Mass Dress Code

[pianistclare]

I really support most of the ideas here about dressing respectfully at Mass.

A note of caution though: a number of years ago I was with a number of women who lived in an marginally impoverished area. One said. regretfully, that she never went to church because people dressed up so much she felt out of place. The best she had were jeans, sweatshirt, a skirt that was too short, etc. You get the drift. Perhaps some of the catechesis needs to cover these areas also.

Very true.
For myself, I could care less what people wear. I’m glad to see them in the pew.
I do get upset when people slam the kneelers though. I’m sure that seems silly to people, but it drives me crazy. Being there, reverent, during the Eucharistic prayer, and then stand for the Our Father and hear the BANG BANG BANG of the kneelers. Jarring. And unnecessary. I guess that would be my pet peeve. Sorry, off topic.

But the way that this priest worded his request is lovely. I don’t know how anyone could object. I’m glad he didn’t say anything about jeans.

 

[atjar]

Couldn’t they wear a diaper to play golf? If it’s good enough for Mass, shouldn’t that be good enough for golf? Why do you accept the idea that certain clothes are appropriate for golf, but you reject the idea that some clothes are appropriate for Mass!!!

I am saying that any kind of clothing, long pants or shorts, t shirt or tank top, golf shirt and v-neck, cutoffs or khakis, are OK for golf and I suspect the lord finds it OK (even if we humans don’t) if I go to church in a torn t-shirt because all he wants me to do is worship him.

 

[Marie5890]

But the way that this priest worded his request is lovely. I don’t know how anyone could object. I’m glad he didn’t say anything about jeans.

For some, jeans are the best they can do financially.

We should always be cautious about how we judge others who are coming to Church.
At least they are coming. We are all sinners.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican comes to mind.

 

[Neofight]

In the end, all the “gentle reminders” in the world are little more than suggestions that will either go unnoticed or blatantly ignored.

If a parish expects conformity, it needs to be made a rule, and enforced.

My hunch is parishes have neither the resources, the will, or the fortitude to either.

So, dressing for mass is like living our lives…we have free will as a gift from God, and what we do will be a matter of conscience.

 

[ohsnapitslennon]

I am saying that any kind of clothing, long pants or shorts, t shirt or tank top, golf shirt and v-neck, cutoffs or khakis, are OK for golf and I suspect the lord finds it OK (even if we humans don’t) if I go to church in a torn t-shirt because all he wants me to do is worship him.

Okay let’s say you have a torn shirt vs. a shirt that isn’t ripped. Why not wear the other one?
In this scenario is this your only shirt? Because in that case it’s different.

 

[atjar]

Okay let’s say you have a torn shirt vs. a shirt that isn’t ripped. Why not wear the other one?
In this scenario is this your only shirt? Because in that case it’s different.

I’m saying in the Lord’s eye, it doesn’t matter. It only matters to us humans who make much ado about stuff like this in forums and some churches with printed dress codes. A nice t-shirt doesn’t make me any more pious than a torn one; it just gets narrow minded people all in a tizzy.

 

[DeniseNY]

I’m saying in the Lord’s eye, it doesn’t matter. It only matters to us humans who make much ado about stuff like this in forums and some churches with printed dress codes. A nice t-shirt doesn’t make me any more pious than a torn one; it just gets narrow minded people all in a tizzy.

Nor does a torn t shirt make you anymore pious than a nice one.

I think you might have a little issue with narrow mindedness yourself.

 

[Memaw]

God doesn’t care what you look like or how you dress as long as you worship. The apostles were not the best dressed of men, scraggly guys wrapped in toga sheets. You could wear a diaper for all God cares if you are desiring to publicly profess you faith. again, these are man-made tastes that change from generation to generation. Generations ago, women wore veils and sat in the back and there we no such things as crying rooms for parents to attend church with an infant. There’s more important things to spend time on than whether a woman has a tank top or guys, like at my church, are wearing shorts and tennis shoes to run to the gulf course once Mass is over.
AJ

You can discuss all that with God when you see HIM. Why do you think Our Blessed Mother said at Fatima that “Fashions will be introduced that will offend my Son greatly”. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Memaw]

I’m saying in the Lord’s eye, it doesn’t matter. It only matters to us humans who make much ado about stuff like this in forums and some churches with printed dress codes. A nice t-shirt doesn’t make me any more pious than a torn one; it just gets narrow minded people all in a tizzy.

A truly pious person would know better!. Ask the Saints! Broad minded people don’t care. God Bless, Memaw
P.S. Are you sure you know whats in the Lord’s eye?

 

[PhiloMed]

What is appropriate varies depending on what area of the world you’re in. It also varies depending on time of year or regional climate. There is also variation based on what is age appropriate.

People may have issues with someone going to church wearing shorts, but I would bet that in Bermuda it would be strange to not be wearing shorts. We live in a report town near the beach in the northeast USA and our church always has people in shorts, sundresses etc.

Jeans are not necessarily just what your mechanic is wearing anymore. There are some pairs of jeans more expensive than dress pants and that are better fitting.

Just look clean!

I really wonder about these curmudgeons who complain about how people are dressed. I guess they are going to mass for a fashion show. Perhaps they should focus more on the mass itself rather than their neighbors clothing.

 

[Memaw]

For some, jeans are the best they can do financially.

We should always be cautious about how we judge others who are coming to Church.
At least they are coming. We are all sinners.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican comes to mind.

Your kidding, anymore jeans cost more than slacks. and there’s always the Thrift stores. There Great! God Bless, memaw

 

[pianistclare]

For some, jeans are the best they can do financially.

