Catholic church lays down dress code

[john1863]

I do not think it unreasonable to ask people to dress appropriately for Mass.

And that would be? Sack cloth and ashes? Hats on women, no short sleeves, ties…What about Catholics who are on vacation and do not have the capability to carry that suit?

Thankfully, I one of those who believes that Jesus doesn’t care how we appear…only that we appear.

John

 

[ellammcg]

I have to get into this conversation again. My clothing is clean and modest.
I think all of you are entitled to your opinions about what is and what isn’t appropriate dress for Mass. I just please hope and pray that if you ever see a person walk into the church wearing sweat clothes or jeans and teeshirts or whatever that you extend some mercy toward them in your heart. You really don’t have any idea of what their circumstances are.

After being stationed in Southern California, I can honestly say I am no longer greatly concerned about attire that is casual. (I do think if one has the money to dress a little nicely, one should in honor and respect for the Lord). Immodesty was such a terrible problem out there, it really overrode everything else.

 

[LilyM]

After being stationed in Southern California, I can honestly say I am no longer greatly concerned about attire that is casual. (I do think if one has the money to dress a little nicely, one should in honor and respect for the Lord). Immodesty was such a terrible problem out there, it really overrode everything else.

Amen!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - God sees us in the nude, people. Modesty matters, sure, so we should wear nothing skintight or too high or low cut or with Satanic messages written on them or anything. For that matter we shouldn’t wear such clothing ANYWHERE, so the mere fact that it’s church doesn’t change a thing in that regard.

Apart from that, some of us do dress up for people - Pope or President or what have you. Not because we value them more than God, but as a concession to their human weaknesses and the fact that they, as flawed human beings, will judge us based on appearances.

God does not, and I think it’s an insult to Him to suggest that a suit v a pair of jeans could change His mind about us in the slightest, He knows us too well for that - unlike the Pope or Prez.

If any of the good folk around me are scandalised by the fact that I wear jeans then that’s on them. Some are scandalised by women who wear makeup or people who drink alcohol, and if I remember rightly they were also scandalised when Jesus drank and dined with sinners. Didn’t stop Him

 

[FreeAmerican]

Years ago when attending mass, people had to dress formally when attending, It was the thing to do. When the 60s and 70s came through, The formal look pretty much died out. There are some Traditional catholic that stil do the latin mass before Vatican II and they require the formal dress code. but the catholic churches after Vatican Ii (The new order) don’t have any kind of dress code but I won’t be surprised it there is a voluntary dress code in the fuure.

 

[Traditional_Ang]

Should there be a dress code? My first thought is yes, who wouldn’t want to dress their best for God?

But then I think about the times that I went to Mass, not dressed my best. Just this last Sunday, I spent the morning and afternoon at the hospital with my husband. We got up threw on clothes and ran out the door to the ER. I was in Capri’s and a t-shirt. We have a 5:00pm Mass. Should I have not gone? (What I ended up doing, was rushing home, showering, dressing and rushing in for Mass. But it would have been nice to know, no one would have been giving me dirty looks because of my casual attire.)

What about my husband? He isn’t Catholic. He is atheist. He does not normally attend Mass with me. But there are times that he is there. Weddings and such he is already dressing up, but what about the times he is going because he is taking me? Should he sit outside because he doesn’t have a suit and tie on? Should I tell him he needs a suit and tie? I am praying for his conversion. Making him sit in the car seems a little counterproductive.

So, I think a note in the bulletin and maybe something posted on the doors about modesty but I think I would draw the line at a “dress code.”

Mary:

I normally go to Divine Liturgy wearing a suit and tie, or at least a shirt and tie - That’s a personal choice, a way of showing reverence for our Lord.

That’s NOT what the article was about, and no one would demand that your husband, an unbeliever, dress as I do. We would all rather that he accompany you to the Liturgy and hear the Word of God, and so would the Incarnate Word of God who died to save his soul. I can’t see anyone complaining so long as he’s dressed as the rest of the men are.

What the article was about, and what I think is appropriate, is to ask that those who claim to believe in the Lord act as if they do and dress modestly out of Holy Fear and awe for the Son of God who is present at the Divine Liturgy at the alter under the guise of bread and wine. This is esp. true of women who call attention to themselves with extremely immodest dress and men who come dressed worse than plumbers. I don’t think this sounds like you or your husband.

