Do males wear ball caps, beanies and/or hoodies during Mass at your parish?

[Solomonson]

I honestly haven’t noticed. I’m busy following the Mass and praying.

If you were at Mass, and the confirmation candidates entered the sanctuary and a couple of the teen males were wearing ball caps and you didn’t notice, I would suggest you weren’t following the Mass.

 

[pensmama87]

I have only seen a ball cap once. A man came in late and it was pretty clear he wasn’t familiar with Mass. After a couple minutes I leaned over, SMILED, and politely whispered, “Sorry to bother you, I just wanted to let you know you should take off your hat.” He apologized and took it off immediately. I told him no worries and put my attention back on the Mass. No big.

I do see a lot of casual clothes, and no, that’s not my thing, but it’s also not possible to change that in the moment the way removing a hat is. The best I can do is teach my own children and set an example, and share the joy of Christ. And when I’m distracted, to the extent that I can, I do shut my eyes.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If you were at Mass, and the confirmation candidates entered the sanctuary and a couple of the teen males were wearing ball caps and you didn’t notice, I would suggest you weren’t following the Mass.

I haven’t been at a confirmation since my own, sorry. I also haven’t seen a cap or hoodie on the priests, deacons, lay ministers, or lectors.
It’s entirely possible Joe Average Catholic or his kid had a ball cap on in the pew somewhere but I didn’t see it.

 

[reggieM]

Our pastor would never allow anything like that.
We have a notice in the bulletin every week that warns about too-casual dress for men and women (with specifics). Most men dress up. Some don’t quite get the message, but no caps or hoodies are seen. Men are not allowed to wear shorts either. Our parish is unusual for that. Shorts are very common in other parishes in the diocese.

 

[Rdunbar123]

In my mind a larger issue is women of all ages dressed in clothes that would make a street walker blush. It got so bad our priest called it out. I now will wait for outraged comments saying it is my problem.

 

[Solomonson]

I wouldn’t necessarily call it crude. But yes there are some, especially younger people who may not be aware of this. So do not let it offend you.
Not all customs are known, especially if you did not grow up in the church. (I am not talking about those who are aware of the norms and just refuse to do it).
If I invite someone to church, I would probably tell them what is the expected norm so they do not feel out of place.

Thank you. I was not aware of this. That’s just amazing to me. Sadly, not all males that I see wearing hats inside church are under 40. Anyway, thanks.

 

[Solomonson]

In my mind a larger issue is women of all ages dressed in clothes that would make a street walker blush. It got so bad our priest called it out. I now will wait for outraged comments saying it is my problem.

The same thing happens at my parish. The absolute worst offenders are some of the EMsHC at the Saturday Vigil Mass that wear “cocktail dresses” that might result in not being admitted to better restaurants.

It is good that your pastor had the resolve to say something. May God be with him! Let us know if they follow his instruction.

 

[pianistclare]

No. Never. We had a priest with an unusual form of cancer, and he wore a beanie because his scalp was all wounds and sores.

 

[phil19034]

I’ve seen a few young men and young women wearing a baseball cap at Mass (somewhere aged between 16 and 22)

I saw one guy do it during mid-night mass this past Christmas and I saw one guy do it on Palm Sunday or Holy Thursday (can’t remember which).

By the looks of things, both young men SEEMED to be attending Mass to satisfy a family member. Neither of them looked like they wanted to be there.

I’ve see a young women do it on Good Friday, but it was weird because she was part of a Catholic Mission and very much seemed to be their on her own accord.

Personally, I think wearing a baseball cap in Church is disrespectful (man or woman).

Women can wear other hats in Church, and that’s fine. And if someone is cold and wants to wear a winter head covering, that’s fine too. But not a baseball cap in my opinion. But I would never tell someone to take if off unless I knew them personally.

God Bless

 

[Solomonson]

Our pastor would never allow anything like that.
We have a notice in the bulletin every week that warns about too-casual dress for men and women (with specifics). Most men dress up. Some don’t quite get the message, but no caps or hoodies are seen. **Men are not allowed to wear shorts either. ** Our parish is unusual for that. Shorts are very common in other parishes in the diocese.

That’s remarkable – GOOD on him! Does it have to be enforced, or do the faithful simply have so much respect for him that they follow his directions?

I was once in my truck driving to Costco on a weekday evening. I realized there was a special liturgy at my Byzantine Catholic parish so I went directly there instead – in shorts.

The pastor, a wonderful, wonderful man gave me the stink-eye, followed by a grin as I entered the church. After the liturgy we were outside standing around and he said “Solomonson! Are your legs hot tonight? Did you run out of long pants? Is it past wash day?” On and on and on – all with that little grin. He was using me as an example in front of the other 50+ people in earshot. All the kids in the parish were slack-jawed as this was going on.

Then he pulled me aside and explained what he was doing. It bothered me not in the least. Then again that man was gifted with great people skills – when the wanted to express them!

 

[Cimachol]

Do males wear ball caps, beanies and/or hoodies during Mass at your parish? One of our cantors wears a hoodie (over his head) in the sanctuary until just before Mass begins.

I softly told another guy wearing a ball cap in the communion line that “males don’t wear head coverings inside of Catholic churches.” He immediately removed it and seemed thankful and possibly a touch embarrassed.

When the candidates for confirmation stood before the faithful inside of the sanctuary, two of the teen males were wearing ball caps.

The cantor is 20 or so, and the guy in line for communion was 40-50. Are things truly getting that crude in society that people aren’t aware that wearing a ball cap or a hoodie with the hood up in a Catholic church is not acceptable behavior?

