Catholic church lays down dress code

[JReducation]

I think I’m on page 3 of this thread, so I’m sorry if I’m jumping in here . I just wanted to ask about sandals (and one more thing).

Sandals: Jesus wore sandals (or at least, He’s often depicted as wearing sandals), and there are Religious orders where the nuns & monks wear sandals. Sandals are humble. Is it wrong to wear sandals to mass? I’m not talking flip flops, although in recent years flip flops have become more acceptable at formal occasions (it happened at the White House). I’m referring to sandals… dress sandals, Birkenstocks, Moses sandals, just sandals. Are those bad? Are they okay?

Dress Class: As long as one isn’t wearing something revealing or obscene (such as a t-shirt with uncouth material), then it’s fine, yes? See, I live in a place surrounded by a capitalist minded morality where those who have more money are looked at as being the better class: more deserving of health care… and now, it sounds like, the Eucharist (?). I just want to make sure that humble attire, even unwealthy, humble attire, is okay for mass. Please don’t make me wear sweat-shop designer !

I just got here. I’ll pick up on two points. First, the religious who wear sandals: Those of us who wear sandals do so because we are discalced religious. It’s part of the habit. If you observe, the habit of discalced religious is very simple, but very modest. Women religious usually wear knee length habit or full length. The bodice has sleeves and a high collar. Men religious wear a tunic, usually full length or at least mid-length with slacks or jeans, depending on what’s cheaper.

It is true that the religious habit, especially of the more austere Franciscan groups is not at all beautiful and certainly not clean. Most Franciscan men have two habits and they wash them once a month. It is a common sight to see a friar with stains on his habit or patches to cover tears. But that is part of our way of life. Would that the average Catholic in pew lived the same degree of austerity and poverty. But that’s not the case. That takes me to the next point.

No, you do not have to wear sweat shop designer clothes. In fact, that would be less than desireable for mass. Why? Because detachment is part of the Christian vocation to holiness. The more detached that one becomes from these material goods, the more one becomes like the poor and crucified Christ.

If you want a good example of how to dress for Church, I would look a the example of an orthodox group such as Opus Dei. They are respectful and very simple.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I think a good measure for dress code would be to ask yourself how would you dress for a meal with your favorite president or governor or pope. We are going to God’s banquet. Let that me our measure.

 

[Cracker_Mom]

Catholic church lays down dress code

Manila: The Archdiocese of Manila has issued a dress code that calls on the faithful to present themselves in formal and more conservative attire when attending mass, a local paper said.
In a circular sent to parish priests on Sunday, Father Godwin Tatlonghari, assistant minister of the archdiocese’s Ministry of Liturgical Affairs (MLA), said a new dress code was being imposed following complaints from worshippers that the slack dress sense of some was proving to be disturbing, the Star said.

more…

Why not just adopt the code of dress required for St. Peter’s in Rome?

 

[Janet1983]

I think a good measure for dress code would be to ask yourself how would you dress for a meal with your favorite president or governor or pope. We are going to God’s banquet. Let that me our measure.

I’d consider it superficial to start dressing well and modestly because one goes to mass…
God is watching all the time anyways and we should know that whatever we wear during all other hours of the week is not hidden. It should not be necessary to tell people to wear something modest on Sunday.
Going in style I think might however take the personal focus off of God. A religious service is not a fashion show and should never be one. Clean and modest clothing should be alright.

 

[nilofc]

I know of a parish priest who cranks up the airconditioner to 65 degrees whenever he sees someone dressed off-shoulders during a wedding.

They usually get their shoals and cover their naked skins afterwards…

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I’d consider it superficial to start dressing well and modestly because one goes to mass…
God is watching all the time anyways and we should know that whatever we wear during all other hours of the week is not hidden. It should not be necessary to tell people to wear something modest on Sunday.
Going in style I think might however take the personal focus off of God. A religious service is not a fashion show and should never be one. Clean and modest clothing should be alright.

I could not agree with you more. But unfortunately some people just do not get it and can be a major distraction for all those around them due to their lack of modesty in dress. This should not have to be pointed out, I totally agree. But when it continues, I hope you would agree that something must be said. Nuf-said?

 

[Lynn-D]

I could not agree with you more. But unfortunately some people just do not get it and can be a major distraction for all those around them due to their lack of modesty in dress. This should not have to be pointed out, I totally agree. But when it continues, I hope you would agree that something must be said. Nuf-said?

Although I think the point has already been brought up it nevertheless should be stated that a dress code does not mean that you bring out of your closet the finest and best you might have stashed away and wear that to mass.
It is important to simply follow 4 basic rules which hopefully I follow myself:

1. Dress with modesty
2. Wear clean and untattered clothes
3. What you wear at work, in a playground or in the yard should be for that, not mass.
4. Dress as if you were meeting an important person or attending an important event. The Lord’s house after all is where we are going and we should dress in accordance with that visit and where we and He shall share a common domain.