Now, It sounds as if you might have a special case, because you were spending Sunday at the hospital. Have you thought of - 1) Going to the Saturday Vigil or attending Mass on the way to the hospital? 2) Having something just a little bit nicer than Capri pants and a T-Shirt (say Slacks and a blouse?) available for these quick “presto change-o’s”?

The first allows more time at the hospital, and the second shouldn’t take any more time than what you’re already doing and sets you up for going out to dinner after the Divine Liturgy (something you might want to do after a stressful day at the hospital).

I hope this helps.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[Traditional_Ang]

And that would be? Sack cloth and ashes? Hats on women, no short sleeves, ties…What about Catholics who are on vacation and do not have the capability to carry that suit?

Thankfully, I one of those who believes that Jesus doesn’t care how we appear…only that we appear.

John

John:

Your attending the Wedding Feast of the King’s Son, and the King just happens to be the Creator of the Universe, while His Son happens to be the ONE who redeemed you from sure and certain death. That’s a LOT more important than any earthly President or any earthly King or Queen? And, We all know the Dress Code for dining with earthly rulers…

Since that’s what you’re attending, and who we’re dining with, what do you think would be appropriate? Maybe, you can’t pack a suit, but would you pack a pair of dress slacks, dress shirt and a tie if you knew you were going to be asked to attend a wedding? Or, Do you think you’d at least pack a nice pair of slacks and a nice shirt?

The Divine Liturgy is the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and where Heaven meets earth, and the best we can do is…? Are you sure that God agree with you about not caring how you appear? D you remember the Parable of the Wedding Feast and the poor guy who showed up NOT wearing a Wedding Garment (Matt 22:1-14)?

I just think we need to remember who it is “that’s coming to dinner” when we attend Mass and to dress and act accordingly - I know there are extenuating circumstances, but I don’t think we should use these as justification for sloppy or immodest dress.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[ellammcg]

It helps my (and my families) discipline and focus to get dressed up for Sunday service. It reminds us that we are seeing someone special and important. I know those of us who do dress up a bit (suits-boys, nice dresses-girls) encourage our pastor. We have always dressed up before Sunday church so my children expect to do so (and 2 of them are teenage boys). If I stop by a midweek mass, I am more casual (khaki skirt/polo shirt or blouse).

I consciously ignore what others are wearing (if possible) because I have a bad habit of focusing on that sort of thing.

 

[Fitswimmer]

If Jesus came RIGHT NOW, and stood in front of you-would you really be thinking about what you were wearing? Sorry, but I really wouldn’t-unless maybe He showed up while I was in the shower. I’d be so excited and full of wonder that my clothing would be the LAST thing on my mind. If He showed up at the office or at Yankee Stadium, not only would I not care what I had on, what other people were were wearing would be even further from my mind.

Isn’t that what we are really doing at Mass? Aren’t we going to Mass to experience the presence of Jesus in a way that we don’t during the week? Shouldn’t our minds and hearts be so consumed with the experience of uniting with Him in the Eucharist that everything else just falls away?

I’ve been really trying hard to concentrate on that uniting with Jesus when I attend Mass lately and I’ve noticed that I don’t care as much about what kind of music we’re singing, how much the other parishioners are chatting before/after Mass, what the teenage girls are wearing, and the other issues that used to bother me.

If someone is improperly dressed, Father will likely take them aside and say something to them if he feels it’s necessary.

 

[redrosetea]

If Jesus cam and I was dressed like a hooker, I would be very concerned and ashamed

 

[buffalo]

I wasn’t, thanks for your concern.

Remember, Jesus wore sandals.

Jesus came down to meet us, so He dressed that way. We are going to meet the King, we should dress like we really are.

 

[Nohome]

It helps my (and my families) discipline and focus to get dressed up for Sunday service. It reminds us that we are seeing someone special and important. I know those of us who do dress up a bit (suits-boys, nice dresses-girls) encourage our pastor. We have always dressed up before Sunday church so my children expect to do so (and 2 of them are teenage boys). If I stop by a midweek mass, I am more casual (khaki skirt/polo shirt or blouse).

