R
rhiannonh
Guest
One dresses how they would do normally? After all what the point of dressing different for church apart from like any other activity you might do. If its wrong for church then its wrong in the rest of your life???
- Status
J
JoArtist
Guest
Well I am a lecturer at my church and the Priest and the lady who sets up the schedule says that when we lector we should be wearing something atleast knee-length, nothing really tight fitting, and a shirt that has no cleavage and covers your shoulders. That should be appropriate Mass attire. Also I like to use boleros, shrugs, blazers, and sweaters to change things up a bit. You don’t have to forget about fashion because you are going to church.
S
sw85
Guest
I don’t think there are hard-and-fast rules re: modesty. Try to cover up tattoos if you can. A good rule of thumb is the “two-finger rule” (the lowest point on the collar must be no more than two index finger lengths from the collarbone – IMO, this is a very liberal standard and should probably be more modest than that) and the “knees covered” rule, i.e., skirt length sufficient to cover at least the knees, even while seated. Overall, though, use judgment and if you’re unsure, ask your priest.
J
JoArtist
Guest
P.S. I have tattoos on my feet that I don’t cover up, but they are of the Chi Ro. My Priest always has me show them to people and he thinks they are cool. lol. I love my Priest, he is a cool cat.
A
Agape11
Guest
My priest is liberal on that kind of thing and he would say jeans are fine.
I had to make my own decision on modesty… and veiling.
S
sw85
Guest
Personally, I tend to think jeans are too informal for mass. But as long as they (a) cover at least the knees (i.e., capris or longer – no jorts), and (b) aren’t skin tight or anything, I don’t see that they would offend against modesty.My priest is liberal on that kind of thing and he would say jeans are fine.
J
James924
Guest
The problem I run into here is the skin-tight qualifier. Even when not “skin tight” a pair of pants almost always leaves nothing of the lower half of the body to the imagination. I’ve never seen a woman in genuinely baggy pants that dont show off the curves of every portion of the lower half… Anyway, if it were up to me and my wife, every church would have a dozen “take, read, and return” copies of Hammond’s “Dressing with dignity” at the entrance.
M
MrsMW
Guest
That book is an anti-slacks book. I know traditionalists always love that book but pants aren’t a sin and Cardinal Siri while being a bishop of the Church was not given the gift of infallability. When the Pope says to stop wearing pants I will.
I like the comment that says If you wouldn’t wear it to a job interview, court etc…
J
James924
Guest
I don’t remember anyone claiming he was infallible. There are many good practical arguments made by her and others against the wearing of slack by women (spec at mass). Infallibility is not required for them to make sense.That book is an anti-slacks book. I know traditionalists always love that book but pants aren’t a sin and Cardinal Siri while being a bishop of the Church was not given the gift of infallability. When the Pope says to stop wearing pants I will.
I like the comment that says If you wouldn’t wear it to a job interview, court etc…
M
MrsMW
Guest
Scottish men wear kilts and no one says they are dressing like women. It just seems like it is an unfair burden that some Catholics place on women. A nice pair of slacks can be just as modest as a dress. If someone wants to dress that way then go right ahead but some of the preaching about skirts only are way over the top.
J
James924
Guest
That’s interesting because I happen to think women wearing slacks at mass, the vast majority being too tight and showing off contours that men’s eyes are subconsciously drawn to (more so than women, scientific fact) is actually an unfair burden that women place on men. Granted, with healthy self control, eyes can be averted and brought back where they belong, but having to do that in and of itself is a distraction that is absolutely unnecessary and unfair. But then again I’m probably just “over the top”.
I know that this is geometrically true in theory, I’ve just never seen it manifest itself in the real world… except perhaps in the air force during morning PT in the winter time, but then again I wouldn’t want women wearing huge, baggy, blue clown pants to mass… The blunt fact is, slacks (almost without exception) show the hind end, and a modest skirt (usually) doesn’t. And to this the standard response is, “well I don’t want to see men’s butts in slacks either!” but this is just a biological non-reality. Women are simply not as easily distracted or drawn to this as men are, this is a burden for men, pure and simple.
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but to insist that women regularly wearing slacks is anything but a manifestation of early 20th century feminist ideologists’ desire to be seen as equal to men (and they weren’t talking equal in dignity and worth before God) inside and out, is a case of denial and an unwillingness (in my humble opinion) to be the nonconformists that Christians are supposed to be, to standup boldly and reject the “over the top” preaching of the world, the flesh , and the devil (not to say pants are from the devil, rather by that phrase I simply mean that this is all the product of the culture and we’re supposed to be able to reject the culture sometimes even when its unpopular or uncomfortable to do so).
Then again, at the end of it all we might find out that you were right and I am wrong, but in the mean time I’m sticking with Padre Pio on this one. (yes, yes, I know, Padre Pio is not infallible, not saying he is.)
