Dress code for lectors?

[georgewithfaith]

How about a dress code for youth mass?

I mean this sincerely. Young people are often hungry for direction from adults. Why could the adults not reach out and implement some rules about dress code for the Mass? Have the rules promulgated by the youth director. Also, three other additions I would love to see at a youth Mass:

• A sign that says silence please as people enter the Church
• Silence and reverence after the Mass for those wishing to adore Christ in private prayer after having received the Eucharist.
• No guitars allowed.

Maybe there are some youth masses around the country with rules like these. If so I would like to hear about it.

Where I live at the parishes I have seen youth masses the idea seems to be that we need to reach out to teens meaning that teens like to wear sloppy, grubby clothes, like to chat before Mass and love the guitar. I would like to see a youth ministry that challenges these assumptions.

 

[jmcrae]

How about a dress code for youth mass?

I mean this sincerely. Young people are often hungry for direction from adults. Why could the adults not reach out and implement some rules about dress code for the Mass? Have the rules promulgated by the youth director. Also, three other additions I would love to see at a youth Mass:

• A sign that says silence please as people enter the Church
• Silence and reverence after the Mass for those wishing to adore Christ in private prayer after having received the Eucharist.
• No guitars allowed.

Maybe there are some youth masses around the country with rules like these. If so I would like to hear about it.

Unfortunately, you’re not likely to see it. I did a week of training in Youth Ministry this past summer, and not only did they not tell us (Youth leaders) to try to instill reverence in the Youth under our care, they went out of their way to suggest “appropriate contemporary songs” (including “Lean on Me”) to play on the guitar and piano for them at Adoration and Mass.

So, unless you are dealing with a Youth Minister who is already committed to training youth in the practice of reverence, you aren’t going to see it from the “trained, professional” youth ministry team.

Where I live at the parishes I have seen youth masses the idea seems to be that we need to reach out to teens meaning that teens like to wear sloppy, grubby clothes, like to chat before Mass and love the guitar. I would like to see a youth ministry that challenges these assumptions.

Unfortunately, that is indeed the case - it is assumed that the youth of today are congenitally incapable of reverence, and that any attempt at reverence will drive them away - and that we must therefore create a noisy, casual atmosphere at Mass and at Adoration, to “keep them interested.”

Baby steps, I guess.

 

[Mumbles140]

Unfortunately, that is indeed the case - it is assumed that the youth of today are congenitally incapable of reverence, and that any attempt at reverence will drive them away - and that we must therefore create a noisy, casual atmosphere at Mass and at Adoration, to “keep them interested.”

Baby steps, I guess.

How tragically true. The worst part is that we then expect this reverence to just ‘occur’ without any sort of ‘practice’ on the parts of the youths. Guitars and contemporary songs and other things like that are great tools for youth rallies, concerts before marches/protests, etc when the excitement level needs to be elevated. But when it comes to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reverence needs to be shown by people at all ages, and it appears some people are sacrificing that for ‘numbers’ and ‘involvement’ - both great things, but is that really the best way to attain them?

 

[Bob_Aliano]

How tragically true. The worst part is that we then expect this reverence to just ‘occur’ without any sort of ‘practice’ on the parts of the youths. Guitars and contemporary songs and other things like that are great tools for youth rallies, concerts before marches/protests, etc when the excitement level needs to be elevated. But when it comes to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reverence needs to be shown by people at all ages, and it appears some people are sacrificing that for ‘numbers’ and ‘involvement’ - both great things, but is that really the best way to attain them?

This sounds like a prescription for the failure of the Church! When is the Church hierarchy going to get back to the concept that we obey the Church, not the reverse?

 

[Aramis]

Clean, neat, not flashy; shirt with collar and at least short sleeves; clean unripped well-fitting (neither too tight nor too loose) trousers or knee-length or longer skirt or dress appropriate to season, worn so waistband is above hips. A tie is good but should not be essential.

The option for the Alb is a good one, tho’… it is permitted under the GIRM…

 

[Catholic_Wife]

I keep an “ugly sweater” in my car at all times and always bring it into Mass with me because our former priest kept the church building on the cold side because of all the vestments he wears (so does our new priest). Nothing covers bare arms like a cold church building!

When I became a lector, we were told to wear at least business casual if not “better” – NO JEANS OR T-SHIRTS WITH LOGOS – because we are held to a higher standard due to our position as reader. Our former priest wanted us to provide a good example for visitors as well as the congregation.

 

[Pilgrim1701]

Ok. We’ve had the "I think"s, " I would make everyone"s, "It should be"s, all the spectrum of personal opinion. Ones opinion of what was good 50 years ago is no more applicable now than it was 500 years ago. How you dress doesn’t really give you the right to tell someone else how to, or vice versa for that matter.
Is there anything difinitive on a ‘dress code’ for lay minsteries, extending this to EMHCs also, say from the GIRM or Canon Law or whatever? Or is it guidance from particular bishops conferences. Or is it just a case of people wanting to tell other people what to wear?
Was trying to see what the ‘official’ case is in Ireland but end up going around in these kind of circles. As I said, already know what some peoples own opinions are, but whats the official stance of the church?

