Catholic church lays down dress code

[JReducation]

We have many women who serve in our church as deacons, communion servers as well as other functions. Ok, they are not permitted to be priests but that is what Jesus and the Apostles were, men. Mary is held in very high respect and status in the Catholic Church as she should be for being the mother of Christ so why the complaining about who serves in what capacity. The nuns in our school do a great job on their own without interference from our pastor and he cannot become a nun.

This is off topic as I see it.

Lynn-D

You mean extraordinary ministers of holy communion, not deacons.

On the other hand, your priest can become a “nun”. He can become a monk, friar or religious brother. Together with sisters and nuns, they make up the religious life of the Catholic Church. But a woman can never be a deacon, because a deacon is an ordained minister and Holy Orders is only for men.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Georgia]

We once lived in an area that was minutes from the beach. One Sunday, two young women attended Mass wearing bikinis with fishnet over-garments. Sorry, I have no idea what those things are properly called.

No one cares about whether the attire is expensive, but it should be modest. Hip-hugger jeans with bare-midriff tops, short shorts, etc. are inappropriate. Tee shirts with suggestive or raunchy messages should be left at home.

Many of the worst things are worn by teens who should be given some guidance by their parents. That reminds me of some in our parish. Since the weather has been hot, some teenage girls have been at Mass each Sunday with shorts that could not possibly be any shorter. I would not let my daughter go to a ball game in something that abbreviated, so going to church that way would be right out.

I am quite sure many young women in the hop-huggers would be humiliated if they were aware of how much of their posteriors are exposed when they kneel.

People often dress for Mass in a way they would never consider for other important occasions. I think it may be because Mass is on a weekend and people seem to shift into a different way of thinking. Maybe that should change just a bit.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

You mean extraordinary ministers of holy communion, not deacons.

On the other hand, your priest can become a “nun”. He can become a monk, friar or religious brother. Together with sisters and nuns, they make up the religious life of the Catholic Church. But a woman can never be a deacon, because a deacon is an ordained minister and Holy Orders is only for men.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

If my memory serves me, the American Catholic Church is not affiliated with Rome. This is why they have “women deacons”. Call them what you want, they are not deacons.

 

[Lynn-D]

You mean extraordinary ministers of holy communion, not deacons.

On the other hand, your priest can become a “nun”. He can become a monk, friar or religious brother. Together with sisters and nuns, they make up the religious life of the Catholic Church. But a woman can never be a deacon, because a deacon is an ordained minister and Holy Orders is only for men.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I stand corrected… the women are in a ministerial roll and not actual deacons. Many of us perhaps find ourselves thinking of them as deacons when they stand at the altar shared with the priest and give out the communion host and offer the wine chalice for us to share.

I do disagree on the semantic point of “nun” as applied to a monk, friar or religious brother. HE cannot become a NUN but of course would be considered as one of the three you mentioned as well perhaps as other terms which are not inclusive of women but only men.

Personally I would like to see more inclusion for women in the church but over the years I have witnessed many areas where without devout women willing to serve our church it would not be able to function as well as it has. In fact we just built a new church and the original church which is attached serves as a space for other events such as plays, charity sales, meetings, sale of the K of C fish dinners during lent, meeting place for seniors and other groups, etc. And for the most part these functions are possible only because of the women who take time to comfort and offer service to many others not simply as women but as ministers doing good in the name of Christ. Is that not what our traditions call upon us to do?

Lynn-D

 

[JReducation]

I stand corrected… the women are in a ministerial roll and not actual deacons. Many of us perhaps find ourselves thinking of them as deacons when they stand at the altar shared with the priest and give out the communion host and offer the wine chalice for us to share.

I do disagree on the semantic point of “nun” as applied to a monk, friar or religious brother. HE cannot become a NUN but of course would be considered as one of the three you mentioned as well perhaps as other terms which are not inclusive of women but only men.

