Catholic church lays down dress code

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DawnInTexas said:
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!
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I too am tall and would have loved for you to sit down next to me and we might even have been able to talk a bit before the beginning of mass.
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
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.
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I think they need you for back up over in the Wal Mart thread…😉
 
The OP makes me wonder how those very first Filipino Christian converts dressed for mass.

It would seem from these comments that people are dressing for each other rather than God.
 
DawnInTexas said:
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?
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All Franciscans go barefoot when inside. It’s part of the rule. We wash our habits once per month too.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation said:
All Franciscans go barefoot when inside. It’s part of the rule. We wash our habits once per month too.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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This is not a wise *** question.

Once per month washing the habit? Do members have more than one habit? Is this the product of some tradition? Grounded in some history? Symbol of something?
 
Tigg said:
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.
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This is a very important statement. The point is not fashion, it’s appropriateness. If you meet a friar at mass, you may find that his habit is tattered or a Poor Clare and you’ll find that her feet are dirty from walking barefoot all day. However, both are dressed appropriately.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
WillieWonka said:
This is not a wise *** question.

Once per month washing the habit? Do members have more than one habit? Is this the product of some tradition? Grounded in some history? Symbol of something?
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You usually have two habits, though some of the more austere communities have one habit and a tunic. The tradition is based on St. Francis. It’s an 800 year old tradition. The rule says that the friars should have to habits, one with a capuche and another without.

We are not the only ones who have this tradition. Mother Teresa adopted this tradition from the Franciscan family for her missionaries too. It is not a symbol of anything in particular. It is how the homeless and the unwanted members of society live. They do not have access to washers and dryers on a regular basis. We too are part of their world. From them we receive God’s love. It is not us who give to them. It is they who give to us. That’s why we seek to be one with them.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
buffalo said:
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…
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I just read the article and I must say that I like the dress code that they have put in place. 🙂
 
Guyonthestreet said:
For real :confused: You have 2 habits and thats it :confused:
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Yes. I have two habits and under clothing. Oh yes, I have a pair of jeans too and a jacket. That’s it. Christ was crucified naked. The unborn child who is aborted is also crucified naked. I would give up both habits for the life of an unborn brother or sister.

Welcome to the Franciscan world. Maybe God is calling you to join us.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation said:
Yes. I have two habits and under clothing. Oh yes, I have a pair of jeans too and a jacket. That’s it. Christ was crucified naked. The unborn child who is aborted is also crucified naked. I would give up both habits for the life of an unborn brother or sister.

Welcome to the Franciscan world. Maybe God is calling you to join us.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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Whooaaaa there 😃

BUT - I’m intrigued, impressed, and a bit taken aback to honest. I didn’t think people really lived a life like that anymore - not genuinely.

Right, you got me, I don’t know what to say now.

Except Wow.

I wish I could find and hold the faith you have.
 
Guyonthestreet said:
Whooaaaa there 😃

BUT - I’m intrigued, impressed, and a bit taken aback to honest. I didn’t think people really lived a life like that anymore - not genuinely.

Right, you got me, I don’t know what to say now.

Except Wow.

I wish I could find and hold the faith you have.
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Bold is mine. You can’t find this kind of faith. It finds you. You have to be in the right place. You take yourself there through prayer, striving for the perfection of charity, and sharing your life with the poor. They are the means through which Christ will speak to you. And when he does, he say, “I was going to be killed and you gave your life for me. Come into the house of my Father.” At that point, two habits or 10 will make no difference, because the only habit that you need is the robe of love.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
Franciscan Bros. of Life
 
Although I’ve read and understood (I think) many of the posts, I still must shyly admit that I’m not sure that I understand enough as I would like… I guess maybe I’m just wondering about my clothing, for example… I prefer to wear fair trade (clothes that in good conscience I can feel good about as they’ve been made by people paid a fair wage for their labor under humane work conditions). Anyway, these clothes aren’t rich… they don’t look expensive. I usually wear a long skirt down to my ankles, with a modest blouse up to my neck and past my elbows. Kind of hippie-ish (but not bold or anything). I wear summer sandals with the outfits as well. I like to keep it feminine, modest, fair trade, although not rich looking. I hope all this is okay? Should I dress in more expensive looking clothes (in that case, it wouldn’t be fair trade anymore though, and that is something I’m compassionate about)? I can afford either, but I want to know what is best. I know what my conscience tells me… I just want to do what’s right :).
 
