Do you ever wear blue jeans to Sunday Mass?

[Karin]

slewi:

People who wear blue jeans often say “God wouldn’t mind”. How do we know either way?

We dont know either way

slewi:

I don’t think I am worthy enough to speak for God. Do you? **Nope **
I would much rather dress nicely than to look like I don’t care. Not showing God his due reverence is a huge problem these days.

**wearing jeans does not constitute “not caring”. You can look very nice in a pair of jeans and a nice tope/sweater not everyone who wears jeans looks like a “bum” **

slewi:

Would you dress in blue jeans to meet the president or Pope? Probably not. Let’s show God the same courtesy.

Acutally if that is all that I had to wear, Yes I would!

 

[slewi]

bear06:

Now, I don’t think showing respect is unimportant. After all, when you go to a wedding, what do you wear? I’m betting you wear a dress (if you are a woman) or slacks and possibly a tie (if you are a man). Why would we dress up for weddings and not Mass?

That said, I believe there are certain circumstances where these types of clothes cannot be worn to Mass. If a person simply can’t afford nice things in their wardrobe’'s, if for some reason the person simply wasn’t able to change before Mass without missing it, etc. This is why I try not to have a heart attack when I see someone dressed less than what I’d like to see them in. They may have a perfectly good reason that God will value even if I don’t. Now, modesty is a separate issue. Tube tops shouldn’t even be worn outside of Mass much less in.

I don’t think this is the point of the post. I believe the OP meant ‘do you wear jeans on a regular basis?’. I think we are trying to encompass a larger myriad of exceptions.

If someone can’t afford a $12 pair of Khaki’s and a $12 shirt at Wal Mart, we understand that. Many of us however, can. And those of who can, should. If you are running straight from work in your uniform, and their is no time to change, so be it. If you are homeless and attending church, so be it. Let’s get back on track with this.

S

 

[slewi]

Karin:

We dont know either way

**wearing jeans does not constitute “not caring”. You can look very nice in a pair of jeans and a nice tope/sweater not everyone who wears jeans looks like a “bum” **

Acutally if that is all that I had to wear, Yes I would!

But that’s not all you have to wear, is it?

 

[Brenda_V]

slewi:

Would you dress in blue jeans to meet the president or Pope? Probably not. Let’s show God the same courtesy.

S

Actually, yes. I wouldn’t wear a t-shirt but a button up shirt probably. I have also been known to wear denim (skirt or jumper) to a Wedding. Remember in some parts of the US getting dressed up could mean I put on my new Sunday go to meeting Jeans with a nice shirt or sweater whereas during the rest of the week I wear my more worn out jeans and t-shirts.

Now having said all this, I will say that I rarely wear jeans to Mass. I do wear denim though, in skirt and jumpers. Also, most of us can afford that one pair of nice pants or skirt and shirt that we reserve for Mass on Sundays.

I have seen plenty of people come to Mass in their jeans who looked more dressed appropriately than those in “dress” clothes. For a while there we had some girls wearing what looked like their very revealing formal wear - this is also not appropriate for Mass.

As an aside, I don’t fit Wal-Mart clothes. They are cut all wrong for my body type. I have tried and as long as it is name brand I am okay but their brands tend to run too short in the stride and the inseam as far as pants go for me, I have tried it and find that even if I keep going up in size until they fall off and I will still have this problem. So, unless it is on clearance, I have to spend at the very least $20.00 for a pair of pants and that is usually the clearance price!

Brenda V.

 

[spiritblows]

Probably, God is less status oriented than the President. Also, meeting the president at a one time fancy state dinner, there would probably be a dress code. But, if you knew the president pretty well, and got together every Sunday with him for dinner, I’ll bet you would wear blue jeans. I’ll bet President Bush would also.

Hopefully, people who get together with Jesus every Sunday are on pretty familiar terms with him, and can relax a little and not be so worried about dressing fancy.

 

[spiritblows]

Now, as far as our casual society, I think that most of the Victorian charm has been lost from our lives. Ladies don’t wear hats to church anymore, children aren’t taught certain niceties, men don’t remove their hats indoors, etc. Our culture, generally, has become extremely fast paced and crass. Adults are addressed by their first names by kids, people don’t know how to eat at a sit down dinner anymore, the drive-thru window has become the dining norm for many families. Probably, this blue jean dilemna is just part of a wider cultural pattern that has thrown all formality out the window.

 

[Monica37]

I said never in the poll, but after I posted the reply, I realized that I do wear them on weekday Masses (now I feel bad about that). For Sunday Mass though, I was raised that you dress up. So me and my children dress up. I do tend to go along with the theory that if possible and you have the ability to do so, you should dress like you are going to be in the presence of a King. I think that regardless of how many times you meet with the president or the queen of England, you would take time to consider your dress. I just think, and this is only my opinion, that it is the little, seemingly inconsequential things that are slowly chipping away at the overall reverence of the Mass. That dressing down(when you could do otherwise) or “visiting” during the sign of peace, or having your cell phone go off (actually saw someone answer it and leave Mass to talk to the caller), slowly devalues the Mass. I worry about the message that these things send to our children. Maybe that is why so many Catholics now say that the Eucharist is strictly symbolic. Before I get blasted, let me say that I do not think that wearing jeans means you are a bad Catholic or that you think the Eucharist is symbolic! I just think that with the steady decline in respect and understanding of the Mass, maybe we could all go a little more out of our way to show outward signs of our respect of the Mass. Ok guys, just please be gentle with me, as I do not mean to disrespect anyone. JUST MY OPINION

 

[Karin]

slewi:

But that’s not all you have to wear, is it?