 

[La-Petite-Fleur]

I just got here. I’ll pick up on two points.

Thank you so much for your post…! You mentioned so much that I can take to heart, and I’m grateful (I also learned a few things, too!). Although I’m not a Religious, I very much admire the ways of the Franciscans and the Discalced Carmelites. Their humble modesty… Being a lay person I look to them (especially St. Clare) as a role model… yet I don’t know how to incorporate that into my everyday life. I see so much consumerism around me, and devaluing of the person. There’s a movie… Brother Sun, Sister Moon; it’s about St. Francis of Assisi. In it, he abandoned material things, even throwing his father’s fine linens out the window. Maybe I’m silly, but I want to do that… live in simplicity, humility, charity. I want to reject materialism, elitism, and prideful things (including adornments) for a purer well being, and all for Jesus. So when I hear people say don’t wear sandals, don’t come in wearing crummy clothes… I think about the poor, about the homeless, about the apostles, and about St. Francis. These are people welcome to receive Christ, but yet, may not be dressed like they’re meeting the president or are going to a formal outing. Some were poor, and some chose poverty. In my state (married layperson) I find that I embrace these things too (I mean, humble things), and I want to shun materialism, consumerism, and anything ostentatious. My soul fears such things, and I very much want to recoil from them. Yet on the other hand, I can understand dressing up for Our King. But then again, I understand how modesty and class have nothing to do with riches or fine clothing. So for me, as a married female layperson, I wonder if just a modest, middle class dress / long skirt & blouse would do… (although sandals go with such). I don’t know. …I do know I’m rambling too much, lol. Anyway, I will look into Opus Dei as an example. Thank you so much again for your post. It’s been a great help, and a comfort too…!

 

[La-Petite-Fleur]

I know of a parish priest who cranks up the airconditioner to 65 degrees whenever he sees someone dressed off-shoulders during a wedding.

They usually get their shoals and cover their naked skins afterwards…

Lol, that’s great . I love that! Maybe that’s another reason why I love wintertime… people cover up!

 

[Lynn-D]

Thank you so much for your post…! You mentioned so much that I can take to heart, and I’m grateful (I also learned a few things, too!). Although I’m not a Religious, I very much admire the ways of the Franciscans and the Discalced Carmelites. Their humble modesty… Being a lay person I look to them (especially St. Clare) as a role model… yet I don’t know how to incorporate that into my everyday life. I see so much consumerism around me, and devaluing of the person. There’s a movie… Brother Sun, Sister Moon; it’s about St. Francis of Assisi. In it, he abandoned material things, even throwing his father’s fine linens out the window. Maybe I’m silly, but I want to do that… live in simplicity, humility, charity. I want to reject materialism, elitism, and prideful things (including adornments) for a purer well being, and all for Jesus. So when I hear people say don’t wear sandals, don’t come in wearing crummy clothes… I think about the poor, about the homeless, about the apostles, and about St. Francis. These are people welcome to receive Christ, but yet, may not be dressed like they’re meeting the president or are going to a formal outing. Some were poor, and some chose poverty. In my state (married layperson) I find that I embrace these things too (I mean, humble things), and I want to shun materialism, consumerism, and anything ostentatious. My soul fears such things, and I very much want to recoil from them. Yet on the other hand, I can understand dressing up for Our King. But then again, I understand how modesty and class have nothing to do with riches or fine clothing. So for me, as a married female layperson, I wonder if just a modest, middle class dress / long skirt & blouse would do… (although sandals go with such). I don’t know. …I do know I’m rambling too much, lol. Anyway, I will look into Opus Dei as an example. Thank you so much again for your post. It’s been a great help, and a comfort too…!

So my dear, what is wrong with a simple skirt and blouse? I usually wear the same to church but being a tall gal I prefer flats so I don’t look down on some of the short guys should I wear heels. Haha!!!
Many of our parishioners happen to wear long skirts (many down to the lower calf) whereas most of those like me like something a bit lower than the knee. So what? We look just fine and feel comfy. We are neat and present well and that my dear is all that might be asked of us as I see it.

 

[cosfini05]

I realize the arguments that it’s more important to be at mass so Christ can be in communion with with each person, but how we prepare our hearts reflects in the exterior.

I know one thing…if I had shown up to my wedding in flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt with some type of slogan…my wife would for one thing, still have loved me, but would not have appreciated the way I came b/c it would have showed there was a lack of sincerity on my part.

If it makes us snobs to prefer to try and dress our Sunday best, then so be it. For each person, Sunday best is different. And if one may say it’s hypocritical to dress like this on Sunday, I say it’s also hypocritical to say it’s okay to dress in flip flops and shorts, but turn around and spend hundreds of dollars on a dress or suit for a ball or prom dance. If flip flops is truly the best you can give, God knows it. If jeans are our best, God knows it. I think the principles mentioned earlier would apply about modesty, cleanliness, etc.