I consciously ignore what others are wearing (if possible) because I have a bad habit of focusing on that sort of thing.

I am pleased that you, as a family choose to dress nice for church AND that you ignore what others wear.

I know a man who works seven days a week to keep his family fed. When his shift allows, he attends Mass either on the way to or back from work. As a factory worker, he wears boots, jeans and a T-shirt. The small sum he places in the collection is hard earned. I like to think he is welcome there.

Nohome

 

[Fitswimmer]

If Jesus cam and I was dressed like a hooker, I would be very concerned and ashamed

Then I can assume you don’t dress like that on a regular basis. Although based on the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well, if He did meet someone who was dressed in that way, or who actually was a hooker-He would likely be more concerned with the state of her soul than her clothing.

 

[redrosetea]

I sincerely doubt the woman at the well was wearing low rise jeans and a thong that showed…she would have been stoned

I have never dressed like a hooker in my life, and at age 61 I am not about to start

 

[LilyM]

I sincerely doubt the woman at the well was wearing low rise jeans and a thong that showed…she would have been stoned

I have never dressed like a hooker in my life, and at age 61 I am not about to start

You never know, she just might’ve been wearing the 1st century AD Judean equivalent.

Certainly Christ had no problems openly saying to everyone around that she was in a relationship based on fornication, so one can presume it was common knowledge anyway - perhaps the people in that town were more lax than those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery

 

[Fitswimmer]

I sincerely doubt the woman at the well was wearing low rise jeans and a thong that showed…she would have been stoned

I have never dressed like a hooker in my life, and at age 61 I am not about to start

But that’s my whole point-you don’t dress like that normally-so no matter when you meet Jesus you’re not dressed like a hooker. You’re dressed like…you.

I think it’s about dressing with some common sense and decency ALL the time.

 

[FreeAmerican]

Formal party attire such as a prom dress I don’t consider proper.

 

[Traditional_Ang]

You never know, she just might’ve been wearing the 1st century AD Judean equivalent.

Certainly Christ had no problems openly saying to everyone around that she was in a relationship based on fornication, so one can presume it was common knowledge anyway - perhaps the people in that town were more lax than those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery

Lily:

If you reread the story of the Woman at the Well (cf John 4:4-30), you’ll see that the woman went to the well at Noon - During the heat of the day - Because “respectable” women went to draw water in the MORNING (between 8 am and 9 am).

The people of Sychar might have been “more lax”, but they didn’t kept them from ostracizing, shunning, the woman Jesus met at the well. And, the Scriptures are silent about what “the good people” of Sychar would have done if they had caught her in adultery.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[inJESUS]

100% with dress code and a basquet of shawls to be put at the entrance of the church in case anyone was not well-dressed for whatever reason. It is God’s house, not a catwalk.

 

[DSF]

Dear inJESUS,

I liked your idea about the shawls. I think we have similar situations in some restaurants when men come in without a jacket. I believe they can “borrow” one upon entrance.

Not too long ago, I saw a young woman leave mass and then take off her wrap or shawl outside. Her dress was backless, but thanks to her shawl, you wouldn’t have noticed it during mass. I thought, “Good for her!” She had the presence of mind to cover up in church, and then waited until she reached the sidewalk to take her shawl off. We live in a very hot & humid part of the country so this made sense and definitely showed respect and class.

I would really like to see more women follow suit. You can cover up, look nice and still be dressed modestly all at the same time.

 

[Ghoti]

Dear inJESUS,

I liked your idea about the shawls. I think we have similar situations in some restaurants when men come in without a jacket. I believe they can “borrow” one upon entrance.

Not too long ago, I saw a young woman leave mass and then take off her wrap or shawl outside. Her dress was backless, but thanks to her shawl, you wouldn’t have noticed it during mass. I thought, “Good for her!” She had the presence of mind to cover up in church, and then waited until she reached the sidewalk to take her shawl off. We live in a very hot & humid part of the country so this made sense and definitely showed respect and class.

I would really like to see more women follow suit. You can cover up, look nice and still be dressed modestly all at the same time.

I’ve actually seen that a lot at Mass (shawls, I mean). And I have no idea if the dress beneath is backless or if the shawl is just part of an ensemble. Which is the whole point, I guess.