Actually on a day to day basis yes I generally wear jeans or sweats in the winter and in the summer shorts and capris.

 

[SMHW]

slewi:

Would you dress in blue jeans to meet the president or Pope? Probably not. Let’s show God the same courtesy.

S

You’re right. I probably wouldn’t.

But remember when everyone came to pay their respects to Reagan when his body was lying in his library in California. A very large number of people came in shorts, t-shirts, and probably clothing a lot of people here wouldn’t allow their children to wear in their own homes.

Now granted, the adults probably wouldn’t have dressed that way if they’d planned ahead to stop by (a large number of these people just happened to be driving by and decided to get in line) but I’d hate to think someone decided to pass up going to Mass just because they were wearing jeans.

(My guess is that more than a few of our presidents wore jeans to their religious services away from Washington D.C.)

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Only when I don’t read, which is now twice a month. And I have a pair that is reserved for that use or other special occassions (like my parents visiting from Michigan and taking my wife and I out to dinner). With the jeans its always a good shirt. When I read its suit, tie, starched shirt, dress shoes (this stuff makes me feel like I’m at work - yuck).

 

[WanderAimlessly]

If is about 50-50 with me. I usually go to Saturday evening Mass. If I am out and about, I usually do not have time to change and I will wear blue jeans to Mass. If I have time. I try to change into twill pants.

PF

 

[catsrus]

I have never worn pants of any type to Church, and never will.
I was raised in the “formal” fifties when you dressed up for Church, school and work. It was considered respectful. I’m quite comforable with that and have carried it to my old age.

 

[hmeade7489]

Never. Not even to daily Mass. Not even inside the church at other times. Yes I do wear blue jeans.

Dale…

 

[Dr.Bombay]

puzzleannie:

it has been years, back into the last millenium since I was able to buy real jeans that fit, so the answer is no (elastic waist doesn’t count). I don’t wear pants to Mass anyhow.

I think I’ll stop wearing pants to Mass too.

 

[FrCorey]

of course, no one ever asks,
Father, What do you wear under your cassock?
**one of my bishops used to wear a cabana outfit under his cassock. **

 

[Caelicola]

bear06:

Originally Posted by Caelicola
I however, would find it torturous to live in a culture where so much attention is paid to such unimportant things.

Now, I don’t think showing respect is unimportant.

I don’t think anyone thinks showing respect is unimportant. The fascinating thing for me is that you believe that formality of dress is connected to level of respect.

After all, when you go to a wedding, what do you wear? I’m betting you wear a dress (if you are a woman) or slacks and possibly a tie (if you are a man). Why would we dress up for weddings and not Mass?

Clearly you are presenting a false dichotomy with “weddings vs. Mass” attire. It is only disrespectful to attend a wedding in attire in violation of the requested level of formality which will sometimes accompany an invitation. Of course, people do have weddings where jeans are appropriate attire. As such things are not in control of attendees, I don’t think this is a valid argument at all.

Please keep in mind that parts of the country/world are very different. There is a rural church (not its own parish) I sometimes attend where what you consider respectful might be considered strange - even though the people there have plenty of money, it just isn’t their lifestyle. Rest assured, if I found myself in your parish, I would certainly dress so that I wouldn’t stand out, that is, if I even noticed what people were wearing and that it was different from what I was wearing. Since I’m a guy, a girl would probably have to tell me… =P

Now, I grew up in Southern California, and when I think of “inappropriate Mass attire” I think of hearing people’s flip flops as they go up for communion - but that’s only disrespectful to people trying to pray - not to God. So, sandals don’t bother me all, nor shorts (more likely swimming suit trunks), nor a lot of other things. And yes, this really is due to cultural differences, and has nothing to do with direspect. Although I never would wear shorts and sandals, even when I did live in California, it wasn’t because of anything other than that I’m not a shorts and sandals kind of guy.

Remember, God is addressed with the informal pronouns (“thou” “thee” “thy”), because we dare to be so intimate with Him that we call Him “Abba”… that’s “Daddy”, not “Father” …

 

[bear06]

I don’t think anyone thinks showing respect is unimportant. The fascinating thing for me is that you believe that formality of dress is connected to level of respect.

Well, what can I say. I think the gals who where a tube top to Mass do think respect is unimportant. I wan’t aiming it at anyone in this conversation. I’m glad you find it fascinating I think formality of dress is connected to showing respect. Once again, if you noticed I said time and time that we should be wearing the best of what we have when we can whether it be jeans, dress or suit.

