May I go to Daily Mass in shorts?

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iguana27

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If I am out and about and have the opportunity to go to daily Mass, should I refrain from going simply because I am wearing shorts?

Does the church have any definitive word on this issue?

Let’s assume for the sake of the discussion that the shorts come to 2 inches above the knee.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut on the issue!
 
If the shorts are modest, I see no problem.

Many people have medical conditions in which they can overheat easily and have to wear shorts on hot summer days to mass and elsewhere.

I have no choice most of the time, if I am able to get to mass (difficult due to my medical problems) and it is hot out, I go in shorts. The alternative is that I cannot go at all.
 
Hi! I dont know if there is anything “offical” on this one but I always thought why not, especially if the shorts are modest enough which todays longer styles tend to be so.

I can’t see that God would care a whole lot about what we wear, its more important to be there, IMHO.
 
There is much to be said for the old tradition of “wearing your Sunday best.” You would do so if you were going to meet someone important (like a potential employer) so why wouldn’t you if you were going to be in the physical presence of Christ Himself? If you know that you are going to go to Mass, you should dress accordingly. If you are just “out and about” and find that you have the opportunity to go to Mass, I don’t see a problem with the clothes you have described.

IMNSHO (In my not-so-humble opinion) 😉 😃
 
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iguana27:
If I am out and about and have the opportunity to go to daily Mass, should I refrain from going simply because I am wearing shorts?
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Yes.

One should not enter a church wearing shorts, whether it’s for Mass, confession, or simply to pray there. Shorts aren’t appropriate for going into a church.
Does the church have any definitive word on this issue?
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The Church doesn’t have an official dress code; although, individual parishes may have adopted some sort of dress code. I can think of a few parishes that I know have dress codes forbidding shorts, tank tops, etc.

Jason
 
Our parish suggests no shorts for anyone over 7 (I think). On the other hand I have seen women in ankle-length skirts that were too tight and/or open in back well up to their knees and above :bigyikes: . You are really the only one who can say if your shorts are tasteful and modest. If your clothing scandalizes other parishioners, you might consider Paul’s advice about avoiding something legal because of someone else’s weakness. Here’s an idea: Keep a denim wrap around skirt in your car which you can throw on over your shorts.
 
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KateQ:
you might consider Paul’s advice about avoiding something legal because of someone else’s weakness.
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The men at daily mass seem a little old to notice, and if they did, I am sure they could not catch me 🙂 :rotfl:

I like your idea about the skirt, but I thought most people also frowned on denim…
 
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iguana27:
If I am out and about and have the opportunity to go to daily Mass, should I refrain from going simply because I am wearing shorts?

Does the church have any definitive word on this issue?

Let’s assume for the sake of the discussion that the shorts come to 2 inches above the knee.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut on the issue!
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Attending the Mass is the most important thing we do on Earth. Perhaps you should take that into consideration when planning your day?

That way you’ll never be caught where you are able to attend Mass, yet you are not dressed appropriately.

Comes down to priorities…
 
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Crusader:
That way you’ll never be caught where you are able to attend Mass, yet you are not dressed appropriately.
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My question then is this :

If the way that we dress at Mass is such an important issue, why is it not addressed by some encyclical or in the Catechism?

It appears from the official teaching that if nothing is specifically stated in the magesterium, then the ordinary rules concerning modesty would apply.

Let me know what you think.
 
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iguana27:
If I am out and about and have the opportunity to go to daily Mass, should I refrain from going simply because I am wearing shorts?
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Based on my reading of your question, if the opportunity arose to attend Mass (as in not planned in advance) and the choice was to attend and receive the body and blood of our Lord, or not attend because of wearing shorts, I would vote to attend. We should never pass up an opportunity to attend Mass, even if it is a spontaneous opportunity. It just might be the most meaningful. Who knows…

Blessings.
 
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OhioBob:
Based on my reading of your question, if the opportunity arose to attend Mass (as in not planned in advance) and the choice was to attend and receive the body and blood of our Lord, or not attend because of wearing shorts, I would vote to attend. We should never pass up an opportunity to attend Mass, even if it is a spontaneous opportunity. It just might be the most meaningful. Who knows…
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If the opportunity to attend Mass suddenly arose, I would suggest that it would be very good to attend it. But receiving Communion is another matter. I don’t think that one should receive in such a situation. One should prepare for Holy Communion some time in advance–I don’t think it should be a spur of the moment type thing.

Jason
 
hmmm… this is a tough one, because it addresses two issues… one is the importance of Mass regardless of what you are wearing and two is modesty in clothing in general …

First.

