Do you wear jeans to Mass?

[jmcrae]

Some folks seem to think we should wear the same attire to Mass as we would wear to a wedding, because God deserves our best. Well, God does deserve our best, and anything else we have to offer, but our “best” might still be inappropriate for Mass.

God deserves that we use our heads.

“Best” is usually understood to mean the best you’ve got that is appropriate for the occasion. Your best beach wear is not the same as your best Sunday outfit, which is not the same as your best tennis outfit, etc.

Your Sunday best might look a lot like what you wear to work, if you work in middle management - but if you work in construction or if you’re a life-guard, then your best work outfit probably doesn’t look anything at all like your best Sunday clothes.

And of course you should buy something special and nice to wear to your cousin’s wedding - it may or may not be something you wear on Sundays regularly, but if you are the bride or the groom, then definitely not.

 

[Sean.McKenzie]

God deserves that we use our heads.

“Best” is usually understood to mean the best you’ve got that is appropriate for the occasion. Your best beach wear is not the same as your best Sunday outfit, which is not the same as your best tennis outfit, etc.

Your Sunday best might look a lot like what you wear to work, if you work in middle management - but if you work in construction or if you’re a life-guard, then your best work outfit probably doesn’t look anything at all like your best Sunday clothes.

And of course you should buy something special and nice to wear to your cousin’s wedding - it may or may not be something you wear on Sundays regularly, but if you are the bride or the groom, then definitely not.

THANK YOU!!! This was well put and with less words than I did.

 

[jennyr]

I do it on saturdays…

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

God deserves that we use our heads.

I’m glad several here feel this way, because I have actually seen some people post, right on this forum, that we should be willing to wear to Mass whatever we would wear to a wedding. Let me tell you, I would feel a right dufus wearing black or white tie clothing to Mass, especially trying to climb the four flights of stairs to the choir loft dressed that way.

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[queenkimie]

This has been a hot topic of debate in our parish as well. I am a Youth Mininster and we also have our own youth choir. Most of our youth wear jeans to Mass. However, they wear thier religious t shirts or nice shirts and blouses and good shoes. They have clearly made an effort in getting dressed, so we see nothing wrong with that. However, we have come to realize that many of the older members of our Parish find it disrespectful, so we have now implemented new rules for our cantors- no jeans or graphic shirts, or strappy tops. In San Diego, jeans are acceptable everywhere. You see them out in fancy restraunts, in court, even at the theatre. Here, you are dressed up if you aren’t wearing flip flops

 

[Faith1960]

This has been a hot topic of debate in our parish as well. I am a Youth Mininster and we also have our own youth choir. Most of our youth wear jeans to Mass. However, they wear thier religious t shirts or nice shirts and blouses and good shoes. They have clearly made an effort in getting dressed, so we see nothing wrong with that. However, we have come to realize that many of the older members of our Parish find it disrespectful, so we have now implemented new rules for our cantors- no jeans or graphic shirts, or strappy tops. In San Diego, jeans are acceptable everywhere. You see them out in fancy restraunts, in court, even at the theatre. Here, you are dressed up if you aren’t wearing flip flops

After wading through a bunch of crumbs and rather large pieces of what appeared to be Cheez-Its strewn all over the floor where I was sitting in Mass tonight, I pretty much don’t care what people wear to Mass as long as they stop letting their kids eat and teach them to behave.

 

[Prometheum_x]

I’ll wear jeans to daily mass. . . but I always wear at least decent pants and a collared shirt to Sunday mass.

 

[chicago]

Dressing up or lack of dressing up for me has nothing to due with respect. If it was up to me, I would wear shorts all of the time. I dress up so that people don’t judge me on how I am dressed. So that their first impression of me isn’t biased because of the way I am dressed. I don’t dress up for other people because of Respect for them it is because I don’t trust them to make judgements based on who I am not what I wear. I don’t have that same trust issue with God…

I think that is what I was trying to get at. Thank you!

 

[chicago]

“Best”: is looked at in contrast to what is considered by our conventions and norms to be casual clothes: jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, shorts, etc. Clothing that is more formal than this would be, like slacks, a nice collard shirt maybe a tie, and dress shoes. That is what I mean by formal. Not to the extent in which you are “clearly” distracting, such as a wedding dress or a tuxedo with a knights of columbus cape and various ceremonial objects attached to their clothing

But, see, in this day and age jeans are not mere casual wear but “dress clothes” in many a case. Perhaps they aren’t always considered “business wear”, but they are certainly dress up to go out on the town clothes. A “fashionable” sweater or t-shirt that some girk wears might in many cases be more expensive and “dressy” than a cheap 10 dollar “dress shirt” from K-Mart. Sneakers aren’t sloppy runaround shoes anymore but nice accessories to an outfit. It’s not all as easily discernible as your propose.

I never intended to accuse you or imply that you did say those things. I apologize for the apparent confusion. That was a response to other poster who share a similar view.

