Dress code for lectors?

[SmokeRing]

…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.

We do that at my parish too and it’s a turn-off. The priest arrives 5 minutes (at most) prior to Mass from his rectory 20’ away and is already in a harried condition at 8:00 am. The deacon is already in the sacristy making things difficult/painful for others. The EMsHC and lectors are wandering around the sanctuary where they put themselves on display and talk loudly to anyone who will listen and to slap a few backs. Yet 90 seconds before Mass (a Mass that will be burned through in 45 minutes) we stop to “pray.” It comes off as deeply hypocritical at my parish to me. I avoid it.

 

[Pilgrim1701]

" 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.

The EMsHC and lectors are wandering around the sanctuary where they put themselves on display and talk loudly to anyone who will listen and to slap a few backs. Yet 90 seconds before Mass (a Mass that will be burned through in 45 minutes) we stop to “pray.” It comes off as deeply hypocritical at my parish to me. I avoid it.

I think that sums it up. If you read well, people will be concentrating on the word of God, not what your’e wearing. (The only thing that bothers me about readers/lectors is a propensity to issue the command “response” after each strophe of the responsorial psalm! Honestly, we can manage to get through the rest of mass without such prompting:blush SmokeRing is right, sometimes too much emphasis it put on the ‘externals’.

 

[Sarabande]

We do that at my parish too and it’s a turn-off. The priest arrives 5 minutes (at most) prior to Mass from his rectory 20’ away and is already in a harried condition at 8:00 am. The deacon is already in the sacristy making things difficult/painful for others. The EMsHC and lectors are wandering around the sanctuary where they put themselves on display and talk loudly to anyone who will listen and to slap a few backs. Yet 90 seconds before Mass (a Mass that will be burned through in 45 minutes) we stop to “pray.” It comes off as deeply hypocritical at my parish to me. I avoid it.

I’m surprised that they would be wandering around the sanctuary before the mass and can understand how you would find that hypocritical. Although, since I don’t belong to that parish and don’t know the people in question, I don’t want to assume the worst in them. They may not know any better, as is what I’ve been finding out more and more as I get to know people better. (But I do know there are people who are like the ones you talked about.)

Where they did the prayer before the mass at my old parish, they all stayed in the sacristy with no displaying of anything. Sometimes, a few would go out to the church to pray for a little before going into the sacristy. There was no boisterous banter. I would usually sit in a chair quietly and reflect on the prayer that I would sing as a cantor as I waited. Our masses usually lasted at least an hour if not longer. Nothing was ever rushed and so much thought and prayer went into what was done. Basically, people who wanted the “Roman Quickie”, would never come to one of those masses. The masses tended towards more subdued and meditative… some would call serious, but I would call perfect for an introverted person like myself.

 

[Ladygem]

The guide lines for my parish is that men should wear slacks and a collared shirt. Women should wear a dress or skirt that covers at least “the 4 B’s” (breasts, belly, back, and booty) with sleeves or at least a shrug. Or, if they’d rather wear pants, follow the guide lines for men. (Their shirt would have a more feminine cut obviously. )

 

[Dies_Irae_1]

What’s wrong with a cassock and surplice?

 

[SmokeRing]

I’m surprised that they would be wandering around the sanctuary before the mass and can understand how you would find that hypocritical. Although, since I don’t belong to that parish and don’t know the people in question, I don’t want to assume the worst in them. They may not know any better, as is what I’ve been finding out more and more as I get to know people better. (But I do know there are people who are like the ones you talked about.)

Where they did the prayer before the mass at my old parish, they all stayed in the sacristy with no displaying of anything. Sometimes, a few would go out to the church to pray for a little before going into the sacristy. There was no boisterous banter. I would usually sit in a chair quietly and reflect on the prayer that I would sing as a cantor as I waited. Our masses usually lasted at least an hour if not longer. Nothing was ever rushed and so much thought and prayer went into what was done. Basically, people who wanted the “Roman Quickie”, would never come to one of those masses. The masses tended towards more subdued and meditative… some would call serious, but I would call perfect for an introverted person like myself.