If you are out and about and have the opportunity to attend Mass, regardless of whether your hair is combed, there is paint on your clothing, or you have dirt under your fingernails, if God presents you with the opportunity to come to His table, do NOT under any circumstances say “but Lord let me just go home to make myself presentable.” Go to God where He calls you for He alone knows what you need when you need it. Everyone else in the church’s opinions do not matter, for if God wants you with Him, that is where you belong. Hopefully, those in church will recognize your need to be there rather than condemn your state of dress.

Next.

If you are careful about modesty in your everyday clothing then there will never be a time when you are not dressed appropriately for Mass. Occassion for sin presents itself in the supermarket or church, so if you are dressed presentably to be seen in public you should feel acceptable in church. If you wouldn’t want to walk into church looking like that you probably need to reassess what you are wearing the rest of the time. If the neck is too low or the hem is too high to receive communion, then by walking to the car you are presenting an occassion for sin.

Just a few thoughts.
 
Different clothes are appropriate for different occasions.

A wedding dress is great for your own wedding, but you shouldn’t wear it to the grocery store–or your friend’s wedding.

A jogging suit is great for jogging, but not for a piano recital.

Shorts are great for a lot of things when it’s hot, but not for church.

Jason
 
Skip the shorts! They look retarded on old guys and they are the most unflattering thing imaginable on most women. I would suggest frilly dresses.
 
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Benedictus:
Shorts are great for a lot of things when it’s hot, but not for church.
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I think you’re being a bit judgemental. Attendees at Mass should wear the very best that they can. If they have to work and their only option is to attend Mass in shorts or not attend, then they should attend Mass. Of course, their dress should still be modest, and, if working, in a decent state of cleanliness.

The reason we dress up for Mass is out of respect for God. Well, while God appreciates it when we show respect, he mainly cares about what is inside. However, what is inside is often reflected by what’s on the outside. So, by that logic, people should not attend Mass in shorts. However, if they are attending during a work day, then they are definitely showing devotion to God. Most likely they have to wake up early or take time out of their lunch break to attend. Seeing someone in their work clothing at daily Mass reminds me that they are making a sacrifice to go to Mass. I don’t think that that should be discouraged; it should be encouraged.

Those are my thoughts. I believe I covered everything. Thank you for your time. Take care and God bless.

Peace,
Alex
 
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BEK:
Skip the shorts! They look retarded on old guys and they are the most unflattering thing imaginable on most women. I would suggest frilly dresses.
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I hope you are joking. Frilly outfits would not be practical as I am a mother, which means that I primarily do manual labor all day long 🙂 .
 
Here in the Phoenix area it reaches 105 degrees during the day. In addition, the dress code is much more informal than in other areas of the country. As you might imagine shorts are very common.

In many tropical climates, folks wear shorts as a matter of course.
Is it OK to wear shorts to mass in Hawaii?

In earlier time periods, people dressed up whenever they went out of the house. Of course, they didn’t leave the house as often as we do today. My 95 year old grandmother won’t leave the house without dressing up, even for informal trips into town. Many older people are this way.

In the early church, they had a different style of dress. Fifty years from now we may all be wearing Star Trek like suits.

This is a simply a matter of culture and circumstance. Of course, we must adhere to moral principles such as modesty, humility, respect, and subjection to proper authority. But, if such norms are not being violated we shouldn’t make a big deal out of this.
 
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dts:
This is a simply a matter of culture and circumstance. Of course, we must adhere to moral principles such as modesty, humility, respect, and subjection to proper authority. But, if such norms are not being violated we shouldn’t make a big deal out of this.
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I like what you say here dts. I don’t think I will worry about it, and I will sit far enough away from the old men so that they aren’t tempted 😉 .
 
On Wednesday I rode my bike to Mass in 80 degree weather. Did I wear shorts? You bet!
 
I didn’t know that shorts were considered immodest. Boy, I can’t do anything right! I’ve worn a nice, unrevealing pair to weekend Mass, with a button up shirt. Actually, I dress nicer than most people.

I don’t see any difference between a pair of shorts and a skirt as far as modesty, except a skirt has the potential to reveal your panties. Anyways, daily Mass should be more casual. I almost always ride my bike, walk or run to daily Mass, which is about 2 1/2 mile from my home, one way. In winter that means snow boots, in the rain it means waterproof pants, in the heat it means shorts. I compare Sunday Mass to Sunday dinner, and daily Mass to a more casual meal.

sincerely, WhiteDove
 
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