The sad thing is I can see this behavior “just taking root” in my parish right now. Within 5 years it will become widely accepted, unless a future pastor says something and by then it will be all the more difficult, there will be more resentment, etc.

I am grateful to say that I have never seen any men or boys wearing a hat or hoodie in our church. I actually made this mistake once when I went to Mass without my parents as a teenager – I had a tweed newsboy-style hat that I thought was kind of dressy, so I thought it would be OK. Back then I wasn’t familiar with what St. Paul had written about men and head coverings in Church. An usher tapped me on the shoulder before Mass began and asked me to remove it, and my older brother scolded me for the faux pas as well, even though he had said nothing about it prior to that point. Lesson learned; never happened again.

 

[Solomonson]

I’ve seen a few young men and young women wearing a baseball cap at Mass (somewhere aged between 16 and 22)

I saw one guy do it during mid-night mass this past Christmas and I saw one guy do it on Palm Sunday or Holy Thursday (can’t remember which).

By the looks of things, both young men SEEMED to be attending Mass to satisfy a family member. Neither of them looked like they wanted to be there.

I’ve see a young women do it on Good Friday, but it was weird because she was part of a Catholic Mission and very much seemed to be their on her own accord.

Personally, I think wearing a baseball cap in Church is disrespectful (man or woman).

Women can wear other hats in Church, and that’s fine. And if someone is cold and wants to wear a winter head covering, that’s fine too. But not a baseball cap in my opinion. But I would never tell someone to take if off unless I knew them personally.

God Bless

Both of those preparing for confirmation that were wearing hats would fall into this category as well, based on their facial expressions and posture.

 

[Cimachol]

Our pastor would never allow anything like that.
We have a notice in the bulletin every week that warns about too-casual dress for men and women (with specifics). Most men dress up. Some don’t quite get the message, but no caps or hoodies are seen. Men are not allowed to wear shorts either. Our parish is unusual for that. Shorts are very common in other parishes in the diocese.

A parish in our diocese has a big sign in the foyer outlining how to dress for Mass, complete with pictures. I do think it helps us remember to respect the importance of the Mass when we dress as if we’re attending something important.

 

[reggieM]

That’s remarkable – GOOD on him! Does it have to be enforced, or do the faithful simply have so much respect for him that they follow his directions?

He doesn’t enforce it personally except at the pulpit if there is a problem. Over time, the regulars all know the rules and never break them. Newcomers and visitors are often not prepared. For the men, it’s about 90% compliance with all the rules. We do have some women who frequently (deliberatly?) break the rules. For example, it is stated every week, women must have their shoulders covered. You can imagine that will cause some friction with certain people - but overall it, really works well!

I was once in my truck driving to Costco on a weekday evening. I realized there was a special liturgy at my Byzantine Catholic parish so I went directly there instead – in shorts.

The pastor, a wonderful, wondIterful man gave me the stink-eye, followed by a grin as I entered the church. After the liturgy we were outside standing around and he said “Solomonson! Are your legs hot tonight? Did you run out of long pants? Is it past wash day?” On and on and on – all with that little grin. He was using me as an example in front of the other 50+ people in earshot. All the kids in the parish were slack-jawed as this was going on.

Then he pulled me aside and explained what he was doing. It bothered me not in the least. Then again that man was gifted with great people skills – when the wanted to express them!

That is awesome story. To me, that is what a pastor of souls needs to do - he’s the father of the family. And importantly! He needs to be able to get right into the face of the men of the parish if they’re slipping, and do it with friendliness. We need that accountability and manly attitude. The kids learned a lot from that, yes I would bet on it. That is great to hear.

 

[reggieM]

A parish in our diocese has a big sign in the foyer outlining how to dress for Mass, complete with pictures. I do think it helps us remember to respect the importance of the Mass when we dress as if we’re attending something important.

That is a great idea. I love that there are pictures - - I’m guessing, what to do and especially what not to do.

 

[babochka]

Conversely, if I bought a zucchetto and wore it (or my kippah) during the Mass,** there would be more than one angry person with blood in their eyes** questioning me about my head ware.

Odd how that works. I wonder why that is?

You seem to know a lot of people with anger issues. I don’t know that I’ve ever known anyone to get more than moderately annoyed at someone else’s choice of clothing.

And to answer the original question: No, I do not regularly see men or boys wear ball caps, beanies or hoodies during Mass at any of the parishes I frequent. I don’t recall ever having seen it, but I must say I probably wasn’t really paying attention.

 

[Nelka]

No.

 

[Brassring]

Absolutely not. At our parish, we make it clear that the dress code for Sunday Mass is white tie and tails only (Black patent leather oxfords!!).

At daily Mass, a few uncouth peasants show up in black tie and dinner jacket. In the interest of inclusivity, we just sigh audibly, roll our eyes, and tolerate them.

 

[pianistclare]

Absolutely not. At our parish, we make it clear that the dress code for Sunday Mass is white tie and tails only (Black patent leather oxfords!!).

At daily Mass, a few uncouth peasants show up in black tie and dinner jacket. In the interest of inclusivity, we just sigh audibly, roll our eyes, and tolerate them.

Bravo. Well stated. The OP certainly has many problems with his parish.

 

[Brassring]

Bravo. Well stated. The OP certainly has many problems with his parish.

OP strikes me as the kind of person who would have many problems with ANY parish. Or congregation. Or club. Or team. Or office. Or organization.