Do you feel offended by people who come to the CC dressed as if they were at a barbeque in their backyard?

[wisdomseeker]

This whole thread is making a mountain out of a molehill. How people dress for Mass is a personal decision. Certainly, modesty should be taken into consideration, but to “require” coat and tie is utterly ridiculous! For Sunday Mass/Holy days of obligation, yes I feel you should dress your best, which is of course variable based on economic situation. But for daily mass, which is in the midst of your day, during lunch hour, or between classes, it is unreasonable to expect someone to rush home, change clothes, rush to Mass, then rush back home, change back, then go back to work or school. Personally I err on th side of formality (I can count on one hand the number if times I went without a tie on Sunday in the last year). The thing to remember about fashion is that it is by its very nature very fluid. The first thing to consider is modesty, but as far as everything else, it is up to thejudgment of the individual.

is It? do you think that it is our call to dress accordling to our own taste or do you it should be more about our Lord? how do you see God? is He just one of us? or do you see a Mighty King? how would dress if you had to go see a Mighty King? what kind of sacrifice would make?

 

[wisdomseeker]

What makes you think he wasn’t talking about dressing up in a respectfull manner for the Lord? That is what I understood him to be talking about.

Because i dont think that the Jews would go to the Temple dressed like Catholics of today when going to the House of God.

 

[wisdomseeker]

This is an example of being overly literal in the interpretation of Scripture. I am pretty sure that the interior attitude, and not outward dress is of primary concern to the Lord.

So, if you go to Mass dressed in bikini, it would not say anything about the person? because all it matters is what is inside? what kind of inside would that be for the world?

 

[zab]

Because i dont think that the Jews would go to the Temple dressed like Catholics of today when going to the House of God.

(Wondering what that is supposed to mean and what it has to do with pnewton’s post)

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I love the title of this thread. Talk about loaded language and 100% bias on the outcomes!

 

[HAnne]

Am I offended…no. Do I think GOD may be offended…highly possible.

I attend a Mass at a very small rural Church. There aren’t that many of us - usually about 30-40 at a given service. I attended my first Mass there last week. I will say the following:

After having walked into OTHER parishes with HIGHLY questionable attire (short shorts, torn jeans, mini skirts my son could see up when ladies genuflected, etc), I was pleasantly surprised Saturday evening. Not ONE exposed chest - all the ladies would have been easily accepted into the Vatican with their covered arms and reasonable shirts. Jeans were present (as we live in the country and they are practical) but they were all in good shape and conservative in fit. I will say I was the only person in a skirt, but that is also a practicality here since we have high winds and many women don’t wear skirts as a result.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

In our home, we dress for church. Conservative, “dressy” outfits. I generally wear a mid-calf length full skirt (yup - it’s cute and fashionable and still modest) and (this time of year) a “fitted” style sweater (not one so large I could fit a small child in there with me). I wear flats, hose, my hair is styled, etc. My son (7) wears pants that are not denim (think Dockers) and a button down shirt. When my husband attends, he is dressed like my son, usually with a sport coat added.

My son LIKES dressing for church. He thinks it’s IMPORTANT to give his best to God. So do I. I let him wear sneakers because I haven’t found dress shoes that are comfortable for him to wear and he has sensory processing disorder. Things that are uncomfortable will distract him from being able to pray proper reverence during Mass and that should be taken into consideration.

If a man is going to look at my rear, he’s going to look at it no matter how I choose to clothe it. I am a “hourglass” shaped woman. I can’t help that. I’m not going to wear a sack for the rest of my life but I do clothe my form in a modest manner.

When we give the Mass to Christ, we show it the respect and reverence it deserves. From our mannerisms to our dress, we place our HEARTS ahead of the rest.

 

[zab]

If a man is going to look at my rear, he’s going to look at it no matter how I choose to clothe it. I am a “hourglass” shaped woman. I can’t help that. I’m not going to wear a sack for the rest of my life but I do clothe my form in a modest manner.

P.S.
HAnne, Your entire post was great!

 

[StTommyMore]

So, if you go to Mass dressed in bikini, it would not say anything about the person? because all it matters is what is inside? what kind of inside would that be for the world?

True to form, wisdomseeker, you seem to have problems reading the entirety of posts, then bu commenting on snippets you serve to misrepresent who you are responding to. Not very charitable at all.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Am I offended…no. Do I think GOD may be offended…highly possible.