God Bless You

 

[Sean.McKenzie]

I’m glad several here feel this way, because I have actually seen some people post, right on this forum, that we should be willing to wear to Mass whatever we would wear to a wedding. Let me tell you, I would feel a right dufus wearing black or white tie clothing to Mass, especially trying to climb the four flights of stairs to the choir loft dressed that way.

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I havn;t read anywhere on this forum where someone said that we should wear the same thing to mass as we would wear to a wedding? Were did you read that?

 

[LilyM]

For what it’s worth people, I attended a wedding just on Saturday. First one I’ve been to in quite a long time. The guests wore all levels of dress from really fancy dresses and snappy suits through to actual jeans and collared but definitely casual shirts - on both men and women. No-one looked out of place though.

So let those who want to dress up for Masses, weddings or anything else dress up, but your ‘wouldn’t you dress up for a wedding?’ mantra isn’t going to cut it any more.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I havn;t read anywhere on this forum where someone said that we should wear the same thing to mass as we would wear to a wedding? Were did you read that?

On a number of threads here; there have been a whole boatload of threads on this topic (just in the 1-1/2 years I’ve been registered here). With the crash this site had, I imagine several of them have been lost.

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[roccoangelo]

Rarely. The last time I wore jeans to Mass was yesterday, but I was in such a rush that I had no time to change. Otherwise, I typicaly goto Mass, on Sundays, in dress pants, dress shirt, dress shoes, a tie and a light jacket:thumbsup: . I’ve had a fair bit of struggle in this area up until I read an article by a priest from the Fraterity of Saint Peter on proper Liturgical dress. In it he explains the what’s and what not’s do wear. You can read it here:

catholicmodesty.com/Homily_16_May_2004.htm

Pax Domini,
Rocco

 

[maryjk]

I’ll wear jeans to daily mass. . . but I always wear at least decent pants and a collared shirt to Sunday mass.

I have heard this a number of times. People wear less dressy clothes to daily Mass, than they do to Sunday Mass.

Why? Is Jesus less present? Is there less of a sacrifice taking place during the week?

We have always heard the term, “Sunday best.” But why? Yes, it is the Lord’s day. But does that mean that we should stay dressed up? What if we change when we get home? Are we then not keeping the Lord’s day holy?

I know that I allow my son to dress down for daily Mass because we go the the playground after Mass and I would like his dress clothes to stay nice. But I still wear the same type of clothes, mostly jumpers, casual skirts and a few dresses.

I don’t mean to pick on you, Prometheum_x, but I see this all the time, here on the forum and I don’t understand it.

Mass is Mass, it isn’t less because it is on a weekday. Or is it?

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I have heard this a number of times. People wear less dressy clothes to daily Mass, than they do to Sunday Mass.

Why? Is Jesus less present? Is there less of a sacrifice taking place during the week?

Not any less of a sacrifice, but many people are headed directly to work from daily Mass, and the dressy clothing may not be appropriate.

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[Sean.McKenzie]

Not any less of a sacrifice, but many people are headed directly to work from daily Mass, and the dressy clothing may not be appropriate.

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Pax et Bonum

I disagree. Dressing nice for mass is always appropriate: Nice meaning, non-casual clothes…it is always appropriate…however a person coming home from work or going to work, may not have the time or the oppurtunity to “dress up” for mass, this is completely understandable.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Pax et Bonum

I disagree. Dressing nice for mass is always appropriate: Nice meaning, non-casual clothes…it is always appropriate…however a person coming home from work or going to work, may not have the time or the oppurtunity to “dress up” for mass, this is completely understandable.

That’s what I meant; sorry for being unclear. Dressy or nice clothing (assuming it’s modest!) is never inappropriate for Mass, but the person who must leave for work immediately afterwards may have to wear the work clothes to Mass. Depending on the job, those work clothes may be very casual.

Crazy Internet Junkies Society
Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag
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[chicago]

That’s what I meant; sorry for being unclear. Dressy or nice clothing (assuming it’s modest!) is never inappropriate for Mass, but the person who must leave for work immediately afterwards may have to wear the work clothes to Mass. Depending on the job, those work clothes may be very casual.

I think what Sean was trying to say is that such work clothes are not truly “appropriate” in the highest sense of things (which “dress clothes” presumably would more ideally satisfy), but rather a lesser form of dignification which falls short of the ideal; only to be understandably accomodated with toleration because of necessary circumstances.

 

[CRW]

Just curious, please no bashing anyone if they do or dont, I just want to know if

A) you do it on a regular basis
B) only have done it in emergency or less than 3 times a year
C)Have never done it
D) Have never done it and get hopping mad when you see it
E) I cant remember and I dont go to Mass often enough to notice

Just pick one of the above.

C have never done it

 

[CRW]

Just curious, please no bashing anyone if they do or dont, I just want to know if

A) you do it on a regular basis
B) only have done it in emergency or less than 3 times a year
C)Have never done it
D) Have never done it and get hopping mad when you see it
E) I cant remember and I dont go to Mass often enough to notice

Just pick one of the above.

This post is just for the record and the teachings of the church:

CCC # 1387: To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gesture, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.