Is it vein to wear a suit to church on sundays?

  • Thread starter Thread starter freesoulhope
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

freesoulhope

Guest
Recently i have had the erge to go to church on sundays in a suit. I feel good in a suit. But i fear that my motive to wear a suit doesnt please God. loads of thoughts have poured in to my head like, the feeling that if i where a suit, its saying that im better then others. Im always blaming my self for something, but i just want to look Good, plus its a sunday. I just dont want to be paranoid that i might be offending God. I dont usesualy wear a suit. What do you think?
 
By all means wear a suit, Freesoulhope, years ago all men wore suits to church, it was their “Sunday best”. Obviously not anything too loud and flashy, - you don’t want to be louder than the hymns!
There isn’t really a dress code here in England, other than dressing sensibly. I go to church in Central London and people wear all sorts of clothes and nobody really takes that much notice. I think it’s nice that you want to wear something “special” for God.
Best wishes
 
40.png
freesoulhope:
Recently i have had the erge to go to church on sundays in a suit. I feel good in a suit. But i fear that my motive to wear a suit doesnt please God. loads of thoughts have poured in to my head like, the feeling that if i where a suit, its saying that im better then others. Im always blaming my self for something, but i just want to look Good, plus its a sunday. I just dont want to be paranoid that i might be offending God. I dont usesualy wear a suit. What do you think?
Click to expand...
I think it is a good idea. A few months ago I decided that I had to start dressing better for Mass. I have started wearing a dress shirt and dress pants with a tie. You also have to be careful to not get vain and hypocritical(speaking from my own experience). Do not worry about the way others dress, simply think about whether you are giving your best to God yourself. Always try to give your best. Pretty much everyone has a tendency to vanity, so just watch the way you think.
 
Given your location (London–I love London, was there for Jubilee in 1977), I can see some of the ingrained cultural attitudes that are warring in you. . .

Good old Noll Cromwell insisting on the “warts and all” picture brought about the whole “I’m a plain man, no fancy duds or finicky attitudes for ME” to generations of English/ British men–and later to American, Canadian, Australian etc. men as well.

Now, any action or thought usually has more than one reaction or rationale behind it. You OTOH want to wear a nice suit to pay proper respect to God. You also appreciate the way a suit makes you feel. But OTOH you start to worry about appearing “posh”. You worry that you will look down on other people.

So. . .who is more important? You–other people–or God?

I think you know the answer. If you know that wearing a suit might make you feel “superior”—well, that is an attitude you can work on. Pray a lot. Cultivate humility. That will take care of the “you” part.

You’re worried about how you look to others? Again—pray for them, but concentrate on God.

God doesn’t ask more of us than we can give, and He will give the grace we need to perform right actions for him. He will help you on this. Pray. And know we will pray for you as well. Bless you for your concerns and your search to please God.
 
Tantum ergo:
Given your location (London–I love London, was there for Jubilee in 1977), I can see some of the ingrained cultural attitudes that are warring in you. . .

Good old Noll Cromwell insisting on the “warts and all” picture brought about the whole “I’m a plain man, no fancy duds or finicky attitudes for ME” to generations of English/ British men–and later to American, Canadian, Australian etc. men as well.

Now, any action or thought usually has more than one reaction or rationale behind it. You OTOH want to wear a nice suit to pay proper respect to God. You also appreciate the way a suit makes you feel. But OTOH you start to worry about appearing “posh”. You worry that you will look down on other people.
So. . .who is more important? You–other people–or God?

I think you know the answer. If you know that wearing a suit might make you feel “superior”—well, that is an attitude you can work on. Pray a lot. Cultivate humility. That will take care of the “you” part.

You’re worried about how you look to others? Again—pray for them, but concentrate on God.

God doesn’t ask more of us than we can give, and He will give the grace we need to perform right actions for him. He will help you on this. Pray. And know we will pray for you as well. Bless you for your concerns and your search to please God.
Click to expand...
Thanks man! 🙂 you touched on the main issues of my mind. I will not give up the idea of wearing a suit, instead i will tackle the issues face on with prayer to God. It might even give me more spiritual strength, which is what i need right now. 😉
 
40.png
jimmy:
I think it is a good idea. A few months ago I decided that I had to start dressing better for Mass. I have started wearing a dress shirt and dress pants with a tie. You also have to be careful to not get vain and hypocritical(speaking from my own experience). Do not worry about the way others dress, simply think about whether you are giving your best to God yourself. Always try to give your best. Pretty much everyone has a tendency to vanity, so just watch the way you think.
Click to expand...
Yes this is what i fear. Thank you for your reply. God bless. 🙂
 
40.png
freesoulhope:
Yes this is what i fear. Thank you for your reply. God bless. 🙂
Click to expand...
I try to keep my head down and my eyes closed at mass so that I can focus on what is happening and on the relationship with God rather than focusing on others. Also try to keep in mind that you are a sinner. This may help overcome the temptations that come to be hypocritical or vain. One thing I try to do is to keep the Jesus Prayer(‘Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.’) in my mind. Say it at times of silence in the mass. I often say it from after the creed till the end of Mass except when the Sanctus or Agnus Dei is sung or when the congregation has a response. It is a good way to keep your mind focused on God and to keep a humble heart. Also try not to look around; keep focused on what is happening in front of you or try to focus inward.
 
A lot of it depends on what wearing a suit means to you and why you do it.

Many people do it to impress others and if this is your reason for wearing a suit to church, do not do it.

If for you wearing a suit is a sign of respect to those you encounter, wear suit as in your wearing of a suit you are showing your respect to God.

