruin the clothes I have on because I have too little time to change into work clothes. So Sunday mornings, if possible, depending on what I am doing and where I am going after Mass, I try to split the difference somehow. I’d never go to Church dirty unless there were no other choice. But I do find it easier to put on a relatively clean pair clean of jeans and a shirt that I will not feel to badly if I were to ruin later on, depending on what chore I was about to do. Of course if I were to be laying under a car then changing clothes would be my only choice. In a case such as that I’d be dressed at my best for Mass (since I had to change anyway).

Does this really matter? If a person is a jeans and flannel shirt person isn’t it okay to go to Mass as himself? I’ve never understood this idea of clothes being of varying degrees of dress. To this day I never understood the concept of a shirt and tie, looking good. A shirt and tie, look uncomfortable. A shirt and tie and a sportjacket, (to this day, as I did when a kid) I think of some sort of punishment. :eek:

My basic rule of thumb is, if it is not dirty, does not have large holes, and most importantly does not have an offensive odor, it is okay.

On the other hand, if we are talking about lack of modesty, then I think that is definatley inappropriate for Mass. I for one, sure do not need the distraction. There is enough distraction out on the streets.
 
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Mijoy2:
Not so sure I understand. Are shorts not acceptable because it may be considered immodest to wear shorts or it may be considered sloppy to wear shorts? In the former case, wouldn’t it depend on the legs? I hardly think my legs would be the subject of anyone’s temptations.

Dress codes are subjective. I am new to the Faith. Throughout my life I have always felt VERY uncomfortable when dressed in a manner that others thought of as “dressed up” or “properly” dressed, or “neatly” dressed. To me, the closest I ever come to fulfilling these descriptions are when I am wearing a clean shirt and a non-faded, fairly new pair of jeans. If I am not wearing jeans I (probably a psychological thing) feel quite uncomfortable and not myself.

I find it difficult to dress (even as described above) for church. Weekends are my time to change oil, paint the house, take a trip to the dump, clean the boat, work in the yard, fix my daughters cars, fix my car etc. I find when I wake up, if I were to put on something “neat”, I’d find my self changing clothes multiple times throughout the day. Or, as I so often do, ruin the clothes I have on because I have too little time to change into work clothes. So Sunday mornings, if possible, depending on what I am doing and where I am going after Mass, I try to split the difference somehow. I’d never go to Church dirty unless there were no other choice. But I do find it easier to put on a relatively clean pair clean of jeans and a shirt that I will not feel to badly if I were to ruin later on, depending on what chore I was about to do. Of course if I were to be laying under a car then changing clothes would be my only choice. In a case such as that I’d be dressed at my best for Mass (since I had to change anyway).

Does this really matter? If a person is a jeans and flannel shirt person isn’t it okay to go to Mass as himself? I’ve never understood this idea of clothes being of varying degrees of dress. To this day I never understood the concept of a shirt and tie, looking good. A shirt and tie, look uncomfortable. A shirt and tie and a sportjacket, (to this day, as I did when a kid) I think of some sort of punishment. :eek:

My basic rule of thumb is, if it is not dirty, does not have large holes, and most importantly does not have an offensive odor, it is okay.

On the other hand, if we are talking about lack of modesty, then I think that is definatley inappropriate for Mass. I for one, sure do not need the distraction. There is enough distraction out on the streets.
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If Pope John Paul the II paid a visit to a local upscale restaurant and everyone dressed with a suit and tie, what would you wear?

If you went to the house of Jesus and Jesus was really there along with the choirs of angels and saints, all of the glorified and brilliant in glory, what would you wear?

I understand if someone cannot afford any nice clothes. It’s just that you should wear your nicest and be the most clean when you attend mass. Sometimes it is about modesty. Other times it is about respect - respect for yourself and respect for God. Most importantly, as an adult, because you took the time to look respectful, kids will know that you take God and your faith seriously. If for no other reason, it is worth it for the children.
 
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Brad:
I understand if someone cannot afford any nice clothes. It’s just that you should wear your nicest and be the most clean when you attend mass. Sometimes it is about modesty. Other times it is about respect - respect for yourself and respect for God. Most importantly, as an adult, because you took the time to look respectful, kids will know that you take God and your faith seriously. If for no other reason, it is worth it for the children.
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Well said.:clapping:
 
I think it depends on the situation. Under most circumstances, put something decent on, it’s only for an hour.