Personally I would like to see more inclusion for women in the church but over the years I have witnessed many areas where without devout women willing to serve our church it would not be able to function as well as it has. In fact we just built a new church and the original church which is attached serves as a space for other events such as plays, charity sales, meetings, sale of the K of C fish dinners during lent, meeting place for seniors and other groups, etc. And for the most part these functions are possible only because of the women who take time to comfort and offer service to many others not simply as women but as ministers doing good in the name of Christ. Is that not what our traditions call upon us to do?

Lynn-D

Don’t get me wrong. Women have made awesome contributions to the Church since the beginning. The resurrection was first announced to Peter by a woman. From that point on, women continued to make their mark on the Church.

We cannoit allow women into sacramental roles, not because men do not want it (though some do not), but even if we all wished it, the Church does not have the authority to change the matter of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. She can make some changes in the form (ritual of ordination); but she cannot change the matter (men receiving orders).

As to the nun statement, I’m not sure if you understood what I meant or not. Nuns and monks are the same calling. Female monastics are called nuns, male monastics are called monks. Active female religioius are called sisters. Active male religious are called brothers.
Active female mendicant women are called sisters. Active mendicant males are called friars.
The Church does not make a distinction between the males and females except on two points.

1. Male religious can be both: religious and priests , if their superior approves
2. Male religious superiors have the same governing power as a bishop when it comes to the members of their communty. The bishop may not interfere in the internal affairs of a male religious community. Only the Pope can. Female religious superiors do not have the same governing power as does a bishop. The bishop cannot interfere in their internal affairs either. But the women religious do not need the powers of a bishop, because they have no ordained members.

That being said, women have always had much more independence and strong political, social, scientific and religious influence on world development. Were it not for them, the world would be trying to light fires with two sticks and brain surgeon would be a heresy. Religious women have educated the best minds in the world.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Katrina5]

How did this turn into a he-she debate?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I think when the discussion is about “dress” it gets that way pretty easily.
And Charlotte the Mommy said women are cooks and servers and that I don’t ‘respect’ my man because I don’t ‘serve him’.
I’m single, never married, there is no man to respect by cooking and serving, and it got all warped and off topic.

This subject has been debated on here before, with the same types of issues.
Men and women dress differently, so I think it can easily turn into a he-she debate.

If you are a monk, maybe you don’t worry about what girls wear to church, but some people get pretty bent out of shape about this.
I used to supervise social workers and the subject of what women wore (dress code) was a constant topic, and we wasted a lot of time on it! But no one cared about what the guys wore. The guys were always concerned about what the girls wore.

At my church, I noticed that one lector wears a suit and tie, followed by a guy in shorts and tee shirt. It is a little disconcerting, but no big deal. Our ladies wear pants, and our choir looks liturgical sometimes when they all wear purple tops, or red.
I have never noticed anyone looking completely inappropriate. I think I would have to agree that if the person comes to church, that is important. Tell them to wear something more appropriate next time.
They may be too naive to know any better.

We had to wear scarves when I was growing up, and the girls always figured out some way to look different. We wore uniforms to school, but the boys didn’t have to.

 

[apromisemade]

I personally think it’s only proper to be at least reasonably modest when going to a church. You don’t have to dress like you’re going to a wedding or anything, just be presentable. I don’t wear anything that really falls under the “formal” category when I go to Mass. Number one because I don’t really have anything of the sort other than a couple buisness suits and a low cut dress from my dads wedding, number two because I have to walk to Mass and it’s terribly hot where I live. I just wear comfortable khaki pants, strap on sandels, and a black polo shirt.

This whole disscusion reminds me of an experience I had in a cathedral once.

I wasn’t even planning on going inside the church when I passed by it, but I saw a side door was cracked and decided to see what it was like. I went in, walked up to the altar, got down on both knees and offered up a deep prayer of thanks.