For me, wearing a suit is a sign of disgust at another’s immaturity and thus I should never wear a suit to work. (Due to my weight, suits constrict my breathing and are very uncomfortable and are only worn in work situations were absolutely required by the employers)
 
Wear the suit. The majority of men in my parish wear suits. I see it as a sign of respect. IMO, if you are vain, you will be no matter what you wear.
 
40.png
jimmy:
I think it is a good idea. A few months ago I decided that I had to start dressing better for Mass. I have started wearing a dress shirt and dress pants with a tie. You also have to be careful to not get vain and hypocritical(speaking from my own experience). Do not worry about the way others dress, simply think about whether you are giving your best to God yourself. Always try to give your best. Pretty much everyone has a tendency to vanity, so just watch the way you think.
Click to expand...
We often begin to do good things with less-than-pure motives:

“Fast? Well, yes, I’ll be able to lose weight.”

“Give financial help to the poor? Yes, it will be a good deduction for my taxes.”

Fortunately, God never stops working on us to help us purify our motives. What may have begun from a point of pride (or of convenience, or of emotional attachment, etc.) can turn into a true witness of deep committment to God. So, wear the suit and pray to be ever more open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your soul.
 
Wear the suit and enjoy it. It sets a good example and shows respect for God.
 
I struggled with this myself until recently, and am now wearing a shirt and tie to Mass every Sunday. I went through every excuse I had and found them lacking:
  1. It is vain and showy
As Sunnygirl says, If I’m vain, I need to work on it ALL the time.
  1. No one else is wearing one.
Untrue. Though many men don’t, some do. Besides, as our parents used to tell us, what everyone else does or does not do is a poor reason to decide anything.
  1. Men that can’t afford a suit will feel bad.
You can pick up a nice shirt, tie and pants at a second hand store for less than $20. For people in past times, even the most simple, it was customary to have a set of clothes just for Sunday. If someone else is wearing the best they have, they should not feel bad.
  1. It’s too much trouble.
Too much trouble for God? Give me a break.
  1. It’s too hot (I live in Arizona where summer temps get up to 110 or so).
It’s only for an hour or so. Besides, I live in a heavily Mormon area, and they never let something as trivial as the weather keep them from wearing their very best. If they can take it, so can I.
  1. God doesn’t care what I wear.
True, but I care enough about God that** I ** want to give him the very best I have. This includes all my time, talent and treasure, as well as my love and obedience.
  1. I’ll wait til I lose weight so I can buy some really nice clothes.
Like *that’s * going to happen any time soon. :rolleyes:

No more excuses. From now on God gets my best.
 
Do you ever notice that the coaches of NBA basketball teams wear coats and ties? If it is appropriate to wea a coat and tie at a basketball game, certainly it is more appropriate to were a suit to church on Sunday.

The Church teaches in the Catechism, thus Jesus teaches:
1387. To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. [[218]](file:///e:/WP51/Daddy/Apologetics/Apol.%20St.%20Peter/Homilies,%20teach/Catechism%20of%20the%20Catholic%20Church.html#12G218) Bodily demeanor (gestures,** clothing)** ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.

I hardly think that dressing casually convesy the “respect, solemnity and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest”.

This seems to say everyone should dress up to convey the respect and solemnity of this moment when we receive communion in Church.
 
Ulp. Does that mean that I am doing the wrong thing when I go to church straight from the beach and I’m still in my board shorts and thongs (footwear)?
 
40.png
Flopfoot:
Ulp. Does that mean that I am doing the wrong thing when I go to church straight from the beach and I’m still in my board shorts and thongs (footwear)?
Click to expand...
LOL. Re-read dcurel’s Catechism citation and decide for yourself. 🙂
 
If you want to wear a suit to look good in the eyes of others, don’t wear it.

If you want to wear a suit because you want to show The Lord respect, wear it.

If you want to show respect for God but are nitpicking yourself into thinking about how vain you are—sounds like scruples to me.
Stop over-thinking it. It’s either mainly for your ego or because you feel it is a good thing to do.

Americans are funny. I know many people from other countries and cultures who wouldn’t even consider wearing anything other than a suit to church. (Of course, a lot of these people also believe wholeheartedly in the Real Presence.)
Americans (and others) wear to church whatever they happen to be wearing at 5pm on Saturday, or whatever they need to wear at 11am on Sunday (after mass).

I’m not saying we should all wear suits to mass, but one can tell by some of the things people wear that the focus is on ME ME ME. Too many people who would say that if you wear a suit to mass you are drawing attention to yourself wouldn’t say a word about the young “lady” who wear a skimpy top and low-slung jeans or the boy who comes straight from basketball practice wearing a jersey. :rolleyes:
 
Why would anyone object to you wearing your best for the glory of God? What a fine example of reverance and respect.
 
If you wore a suit to mass at my parish, you would be one of probably 30-50 men who do so at any given mass. I think men who wear suits and women who dress very nicely bring the level of the whole group up as far as thinking about dressing nicely for The Lord. It counter-balances the less-than-modest attire that others wear and gets the large middle group of people to put dressing nicely in the forefront of their minds.
[No, I don’t wear a suit to mass]
 
I honestly think people should dress a bit better for Church. I don’t wear a suit but I do make sure I am wearing a dress shirt, and dress pants. Something decent. But I see people (mostly teens my age) wearing jeans, raggedy old shirts ect. That is just disrespectful if you ask me (unless you have a reasonable excuse). I mean if you were going to visit the President of the US or the Queen of England you would dress nicely wouldn’t you? It only makes sense to pay God the same courtesy. Now granted I don’t mean people have to wear a tux or anything. Just dress in good Sunday clothes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top