There are exceptions however. An example: It seems that most women in my family end up being 8-9 months pregnant at the end of July through the entirety of August. They wear shorts, and I think God understands that.
 
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Brad:
If Pope John Paul the II paid a visit to a local upscale restaurant and everyone dressed with a suit and tie, what would you wear?

If you went to the house of Jesus and Jesus was really there along with the choirs of angels and saints, all of the glorified and brilliant in glory, what would you wear?

I understand if someone cannot afford any nice clothes. It’s just that you should wear your nicest and be the most clean when you attend mass. Sometimes it is about modesty. Other times it is about respect - respect for yourself and respect for God. Most importantly, as an adult, because you took the time to look respectful, kids will know that you take God and your faith seriously. If for no other reason, it is worth it for the children.
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I knew after sending this I’d get flammed for it. It’s not a matter of respect. I understand you point. And I don’t expect you to understand mine however, it is more of deep routed (47+ year) concept of not necassarily agreeing with the popular viewpoint of what is well dressed (as I said I don’t expect you to understand). I can afford such clothes yet I don’t own them. When a wedding or a funeral happens to come up I find myself ina predicament because the (usually one) suit I have no longer fits.

I’ve lived my life this way. As I said in the previous post I have just come back to my Faith after a 35 year absence. I’ve, throughout my life avoided any function that required me to dress in a manner of which I felt uncomfortable.

To answer you honeslty, Yes, I suppose I would dress (as you deem appropriate) if I were to see the Pope. However, if the Pope were to know me personally, He likely lok at me and laugh and say, Mike you look soooo uncomfortable and NOT yourself.

Not a very important subject, I know. I think it is just that people come from differing backgrounds and maybe we shouldn’t judge to harshly. When we see someone dressed in a manner we may deem disrespectable (is that a word?), it may be more that the individual never grew accustomed to dress any other way.
 
If they are tasteful, modest, and it is BLAZING HOT… who cares!!
Good grief, they are just legs for crying in the night. The Lord knows what I look like in shorts, AND LESS!

This is purely a cultural issue - Frankly I have a much bigger problem with people who just dress slobby and people who dress TO IMPRESS others. Oh yeah, and the perfume and cologne people.
 
I actually have asked my priest this very question as I stated several months ago and he said for him he just wants people to come to church as not enough people are coming and as far as what you wear he said that is between us and God. Now, I know there are those who will say (and my priest said no way etc.) ok, like I said, thats why I’m real glad I’m from where I’m from as this is very accepted and very much the norm, maybe for you or whoever else, this is not how it is in your church, whatever, but don’t tell me what God will or will not frown upon, that is so wrong, like, you know him now so much better than me and anyone else and you’ll be right there at the gates of heaven helping him judge who will and will not be coming in ?? I think that there are far, far, far more important issues right now that what you think is right for me or anyone else to wear to church.
As for me and my house we will serve the Lord and as for what someone else may or may not think I should wear to church, I’m going to pray that they maybe focus more on their own lives and troubles than on what I’m wearing.
 
work(name removed by moderator)rogress8:
I generally always wear tasteful capris and a nice top to church, but lately it’s just been really hot, and capris have been unbearable. My question is, are shorts appropriate for mass, when these circumstances present themselves?

I’d really appreciate your opinions.
Thanks!
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I live in Florida. What do you think my answer would be???:whistle:
 
My feeling is wear what you want as long as it is tasteful. The problem is not all cultures dress alike so do we impose what we believe is okay to wear based on our American culture? Who gets to decide? Should I dress like the Apostles did in the first century? If you are so distracted by my shorts then perhaps your ability to focus on the Mass is not very good. Does what anyone wear detract from what the Mass accomplishes? Next someone may say that people with red hair are to distracting, so where will it end? I wear shorts everyday rain or shine, cold or hot, so I’m very uncomfortable wearing long pants. I left a Protestant denomination because one person thought all the men should dress more like him and he was a geek.
sdecasas
 
When our priest first came to the parish, he put up signs, inside and out with the dress code for the Church.

No Shorts
No Tank Tops
No Strapless tops or spaghetti Straps
No skin tight clothing

We live in a summer resort area, and those things are like a uniform in the summer around here! One Sunday, I was outside of the church when a group of young adults came up the steps. They stopped and read the sign (they were all dressed in shorts). They were obviously toruists - who came to mass on Vacation. They looked at me and said “can we go in” - I told them that they were welcome to go in!