The whole time there was a little old lady sitting behind me in the seats. I felt akward because I was wearing shorts and a tank top (it was hot out) and I was afraid she would be bothered that I was praying in a church in those clothes, as older people tend to be a bit more sensitive to that sort of thing. I was worried and felt self conscience, but continued to pray. When I eventually stood up and went to sit down, the woman walked up to me and handed me a small prayer card with The Consecration of the Two Hearts on it and said, “Because you’ve been praying so hard, I’m going to give you this.” I still have that card.

I wasn’t wearing the right garb, but perhaps, in that womans eyes at least, I was wearing the right spirit.

 

[Lynn-D]

I think when the discussion is about “dress” it gets that way pretty easily.
And Charlotte the Mommy said women are cooks and servers and that I don’t ‘respect’ my man because I don’t ‘serve him’.
I’m single, never married, there is no man to respect by cooking and serving, and it got all warped and off topic.

This subject has been debated on here before, with the same types of issues.
Men and women dress differently, so I think it can easily turn into a he-she debate.

If you are a monk, maybe you don’t worry about what girls wear to church, but some people get pretty bent out of shape about this.
I used to supervise social workers and the subject of what women wore (dress code) was a constant topic, and we wasted a lot of time on it! But no one cared about what the guys wore. The guys were always concerned about what the girls wore.

At my church, I noticed that one lector wears a suit and tie, followed by a guy in shorts and tee shirt. It is a little disconcerting, but no big deal. Our ladies wear pants, and our choir looks liturgical sometimes when they all wear purple tops, or red.
I have never noticed anyone looking completely inappropriate. I think I would have to agree that if the person comes to church, that is important. Tell them to wear something more appropriate next time.
They may be too naive to know any better.

We had to wear scarves when I was growing up, and the girls always figured out some way to look different. We wore uniforms to school, but the boys didn’t have to.

When I went to Catholic school the girls wore green/brown plaid and the boys wore green pants and blown shirts. That was the uniform for all, no exceptions. Yes, if a girl showed up at mass without a head covering it was usually our nuns who handed out the headscarves to apply to the head. If at a high mass today I wear a head piece and usually that would be a scarf but other times just show up with the top of my head showing off my red wavy hair. LOL

 

[JReducation]

Lynn-D:
When I went to Catholic school the girls wore green/brown plaid and the boys wore green pants and blown shirts. That was the uniform for all, no exceptions. Yes, if a girl showed up at mass without a head covering it was usually our nuns who handed out the headscarves to apply to the head. If at a high mass today I wear a head piece and usually that would be a scarf but other times just show up with the top of my head showing off my red wavy hair. LOL

If we dressed according to each situation, we would not be having these silly conversations on CA.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

If ones mind was on what it is supposed to be when attending the sacrifice of Mass, another s attire should not prove to be bothersome.
Keep the faith,
G1j

 

[Lynn-D]

If ones mind was on what it is supposed to be when attending the sacrifice of Mass, another s attire should not prove to be bothersome.
Keep the faith,
G1j

I could not agree more!

Today at mass though I actually felt a bit out of place. You see it was a warm and muggy morning here in the parish and I decided that I would dress in a nice matching skirt and blouse which was light and cool. It I may admit I was dressed a bit more ‘girly’ than I usually wear but it was somehow just the right weather for it. And I felt great and wanted to feel and look nice to match the beautiful sun and lightly clouded blue sky.

Forgive me for being blunt but I felt somewhat distracted by some of the women who came to church in tight slacks or jeans and their figure called for something more discreet. I mean a woman with a size 60 lower portion should not be wearing a teeny bop outfit to church. Ok, I am done railing and just felt unappreciated for looking good in the presence of our Lord and feeling a bit out of sorts.

Lynn-D

 

[Katrina5]

If we dressed according to each situation, we would not be having these silly conversations on CA.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

But if you’re a monk with only two habits to your name, you don’t have to WORRY about any of this.
Oh, wait. I get it…"…don’t worry about what you will wear…your Heavenly Father will clothe you…" Gospel of Matthew (paraphrased)

And I think ‘nit-picking’ is something along these lines, also.