Whether we like it or not, the way we dress is important in the eyes of others. How we dress in an interview, at the symphony, at a rock concert, at a football game…each one requires a different dress code, if you will. Yet, at mass, something greater than a job interview, a symphony, even a wedding, takes place.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I think I’m on page 3 of this thread, so I’m sorry if I’m jumping in here . I just wanted to ask about sandals (and one more thing).

Sandals: Jesus wore sandals (or at least, He’s often depicted as wearing sandals), and there are Religious orders where the nuns & monks wear sandals. Sandals are humble. Is it wrong to wear sandals to mass? I’m not talking flip flops, although in recent years flip flops have become more acceptable at formal occasions (it happened at the White House). I’m referring to sandals… dress sandals, Birkenstocks, Moses sandals, just sandals. Are those bad? Are they okay?

Dress Class: As long as one isn’t wearing something revealing or obscene (such as a t-shirt with uncouth material), then it’s fine, yes? See, I live in a place surrounded by a capitalist minded morality where those who have more money are looked at as being the better class: more deserving of health care… and now, it sounds like, the Eucharist (?). I just want to make sure that humble attire, even unwealthy, humble attire, is okay for mass. Please don’t make me wear sweat-shop designer !

From Christianity sprang capitalism. And I don’t take kindly to capitalist-bashing. Not in the least. Nor do I take kindly to the politics of class envy.

GM was nationalized. Where is the outrage over that? Or other machinations of the left? And the left’s idea of ‘health care’ is eugenics for everyone. Never let anyone fool you about that again.

And why is it whenever anyone calls for decent standards of dress, people bring up the tired old Jesus-wore-sandals routine?

He wore what was considered decent and proper attire for His time and place. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that of those who come to worship Him.

 

[JReducation]

Thank you so much for your post…! You mentioned so much that I can take to heart, and I’m grateful (I also learned a few things, too!). Although I’m not a Religious, I very much admire the ways of the Franciscans and the Discalced Carmelites. Their humble modesty… Being a lay person I look to them (especially St. Clare) as a role model… yet I don’t know how to incorporate that into my everyday life. I see so much consumerism around me, and devaluing of the person. There’s a movie… Brother Sun, Sister Moon; it’s about St. Francis of Assisi. In it, he abandoned material things, even throwing his father’s fine linens out the window. Maybe I’m silly, but I want to do that… live in simplicity, humility, charity. I want to reject materialism, elitism, and prideful things (including adornments) for a purer well being, and all for Jesus. So when I hear people say don’t wear sandals, don’t come in wearing crummy clothes… I think about the poor, about the homeless, about the apostles, and about St. Francis. These are people welcome to receive Christ, but yet, may not be dressed like they’re meeting the president or are going to a formal outing. Some were poor, and some chose poverty. In my state (married layperson) I find that I embrace these things too (I mean, humble things), and I want to shun materialism, consumerism, and anything ostentatious. My soul fears such things, and I very much want to recoil from them. Yet on the other hand, I can understand dressing up for Our King. But then again, I understand how modesty and class have nothing to do with riches or fine clothing. So for me, as a married female layperson, I wonder if just a modest, middle class dress / long skirt & blouse would do… (although sandals go with such). I don’t know. …I do know I’m rambling too much, lol. Anyway, I will look into Opus Dei as an example. Thank you so much again for your post. It’s been a great help, and a comfort too…!

I don’t think that Francis and Clare would be welcome in some of our modern parishes. Let me describe Francis’ and Clare’s look in today’s dress. I’m going to cross centuries here.

1209 - a shepherd’s tunic
2001 - worn blue jeans used by a blue collar worker

1209 - a rope around the waste
2001 - no belt

1209 - a capuche a (hood) for warmth
2001 - a cap or cheap hoody

1209 - dirty bare feet
2001 - dirty bare feet in flip flops or old sneakers

1209 - no bath
2001 - no bath

1209 - no brushing of teeth or deoderant (air of sanctity)
2001 - decayed teeth or missing teeth, no deoderant

1209 - unlaundered tunic
2001 - unlaundered clothes

That’s just Francis. I have not gotten to Clare. But you can imagine.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[La-Petite-Fleur]

From Christianity sprang capitalism. And I don’t take kindly to capitalist-bashing. Not in the least. Nor do I take kindly to the politics of class envy.

Maybe each of us is referring to different meanings of capitalism? Please forgive my innocence, I don’t know what class envy is. (?)

Let me describe Francis’ and Clare’s look in today’s dress. I’m going to cross centuries here.

That’s a neat comparison, I like that .

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

If you went to public school and if you watch/read CNN, The New York Times and their ilk, you have been taught ‘class envy’ since birth. Isn’t it time you discovered what is really behind this anti-Christian agenda?