The signs have since come down, but, the dress code reminder for members is in the bulliten every week and Fr. makes it a regular announcment.

My son would wear a dress before he would wear shorts to mass. He does wear jeans and T-s to youth mass…

Kage
 
As I stated, every parish across America is different, what works for one does not for another, in my parish during summer months shorts are very much the norm and even on Sunday mass through out the year I still see those who always wear jeans, of course there are the people who wear pants and dresses, we are a huge farming community and a huge amount of our population is farmers and they are coming to church in jeans and nice shirts because they have basically had about 5 minutes from getting finished with morning chores, to shower, dress and run out the door and make it to mass several minutes behind but at the same time the parish I’m a member of is for me just awesome, I have met some of the most God loving people who would give you the shirt off their back, when there is a need in our parish it is always met, we care for each and every person, we know everyone by first name, we are family, so for me this is so silly, Church is so much more than what we wear, its family, its coming together to worship God not coming together to pass judgement, you have to really stop and ask yourself why you feel the need to harp on someone for what they wear, why not just dress the way you think you should dress and leave everyone else alone? What type of Christians have we become when we feel so above others that we make statements that this is certainly how God would want someone to dress for mass etc. etc. because when you make that statement you probably have many more ideals that you also think people should live by, we need to love our neighbor as ourself but at the same time mind our own business, to me, its like a slap on the face when someone states that someone is not dressing correctly for mass, its very rude and I would never even have the nerve to make such a statement to anyone, the only person who is perfect is God, this whole topic is a non issue and instead of uniting Catholics it pits them against one another, stop and think, it really does.
 
I usually wear work clothes to Mass because that’s all I have time to wear, but I really don’t see much wrong with wearing shorts if that’s the norm for wear you live. I did recently wear shorts to Mass in Bangkok simply because I only packed shorts, and the Church was barely airconditioned.

So long as it isn’t done as some kind of rebellion against the Church, or as a sign of disrespect, I really don’t have a problem with nearly any kind of clothing at Mass. Same goes for things like tattoos and piercings. I don’t have piercings, but I would be very annoyed if I were asked to cover the Armenian Cross that comes up above my collar on the back of my neck in my regular Church. Of course I do recognize that different areas have different norms of respect, and I would do my best to honor them when celebrating in those places.
 
Not for adults. For young children, okay. I particularly don’t care for eucharist ministers wearing shorts. II think the EMs could at least wear something a little nicer at those times – even at the teen mass! I also don’t like some of the T-shirts. I’m not some old senior citizen, either – I grew up duinrg Vatican 2. I just think we should all make ourselves look as nice as we can in the presence of Christ.
 
I personally always try to wear “church clothes” to church. Something modest, neat, and not flamboyant or attention getting. I do think that what you wear not only puts you in a certain state of mind but also makes a huge difference in how people react to you.

I think if you dress like you respect yourself and your fellow parishoners and the priest and most of all God, then the reaction is more positive. As to what other people wear, while I don’t care for the belly shirts or short skirts on (hopefully!!!) young girls, I figure it’s between them, their parents and God. But again they can’t expect a respectful response if they dress like slobs.

Coming from a Protestant background, one thing I really dislike is casual attire on the part of the minister and other church officials. At our Easter Service the choir director had his back turned to the pews and he had a HOLE IN HIS JEANS. Let’s just say it was hard to concentrate on the music.

Lisa N
 
Shorts are fine, if appropriate in the time and place in general, for God is not a respecter of persons, and considering St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

What -is- inappropriate, and possibly at least as common as shorts, is a lack of reverence for the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the form of the bread and wine.
 
only if you are child 5 or younger. where is Cest when you need him, why is there not fatwa declared against those who dress inappropriately for the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb
 
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puzzleannie:
only if you are child 5 or younger. where is Cest when you need him, why is there not fatwa declared against those who dress inappropriately for the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb
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:yawn: :rolleyes:
 
I agree with Flounder, when attending Mass, always concider who we are coming before. If invited to the White House, or to dine with the Queen of England, would you wear shorts? No matter how hot it is, that makes it a perfect time to sacrifice. I recall the Baptists and other denominations in the south who dress to the 9’s when going to church and the heat there is unbearable.
 
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