Clothes at Mass

[foolishmortal]

One person said he (I think it was a guy) doesn’t dress out of the '50s or '60s. What’s wrong with dressing up like the '50s or '60s. I think we ought to go back to hats, not caps, but not wear them at Mass. We should be dressed our best for God if we dress so nicely for work. I regret I dress California casual (Polo shirt, khaki slacks, etc.) too often. Women should wear veils. It’s Biblical and in there for a good reason–not that men should not be humble, obviously, or lord their being the woman’s glory and God being theirs over them by arrogant treatment. Women have been very snooty towards men since the liberation thing, thus giving up what God put in them to make them great; men have been less-than-men slobs (I admit that about myself), who obediently do what their wife says when she gets angry (I don’t have a girlfriend or wife, but I have seen it).
The other reason for veils is a bit outdated, though. The Bible has men being obsessed over women’s hair. I don’t see that as the case today. I don’t see women unveiled and think, “I want a piece of that!”. I think maybe they should wear looser-fitting, but well-covering, clothes over their breast and bottom area (not that I think, eyes-widened, the same about that, but it’s a cultural development that white guys more often like bigger breasts and black men like the big bottom). That is more an organic change that can be prudently made. Women usually dress well enough there. They definitely need to cover their shoulders, the legs, and up to two finger-lengths below the neck. These things can cause scandal to men in church. That’s what our FSSP priest said the last 2 sentences.

 

[Melanie01]

…being clothed is a GOOD thing…

…particularly at Mass…

the fashion should not be a case of proximate evil…

…stayed CLOTHED for all our sakes and souls:thumbsup:

…this too has been a topic for recent sermons at our SPPX chapel…Brisbane is heating up and the humidity also so this is very pertinent!

 

[tcraig]

One person said he (I think it was a guy) doesn’t dress out of the '50s or '60s. What’s wrong with dressing up like the '50s or '60s.

Nothing’s wrong with it, if it’s your personal preference and you’re not trying to impose it on others.

 

[Blizzard_Wolf]

I definitely agree, modesty is in order, especially at Mass.

So long as one is modest and clean, though, I don’t think that one must necessarily dress in their very best clothes… then one runs the risk of coveting another’s clothes, or causing someone else to covet. The focus is Mass, after all, not what the family in the next pew is (or isn’t) wearing.

 

[Cathryn]

I definitely agree, modesty is in order, especially at Mass.

So long as one is modest and clean, though, I don’t think that one must necessarily dress in their very best clothes… then one runs the risk of coveting another’s clothes, or causing someone else to covet. The focus is Mass, after all, not what the family in the next pew is (or isn’t) wearing.

I dress in my best because going to Mass is the most important Sacrificial Banquet I can go to. I don’t dress fancy, (I don’t have or want fancy clothes. ) I buy most of my clothing at St. Vincent de Paul and just about anyone can afford the clothes I wear. When I shop at St. Vincent I look for clothes to wear to Mass.

I dress as if I am going to something important and in line with the “dignity of the liturgy” as the Bishops say here:

Bishop’s Statement on modest dress for Mass
from Happy Are Those Called To The Banquet

Appropriate attire
We should also come to the sacred liturgy appropriately dressed. As Christians we
should dress in a modest manner, wearing clothes that reflect our reverence for God
and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one another.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I lost track of time and ended up going to the Teen Mass at a local parish- in my polo shirt and jeans without my chapel veil.

Oh did I feel conspicuous! Not that other people weren’t in jeans (they were)… I just felt very… under dressed for the occasion.
I offered it up as I was praying.

I guess I am just so used to taking time to look pretty for Our Lord that He took tonight to remind me how important He is to me.

 

[foolishmortal]