 

[agnes_therese]

Sort of related:
One of our EMHCs shows up in the sanctuary in tight short-shorts, naked legs, regularly.

Pretty tasteless.
No dress code that I know of. Should be!

If that happened ar our parish, that person would be off the list so fast it would make your head swim. Where’s the pastor?

 

[puzzleannie]

Are we being too judgmental and constrictive in expecting Lectors to dress nicely for Mass?

with respect this should come from the pastor, not a committee although they should certainly advise him of their concerns and the reasons for them. In this parish youth are expected to follow the same dress code applied to others in service of the liturgy–dresses or skirts with closed-toe shoes for ladies, dress slacks, shirts and shoes for men. those who have shown up inappropriately dressed have simply been asked to sit out for that Mass and the service is taken on by another minister.

This has also happened for sponsors on occasion, and a proxy has stepped in.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Pilgrim I find it interesting you fired up this year old thread. I have never seen any formal church directed dress code. Modest, respectful and appropriate are sufficient. different masses are more or less formal. Different parts of the country judged “appropriateness” differently. Heat or cold inside the church or outside may affect dress. No in short there will not be a national dress code especially for the US

 

[Sarabande]

I work as a cantor at a parish and have freelanced in more churches than I can count all over my diocese, surrounding dioceses and numerous other states. Almost all of the priests or the music directors at these churches ask that cantors and lectors dress nicely and modestly… meaning at least a pair of dress pants, button down shirt and tie, or a nice pair of pants and button-down shirt/sweater for the men and a nice outfit - skirt/blouse/sweater, dress, modest dress pants, for women. They don’t want us showing up in jeans and t-shirts. Some have said it was to set an example for the congregation as to appropriate attire for mass.

I’ve also worked at places where they request that you wear more neutral clothing, which I’ve kept the practice up for myself when I’m cantoring just because it does make sense to try to be as inconspicuous as possible. When lectors/cantors wear clothing that is too loud or showing too much skin or is too tight, it can potentially be distracting to those in the congregation.

 

[Chatter163]

Ok. We’ve had the "I think"s, " I would make everyone"s, "It should be"s, all the spectrum of personal opinion. Ones opinion of what was good 50 years ago is no more applicable now than it was 500 years ago. How you dress doesn’t really give you the right to tell someone else how to, or vice versa for that matter.
Is there anything difinitive on a ‘dress code’ for lay minsteries, extending this to EMHCs also, say from the GIRM or Canon Law or whatever? Or is it guidance from particular bishops conferences. Or is it just a case of people wanting to tell other people what to wear?
Was trying to see what the ‘official’ case is in Ireland but end up going around in these kind of circles. As I said, already know what some peoples own opinions are, but whats the official stance of the church?

Spare us the dismissive tone. There is no “official stance of the [C]hurch” on something like this. There is nothing definitive, so you are not going to get that. You should reasonably expect that people will share their parish’s practices, and make other observations. To do so is not in itself judgmental or condescending, nor is it irrelevant. And since most of the posts tend in a certain direction, that is valuable data. See it in that light, rather than dismissing out of hand what people have written.

 

[SmokeRing]

At the Lector Training session last night, the topic of a dress code for lectors was broached. We definitely need one, especially for the youth mass. The woman who is in charge of coordinating the youth is very much against the idea; though, of course she didn’t show up to the meeting. Now I’m the one catching all the flack because I volunteered to help put some basic guidelines together.

I was just wondering if there are other churches out there with similar issues. If so how do you handle it?

Are we being too judgmental and constrictive in expecting Lectors to dress nicely for Mass?

A dress code would be proper but it might be difficult to enforce at first.

I recently attended a Mass at a large parish. The readers and the extraordinary ministers were wearing garments that were cut like albs in a very dark wine/maroon color (much darker than violet vestments for a priest.) The servers wore white albs and the music ministers (including the cantor) wore blue choir gowns. I asked the rector about it afterwards. He said when he was placed at the parish that dress was horrible so he implemented the garments. They buy the garments for $40.00/each (more for the choir robes.) Ministers ultimately pay for their own unless there is a financial hardship.

He said any “confusion” people might have about the maroon garments is far offset by the non-offensive, non-detracting look. He said he was tested one time. When he went on his first vacation two readers did not wear their robes. With no legitimate reason for not wearing their garments he immediately released them from ministry and that was that.

 

[Pilgrim1701]

Spare us the dismissive tone. There is no “official stance of the [C]hurch” on something like this. There is nothing definitive, so you are not going to get that. You should reasonably expect that people will share their parish’s practices, and make other observations. To do so is not in itself judgmental or condescending, nor is it irrelevant. And since most of the posts tend in a certain direction, that is valuable data. See it in that light, rather than dismissing out of hand what people have written.

Pfffft Now whos trying to be condescending. Just found it interesting that all the authoritive statements as to exactly what should be in or out regarding what someone else decides to wear is based on, well, nothing really, except individual taste.

