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Tom317
Guest
You would be asked to leave.to YOUR wedding… yes, just to get under your craw.
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BlestOne
Guest
To play devils advocate here, when I was in high school all of us Catholics had to go to mass on Saturdays between football games and band competitions. Because the schedule was so tight, we often ended up going in our band uniforms. As I was the captain of the majorette squad, I ended up going to mass in a sequin body suit and white knee high boots(usually with a jacket or pants that covered my butt too). This is hardly what anyone would consider modest or appropriate attire for mass… but considering that we had band members, flag twirlers, etc… it wasn’t out of place at all. In that instance, I believe we were just happy to be able to go to mass and others were happy we chose to go.
As far as inappropriate clothing for no reason other than it is the style of the times… you are right, there is a way to dress at mass. My dad used to ask me how I would dress to meet the president and then say, “Our Lord is that much more important, so how should you dress to meet him?”
As far as inappropriate clothing for no reason other than it is the style of the times… you are right, there is a way to dress at mass. My dad used to ask me how I would dress to meet the president and then say, “Our Lord is that much more important, so how should you dress to meet him?”
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seekerz
Guest
I think dress choice for Mass is all a question of honoring our Lord and King. There are several things to consider:
-modesty should be foremost so as not to cause a distraction or set a bad example
-we really should give thought to the priorities we give to social settings other than church e.g. why would it be okay to dress more casually for Mass than for work?
-culture is very important e.g. in some countries/cultures it’s considered disrespectful to wear jeans to Mass (or to work) and in others it’s no biggie
-appropriate dress does not necessarily have to be formal e.g. suits, especially considering that some people have trouble affording formal dress for any occasion and we would not want that to be a factor keeping them away from Church
All that being said, I have fond childhood memories of getting dress in “Sunday best” (although it sometimes was a cause for showing off and distraction). Not a single new garment or shoe got worn anywhere else unless it had first been “blessed” by being worn to Mass!
As a child these traditions taught me about the important place God holds in the scheme of things long before I was old enough to understand sermons or learn catechism and I’m immensely grateful for that experience.
-modesty should be foremost so as not to cause a distraction or set a bad example
-we really should give thought to the priorities we give to social settings other than church e.g. why would it be okay to dress more casually for Mass than for work?
-culture is very important e.g. in some countries/cultures it’s considered disrespectful to wear jeans to Mass (or to work) and in others it’s no biggie
-appropriate dress does not necessarily have to be formal e.g. suits, especially considering that some people have trouble affording formal dress for any occasion and we would not want that to be a factor keeping them away from Church
All that being said, I have fond childhood memories of getting dress in “Sunday best” (although it sometimes was a cause for showing off and distraction). Not a single new garment or shoe got worn anywhere else unless it had first been “blessed” by being worn to Mass!
As a child these traditions taught me about the important place God holds in the scheme of things long before I was old enough to understand sermons or learn catechism and I’m immensely grateful for that experience.
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Sabda
Guest
What did people wear back in Jesus’ day? What about during the Middle Ages? Where they honestly that pre-occupied with what to wear?
I wonder if this mind set that we have about clothes is actually Protestant in nature? Seriously, there are a number of Protestant groups that are extremely picky when it comes to this kind of thing.
As far as weddings go, I’m sorry but in my case you can not use that argument. Doesn’t work with me. You see in my wedding most of my male guest were dressed in jeans. Was I offended? Of course not! I was glad that they came to help dh and I celebrate our special day.
I try to stick with rules for celebrating Mass at the Vatican. Covered from shoulders to knees. That leaves a pretty wide margin don’t ya think?
Of course 9 times out of 10 I wear a dress to Mass but I don’t think that is something that should be enforced on all women.
Lastly, I have to agree with the cultural aspect. I have seen a pic of an African women in native dress (no top) receiving from the pope. I guess she should not have been allowed in line?
I wonder if this mind set that we have about clothes is actually Protestant in nature? Seriously, there are a number of Protestant groups that are extremely picky when it comes to this kind of thing.