That sounds really nice. The people have been told not to use the sanctuary as a stage but there are no consequences if they do so it has long continued. Same with the carnival atmosphere in the sacristy. I suspect that’s what bothers me the most. The outright din in the sacristy, talking about the previous night and where is everyone going for breakfast after Mass. Then the priest arrives, quickly vests and with 90 seconds to go we finally focus and say a prayer while holding hands?

Not for me. I need a head start and I need to be away from that din well before Mass begins.

 

[SmokeRing]

The guide lines for my parish is that men should wear slacks and a collared shirt. Women should wear a dress or skirt that covers at least “the 4 B’s” (breasts, belly, back, and booty) with sleeves or at least a shrug. Or, if they’d rather wear pants, follow the guide lines for men. (Their shirt would have a more feminine cut obviously. )

If parishes followed that simple “dress code” things would be far better off.

 

[jmcrae]

What’s wrong with a cassock and surplice?

Those are only for child Altar servers and members of the clergy. You don’t want someone coming up to you thinking you are the priest.

 

[SmokeRing]

Those are only for child Altar servers and members of the clergy. You don’t want someone coming up to you thinking you are the priest.

That’s certainly not true. Adult servers can wear them as well. There is no prohibition. There is even no prohibition of wearing the Roman collar although I think it might confused people in the states.

While it’s not prohibited I personally feel that females should never wear this combo, for a number of reasons.

 

[jmcrae]

While it’s not prohibited I personally feel that females should never wear this combo, for a number of reasons.

As you rightly point out, there is what is permitted, and there is what is prudent and fitting.

It is more prudent and fitting for adult altar servers to wear plain white albs, rather than something nearly identical to what the priest is wearing, to prevent confusion.

 

[FatHead]

Those are only for child Altar servers and members of the clergy. You don’t want someone coming up to you thinking you are the priest.

huh? Cassocks and surplices are ok for any male server during the liturgy.

 

[Phemie]

huh? Cassocks and surplices are ok for any male server during the liturgy.

It’s certainly what my dad wore while he served for 27+ years and no one mistook him for a priest since that’s how all servers dressed back then.

Of course it seems more common now to see servers in hooded, ill-fitting, nightgown-looking albs so It was good to see servers in cassocks and surplices in the parish where I went to Mass this past Sunday.

 

[SmokeRing]

As you rightly point out, there is what is permitted, and there is what is prudent and fitting.

It is more prudent and fitting for adult altar servers to wear plain white albs, rather than something nearly identical to what the priest is wearing, to prevent confusion.

That’s still a matter of your personal opinion. Same with the alb when it comes to the “plain” part.

I personally don’t like to see women wear a cassock and surplice because it comes mighty close to cross-dressing. It’s also a combination favored by man female Protestant clergy.

 

[Jim_Roberts]

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?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lay ministers should dress in laymen’s clothes–it is simple as that

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jr

 

[Phemie]

Lay ministers should dress in laymen’s clothes–it is simple as that.

That also is an opinion.
The universal GIRM says:

1. Acolytes, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture that is lawfully approved by the Conference of Bishops.

U.S.A.

1. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other appropriate and dignified clothing.

Canada:

1. In the dioceses of Canada, acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable attire.

 

[starsmurf]

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. “Sunday best” used to mean something. The concept has been lost. I suppose pant suits for women would be hard to eliminate, but I would love to see it go in the sanctuary.

I would be devestated if women who are lectors were banned from wearing trousers/pants. Why should they just because you want them to wear skirts or dresses?

I suffer from a disease that makes me very sensitive to the cold (it is physically painful) and makes my legs very swollen and the skin very thin and easily damaged, this also makes getting shoes very difficult. Should I have to get a “special dispensation” to wear pants to lector, or even just to Mass, simply because a few people don’t like them? Are you going to ban kilts for men, as that shows their legs? If you think it wouldn’t be a big deal to get a “special dispensation” then all I can say is you have never spent your life being “different” constantly having to ask for things to be done. Do I wear a sign round my neck telling people I have permission and why it was given? I have to sit down during the Gospel and recitation of the Creed. I’ve had people poke me (hard enough to bruise) in the back to make me “be respectful”. Some of those women you want to see in skirts may have similar problems to me, you just don’t know about it because the pants cover it up.

