Attire for Vigil Mass

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If you saw the kind of clothes some people come to Mass in, you would understand why I said to ask someone in the parish office.

Khaki shorts (or any shorts) and a tee shirt would not be appropriate at our parish. Business casual would be appropriate. Long khaki pants and a collared shirt with leather dress shoes and socks that match the trousers.
 
So what is going to happen at your parish if someone shows up wearing the “unofficial” attire for your parish?
Will they be escorted out? Refused communion? Shunned?

No, none of those things. What you are saying is that people at your parish tend to dress a certain way. And if you don’t, you will be noticed. Not a big deal.
 
Dress at my last parish became so casual, particularly during the summer months, that the pastor had to comment after the homily, and make recommendations…nobody was ever physically thrown out, but some of the female attire was - er - distracting…
When I was growing up [during the 50’s and early 60’s], the ‘rule’ was that you wore what you would wear to the fanciest restaurant in the area…after all, the Eucharist is a banquet…
 
Shorts are fairly common in some of the south due to the high summer temperatures. In fact, I recall a mass I attended while on a trip… it was in a small place called Demopolis, AL. The deacon was wearing shorts during the mass. 😎
 
As a parish priest once told me: John the Baptist wore camel hair and ate bugs, so…wear whatever. Like I’ve said here, I wouldn’t wear Beavis and Butthead tshirts like I used to, so if the T-shirt isn’t offensive go for it. If you want to keep a polo or sweater in your car and throw it over, that’d be ideal.
 
There were two famous Appalachian folk artist brothers (works in the Smithsonian/BBC did a special on them) from Lewis County, KY (very much mission country - less than 100 Catholics on the entire county) who to joined the Catholic Church because it was the only Church that didn’t have a problem with them coming to church in their overalls.
 
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Someone needs to tell the Holy Father there are no dress codes for churches!

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I don’t think anyone here was implying that anything goes. No one said bathing suits are fine. If you recall, the OP asked about khakis and a tee shirt. Ok with the Vatican chart, btw.
 
Actually, @Irishmom2, people have been escorted out of our parish for dressing inappropriately.

When that happens, Father not only makes an announcement about proper Church attire, there is also a friendly reminder in the Bulletin for at least a month after.
 
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I find this quite sad. What if someone is driving by and they feel an urge to attend, but they’re wearing casual clothing? What if someone who is down on their luck wants to come in and pray but he doesn’t have socks to match his trousers? They’ll be escorted out? Stopped at the door? What do you think the chances are that they’ll ever set foot in a Catholic parish again?

Rules are great, but so is reason.
 
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That’s just crazy then.

I wonder how that happens. Do the ushers take it upon themselves to throw someone out and then report to the priest? Does the priest announce from the altar to “throw that man in the third row out, the one wearing a tee shirt…”
 
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If someone has 1920s swimwear laying around they should be allowed in just based on principal.
 
The criteria under which someone is to be thrown out of the church was established long ago.
 
lilypadrees said:
The criteria under which someone is to be thrown out of the church was established long ago.
Click to expand...
By whom? And who approved it? What are the criteria that would get someone tossed out of your church? Are they well publicized so that someone doesn’t accidentally wander in on a Sunday thinking they’re going to a welcoming parish?
 
Unfortunately it happens in some parishes. I remember being an altar boy, one time I showed up for my duties and the priest of that parish, looking at my old ragged shoes, said to the head altar server, escort this boy out he is not serving like this. I should have explained that these are my regular shoes my family is poor but I was too ashamed to speak. And I was only 12.
 
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