I attend a Mass at a very small rural Church. There aren’t that many of us - usually about 30-40 at a given service. I attended my first Mass there last week. I will say the following:

After having walked into OTHER parishes with HIGHLY questionable attire (short shorts, torn jeans, mini skirts my son could see up when ladies genuflected, etc), I was pleasantly surprised Saturday evening. Not ONE exposed chest - all the ladies would have been easily accepted into the Vatican with their covered arms and reasonable shirts. Jeans were present (as we live in the country and they are practical) but they were all in good shape and conservative in fit. I will say I was the only person in a skirt, but that is also a practicality here since we have high winds and many women don’t wear skirts as a result.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

In our home, we dress for church. Conservative, “dressy” outfits. I generally wear a mid-calf length full skirt (yup - it’s cute and fashionable and still modest) and (this time of year) a “fitted” style sweater (not one so large I could fit a small child in there with me). I wear flats, hose, my hair is styled, etc. My son (7) wears pants that are not denim (think Dockers) and a button down shirt. When my husband attends, he is dressed like my son, usually with a sport coat added.

My son LIKES dressing for church. He thinks it’s IMPORTANT to give his best to God. So do I. I let him wear sneakers because I haven’t found dress shoes that are comfortable for him to wear and he has sensory processing disorder. Things that are uncomfortable will distract him from being able to pray proper reverence during Mass and that should be taken into consideration.

If a man is going to look at my rear, he’s going to look at it no matter how I choose to clothe it. I am a “hourglass” shaped woman. I can’t help that. I’m not going to wear a sack for the rest of my life but I do clothe my form in a modest manner.

When we give the Mass to Christ, we show it the respect and reverence it deserves. From our mannerisms to our dress, we place our HEARTS ahead of the rest.

 

[wisdomseeker]

True to form, wisdomseeker, you seem to have problems reading the entirety of posts, then bu commenting on snippets you serve to misrepresent who you are responding to. Not very charitable at all.

rereading.

 

[mellowcalico]

I am kind of curious about something related to this topic. When exactly did people start “dressing up” for Mass anyway? In the early days of the Church, people only had one set of clothes, so they pretty much came as they were. I suspect this continued though the Middle Ages and beyond in times where people only had one outfit (and maybe a rich person would have a handful of outfits). I know it was traditional to clean up and such before Church but essentially all anyone had were street clothes.

So when did people start dressing up? Was it a result of the emerging middle class during the industrial revolution? What was the reason for dressing up at the time (was it to look wealthy? That was generally the reason the middle class spent money on things). I seem to remember learning in elementary school that the Pilgrims dressed up for Church though (so did it start sooner)? Maybe it was just ministers.

Interestingly enough, while trying to Google answers for the questions I just asked, I ran across an article that said the number one reason poor and homeless people list that they don’t go to Church is lack of clothes. That article didn’t give any citation though–so it’s highly suspect in my book. But if it’s true, that is kind of ironic since Jesus reached out the to poor.

I know, it’s not really related to why we would dress up today, but it’s kind of interesting to put things in an historical perspective.

BTW, for what it’s worth, I do wear my best clothes to Church. They also happen to be the same clothes I wear for work (and that includes pants–which I often wear in the winter). The only exception is I don’t wear my old bridesmaid dresses–they technically are the most expensive/nicest things I own, but I think they would be a little over the top for Sunday Mass.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I am kind of curious about something related to this topic. When exactly did people start “dressing up” for Mass anyway? In the early days of the Church, people only had one set of clothes, so they pretty much came as they were. I suspect this continued though the Middle Ages and beyond in times where people only had one outfit (and maybe a rich person would have a handful of outfits). I know it was traditional to clean up and such before Church but essentially all anyone had were street clothes.

So when did people start dressing up? Was it a result of the emerging middle class during the industrial revolution? What was the reason for dressing up at the time (was it to look wealthy? That was generally the reason the middle class spent money on things). I seem to remember learning in elementary school that the Pilgrims dressed up for Church though (so did it start sooner)? Maybe it was just ministers.

Interestingly enough, while trying to Google answers for the questions I just asked, I ran across an article that said the number one reason poor and homeless people list that they don’t go to Church is lack of clothes. That article didn’t give any citation though–so it’s highly suspect in my book. But if it’s true, that is kind of ironic since Jesus reached out the to poor.

