I think this is being asked because when one chooses to dress modestly, when they feel the pull of the Holy Spirit to dress modestly, it is very hard. It is hard to be the only one. It is hard to take the looks and comments. It’s hard to want to dress modest and not want to stand out. Veiling is the hardest. Fellowship with others who are encouraging gives you strength and helps strengthen your faith.
KBernadette, I understand exactly what you are saying. I think the dress looks much better, (exposed shoulders aside), much prettier. Many women do not realize that that is what their pants look like from the back. It might be a good idea for women to look to see what their back side looks like before leaving the house.http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/LaneBryant/pr_97398_B?$product_qv$&wid=187&hei=243 http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/LaneBryant/pr_97398?$product_qv$&wid=187&hei=243
http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/LaneBryant/pr_93296?$product_qv$&wid=187&hei=243http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/LaneBryant/pr_93296_B?$product_qv$&wid=187&hei=243
For a traditionalist who attends a TLM parish where skirts are the norm, stepping out into the world where pants rule the day can be quite jarring.
I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. I posted plus sized models because I most often hear complaints from bigger women that they look terrible in skirts.
Honestly, which looks better? Exposed shoulders and back of the dress aside, which is more modest in terms of keeping the private areas of the body hidden?
(If you wear the maxi dress to Mass though, please wear a cover up for your shoulders!
Walking_ Home, I have to agree. My niece immerses herself in a book when she is reading and she is also an avid sports fan especially football.
Even if this were true, and men can block out what women are wearing and have more of a unique focus, why then would women be concerned with what other women are wearing?
I actually can relate somewhat. Since I feel the pull of God’s Spirit not to be too concerned about attire in church when I am visiting Him. And I choose to dress casually comfortable. To me Christ is more concerned about the poor, the sick who can not afford adequate health care, things like that. But I still remember once when I received Christ in a nice clean pair of cargo shorts, a clean shirt, and tennis shoes because my feet hurt, I made the sign of the cross, turned around to return to my seat, and this lady in the first row gave me such a frowning look. I don’t usually allow what others think to bother me all that much though when it comes to church attire. God knows my heart. Maybe though I’m just not meant to fellowship with traditional Catholics.
Walking_Home:
Walking_ Home, I have to agree. My niece immerses herself in a book when she is reading and she is also an avid sports fan especially football.
:yup: I think for me maybe it just all depends on where I choose to place my main focus at the moment I suppose when I am focused on one task. God bless and peace be with you and everyone here. :grouphug:
Not less Catholic. Just less reverent, or at least, that’s the message you send to the rest of the congregation (none of us know what is in your heart). However, I do observe in my own parishes that the men who wear shorts tend to be the men who either do not believe in or do not understand the Real Presence, which makes sense: if Jesus isn’t truly there, then there’s no need to put on a more reverent tone than you would elsewhere in your daily life. I am not saying that’s the case with you specifically, as I have gathered from your comments that you do believe in the Real Presence. It’s just my general observation of most shorts-wearers I encounter in church.What I don’t understand though is if traditionalists are the orthodox and most faithful of the faith, then those who don’t subscribe to the traditionalist dress code, are what? Less Catholic?
I bring a change of clothes when we are out and about, but might be going to church. It hasn’t cost me one ounce of gas to dress up in the presence of our Lord.
Maybe less reverant to those in the congregation who have, as someone else here described as, a “traditionalist mindset”.
Based on your pants not being as loose and the fit in your shoulder area, no my opinion is I would not say you look plus size in that picture. But then I’m not Lane Bryant.I usually wear a cassock and surplice at Mass. Problem solved.
I get a seat with a cushion too.
And I get to recieve right from the hands of the priest, right after the priest recieves.
And I get to ring the bells.
Does this make me look fat?
http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/altar.server.3.jpg
Just felt like saying that.
-Tim-
Perhaps, if one subscribes to the idea that men have a unique ability to “focus” (the sports game example) and that ability somehow translates to Mass. I don’t buy that, so I don’t see a conflict there.
I would argue that the outlook isn’t something limited to people with a traditional mindset or the small number of traditional parishes, but that it is our Church’s mindset. It’s just not obvious because the casual culture has taken over most in almost all parishes. In my archdiocese, many (most?) parishes publish something very similar to this in their bulletin each year as summer approaches:
Though this request is roundly ignored by most, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s the Church’s mindset. Don’t try wearing shorts to mass at St. Peter’s in Rome - you won’t get through the front door
I attended my grandson’s Leaver’s Mass where one of the mothers wore the same attire to Church. She also chatted loudly with friends she was with. The Headmistress had to remind them that they were in God’s house and were sat in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Flip flops, ratty sneakers, torn jeans, unkempt hair, giant hoop earings (you know, like the ones from the 80s), cintures worn at the hips rather than the waist. Is it that difficult to dress appropriately???If this is the Catholic Church’s mindset, I guess I just don’t understand why if Christ walked the earth in sandals that He would have a problem with us visiting His house in casual attire. I sorta like in contrast to your archdiocese’s puiblishings, what an Episcopal church near me publishes for one of their services about it, “Jeans, flip-flops, open-hearts and questioning minds are encouraged here.” God bless and peace.
Love Divine, what size earrings are appropriate accessories for women? I only ask because I noticed the young woman who cuts my hair, during a recent visit to get my hair trimmed, was wearing giant hoops. I wasn’t distracted. She has a boyfriend and I’m old enough to be her father anyway. Even if neither were the situation, I’d probably not be her type as I am a bit plus size probably. So I just stayed focus on the task at hand which at that place and time was my haircut. But if they are from the 80s, are they something that are coming back? They would not be appropriate accessories on a woman in church who is otherwise dressed appropriately in a nice dress?What’s even worse is the attire of those up in the Sanctuary.
And while this one has nothing to with dress, chewing gum! They shouldn’t even be receiving Communion!