La-Petite-Fleur said:
Although I’ve read and understood (I think) many of the posts, I still must shyly admit that I’m not sure that I understand enough as I would like… I guess maybe I’m just wondering about my clothing, for example… I prefer to wear fair trade (clothes that in good conscience I can feel good about as they’ve been made by people paid a fair wage for their labor under humane work conditions). Anyway, these clothes aren’t rich… they don’t look expensive. I usually wear a long skirt down to my ankles, with a modest blouse up to my neck and past my elbows. Kind of hippie-ish (but not bold or anything). I wear summer sandals with the outfits as well. I like to keep it feminine, modest, fair trade, although not rich looking. I hope all this is okay? Should I dress in more expensive looking clothes (in that case, it wouldn’t be fair trade anymore though, and that is something I’m compassionate about)? I can afford either, but I want to know what is best. I know what my conscience tells me… I just want to do what’s right :).
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I saw the statement made by the bishops. I think that it’s been blown out of proportion on this thread. All they are saying is that one should keep one’s clothing modest and appropriate for church. I saw the tape. It has nothing to do with fashion. It has to do with modesty and appropriateness.

What you’re describing sounds fine. Keep it up.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
I have read through this thread and find that several posters are “splitting hairs” on the entire issue.

The point, as I interpret it, is to dress as modestly and as cleanly as you are able to. To say, “wear your best” can be carried to extremes.I own a few expensive outfits that I purchased for my son’s wedding or a formal affair I was invited to attend - and I consider those dresses the “best” I own. I also own some expensive jewelry. However - I would not wear these items to Sunday Mass every weekend! That would not be “modest” - it is as immodest to flaunt your money as it is to flaunt your skin!

However, I would not wear just any old thing I own, thinking, “Well, at least I am here!” That is also not modest - because modesty also involves feeling humble. And if you feel people (including Jesus!) should just be glad you even make an appearance, then you do not have a modest mindset.

The idea is to dress in modest, clean clothing that is “good” clothing according to your own station in life and income. When you put a certain outfit on, think of the activity you can do while wearing that outfit. Would you feel comfortable wearing that outfit to the beach? Then you should NOT wear it to Church! Would you feel comfortable wearing that outfit to a job interview? Than it is a good choice to wear to Church as well. Would you wear that outfit to play basketball with your friends? Then it is NOT “Church clothing”. But would you wear that outfit on a date where you are meeting the parents of the woman or man you hope to marry and you want to make a good impression? Then it is probably a pretty good bet it would be OK for Church. Get my drift here?

I have attended Mass wearing a nurse uniform because I came straight from work and had no opportunity to change, or I was “on call” and had to be ready to be called to a client’s home at any moment. Well - that would be certainly a “modest” outfit. And hopefully, a clean one! I don’t think that outfit offended anyone. But what if I were an auto mechanic? And didn’t have time to change my clothing? I think a one-time attendance wearing work clothing is fine using that “Well, at least I am here” argument. But wait — is this becoming a HABIT? Is it being done out of laziness? Then maybe you need to think about how you can change something in life to be able to dress a bit cleaner. Maybe you could take a change of clothing to work with you and change in the restroom before you leave? I think there is always a way!

And sandals? What is wrong with sandals? (with or without hose/socks) But flip-flops? I don’t think they alone are a wrong choice (aside from the fact they can make an annoying noise when one walks wearing them!). The problem with flip-flops is usually the clothing that accompanies the wearing of them! Usually shorts, tank tops, etc. But actually wearing flip flops could be OK if one’s clothing is more respectable. I recently wore a pair of flip flops that were very “fancy looking” (they looked like they had gems on them) along with a pair of light-weight black summer pants and a button-down -front blouse. They looked very nice! And right now, I am recovering from having a shoulder replacement done and I cannot wear shoes that tie or require me to use two hands to get on. So I wore those same flips to Church this week. (With slacks and a pull-over top) So please consider that there may be a valid reason one wears certain shoe choices.

Clean — the homeless person who attends Church may not be able to have clean clothing. Well - here is your chance to do something good in the world. If you see a homeless person at Church, do you approach him/her to offer them help? Guide them to a shelter or soup kitchen? It may indeed be Jesus looking to see how you treat those in need!

Well, that is my :twocents:
 
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