We do need our nicest clothes and civilization’s highest church architecture, music, art and liturgy at Mass. This “It’s God and I” thing that defies the subconscious and the reality of our fallen nature has been a problem. Sure, abuses of these righteous aspects of our Faith have happened, but a reform was not necessary of the externals of the Faith, but of the internals of us. People like Luther (who may have had other aims) and Archbishop Lefebvre and “Pope Mike” forgot that Christ chose sinners and not those with some personal relationship, as the apostles as bishops and Peter, esp. as Pope, but the Church itself is totally holy and perfect. Abuses don’t take that away from the Church nor from the liturgy, architecture, art, and music set for 500-some years by Pope Pius V. Taking out altar rails and seating that has people facing other people (except in religious communities) as well as holding hands at the “Our Father” makes the Mass less than a He and I occasion as we are more focused on community.
Teen gals and women definitely should not have low cut collars and exposed shoulders as that is objectively scandalous to men outside church and probably a sacrilege in church as a man could get turned on. It is psychologically wrong and probably disingenuous to say it doesn’t matter as the problem is the man’s. Casual clothes, in general, is not a “they cant judge my soul” kind of thing is also wrong thinking and probably disingenuous and probably lacking humility in thinking you are tight with God and thus any clothes suffices as we all fall short of the glory of God.
Some people are chosen, like St. Francis, St. Claire, and their community, to live in rags and build makeshift churches, but their reasons are not ours as ours is deep-down, less well-intentioned as we are fallen (not that fuzzy wuzzy sermons of today teach us enough about that kind of stuff to make us truly tight with God as old sermons more likely did because they made the well-intentioned sufficiently careful of their souls and that of their children’s)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I wear a suit to Mass 100% of the time, but don’t make me wear a hat. I look like somebody out of “The Godfather” in a hat. We don’t all look like Jimmy Stewart, you know. I don’t want people coming up and kissing my hand.

 

[foolishmortal]

Well, I meant that we ought to dress not like we are having a semi-casual Thanksgiving family meal; not that we pull out all the stops (generally, the most formal outfit a man or woman wears anywhere is best enough–like a suit or dress). I mean it as a principle as opposed to the opposing principle that it doesn’t matter at all as long as you have this close relationship with God or you are getting there (I’m not advocating scrupulosity, but even saints would be hard on themselves about their sins). God gave us 5 senses for a reason. I admit I don’t dress my best, but it isn’t some pseudo-intellectual or spiritual bull. I’m just lazy. I do wear slacks though.
I am teaching in S. Korea now and I see more class at Mass there than at home. There are no kids playing with toys and wearing t-shirts either.

 

[stmaria]

Even St. Peters has a dress code.

*APPROPRIATE DRESS IS A MUST! *

“Please be aware that there are monitors outside St. Peter’s, which has a very strict dress code: no skirts above the knee, no shorts, no bare shoulders (i.e., tank tops or sleeveless blouses), and you must wear shoes. You will not be permitted inside the basilica unless you are dressed appropriately. Slacks and jeans, however, are permitted. If you are out sightseeing in shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, sleeveless blouses, etc., and wish to enter a church, you must be dressed appropriately. People who monitor visitors in churches have the right to refuse entrance if in their opinion the visitor is dressed inappropriate to enter.”

mclink.it/personal/ME6428/vatican_city_dress_code.htm

 

[tcraig]

Even St. Peters has a dress code.

Yes, it does, but it is primarily concerned with modesty and does not address formality at all. In my experience, those who are most concerned about what others wear to mass are primarily concerned about what they perceive as an unacceptable lack of formality.

 

[Markstorm]

Yes, it does, but it is primarily concerned with modesty and does not address formality at all. In my experience, those who are most concerned about what others wear to mass are primarily concerned about what they perceive as an unacceptable lack of formality.

Most concerns that I’ve heard stress modesty first. Appropriately so, since formality is simply a matter of propriety while immodesty often provides occasion for sin. I’m sure most people would rather see the tank tops and miniskirts go first, before worrying about mantillas.

 

[BamaRider]

I like the casual dress of most Catholic parishes, IMHO it encourages attendance. I live in the hot and muggy south, where shorts are common at the vigil and Sunday Masses.

As long as the attire is neat, clean and modest I think it is ok.

I’m often called to attend weekend Mass on my long motorcycle tours, and have no choice but to arrive in my riding gear. I can’t change clothes in the parking lot (no place to hide) and even if I could, I can’t dig all that stuff out without unloading the bike. So far that has never been a problem at any of the parishes I called upon to fullfill my obligation.

 

[ancilla_Domini]

I myself haven’t ever worn jeans to a Mass (on Sunday; daily Masses are a different story) and have been opting for a skirt. Here in snowy Chicago, that means 2 layers of thick tights and 1 layer of leggings when I walk to Mass. And I’m definitely in love with my chapel veil, even though I’m the youngest person in the church wearing one (unless I’m at St. John Cantius’ Latin Mass).

When you go to a wedding, an important event, you dress up. When you go on a date (okay, a fancy one), you dress up. Therefore, when we go to see and receive God, we should dress up.

I can understand why casual clothing encourages attendance, but I still feel that numbers shouldn’t count. I’ve observed a correlation between Masses where most everyone is casually dressed and a lack of reverence in the Mass. If people don’t se others dressed seriously, churchgoers, especially those who are not as involved with the faith, may not take Mass seriously either. It’s “just a normal thing.” But the Mass is not a normal thing - it’s an out-of-this-world experience! We get to see GOD!!!