 

[DawnInTexas]

I think I’m on page 3 of this thread, so I’m sorry if I’m jumping in here . I just wanted to ask about sandals (and one more thing).

Sandals: Jesus wore sandals (or at least, He’s often depicted as wearing sandals), and there are Religious orders where the nuns & monks wear sandals. Sandals are humble. Is it wrong to wear sandals to mass? I’m not talking flip flops, although in recent years flip flops have become more acceptable at formal occasions (it happened at the White House). I’m referring to sandals… dress sandals, Birkenstocks, Moses sandals, just sandals. Are those bad? Are they okay?

Dress Class: As long as one isn’t wearing something revealing or obscene (such as a t-shirt with uncouth material), then it’s fine, yes? See, I live in a place surrounded by a capitalist minded morality where those who have more money are looked at as being the better class: more deserving of health care… and now, it sounds like, the Eucharist (?). I just want to make sure that humble attire, even unwealthy, humble attire, is okay for mass. Please don’t make me wear sweat-shop designer !

The local Poor Clares wear sandals. A friend of mine told me one nun actually goes barefoot. She said her feet look a mess-like she has shoes on anyway!

monasteryminiaturehorses.com/

Should they be stopped? How about limiting them to their own Chapel?

There are some who would probably have it that way. Now, the barefoot is a little much. Hygiene, you know? She probably wears shoes when she heads off the ranch.

WWJD?

 

[DawnInTexas]

I think a good measure for dress code would be to ask yourself how would you dress for a meal with your favorite president or governor or pope. We are going to God’s banquet. Let that me our measure.

One fellow who attends daily Mass at 5:30pm locally comes in in his uniform jumpsuit from work. He must be some sort of auto mechanic.

He’s not filthy-he must go to work each day with a clean outfit.

I’ll betcha all that Christ would rather he be there and receive Him in the Holy Eucharist…
than to miss out because he has the scent of an automobile undercarriage about him.

 

[Tigg]

I realize the arguments that it’s more important to be at mass so Christ can be in communion with with each person, but how we prepare our hearts reflects in the exterior.

Whether we like it or not, the way we dress is important in the eyes of others. How we dress in an interview, at the symphony, at a rock concert, at a football game…each one requires a different dress code, if you will. Yet, at mass, something greater than a job interview, a symphony, even a wedding, takes place.

I couldn’t agree with you more! I once had a wise nun who taught social studies in high school. She repeatedly told us words to this effect, “the exterior appearance is indicative of the interior disposition.” Is your hair combed? Have you washed your face and brushed your teeth? There is a certain code by which we should live simply because we are in constant interaction with others. People (especially women) notice what others wear and how they look. As a woman I would neither feel comfortable wearing short shorts to the grocery store OR to Mass. I would feel just as immodest at the check out counter knowing I was showing skin, and of course, to do so at Mass would be unthinkable for me. Modesty is an interior disposition governed by conscience. My conscience may be formed differently from others (we may not judge) and yet isn’t this exactly where the Spirit teaches and guides us to a higher level? We live in a society that touts skin (look at the tattoos), and I for one, would rather reject the world standard of “grunge” - t-shirts, flip-flops and immodest shorts and try to conform to another standard, one which hopefully is of God.

One other thought…much of the Saturday evening crowd who has worked in the yard all day (in appropriate clothing) have said - the Lord doesn’t care how I look - at least I’m here. That to me is patting yourself on the back and ignoring the invitation to go the further mile to “inconvenience” yourself by changing into something more suitable for Mass.

 

[Tigg]

I’d like to insert a PS here - immodest attire is completely different from humble attire. We lived in the south in a very poor rural area…the Protestant “Church of Christ” people were scandalized at the way Catholics dressed for Mass.

Poor though they were, they wore their Sunday best to church. The skirts may have been handed down and their socks darned, but GOD BLESS THEM! They showed respect for the Lord’s house.

 

[DawnInTexas]

The parishoner and seminarian I wrote about earlier had the last word during the RCIA class, when they agreed with each other, to wear “The best that you have.” I asked if they wanted me to wear the best that I have? They agreed with each other-that God deserved nothing less.

The next Sunday and the one after, I arrived at the Mass they attended with a dress suit, heels (I’m tall anyway), a fur coat and all my diamonds on-rings earrings, watch. Hair, make-up… Nobody spoke to me. If I could have found the (woman) parishoner-I would have sat next to her. The Seminarian was assisting at Mass-I approached him after Mass and shook his hand.

The first Sunday, I wore the mink coat I inherited from our mother. The next, I wore the artic fox coat my husband bought me when we moved to Colorado.

Then, I went back to being me. Nobody ever said anything about it.

In Colorado, you wear a fur coat with jeans and tennis shoes to the grocery. lol!