I appreciate that this sort of thing didn’t cross your mind, but that is exactly the problem, it won’t cross your mind unless your life is affected in this way. Personally, I don’t care what someone is wearing as long as they read in a respectful manner. It is their love of God that counts, not what they wear.

 

[starsmurf]

If people are bothered by what lectors wear, then supply a robe for them. That means that there is no problem or barrier for someone to become a lector. It also removes any temptation to “show off” by wearing expensive clothing. If every lector looks the same, then the focus is simply on how well they read, not how well they are dressed.

Some people have been saying that servers should be dressed in very specific clothing, which a poorer family would simply not be able to afford. Many of the suggestions that people should wear “business attire” to Church ignores the fact that many people do not work in business and don’t have such clothing. I am unable to work due to a disability, and I really struggle to afford “nice” clothes for Mass. I always dress modestly, but sometimes that has to be jeans and a big jumper, especially when it is cold. Anything else would leave me shivering and in terrible pain. It is an assumption that people have this kind of clothing to hand or could easily buy it. That is not the case for many people and families. I worry that if they were told to buy such clothing that they would stop going to Mass, as they simply would not have the money.

 

[Jayne_L]

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?

I attend two youth masses - one has a strict dress code and a focus on keeping the mass authentic. The other is “come as you please” and it is quite normal for the readers to be in mini skirts or board shorts. This mass feels like it’s intention is not to worship God but to create “relevance” to youth.

Out of the two it is the stricter mass that attracts the crowds. If you don’t show up early, you don’t get a seat. The less reverent mass is practically empty and is the worse attended mass at that particular parish.

The youth want reverence. They want purpose. They want to know God is present - and they’re willing to act in a manner appropriate. They simply need guidance. Give them that and they won’t just come when mum and dad drag them, but they’ll come because they want to be there.

 

[YoungTradCath]

If people are bothered by what lectors wear, then supply a robe for them. That means that there is no problem or barrier for someone to become a lector. It also removes any temptation to “show off” by wearing expensive clothing. If every lector looks the same, then the focus is simply on how well they read, not how well they are dressed.

Some people have been saying that servers should be dressed in very specific clothing, which a poorer family would simply not be able to afford. Many of the suggestions that people should wear “business attire” to Church ignores the fact that many people do not work in business and don’t have such clothing. I am unable to work due to a disability, and I really struggle to afford “nice” clothes for Mass. I always dress modestly, but sometimes that has to be jeans and a big jumper, especially when it is cold. Anything else would leave me shivering and in terrible pain. It is an assumption that people have this kind of clothing to hand or could easily buy it. That is not the case for many people and families. I worry that if they were told to buy such clothing that they would stop going to Mass, as they simply would not have the money.

Good idea. Why not?!

 

[FatHead]

If people are bothered by what lectors wear, then supply a robe for them. That means that there is no problem or barrier for someone to become a lector. It also removes any temptation to “show off” by wearing expensive clothing. If every lector looks the same, then the focus is simply on how well they read, not how well they are dressed.

Some people have been saying that servers should be dressed in very specific clothing, which a poorer family would simply not be able to afford. Many of the suggestions that people should wear “business attire” to Church ignores the fact that many people do not work in business and don’t have such clothing. I am unable to work due to a disability, and I really struggle to afford “nice” clothes for Mass. I always dress modestly, but sometimes that has to be jeans and a big jumper, especially when it is cold. Anything else would leave me shivering and in terrible pain. It is an assumption that people have this kind of clothing to hand or could easily buy it. That is not the case for many people and families. I worry that if they were told to buy such clothing that they would stop going to Mass, as they simply would not have the money.

no one is saying you need to dress outside your means, but what many people rail against is the people who dress down on sundays: suit and tie during the week, and hiwian shirt and kacki shorts and flip flops on sunday.