I know, it’s not really related to why we would dress up today, but it’s kind of interesting to put things in an historical perspective.

BTW, for what it’s worth, I do wear my best clothes to Church. They also happen to be the same clothes I wear for work (and that includes pants–which I often wear in the winter). The only exception is I don’t wear my old bridesmaid dresses–they technically are the most expensive/nicest things I own, but I think they would be a little over the top for Sunday Mass.

I think if you look at movies depicting those days of the Church, you would see how they dressed?

 

[mellowcalico]

I think if you look at movies depicting those days of the Church, you would see how they dressed?

I am not sure I would trust movies to be historically accurate. Just look at the old Westerns with cowboys in pink and purple shirts or the outrageous pirate getups in modern movies.

Anyway, I know how they dressed way back in ancient and Medieval times (like I said, except for the very wealthy, they pretty much wore the only set of clothes they had). I am wondering when things changed and why.

Of course the reasons today for dressing up are different for sure, but I am a naturally curious person and would like to know how things changed and why.

 

[zab]

I think if you look at movies depicting those days of the Church, you would see how they dressed?

Clothing by Edith Head and Caroline Harris .

 

[wisdomseeker]

I am not sure I would trust movies to be historically accurate. Just look at the old Westerns with cowboys in pink and purple shirts or the outrageous pirate getups in modern movies.

Anyway, I know how they dressed way back in ancient and Medieval times (like I said, except for the very wealthy, they pretty much wore the only set of clothes they had). I am wondering when things changed and why.

Of course the reasons today for dressing up are different for sure, but I am a naturally curious person and would like to know how things changed and why.

I am not talking about design clothes. I am talking about descent clothes, even head covers. i know this is going to be a challenge.

it is important how one is to behave in teh House of God. including how they are ought to dress.

 

[HCC]

Not really, it isn’t their fault, they don’t know any better. When the only thing most pastors ask of their parishioners is to put their hymnals away quietly, not to let the kneelers drop loudly and be patient backing out of the parking lot, oh and of course to support the dicosean campaign fund, do you expect better behavior, at church or in their personal lives?

When was the last time, even in a traditional parish, you heard ANYTHING ever preached about modesty or decorum?

 

[pnewton]

I am not talking about dressing up for you or me but for our Lord.

I know that and you know that. However, not all know that. For what purpose can we sinners take offense because of some venial sin, that may be from ignorance, or even a different understanding of the Catholic Church? I for one am not yet free of all venial sin and I would hope no one would be offended by mine.

As we are Catholics, does anyone have any thing from the Catholic Church that teaches what is appropriate attire for attending Mass at the local parish? I am not speaking of modesty, but of dressing up.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Not really, it isn’t their fault, they don’t know any better. When the only thing most pastors ask of their parishioners is to put their hymnals away quietly, not to let the kneelers drop loudly and be patient backing out of the parking lot, oh and of course to support the dicosean campaign fund, do you expect better behavior, at church or in their personal lives?

When was the last time, even in a traditional parish, you heard ANYTHING ever preached about modesty or decorum?

but do you think that if those who knows better could be an example for those who dont understand?

 

[PatrickSebast]

I am not talking about design clothes. I am talking about descent clothes, even head covers. i know this is going to be a challenge.

it is important how one is to behave in teh House of God. including how they are ought to dress.

Poor people in ancient times, and even renaisance times did not have nice clothing. The time period has been overly romanticized by works of fiction. In truth most people barely bathed and their clothes were washed infrequently. A typical Catholic congregation would not be filled with people in victorian style clothing because most people couldn’t afford that type of clothing. You are asking people to ascribe to a cultural norm that only ever existed in the 150 years and only in limited areas of the world. The fact is that the Church only asks for culturally modest dress and any offense you take to women wearing pants, which are considered to be modest in our culture, is completely personal. You litterally invented your own standards and are expecting people to adhere to them.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I know that and you know that. However, not all know that. For what purpose can we sinners take offense because of some venial sin, that may be from ignorance, or even a different understanding of the Catholic Church? I for one am not yet free of all venial sin and I would hope no one would be offended by mine.

As we are Catholics, does anyone have any thing from the Catholic Church that teaches what is appropriate attire for attending Mass at the local parish? I am not speaking of modesty, but of dressing up.

do we have to? should we not know what God wants as far as dressing for His House?

as someone said: “how you pray is how you believe.”