Churchgoers' Attire (Whatever happened to 'Sunday Best'?)

[Mary1973]

Our church doesn’t have air conditioning. It gets mighty hot in there. But I always want to wear something nice for God. I guess I am an old fogey.

 

[LilyOfTheFather]

I try to wear something modest to Mass. I know that it doesn’t matter about attire, given that God is most concerned about what is in your heart, but I’ve noticed that those who dress casually or immodestly tend to be those who take what of the Church’s teachings suits them and leave the rest behind. The more orthodox, conservative parishioners tend to dress very modestly, and a few of the women even wear veils.

 

[amal95]

Fast_ed75:

This is a problem not only with Catholics but also Protestant churches - even many of the evangelical ones (although they do not have the real presence). I think it is a result of many factors that are listed but primarily the reason is that we live in a society that is saturated in doing whatever feels good or is comfortable. I brought this up at another forum once and many became hostile- “God only cares what’s in a person’s heart” and “Bill Clinton wore a suit to church” were some of the quotes I remember. It is amazing to see the low-income black congregations om the inner city wear suits and dresses, but to go to a parish in a wealthy suburb you will find flip-flops, shorts and t-shirts- even among the EEM’s.

Yes, it’s a widespread reverencemodesty problem. And yes, this is a problem in some non- Catholic churches, too. Younger amily members who go to a non-denom. church sometimes dress too casually, too. I understand the arguments that it’s what is inside that counts, but we are showing our inner diposition, by taking the time to look nice for mass. (that’s the argument some of my non-denom. family members use, too)

That last sentence in the quote is the most telling— I understand the argument near the beginning of a young man who doesn’t have too much Sunday Best clothes, but the problem is not those who cannot afford nice clothes. Most of the young people who underdress for mass, are wearing expensive casual clothes, and are name-dropping or showing off their style.

 

[Mandi]

reidtgang:

I bought a suit for a cruise two years ago and wore it twice on the cruise. I hated it. My wife hated it. I can not imagine going to Mass wearing it (please note I keep calling it “it”).

This would be a perfect opportunity to sacrifice for God. He made the ultimate Sacrifice for us, it is a shame when we can’t put ourselves out - even the tiniest for Him.
*
“If we can not do the smallest of things for our Lord, how will we be able to do the big things”* - Imitation of Christ

I think people would get so tired of my squirming they’d start a new thread on people who squirm at Mass.

It would be well to remember that the Saints regularly made themselves uncomfortable to make sacrifice to God - they wore hair shirts, tied ropes around their waste and slept on beds of bricks. Although God does not expect this from us - (this is for the extrodinary) It is not good for the soul that we do only that which is pleasing to us. - We have truly become a self-gratifying world.

Deny yourself and move close to God!

 

[BonnieBj]

:tsktsk: I fully agree with you. REcently a man in our parish came to Mass wearing flip flops and ragged cut-offs. My pastor says I shouldn’t get angry about it because it’s not my sin (sin of disrespect znd, I think, a sin against the 4th commandment since God is our Father). But I do hate seeing it.

This is a “me, myself, and I” society and also too few people give their best to things anymore. We want to do things faster, so get dressed in anything quick and get to Mass to fulfill the “obligation” and be done with it so we can get back to our lives; Mass is seen as an intrusion in our lives instead of a time to commune with and worship God. Also our society has become “crude, rude, and lewd.” Aperson’s attire speaks volumes about their self respect and their respect for others and what’s important in their lives. Those who refuse to wear “their Sunday best.” What a pity!

 

[naprous]

I think there’s a big difference between being modest, and wearing one’s “Sunday Best”. I have no problem whatsoever with the former, but I disagree with the latter.

