Do you wear jeans to Mass?

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C’mon BrotherRolf, we all know that the Federal jusdges in Louisina are liberal. I’m amazed they even go to church at all. I didn’t know people who are pro-choice could be Christians???

Ok, now that I took my stab…

Yeah, it gets hot here in S. Louisiana, but I am not advocating wearing a suit to mass every sunday. Wear a knit polo type shirt or an oxford and slacks. Isn’t that the reason God made cotton and designed it to be grown in the south??? So we could have a lightweight, breathable material??? That was part of his master plan, wasn’t it?
In my opinion, denim is heavier and hotter anyway. Oh, and about wearing kahki’s in briars??? I still wear them rabbit hunting, but they have built in thorn “blockers” in the thigh area:D
 
the_geezer said:
Do you wear jeans to mass?

Counterquestion: Do you wear jeans to work?
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My answer? “c). I have to, since the work I do requires heavier-type clothing and I frequently get dirty.” I work in a research lab. There’s no point in dressing up for that, as I would likely just spill blood, bleach, sulfuric acid, dye, or mouse guts on myself (I’m very careful but nice clothes tend to be mess-magnets).

That said, I don’t wear jeans to Mass. Even if it’s a weekday Mass and I’m going after work, I will at least change into a pair of chinos. It’s merely a personal preference, as I’ve seen others look very neat, modest, and appropriate in jeans at Mass. In my case, I had to put up with many years of my parents forbidding jean-wearing at Mass, so it’s pretty firmly entrenched. Usually I wear dress pants and a sweater or blouse; today I served as cantor so I wore a suit.
 
This is much to do about nothing. I am more concerned about the one’s who come’s to Mass late. As well, the one’s who leave early. With that said, I cannot judge by a person’s clothing what is in his heart. God looks at what is in a person’s heart not at what they are wearing. I don’t think he is a fashion police.
 
Stephen_C said:
This is much to do about nothing. I am more concerned about the one’s who come’s to Mass late. As well, the one’s who leave early. With that said, I cannot judge by a person’s clothing what is in his heart. God looks at what is in a person’s heart not at what they are wearing. I don’t think he is a fashion police.
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I don’t think that those of us discussing this topic are being critical. It is just a friendly debate of opinions.
However, I agree…if you are going to mass and you cannot make it in before the procession, then you need to attend a different mass. I know the CCC probably says something different but in my eyes, mass begins when the choir starts for the procession and ends when the choir finishes at the end. The songs are not there for “filler” music. But this is another thread all together.
 
Dave, the particular federal judge in question is most definitely not known for a liberal streak. He and his wife are at Mass most Sundays and are involved in the parish.

Geezer, I take an opposite view from you regarding attire and priorities. My viewpoint was shaped when I was a child and had to listen to my mother and the neighbors gossiping over who wore what to Mass. There were fourteen houses on my block - nine of the fourteen families were Catholic so I heard more than my share of it. How else could I remember the dictum that women don’t wear white hats after Labor Day (not that I’ve seen any woman in a hat at Mass in years)? I would far rather gather myself in prayer in preparation for Mass than worry about what the fashion police have to say. Should we not allow the homeless men to enter the cathedral for Mass because they are in rags? Should St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans turn away tourists on Sunday because they are in shorts and sandals? I believe that Our Lord is more concerned with the raiment of our souls and, if I am not mistaken, He said this:

Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. 29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. 30 18 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness,
 
It seems that every time a thread is started about what to wear to Mass, someone comes up with a question about what you would wear to meet the Pope or President.

My thoughts are, no, I would not wear jeans or shorts or really casual clothes the first time I meet them. I would really dress up. Much like I must have looked waaaaay back when my Godmother dressed me for my Baptism.

Then, if I meet with them every week, maybe a number of times during the week, I would wear more casual clothes. Maybe instead of my most dressy dress, I would wear a jean skirt, or a jumper or nice jeans. If I were a child, I would wear good clothes, but not what you might expect from someone meeting them for the first time. They would know about kids, and how good clothes don’t stay nice for long.