But not everyone can afford to go shopping for nicer clothes. (I recently graduated; I remember being a struggling college student. I missed out on many shopping trips). If jeans are all you have and can afford, then yes, go in jeans. But if you have nicer clothes, dress up for God. Wear your best because God deserves the best. Now THAT’S an important date.

 

[BamaRider]

Well I dunno, are you dressing up for God or the folks around you?

In the South shorts are common with men attending Mass, especially the vigil, but not ladies. They usually wear long pants of summer material or a dress.

Weddings, funerals are different.

 

[ancilla_Domini]

I definitely try to dress up for God. I know that dressing nicely helps convey the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to others, but like I said before, God deserves the very best of what we can give Him! Whether we’re studying, helping our families with chores, or smiling at someone we don’t get along with, we should always do our best in whatever we do and offer that to God. So we should wear nice and modest clothes to the Holy Sacrifice.

Of course, though, I’m sure there are people who dress up nicely for the Holy Sacrifice but aren’t reverent or do not concentrate on the prayers. And I’m sure there are those who come more casually dressed but put all of their efforts into immersing themselves in prayer. So, people in both groups have an area where they can put in the extra effort to do their best for God.

 

[foolishmortal]

What Ancilla says is all I’m trying to say.

 Besides, what's happening in South America with Catholics going to  Fundie churches?   Maybe the Fundies mean business more because saving souls matter more even if the remarriage prohibition doesn't or the part about those who say "Jesus, Jesus..we ate with you, etc." not necessarily going to heaven doesn't.  They still know souls are not just saved by doing good to others, but doctrine has a big place even if their theology is too simplistic.   This casual clothes thing, I believe, is not about what's inside our souls.  I'm sure those of the Church suffering in China would dress as well as possible because they don't have the comfort that leads to fuzzy thinking that results in ad populem designed churches and altar girls.

Maybe we need a persecution to get our heads straight. Which more focused group would it be…the Chinese, the terrorists, leftists, anti-Catholic evangelicals. Mainline denominations have the fuzzy feelings epidemic as well. Fortunately, we have dogmas to keep those who listen to it anymore and/or taught anything important by its local leaders safe from heresy. Oh yeah, I forgot about the militantly anti-Catholic Catholics with multiple “marriages” and loose living who have no respect for the Church, probably mostly because of fuzzy teachings and some 'cause of superfast Masses–though that could not be not near as scandalous as what came afterwards. It’s time to stop being relevant. That’s PC for modernism. It never worked. Some souls stick with the Church anyway, but that psychology doesn’t work on the Masses. Allowing the ending of things not tradition with a big “T” by saying it is just a tradition with a small “t” is also fuzzy thinking that cuts more threads between us and God.

What will it take to end this sophmoric thinking of those who have a pretty easy life compared to those in China or in terrorist states? Pray it’s an appearance by Mary or something otherwise peaceful, but that’s not often how it goes.

 

[stmaria]

Well I dunno, are you dressing up for God or the folks around you?

In the South shorts are common with men attending Mass, especially the vigil, but not ladies. They usually wear long pants of summer material or a dress.

Weddings, funerals are different.

Why are weddings and funerals any different than a regular Mass.? You would be embarassed to show up at a wedding or funeral in shorts, t-shirt, football jersey, tank-top, mini-skirt. You show also be embarrassed to show up at Mass dressed like that.

 

[tcraig]

Most concerns that I’ve heard stress modesty first. Appropriately so, since formality is simply a matter of propriety while immodesty often provides occasion for sin. I’m sure most people would rather see the tank tops and miniskirts go first, before worrying about mantillas.

The unbelievable number of threads/posts that I’ve seen on CA over what is appropriate to wear at mass all ultimately devolve into a formality issue.

And I’ve seen few “what to wear at mass threads” discussing the issue of mantillas. Most involve arguments over whether men should wear slacks/jackets and women dresses, and whether blue jeans are appropriate or not. These items of clothing have little to do with modesty, and everything to do with a certain level of formality.

 

[catharina]

I definitely agree, modesty is in order, especially at Mass.

**So long as one is modest and clean, though, I don’t think that one must necessarily dress in their very best clothes… **then one runs the risk of coveting another’s clothes, or causing someone else to covet. The focus is Mass, after all, not what the family in the next pew is (or isn’t) wearing.

You took the words right out of my mouth. This holds true especially for those who work in emergency services, medical, fire and rescue, residential (elder and child programs). At times one simply slips away (on a break) to attend Mass and at those times, modest and clean is the ultimate goal for dress.