As far as weddings go, I’m sorry but in my case you can not use that argument. Doesn’t work with me. You see in my wedding most of my male guest were dressed in jeans. Was I offended? Of course not! I was glad that they came to help dh and I celebrate our special day.
I try to stick with rules for celebrating Mass at the Vatican. Covered from shoulders to knees. That leaves a pretty wide margin don’t ya think?
Of course 9 times out of 10 I wear a dress to Mass but I don’t think that is something that should be enforced on all women.
Lastly, I have to agree with the cultural aspect. I have seen a pic of an African women in native dress (no top) receiving from the pope. I guess she should not have been allowed in line?
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Sabda
Guest
I was going to edit this but the edit button seems to have disappeared.I wonder if this mind set that we have about clothes is actually Protestant in nature? Seriously, there are a number of Protestant groups that are extremely picky when it comes to this kind of thing.
I would have to change this to being more like the Pharisees whom some Protestant groups are more like.
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La-Petite-Fleur
Guest
I think this is nice. It would be a welcome relief if the US did this as well. I remember seeing a little girl at mass, perhaps no more than the age of seven, in the shortest skirt that barely covered anything at all. And I’ve seen women with cleavage and tank tops… Jesus wants all to come to him, and God bless and help them if that’s all they have to wear (something tells me that isn’t the case, however). In my heart of hearts I think we should dress as though we are going into God’s house to meet Christ. It doesn’t have to be ritzy, but I do wish people would show a little respect by putting some more clothes on. This is an age where men struggle with pornography more and more, and surely when they see women so undressed in public, it’s gotta be a struggle for them to pay attention to the homily. I hope scantily clad women don’t cause people to mortally sin in their thoughts right before they receive the Eucharist. Anyway, bravo to Manila. I hope more places follow their lead 
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Katie1723
Guest
As I have said before…the blame falls on the “looker” and not the 'Lookee"… This is an age where men struggle with pornography more and more, and surely when they see women so undressed in public, it’s gotta be a struggle for them to pay attention to the homily. I hope scantily clad women don’t cause people to mortally sin in their thoughts right before they receive the Eucharist. Anyway, bravo to Manila. I hope more places follow their lead
Kathy
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KathleenElsie
Guest
Just going to Mass between football and competition with a group would be a good example for those that skip Mass for “just” reason.
On the other hand when going to Mass we need to remember that we are in the presence of God in His Home. We need to show respect.
There is no need for formal suits and fancy dresses. But, IMHO there is no need to wear tight, reveling clothing or shorts (there are even restaurants that refuse service for those not dressed properly). God deserves better then your play clothing.
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johannahw
Guest
The issue of “proper” dress while at Mass really irritates me. Does this issue really matter to God? I agree that one should look his or her best when they go to the house of the Lord to worship but who are you to judge what is proper dress? My husband and I are very low income. He works at Sam’s Club for low wages and I am on a low disability payment. It is difficult for us to get by. I own 2 pairs of pants, jeans and 5 or 6 T-Tops. The one dress I own no longer fits me so it is useless. I hang on to it in the hopes that I’ll be able to wear it again one day. If I show up for Sunday Mass in a pair of worn, but clean jeans and a clean t-shirt type top, who are you to judge? Buying new clothing or shoes creates a great hardship for us and usually requires that we have to dip into our grocery money. I think we are doing the best we can with what we’ve got and I don’t think other Christians should be judging us for how we look at Mass. My husband always wears clean clothes to church too: clean jeans and a casual top like he wears for work.
I would think that if appearances really made that much difference to God, that he’d provide my husband with a better paying job so we could afford nicer clothing. Jim has been looking for better paying work for the 3 years we’ve lived in Reno. And nothing yet. We think it’s his age. He’s 59. He can only afford one pair of new Walmart tennies once a year (about as long as they’ll last) and I own 2 pairs of shoes. A pair of tennies and a pair of summer sandles. That’s it.