As I got older and I was still going to their place two to three times a week, I would still wear nice clothes, but not my most dressy clothes. If, I were a kid and had been going all these years, I might be invited to sit at the adult table, not the kids table. That would be a time that I would really dress up. Again, kind of like my First Communion or Confirmation.

Now, continuing the on the same vein, I have been meeting with the Pope and/or President for 40 years. Okay, I am old. And I have been friends with them for a long time. I have been meeting at their place every week, on Sunday, sometimes a number of times during the week. They are still very important people, I would always want to show respect for them, but we know each other, we see each other often. I would again wear nice clothes, but not my most dressy.

So, am I being disrespectful by not wearing my best to church? I don’t think so. As long as I am dressed modestly and in clothes that are not my most casual, it should be okay. In comparing what someone wears to church to what they would wear to meet the Pope, I think you are comparing apples to oranges.
 
maryjk said:
It seems that every time a thread is started about what to wear to Mass, someone comes up with a question about what you would wear to meet the Pope or President.

My thoughts are, no, I would not wear jeans or shorts or really casual clothes the first time I meet them. I would really dress up. Much like I must have looked waaaaay back when my Godmother dressed me for my Baptism.

Then, if I meet with them every week, maybe a number of times during the week, I would wear more casual clothes. Maybe instead of my most dressy dress, I would wear a jean skirt, or a jumper or nice jeans. If I were a child, I would wear good clothes, but not what you might expect from someone meeting them for the first time. They would know about kids, and how good clothes don’t stay nice for long.

As I got older and I was still going to their place two to three times a week, I would still wear nice clothes, but not my most dressy clothes. If, I were a kid and had been going all these years, I might be invited to sit at the adult table, not the kids table. That would be a time that I would really dress up. Again, kind of like my First Communion or Confirmation.

Now, continuing the on the same vein, I have been meeting with the Pope and/or President for 40 years. Okay, I am old. And I have been friends with them for a long time. I have been meeting at their place every week, on Sunday, sometimes a number of times during the week. They are still very important people, I would always want to show respect for them, but we know each other, we see each other often. I would again wear nice clothes, but not my most dressy.

So, am I being disrespectful by not wearing my best to church? I don’t think so. As long as I am dressed modestly and in clothes that are not my most casual, it should be okay. In comparing what someone wears to church to what they would wear to meet the Pope, I think you are comparing apples to oranges.
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Ok, so lets look at it this way…
You are an attorney and you have been going to court in front of the judge for 30 years…are you going to start wearing jeans and casual clothes to court just because you have been going for 30 years and you know the judge? If no, then why not?

Let me try and put it in another perspective. If you dress up for a formal event or wedding, etc… How do you feel? Genrally, when I am dressed up, I feel good about myself. I feel that what I am about to attend is an important event deserving my best presentable foot forward. That is how I feel about mass.
NOW, just because I feel this way, does not mean other people have to feel the same.
 
I’ve been wearing jeans lately, but usually I like to wear a nice dress shirt and plain khaki pants. Unfortunately I left those at home when I left for college, so I kind of have to wear jeans or cargo pants, because they are the only kinds of pants I’ve got.
 
DiscerningDave said:
Ok, so lets look at it this way…
You are an attorney and you have been going to court in front of the judge for 30 years…are you going to start wearing jeans and casual clothes to court just because you have been going for 30 years and you know the judge? If no, then why not?

Let me try and put it in another perspective. If you dress up for a formal event or wedding, etc… How do you feel? Genrally, when I am dressed up, I feel good about myself. I feel that what I am about to attend is an important event deserving my best presentable foot forward. That is how I feel about mass.
NOW, just because I feel this way, does not mean other people have to feel the same.
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If I were an attorney, I would dress up because of my job. My real job is that of wife and mother. I do dress up from that job to go to Mass. I don’t wear my old ratty shorts and a sweat shirt to Mass. I wear skirts and jumpers.

And maybe most people feel better when they dress up to go to a wedding. I am one that can’t wait to be able to change out of those awful clothes.

And let me be clear, I do not wear jeans to Mass, I rarely wear jeans at all. In fact, most of the time, out in public, I wear casual skirts. But I feel that comparing going to Mass to meeting the Pope is not a good comparison.
 