(but people here sometimes do get carried away on the modesty question. If you want women to dress in burqas, please go to Afghanistan)

But back to the Sunday Best question. I have seen it said on here that for mass, I should dress the way I would dress to meet the President. Why? Leaving aside the point that I’d personally like to wear an extremely offensive t-shirt to meet THIS president, I definitely don’t have the same kind of relationship with God that I have with this or any other president. I talk with God about absolutely everything in my life – He is my utmost and most intimate confidante. He knows what I’m like all the way from my rattiest undies on out. Why should I put on a show? Surely that show is for others, and not for God.

I’m a Catholic convert who grew up Episcopalian. The church I went to growing up was all about social position and who sponsored coffee hour this week, and whether or not you had a subscription to Symphony. People dressed up for church. When I became a Catholic after spending time in a Benedictine monastery, I at last felt comfortable in church, knowing that I didn’t have to dress to impress anymore.

For the record, I don’t wear mini-skirts or tank tops or shorts or the like to mass, but neither do I dress up especially. That usually means a pair of trousers and a t-shirt, possibly with a sweater or jacket depending on the weather.

Naprous

 

[deaconswife]

Our former pastor found a somewhat creative way to get people to stop wearing sleeveless tops, shorts, flip flops and other similar outfits. He used to keep the air conditioning cranked up really high. People started dressing more modetsly as it was to cool in the church to do otherwise. He felt the higher bill for the air conditioning was worth the cost than to have to see some of the sights that he saw from the altar.

 

[Detroit_Sue]

naprous:

I
(but people here sometimes do get carried away on the modesty question. If you want women to dress in burqas, please go to Afghanistan)

What does this statement mean? I’ve never heard of overdone modesty. I dress for Mass in skirts or dresses during the summer. Long, flowy clothes that are sooo much cooler than shorts even. I also cover my head. My SIL calls that my “burka.”

Actually, I like to see Muslim women in veils and modest clothing. What a beautiful statement for God!

 

[mizcebe]

It seems that the phrase “Sunday best” and the adjective “casual” are open to interpretation. I know I am sometimes a little confused as to the meaning of the term “casual attire” on an invitation to a party. It really does vary according to the area of the country and the host and the event.

It seems to me that what we are really discussing here is “reverence” and “modesty” which also seem to be variable. IMO, being clean and well groomed with neat clothing and fairly well covered should be acceptable. Clothes don’t have to be fashionable or have a designer label to be appropriate if they are among the best you have or can afford. If you are very poor, you do the best you can. God knows what is in your heart and whether or not you have reverence for Him and His church. Neither I nor anyone else can do that, but one should be very sure of his own conscience and attitude when deciding what is appropriate.

I have to admit to getting a bit of a giggle out of the post that complained about the 75 degree heat and 95% humidity! I live in South Carolina and that is a very nice summer day here. I also lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years. It was regularly 110-115 degrees there. I was forced to dress modestly when I left the house. I had to wear long sleeves and a long skirt or dress – no trousers. I did it and it was not a burden to me. It turned out that wearing a long skirt was actually more comfortable than wearing slacks!

Whatever you decide to wear (unless it is so immodest as to be attracting others to sinful thoughts), I’ll be happy to see you at Mass!

 

[naprous]

Well, I will absolutely support the right of any Muslim girl or woman to cover her hair (even in France, where that has recently become illegal in schools – something I think is shameful). I will also happily support your right to cover yourself up as much as you wish – so long as you don’t require that I cover my head in public and the like. But in Afghanistan, the Taliban has enforced women wearing burqas to a degree where they cannot work, and cannot function in society. All because men are so tempted by that evil female flesh that they can’t bear even to perceive even dimly the mere outline of the female bodily form.

That’s what I mean by taking modesty too far. At the very least, men should bear equal responsibility for their own temptation. Saying anything less is misogyny.

Naprous

 

[angelnurse]

I have also been disgusted at some of the attire people wear to mass. Halter tops and old blue jeans are not appropriate. it shows a lack of respect. I believe if the priests would express their disapproval and also offer guidelines as to what is acceptable clothing then people would respond. A note in the church bulletin can go a long way to providing some direction and I know it would make a difference.