Clearly you are presenting a false dichotomy with “weddings vs. Mass” attire. It is only disrespectful to attend a wedding in attire in violation of the requested level of formality which will sometimes accompany an invitation. Of course, people do have weddings where jeans are appropriate attire. As such things are not in control of attendees, I don’t think this is a valid argument at all.

Let’s put it this way. I’ve personally never been to a wedding in a Catholic Church where the bride didn’t wear a pretty dress whether it be formal, semi-formal or just a nice dress. Now, maybe some here have been to weddings in Catholic churches where the bride was casual, but I haven’t.

Please keep in mind that parts of the country/world are very different. There is a rural church (not its own parish) I sometimes attend where what you consider respectful might be considered strange - even though the people there have plenty of money, it just isn’t their lifestyle. Rest assured, if I found myself in your parish, I would certainly dress so that I wouldn’t stand out, that is, if I even noticed what people were wearing and that it was different from what I was wearing. Since I’m a guy, a girl would probably have to tell me… =P

Yeah, I think I’ve covered this in my other posts. I’m not really talking about customs and specific attire. I think I’ve addressed this. I’m talking about wearing your best, whatever it may be, if possible to a Mass where the greatest miracle of our Faith takes place.

Now, I grew up in Southern California, and when I think of “inappropriate Mass attire” I think of hearing people’s flip flops as they go up for communion - but that’s only disrespectful to people trying to pray - not to God. So, sandals don’t bother me all, nor shorts (more likely swimming suit trunks), nor a lot of other things. And yes, this really is due to cultural differences, and has nothing to do with direspect. Although I never would wear shorts and sandals, even when I did live in California, it wasn’t because of anything other than that I’m not a shorts and sandals kind of guy.

Like I said, if shorts is the best they’ve got… I’m betting many people who attend Mass dress up more for work. Don’t you see some trouble in this.

Remember, God is addressed with the informal pronouns (“thou” “thee” “thy”), because we dare to be so intimate with Him that we call Him “Abba”… that’s “Daddy”, not “Father” …

And like I said, it’s about giving Our God as much or more than we do others. I don’t think I’ve said to one person here that they should wear x,y or z other than it should be the best they can give to God.

Are you aware of the fact that there is a dress code for St. Peter’s. If the Church believed as you, why is it that they don’t allow for those tourists and any garb they might be wearing? Tourism is so big here that a store accross the street from the Vatican sells paper pants to the tourists!

Here’s an example:
italy-vacations-travel.com/italy-charter-flight-9-9-9-9.html

There is an extremely strictly enforced dress code for all indoor areas at the Vatican: knees and shoulders must be covered, for both men and women.

 

[Lorrie]

I’ve never ever ever worn blue jeans to Sunday Mass. I’ve worn them twice to daily Mass just because I didn’t know that I would end up going that day. I would only wear them to Sunday Mass if I had absolutely no choice.

 

[Caelicola]

Hmmm… I think, bear06, that when you say, "I’m not really talking about customs and specific attire. I think I’ve addressed this. I’m talking about wearing your best, whatever it may be… " that you didn’t quite get my point. The point is that it may not be the custom to wear your best to Mass. In fact, I’d say that it’s rarely the custom, especially considering that many women wouldn’t be caught dead in church wearing their “best” because they’d consider it inappropriate. Granted, my understanding of women is severely limited by my the fact that I am not one.

It was pretty clear that you weren’t bashing poor people for simply not having more expensive clothing… I certainly didn’t mean to imply that. As people have intimated, formality and expensive don’t always go hand in hand. In the California example of mine, the people in sandals were not poor, by any wild stretch of the imagination. It was simply a beach-oriented culture, very far removed from the old ways of the Eastern US.

I don’t agree that we should always wear our best clothes for Mass - and I think there are ways to defend such a position (local custom, appropriateness, avoidance of materialism, avoidance of pride, etc). Maybe if I live many, many more years, I will be able to worry about issues like clothing at Mass, but for the forseeable future I’ll have plenty of spiritual things to work on…

I’m not sure St. Peter’s is great for your argument either - it sounds like you can get in with jeans and a T-shirt.

One curious point is that the subject mentions blue jeans specifically. I wonder if that is simply a way of talking about jeans or if it is meant to exclude darker colored jeans… ?

 

[maryalene]

Caelicola:

In fact, I’d say that it’s rarely the custom, especially considering that many women wouldn’t be caught dead in church wearing their “best” because they’d consider it inappropriate. …

I don’t agree that we should always wear our best clothes for Mass

I really don’t understand this. Why would it be considered inappropriate in some areas to wear your best clothes to church? Given the importance of Mass and the fact that we are Jesus’s presence, it seems like we would want to look nice for Him. I do realize that we are God’s children and as such, there is a certain feeling of informality between us. However, He is God and most certainly on a different level then us.

Overall though, it is between each individual and God what they wear. Unless someone is wearing something that would distract others from Mass (i.e. something provocative), I generally don’t worry about what others are wearing. But for me personally, I am not comfortable attending Mass in jeans (blue or otherwise).