Sorry to go off on a rant like this but some of us Christians just don’t have very much and are very grateful for what we have been blessed with. My husband and I are not on welfare and don’t get foodstamps or medicaid. My husband and I are very grateful for the job he does have. We are very grateful for the apartment we are able to rent.
All that said, I believe people, both men and women have a duty to dress decently and modestly in church. To come to church in revealing, “sexy” attire is distracting and disrepectful to our Lord and others.
Thank you all for listening to me rant and try to think about some of the things I’ve brought up.
Johannah
I would think that if appearances really made that much difference to God, that he’d provide my husband with a better paying job so we could afford nicer clothing. Jim has been looking for better paying work for the 3 years we’ve lived in Reno. And nothing yet. We think it’s his age. He’s 59. He can only afford one pair of new Walmart tennies once a year (about as long as they’ll last) and I own 2 pairs of shoes. A pair of tennies and a pair of summer sandles. That’s it.
Sorry to go off on a rant like this but some of us Christians just don’t have very much and are very grateful for what we have been blessed with. My husband and I are not on welfare and don’t get foodstamps or medicaid. My husband and I are very grateful for the job he does have. We are very grateful for the apartment we are able to rent.
All that said, I believe people, both men and women have a duty to dress decently and modestly in church. To come to church in revealing, “sexy” attire is distracting and disrepectful to our Lord and others.
Thank you all for listening to me rant and try to think about some of the things I’ve brought up.
Johannah
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KathleenElsie
Guest
I am sure your cloths are clean and respectful of others. I’ll bet you make sure your cleveage, tummy or bottom are not sticking out. This is just what many of us want to see at Mass and consider modest. If everyone dressed like you do at my Parish I would be content. But, skin showing seems to be in vogue here and almost everywhere.
In our case almost all of our clothing comes from second-hand stores or are hand me downs. I made my own clothing since I was 13 years old. My grandmother showed me how.
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johannahw
Guest
No, no tummy showing for me. Even if I wasn’t overweight already, I’m in my 50s and just really have more of a deep sense of modesty than I had as a 60s hippie flower child. Thanks for your response.
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Goth_Catholic
Guest
I was just thinking about the cutest little black dress I have. I’d wear that to meet the pope. It comes down to about my knees with short sleeves and a low enough cut to wear it’s not choking me but my bra isn’t showing. I wear sports bras that pretty much hide everything so that’s pretty much the restriction I put on how low my clothes are cut. But I hate the neckline even on t-shirts, I tend to rip or strech it out because it’s uncomferable. I do love my spaghetti straps though, not so much the built in bras, but a well fitting one won’t show anything. I useally wear black pants to mass, I hate jeans, I own like one pair I like and that’s only because they were 5 dollars. For a top I wear ethier a dress (i’m talking t-shirt like) or a t-shirt if i wear spaghetti straps I useally wear anoughter shirt of some kind over it. Sometimes I’ll wear a skirt over my pants, but that’s really just personal style. My priest has a ball with what I wear sometimes, but it has more to do with my love of black then with the style of the clothes.
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Tricia_H
Guest
About 3 years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to go to Mass every Sunday. (Until then, I had been going only about once a month.) I went every Sunday but wearing jeans and not with a good attitude because I was under protest to myself and not wanting to change my bad habits. Then in 2006 I decided to take it up a notch! I promised myself I would be more reverent which included my attitude, posture and manner of dress so that meant no more jeans! Now if my New Year’s diet resolutions were only so successful!!!
P.S. I love Chrismyster’s CS Lewis quote and I’ve forwarded it to about 7 people!
P.S. I love Chrismyster’s CS Lewis quote and I’ve forwarded it to about 7 people!
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stinkcat_14
Guest
I think modesty is important, but even that can be culturally influenced. I remember seeing a website where they were lamenting the fact that there was a topless woman doing one of the readings for mass. In the US, that would be a scandal, in that particular country it was appropriate.
Same thing with jeans, who is to say that wearing jeans to mass is innappropriate? We might have an opinion on such a matter, but there is no hard and fast rule on the matter.