 

[Katrina5]

I could not agree more!

Today at mass though I actually felt a bit out of place. You see it was a warm and muggy morning here in the parish and I decided that I would dress in a nice matching skirt and blouse which was light and cool. It I may admit I was dressed a bit more ‘girly’ than I usually wear but it was somehow just the right weather for it. And I felt great and wanted to feel and look nice to match the beautiful sun and lightly clouded blue sky.

Forgive me for being blunt but I felt somewhat distracted by some of the women who came to church in tight slacks or jeans and their figure called for something more discreet. I mean a woman with a size 60 lower portion should not be wearing a teeny bop outfit to church. Ok, I am done railing and just felt unappreciated for looking good in the presence of our Lord and feeling a bit out of sorts.

Lynn-D

And I wonder if the size 60 lady felt like a million bucks! Like she looked really cute. Sometimes when you ask, “What were they thinking!” you don’t really want to know, do you? (Size 60? ) Maybe someone looked at you and thought, “Boy she looks more girly today than usual. I wonder what has happened to her.”

 

[JReducation]

But if you’re a monk with only two habits to your name, you don’t have to WORRY about any of this.
Oh, wait. I get it…"…don’t worry about what you will wear…your Heavenly Father will clothe you…" Gospel of Matthew (paraphrased)

I’m not a monk. I’m a friar. If were a monk I’d probably would have more clothing.

And I think ‘nit-picking’ is something along these lines, also.

LOL, then don’t nit-pick, silly.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Katrina5]

I’m not a monk. I’m a friar. If were a monk I’d probably would have more clothing.

LOL, then don’t nit-pick, silly.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Ok, I’ll stop. Or maybe I won’t, I don’t know.
I was a Franciscan (with a very narrow closet-- 6" wide) back in the day…possibly before you were even born. My closet now is wider, but the contents aren’t. Old habits are hard to break!
Oh dear. There I go again. I bet you don’t even have a closet. You just have a hook on the wall, don’t you. I can’t win!

 

[Lynn-D]

And I wonder if the size 60 lady felt like a million bucks! Like she looked really cute. Sometimes when you ask, “What were they thinking!” you don’t really want to know, do you? (Size 60? ) Maybe someone looked at you and thought, “Boy she looks more girly today than usual. I wonder what has happened to her.”

I don’t think I was chastising her for her person or size but simply the inappropriateness of the choice of her wear. I was addressing the actual tightness of her pants that seemed a few sizes too small and would not condemn that alone but did take note of it as I have to think from the looks given her by others who also seemed to share the same thought.

In actually I perhaps should have just stayed with my own feeling about how I felt without subliminally measuring it up to another.

Hopefully when they looked at me they might just have simply seen a comfortable lady who just wanted to look nice. And, in the end I did.:blushing:

 

[1catholic]

youtube.com/watch?v=8vRYfyHF0g0&NR=1
youtube.com/watch?v=qB2FpcutoL4&feature=PlayList&p=A08A0E52D3C53ED5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3

Must see You Tube.

Ha ha the second one is my fav

I personally think for church that if its modest and neat its good. I wouldn’t go to sunday mass in jeans but for weekdays i usually do. Sundays i wear a dress, a little above my knee or at it, and a sweater if it is a tank top. I think it is important to dress for mass in a manner that won’t attract attention (as long as its modest and respectful), sometimes over-dressiness does just that. I think it really depends on where you go to church and the occasion.

 

[JReducation]

Ok, I’ll stop. Or maybe I won’t, I don’t know.
I was a Franciscan (with a very narrow closet-- 6" wide) back in the day…possibly before you were even born. My closet now is wider, but the contents aren’t. Old habits are hard to break!
Oh dear. There I go again. I bet you don’t even have a closet. You just have a hook on the wall, don’t you. I can’t win!

