Clothing for Mass

[LilyM]

Ok, I think this argument is getting to be a bit petty really. I think we all agree that certain types of clothing are not suitable for Mass and that people should endeavour to dress appropriately. I suppose my points were really theological or philosophical, perhaps, on the nature of God, and whether a person who does not have the means to appear at Mass in attire which is up to common standard (I’m not talking about excessive cleavage, low-rise jeans etc.-I’m talking about those below the poverty-line, for example) is necessarily less acceptable to God…after all, surely God will not judge people by the clothing they wear as we mere mortals tend to do. Of course everyone can make the effort to come to Mass presentable - yes, something must be done where people are barely clothed, showing excess cleavage etc, but for others - whether they are ‘up to our standard’ or not- surely their desire to meet Christ at Mass should be the main point of focus?

I’ve always had some problems with this type of discussion too. The argument from those in favour of dressing-up goes something along the lines of ‘you’d dress up for a job interview/wedding/formal event/to meet the President or Pope, why not for Mass’.

To that I can only reply because on those occasions I’m dealing with PEOPLE - people who are quick to judge you based by what you wear because they have extremely limited abilities to read your mind and heart.

At Mass I am having an encounter with God who knows me inside and out - who made me, for crying out loud. I just can’t fathom that He’d care so much over what I wear as a Pope, President or potential employer might.

If my parents, fallible humans as they are, know and love me well enough that they rarely if ever care what I wear (unless it’s dirty, torn or immodest) why would God?

 

[exprot]

I always try to wear my best. However, 3 mos. ago I got sick. 2mos. ago I had to stop working. I have a pregnant wife and 3 small children. I haven’t received a paycheck in almost 2 mos. There is no help from my employer and I have been jumping through hoops for many weeks trying to get temporary cash assistance from the state. I can’t pay my rent or bills. Because of my meds. I have gone up in size. I currently have 2 pairs of pants that fit. A faded pair of slacks and a pair of jeans that are ripped at ripped at the heals. You people that are concerned with appearance with what money do you suppose I buy nice clothes. Money that has been donated to me for bills has to go to bills, money for clothes would buy warm clothes for the kids. I’m glad that God isn’t so superficial.

 

[benedictgal]

I always try to wear my best. However, 3 mos. ago I got sick. 2mos. ago I had to stop working. I have a pregnant wife and 3 small children. I haven’t received a paycheck in almost 2 mos. There is no help from my employer and I have been jumping through hoops for many weeks trying to get temporary cash assistance from the state. I can’t pay my rent or bills. Because of my meds. I have gone up in size. I currently have 2 pairs of pants that fit. A faded pair of slacks and a pair of jeans that are ripped at ripped at the heals. You people that are concerned with appearance with what money do you suppose I buy nice clothes. Money that has been donated to me for bills has to go to bills, money for clothes would buy warm clothes for the kids. I’m glad that God isn’t so superficial.

Exprot, please don’t think that we’re being judgmental. It’s not that we are being superficial. If you read my previous posts, you’ll find that my main concern regarded modesty. I certainly wasn’t condemning or disrespecting folks in your situation. Please understand that.

By the way, even though this is off-topic, have you made contact with some of the social agencies? If you need help in paying for your meds, check this website out: www.needymeds.com . The pharmaceutical companies have low to no-cost programs for folks in your situation. Furthermore, your diocese might have something called Catholic Social Services or the parish St. Vincent De Paul Society that may be able to help out. There is also Goodwill Industries, which can help with job placement.

 

[NPC]

… my main concern is low-cut, low-rise skin-baring attire that is not appropriate for the Mass. It doesn’t have to be couture or Neiman Marcus attire. It just needs to be neat, clean and modest, which is the standard the nuns taught us (even as late as the mid 1970s to early 1980s).

-Absolutely Agreed! A favourite quote of the nuns was the old ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’ one - well worth bearing in mind, but I wonder could it be modified so as it could be directed at immodest dressers!!!..

 

[PeteZaHut]

If shorts are immodest, can you where them other places besides church? Should standards for modest apply everywhere?

 

[lak611]

If shorts are immodest, can you where them other places besides church? Should standards for modest apply everywhere?