Just my thoughts. No offense meant to anyone.
C
chain
Guest
This will inevitably come out wrong - but your brothers in Christ need all the help they can get keeping their minds lifted during mass. Consider modest dress an act of charity towards them.
Many things you where could be perfectly modest, but still may cause others to falter. This time of year, Spring dresses start showing up. Depending on the woman and the dress, it is entirely possible for a member of the weaker sex (men) to easily not pick up on those straps, and only see an unclothed woman from the pew up. Likewise, I see so many heals and knee length dresses (which are meant to accent the shape of the calf…- which don’t do anything to slow a teenaged boy’s imagination.
My step daughter thinks I am nuts. But boys are boys, and it takes so little for their minds to run amuck. I really wish chapel veils were not out of style - but at a minimum I ask her to where a shirt with sleeves, and forbid tights (unless they are under a dress).
Many things you where could be perfectly modest, but still may cause others to falter. This time of year, Spring dresses start showing up. Depending on the woman and the dress, it is entirely possible for a member of the weaker sex (men) to easily not pick up on those straps, and only see an unclothed woman from the pew up. Likewise, I see so many heals and knee length dresses (which are meant to accent the shape of the calf…- which don’t do anything to slow a teenaged boy’s imagination.
My step daughter thinks I am nuts. But boys are boys, and it takes so little for their minds to run amuck. I really wish chapel veils were not out of style - but at a minimum I ask her to where a shirt with sleeves, and forbid tights (unless they are under a dress).
M
MrsMW
Guest
As someone who does dress modestly I can agree that so many show up to Mass without enough clothes on. At some point though men do have to take responsibility for their own wondering eye.
As to not being equal. We are equal just different. I am not sure where you are going with that. I can assure you that many conservative modest women want to wear pants not because some radical feminist said something long ago. Many women wear them because it is more comfortable and/or they are cold.
I’m not asking for women priests or abortion rights. I am not for skin tight or revealing clothes.
As to not being equal. We are equal just different. I am not sure where you are going with that. I can assure you that many conservative modest women want to wear pants not because some radical feminist said something long ago. Many women wear them because it is more comfortable and/or they are cold.
I’m not asking for women priests or abortion rights. I am not for skin tight or revealing clothes.
A
Almagore
Guest
I think you know how to dress from what you say and I commend you for your desire and intention to dress modestly. Someone said to you to wear your Sunday Best as you are in the Presence of God at Mass. I try to look clean and presentable but I love that Catholics usually wear ordinary clothes to Mass. If everyone who came to Mass wore suits or fine dresses, a poor person could easily be inhibited from coming to that Church for Mass. I do not wish to be a stumbling block to anyone so I wear clean, pressed but everyday clothes to Mass.
When we are at Mass we are in the Presence of God in a special way but we are in the Presence of God 24/7! He sees us all the time and it is better that we live our life remembering that than we wear expensive clothes to Mass. I am a sinner and am speaking to myself as well as you. God bless you dear Sister in Christ. God loves you so much and is so happy that you have returned to the Catholic Faith.
A
Agape11
Guest
I’m a woman and I don’t see where its unfair at all. In fact, it makes me feel more feminine to wear a dress or skirt. I used to wear whatever the trend was, including jeans and way too short shorts. I see where it took away from me as a person and I the only men who were attracted to me were undesired because they were only after me for my body. Now, I am happier actually! As for Mass, I used to think jeans or slacks were ok there too but then I realized how disrespectful it really is. Sure, God still loved me but why didn’t I show my love and devotion to him by dressing respectfully? I changed my ways and I’m happy I did!!! Besides, I am a woman, I want to dress like one… I think many people would say that a nice top and skirt is much more prettier than a hoodie and jeans.
L
LittleHannah
Guest
Personally, I dress modestly. I never wear short dresses, skirts, or anything of that nature. In my opinion I think its ridiclous that so many women [and teens and I am one of them] go around just to be noticed for what they’e wearing. The Mass is the same sacrifice as that on Calvary. Would you really be at Calvary with your clothes falling off in fornt of the Crucified Lord. I would think not. In this day and age people need to wake up and realize what the Mass is. Bl. Jacinta of Fatima mentioned that ‘‘Many fashions would be introduced that would offend Our Lord very much’’. Its very clear we’re living in the times she talked about…
A
Agape11
Guest
I’m bringing veiling back in style in my parish! LOL
A
Agape11
Guest
I wear tights or leggins’ under my dress. It keeps me just as warm… if not warmer.
L
LittleHannah
Guest
Speaking of veils, Many women in my Parish wear veils including me lol.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
That quote was made up and attributed to Bl. Jacinta. There is no evidence from the Vatican to its authenticity.
- Status