Actually, we have three hooks behind the door of our cell for anything that hangs and a draw under the cot for the fouldables. Our cells are not that large. They are 6 x 9. They were smaller, but after Vatican II the Council alllowed us to be a little more comfortable, as long as we did not sacrifice the original spirit of Francis and become attached to the place where we live. Therefore, every Franciscan obedience does this differently but the effect is the same. Usually you are reassigned every three years. My my community, we don’t get reassigned as often. However, we change cells every month. You put everything you have into a shopping bag or cardboard box and move to your new assignment. It’s a lot of fun trying to guess whered you’re going to go.

We do have one fashion observance, I guess. Every Franciscan friar wears the same habit, even if it has been torn. You patch it up and you put it on. One day a friar was going to communion with a patch hanging down from the hem of his habit. The lady behind him was focussing so hard on her devotion that she was stunned when she stepped and heard a large tear. She had stepped on the hanging patch and tore it and a little more. The poor brother had to wait until the tailor could get to him, which was about a week later. So he went everywhere with a habit that had a piece missing from the back. Fortunately the only thing that showed were his ankles to his calf. I can’t remember why he didn’t wear his other habit. Maybe he had destroyed that one too. Br. N. was notorious for being very hard on clothes. He was a professiona skateboarder turned Franciscan. He often borowed boards from the kids in the neighborhood for do tricks at the skate park. But he wore his habit for this. He is good too. We even had a skateboard competition between three Franciscan friars of three different obediences. The Franciscans of the Immaculata won the tournament. They’re good. But the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal kick butt in basketball, in long skirts and veil too. The Sisters of Life are awesome at basketball. It must be NY thing.

The only thing about Franciscan intermeurals is that you have to sit next to the brothers or sisters in the same habits that they wore to play during mass. You better hope it’s not the Easter Vigil.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Lynn-D]

Actually, we have three hooks behind the door of our cell for anything that hangs and a draw under the cot for the fouldables. Our cells are not that large. They are 6 x 9. They were smaller, but after Vatican II the Council alllowed us to be a little more comfortable, as long as we did not sacrifice the original spirit of Francis and become attached to the place where we live. Therefore, every Franciscan obedience does this differently but the effect is the same. Usually you are reassigned every three years. My my community, we don’t get reassigned as often. However, we change cells every month. You put everything you have into a shopping bag or cardboard box and move to your new assignment. It’s a lot of fun trying to guess whered you’re going to go.

We do have one fashion observance, I guess. Every Franciscan friar wears the same habit, even if it has been torn. You patch it up and you put it on. One day a friar was going to communion with a patch hanging down from the hem of his habit. The lady behind him was focussing so hard on her devotion that she was stunned when she stepped and heard a large tear. She had stepped on the hanging patch and tore it and a little more. The poor brother had to wait until the tailor could get to him, which was about a week later. So he went everywhere with a habit that had a piece missing from the back. Fortunately the only thing that showed were his ankles to his calf. I can’t remember why he didn’t wear his other habit. Maybe he had destroyed that one too. Br. N. was notorious for being very hard on clothes. He was a professiona skateboarder turned Franciscan. He often borowed boards from the kids in the neighborhood for do tricks at the skate park. But he wore his habit for this. He is good too. We even had a skateboard competition between three Franciscan friars of three different obediences. The Franciscans of the Immaculata won the tournament. They’re good. But the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal kick butt in basketball, in long skirts and veil too. The Sisters of Life are awesome at basketball. It must be NY thing.

The only thing about Franciscan intermeurals is that you have to sit next to the brothers or sisters in the same habits that they wore to play during mass. You better hope it’s not the Easter Vigil.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

THAT IS HUMOROUS! THANK YOU.

 

[walker_p]

People need to use common sense. I see way too many people wearing shorts and sandals. I don’t expect teenagers to know better, but I do expect men in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s to have a brain and not to dress this way. It is disrespectful. Not everyone needs to wear a suit, but shorts and sandals are not appropriate attire for a supposed adult to wear to mass. These people need to grow up.