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Pat_the_Cat
Guest
More importantly I wonder when I see how people ***do ***dress to meet Jesus!
Our Lady in Fatima told the children that certain fashions would be introduced that would offend Jesus very deeply. Am not so sure she was talking about Football jerseys!
My wife and I went to Malta for our honeymoon last year; Malta is a very hot mediterranean island where you are never far from a beach. Malta is also known for its many beautiful churches. The dress code in the churches is so rigid, that they have somone at the door of the church to inspect each person as they enter. If you don’t fulfill the reqirements you don’t get in! Period! …Actually they’re not rude or anything like that, they keep a supply of sarong type skirts and long scarves and just hand them to people as they walk in. Men included!
I never saw anyone complain or take offence. everyone accepted the dress code, as it was placed very clearly on the wall of each church with an explaination.
In fact, if anything it added to the sacredness of the place, and made a huge impression on many visitors, in a good way!
I think we could all learn a thing or two from the Maltease.
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Tom317
Guest
The blame goes to both. Men should be disciplined not to let other women distract them and women should not wear clothes that they full well know will distract men.
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Tom317
Guest
I agree, we could learn a lot from the Maltease and we could learn a lot from our own older generations. The manner of dress to Church just a generation ago was many levels higher then it is today.More importantly I wonder when I see how people ***do ***dress to meet Jesus!
Our Lady in Fatima told the children that certain fashions would be introduced that would offend Jesus very deeply. Am not so sure she was talking about Football jerseys!
My wife and I went to Malta for our honeymoon last year; Malta is a very hot mediterranean island where you are never far from a beach. Malta is also known for its many beautiful churches. The dress code in the churches is so rigid, that they have somone at the door of the church to inspect each person as they enter. If you don’t fulfill the reqirements you don’t get in! Period! …Actually they’re not rude or anything like that, they keep a supply of sarong type skirts and long scarves and just hand them to people as they walk in. Men included!
I never saw anyone complain or take offence. everyone accepted the dress code, as it was placed very clearly on the wall of each church with an explaination.
In fact, if anything it added to the sacredness of the place, and made a huge impression on many visitors, in a good way!
I think we could all learn a thing or two from the Maltease.
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Tom317
Guest
Everyone has a right to react differently. However, if someone showed up at my wedding in jeans, they better have a good reason or else they would be asked to leave.What did people wear back in Jesus’ day? What about during the Middle Ages? Where they honestly that pre-occupied with what to wear?
I wonder if this mind set that we have about clothes is actually Protestant in nature? Seriously, there are a number of Protestant groups that are extremely picky when it comes to this kind of thing.
As far as weddings go, I’m sorry but in my case you can not use that argument. Doesn’t work with me. You see in my wedding most of my male guest were dressed in jeans. Was I offended? Of course not! I was glad that they came to help dh and I celebrate our special day.
I try to stick with rules for celebrating Mass at the Vatican. Covered from shoulders to knees. That leaves a pretty wide margin don’t ya think?
Of course 9 times out of 10 I wear a dress to Mass but I don’t think that is something that should be enforced on all women.
Lastly, I have to agree with the cultural aspect. I have seen a pic of an African women in native dress (no top) receiving from the pope. I guess she should not have been allowed in line?
I strongly challenge your Protestant argument because it is like comparing apples and oranges. Protestants have “services,” while Catholics have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during which Jesus’ is actually present in His Real Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Catholics should hold far, far more reverance, respect and modesty then Protestants because they DO attend banquet of the Lord, whereas Protestants services are infinitely short of that.
I often wonder if Catholics understand just who they receive at Communion.
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buffalo
Guest
Knowing that men are visual, a women sets up a great temptation.
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stinkcat_14
Guest
The mistake that you are making is that you are assuming that because you see someone wearing jeans at your wedding as a sign of disrespect, that God will see someone wearing jeans to mass as a sign of disrespect. The difference is that God is perfect and holy, humans are sinful and petty. What God sees and what you see are two different things.
- Status