:amen: we are not meeting some distant authority figure like a king, judge or President. We are meeting our Abba (Daddy) and our brother and co-heir, as St Paul calls Christ. In whose presence (I hope) we are constantly placing ourselves every hour of every day, in church or out.

Would you dress up for Sunday lunch with your family with whom you live every day? Don’t you think that they know you better than to be impressed by the clothes that you have on your back?
 
LilyM said:
:amen: we are not meeting some distant authority figure like a king, judge or President. We are meeting our Abba (Daddy) and our brother and co-heir, as St Paul calls Christ. In whose presence (I hope) we are constantly placing ourselves every hour of every day, in church or out.

Would you dress up for Sunday lunch with your family with whom you live every day? Don’t you think that they know you better than to be impressed by the clothes that you have on your back?
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First, let me say, I understand your point-of-view.
Secondly, I believe God supercedes the Pope, president, our family, etc…He is or maker, our judge. In being so, I believe he deserves a bit more respect than the others you have mentioned. One way in which I show that respect is to dress up for him when going to his house.
Only my humble opinion. and preference.
 
I almost always wear khakis and a collared shirt; sometimes I will wear black dress pants and a tie. I occasionally will wear jeans and a collared shirt or sweater to daily mass although I try to avoid doing this if I can…I never wear jeans to Sunday mass though. I never wear shorts to Mass, only long pants–I think it is extremely tacky and disrespectful. I think it is fine for babies, toddlers, and small boys to wear shorts to Mass but once you’re around the age where you can grow hair on your legs, it’s time to stop.
 
I have NEVER worn blue jeans to Mass and hope I never do.

There are only two situations (I can think of) where I would wear blue jeans to Mass. 1. if my house burned down on Saturday night and the clothes I was wearing at the time of the fire included blue jeans and all other clothes burned in the fire, 2. I’m more than 50 miles from home and forgot to bring good clothes with me.
 
DiscerningDave said:
First, let me say, I understand your point-of-view.
Secondly, I believe God supercedes the Pope, president, our family, etc…He is or maker, our judge. In being so, I believe he deserves a bit more respect than the others you have mentioned. One way in which I show that respect is to dress up for him when going to his house.
Only my humble opinion. and preference.
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:amen:
 
LilyM said:
Would you dress up for Sunday lunch with your family with whom you live every day? Don’t you think that they know you better than to be impressed by the clothes that you have on your back?
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YES - wouldn’t you?

Just because they’ve seen you in your pyjamas on a regular basis doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t dress for the occasion, even if it is “only” with the people who gave you life and nurture.

Dressing up isn’t about “impressing” anybody - it’s about knowing where you are and what you are doing, and dressing for the part.
 
Why are khakis considered that much better than jeans? Are denim skirts in the same league as jeans?
 
I only wear jeans if I attend a Novus Ordo Mass. It’s not that I intend to be disrespectful. I just don’t want to stand out!

When I attend a Traditional Latin Mass on the other hand, I wear my usual work attire (formal trousers, long sleeve shirt, but no tie).
 
Bruised_Reed said:
Why are khakis considered that much better than jeans? Are denim skirts in the same league as jeans?
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Khakis are considered slacks (in my opinion) and jeans are jeans. They’re just different. Would you wear khakis or jeans to dig a ditch?
 
I used to wear jeans when I lived in a more liberal parish and when I was younger. I would only do so on Sat. evening mass when I did not have time to change- like sprots related outings.

However, I am older now and no one wears jeans in the parish I attend now. I do see Khakis and other business casual type of clothes. I never wear jeans anymore either. I tend to wear dress pants.

Is is a sing of respect to dress up for church- probably. Do I think God cares? No, I really don’t. I think God knows our heart.
 
In our old parish we had lifeteen mass, so yeah, we wore jeans a lot when we went to that. But now that we only go to ‘real’ masses 😉 we always try to dress up. Except that I am pregnant now and only have a few outfits that actually fit me, so I don’t dress up too much, but try to wear the best I have.
 
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