" “We must be dressed in clean and modest clothing.”

That I can agree with

I think it would be insulting to implement a dress code.

If someone dresses in a ridiculous or innappropriate manner; firstly they shouldn’t be chosen to read; Having a general rule is patronising and absurd.

+1

Business attire would be good, I think. Men wear long sleeved shirts with tie. Jacket optional. Short sleeves could be allowed during the summer. Slacks, no sneakers.

Women, same. But no short business skirts. And no exposed cleavage.

nice pants (no holes, probably no denim, no sweatpants), skirts knee-length, no sleeveless tops, no flip flops, no sweatshirts…and youth (perhaps Lifeteen?) Masses: nice pants or nice jeans (no raggyness or “destroyed” pants), niceish shirts (no writing, no undershirts, no tank tops, no sweatshirts), etc

A dress code is necessary in most cases. Some people don’t have a clue what is appropriate and what is not, especially teenagers. Some just don’t know. Personally, I like to see women and girls wearing a modest dress or skirt and men and boys with slacks and a tie and jacket for reading. .

Our parish has said shirt & tie - optional jacket for men, women must wear modest professional type clothing. No blue jeans.

jacket and tie for the men, dress or blouse and skirt for the women. Anything less should be considered insulting to … the servers should wear black and polished shoes with black socks for the boys and neutral hose for the girls. If the boys shirts are visible they should be white, buttoned and with ties.

Clean, neat, not flashy; shirt with collar and at least short sleeves; clean unripped well-fitting (neither too tight nor too loose) trousers or knee-length or longer skirt or dress appropriate to season, worn so waistband is above hips. A tie is good but should not be essential.

To which I could add, plain white shirt, with collar, jacket & tie matching liturgical colours, clean white trousers, white belt (square silver buckle), white leather shoes, polished and not brown or black . Proper fitting too, so perhaps best to get white suit etc from a proper tailor. Seeing as we’re getting traditional, no women in the sanctuary, lest the men can’t control themselves.
Hey, its just an opinion.

 

[SmokeRing]

I think it would be insulting to implement a dress code.

If someone dresses in a ridiculous or innappropriate manner; firstly they shouldn’t be chosen to read; and secondly if they are someone should speak to them in private. Having a general rule is patronising and absurd.

In all sincerity why do you feel this way? I would honestly like to know.

A simple (yet very clear) dress code could be implemented with a great deal of love. With diligent (and extremely tactful) supervision it slowly becomes a standard. A standard that is controlled by peer pressure and not by heavy-handed supervision.

 

[SmokeRing]

…To which I could add, plain white shirt, with collar, jacket & tie matching liturgical colours, clean white trousers, white belt (square silver buckle), white leather shoes, polished and not brown or black . Proper fitting too, so perhaps best to get white suit etc from a proper tailor. Seeing as we’re getting traditional, no women in the sanctuary, lest the men can’t control themselves.
Hey, its just an opinion.

A variation of the “Full Cleveland”, huh? People wearing such attrie should be summarily executed for bad taste…

 

[FatHead]

To which I could add, plain white shirt, with collar, jacket & tie matching liturgical colours, clean white trousers, white belt (square silver buckle), white leather shoes, polished and not brown or black . Proper fitting too, so perhaps best to get white suit etc from a proper tailor. Seeing as we’re getting traditional, no women in the sanctuary, lest the men can’t control themselves.
Hey, its just an opinion.

you mean it as a joke, but seriously, men need to learn how to dress up, pretty much like you say.

 

[MissRose73]

I would say most items good enough for business professional or business casual offices that are neat, clean and modest for being a lector (and also for those doing other ministries like being an usher or EMHC)

 

[SalesianSDB]

My parish I read at requires a button down shirt, tie, and slacks for guys. Dress/skirt (at least knee length) for women. During holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Palm Sunday men must wear jackets.

Another parish I visit requires men to wear suits.

When I went to Mass with my aunt, uncle, and cousins in a different parish, my aunt came up to me and said, “They need an extra reader, can you read?” My first response was: “I’m not dressed.” I was wearing a dark blue polo and jeans. She just said, “You’re fine.” So I read. And actually, the woman in charge of lectors at that parish offered me an open invitation to read at that Mass whenever I wanted since I did well and they are always short readers. Then my aunt told her I was worried about how I was dressed she said not to worry about it.

Though let me just say, the best experience reading was at the Mass with the relaxed dress code. Right before Mass started, the priest, deacon, lectors, EMHC, and alter servers held hands and prayed before Mass. That was the first time that I’ve experienced that. It was a great sense of community and purpose.

 

[Sarabande]

Though let me just say, the best experience reading was at the Mass with the relaxed dress code. Right before Mass started, the priest, deacon, lectors, EMHC, and alter servers held hands and prayed before Mass. That was the first time that I’ve experienced that. It was a great sense of community and purpose.

I do miss that from my old parish. Whoever was saying the mass at that time would always gather us around the crucifix in the sacristy and say a quick prayer before the mass and then would give me the signal to go out (I’m the cantor).