We should always be cautious about how we judge others who are coming to Church.
At least they are coming. We are all sinners.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican comes to mind.

Agreed.
Jeans that fit well, and are clean are appropriate.
So much for “everyone is welcome at the table” eh?
In Jesus’ day…they were all about who could and who couldn’t because of their station in life. Sad to see we haven’t learned even that basic lesson.

Of course no one wants to see sexy outfits at church or low riding pants, nor short shorts. That’s a given. But to assume that everyone has dress clothing is to ignore most of the membership in many countries.
You’re right. Focus on prayer. THAT is what is pleasing to God.
He’ll deal with the inappropriate dressers in His own way. It’s not ours to worry about. I personally don’t like to see men in shorts at Mass but it’s not my place to harass them.
If the Pastor thought it was out of line, he’d mention it. We need to leave these matters to the priests. What that priest wrote was lovely.
If others choose to look the other way, then we must as well.
Peace.

 

[Memaw]

Agreed.
Jeans that fit well, and are clean are appropriate.
So much for “everyone is welcome at the table” eh?
In Jesus’ day…they were all about who could and who couldn’t because of their station in life. Sad to see we haven’t learned even that basic lesson.

Of course no one wants to see sexy outfits at church or low riding pants, nor short shorts. That’s a given. But to assume that everyone has dress clothing is to ignore most of the membership in many countries.
You’re right. Focus on prayer. THAT is what is pleasing to God.
He’ll deal with the inappropriate dressers in His own way. It’s not ours to worry about. I personally don’t like to see men in shorts at Mass but it’s not my place to harass them.
If the Pastor thought it was out of line, he’d mention it. We need to leave these matters to the priests. What that priest wrote was lovely.
If others choose to look the other way, then we must as well.
Peace.

If one is not dressed properly at the Vatican, one is not allowed in, Doesn’t that tell you something!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[pianistclare]

If one is not dressed properly at the Vatican, one is not allowed in, Doesn’t that tell you something!! God Bless, Memaw

It tells me that they have rules at the Vatican because tourists are most often not dressed for Mass.
Has no impact on the local practice. We don’t tolerate flip flops in church either. But clean clothes are fine.

 

[PhiloMed]

If one is not dressed properly at the Vatican, one is not allowed in, Doesn’t that tell you something!! God Bless, Memaw

Yes, it tells me to cover my shoulders. That’s about all.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

You can discuss all that with God when you see HIM. Why do you think Our Blessed Mother said at Fatima that “Fashions will be introduced that will offend my Son greatly”. God Bless, Memaw

Don’t you think that has more to do with things like shorts that don’t have much too them (I have underwear that has more coverage), low cut things, see through blouses. For the guys, pants that show their underwear. To me it has more to do with modesty. Didn’t she also say that more people go to hell for sins of the flesh then any other kind? I highly doubt that she was talking about jeans or t-shirts.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Sat. night Mas is the same as Sunday Mass so wear what you do on Sundays. God Bless, Memaw

I’m ok with wearing jeans on Sat night as it’s also what I wear to daily Mass on Friday’s. Saturdays I’m not as likely to be asked to fill in and I’m not regularly scheduled for it. Whereas Sunday there is about a 95% chance I will be serving in some area. I’m ok with jeans…as long as they are modest and clean. And I’m ok with it because I don’t think it offends God…at least I certainly don’t feel any conviction about it.

 

[Memaw]

Don’t you think that has more to do with things like shorts that don’t have much too them (I have underwear that has more coverage), low cut things, see through blouses. For the guys, pants that show their underwear. To me it has more to do with modesty. Didn’t she also say that more people go to hell for sins of the flesh then any other kind? I highly doubt that she was talking about jeans or t-shirts.

“Attire that is fitting for a Holy Place.” I don’t really think that included jeans and a T-shirt. Jeans today are so tight fitting it’s a wonder they don’t burst. Immodest clothing even if brand shinny new are NOT fitting for Mass, or anywhere else for that matter. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Memaw]

I’m ok with wearing jeans on Sat night as it’s also what I wear to daily Mass on Friday’s. Saturdays I’m not as likely to be asked to fill in and I’m not regularly scheduled for it. Whereas Sunday there is about a 95% chance I will be serving in some area. I’m ok with jeans…as long as they are modest and clean. And I’m ok with it because I don’t think it offends God…at least I certainly don’t feel any conviction about it.

Then why are you bothered about wearing them when you “fill in”. If there OK while setting in the pew, then why not on the Alter. Doesn’t make sense to me. It’s still God’s House and worthy of respect!, God Bless, Memaw

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Then why are you bothered about wearing them when you “fill in”. If there OK while setting in the pew, then why not on the Alter. Doesn’t make sense to me. It’s still God’s House and worthy of respect!, God Bless, Memaw

Simply because of people like you judging me Some people get so distracted that they can’t concentrate however that should not be my problem, it should be theirs. I’m just saying that sometimes there is a good reason and we are not to be judging so harshly. Are you sure that our Blessed Mother was talking about jeans? (I’m not talking about tight jeans…many are not tight). I’m talking modest and clean.

I actually think Christ is much more worried about how holy we are in the inside. If we are serving our neighbors in love and not judging so harshly lest we be judged by the same brush. If you can show me a place where the Church says no jeans then I might take your advice. However even the Vatican says jeans and sandals are fine. Even the gentle reminder that you posted from Fr. Ben says nothing about jeans.