Shorts are not necessarily immodest (of course if they are extremely short and tight that is a different story). They are just too casual for church. Unless one wears shorts as part of a work uniform, such as for the Post Office or UPS, generally they are inappropriate for work. Shorts are acceptable for casual outings and at home. They are just too casual for work or church, even if they are not inherently immodest.

 

[tcraig]

A funny answer that I read in this forum a few years ago, in regards to the “God knows what is in my heart” issue on dressing appropriately at mass was:

“Yes, He knows what’s in your heart, but he also knows what’s in your closet!”

 

[JimR-OCDS]

In my area, modesty is the way to go.

However, it also depends on the situation.

Out at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, in Stockbridge, MA., they use to have a sign up, “no shorts or tank tops allowed.”

They took down the sign a few years ago, because they found that vacationers who came to visit the Shrine, while wearing shorts, could not attend Mass. Mass is at 8PM and 2PM, daily.
Many didn’t know the schedule for the Mass, but saw the Shrine listed as a tourist attraction, in the brochure for the Berkshires, and decided to visit, and realized they could attend the 2PM Mass, until the saw the sign at the entrance of the Chapel.

Well, since the sign has been removed, I have seen people in dress shorts, but nothing immodest.

I think the Marians made the right decision to remove the sign, in this case.

Jim

 

[DebChris]

This is indeed a topic that I wonder about. I certainly think modesty is the crucial factor. I do think that everyone should make an effort when going to Mass to be dressed for the occasion - after all, one is going to meet and receive Christ. However, for example, if a painter with clothes covered in paint, after finishing work wants to go to Mass, this may not normally be regarded as appropriate attire, but he wants to be there. Surely his desire to meet the Lord overrides the state of his clothes! Also there are many people who don’t have the means to dress to ‘acceptable’ standards - I think these are the people the Lord would have made a point of accepting. As I have said I think one should make the effort for Mass, surely a person’s appearence isn’t the main concern of the Lord - while we see what a person has on the outside first, the Lord knows the heart and soul first. The person with the unclean clothes may be the most humble and holy person, and the person who is dressed up to the heights may be there to give their new clothes a public outing! So I think the intent of the person should be the primary concern and clothing should be a secondary matter…

This example led me to thinking about Jesus on the fishing boat with the Apostles. How were they dressed? Peter put his clothes on before jumping into the water to meet Christ.
Your discription helps me see the work clothes that are worn as an expression of the humble profession of the painter. Clothing is typically chosen as a reflection of who we are.
I shared with my Cursillo group this morning about the story I heard concerning my brothers’ first time as altar servers. They were sweating from hard play when it was time for Mass and were still in that state when Father asked them to serve. Mom may have been embarrassed but God uses us as we are.

I think perhaps this is one of those God knows our hearts and I think our hearts are what matter.
As far as people not having the means to dress nicely, that’s one of those things where, again, God knows our heart. Like the story of the two giving an offering. One gave a little and one woman gave all she had–which wasn’t much monetarily… but the point was that she gave EVERYTHING she had. I think two people could get dressed and wear basically the exact same outfit… perhaps jeans and a button up blouse-- and for one person, if that is the very best they have, then that, I think, would be fine. However if someone else is wearing that just because they don’t care one way or the other, then that’s a different story.

The clothing I wear during the week reflects the activity from which I am coming or to which I am going. On Sundays, I make a greater effort in terms of what I wear to Mass.
It is easy for me to think in terms of military uniform. A soldier on duty may wear fatiques. These are worn at field Masses. On the other hand, the soldier will wear a dress uniform to Sunday Mass on post. There are equivalents in civilian life. A person may wear a suit or nice dress to Sunday Mass and work clothes/blue jeans during the week.
As a general rule I try not to wear logos, something I learned while working in a factory. I never know if I will be called on to lector or help distribute Communion.

And even a homeless person can go into the church bathroom and wash their hands and face and straighten up a bit before Mass.

Several years ago the priests in my diocese were directed by the bishop to use the Corpus Christi homily as means of instructing the faithful in proper receipt of the Eucharist. This instruction included washing hands for those who choose to receive in the hand and brushing teeth for those who choose to receive on the tongue.