May I go to Daily Mass in shorts?

[St_Veronica]

S_Corda:

If a skirt is the same length as the shorts, then why are the shorts indecent and not the skirt?

I think you are creating a strawman here. I don’t ever recall saying they weren’t indecent.

Too short is too short, irregardless if it’s a skirt, dress, shorts or even a skort…add in cullotts into that group…that should cover all the bases.

SV

 

[RichT]

Well, here in HOT and SUNNY Arizona, shorts are quite the norm even on Sunday. Although I choose not to wear shorts I do often bring a bottle of water as does many others to mass. I think a lot depends on your parish. I thinks also that if your decision was a last minute one it is probably okay. I remember going to daily mass when I lived in California, and there was a lady who wore shorts as part of her work uniform. She showed up daily to mass wearing those shorts. Kinda hard to argue that she was wrong given the time constraints of being back before her lunch hour was over.

 

[iguana27]

St Veronica:

Mass is Mass, irregardless if it’s daily or Sunday. Father meant all Mass’s he officiates at.

Why couldn’t a person wear a skirt or a dress? Not all of them are indecent. Anything at the knee or below would be fine, assuming the bodice/top was modest also.

SV

My only problem with the dress/skirt issue is that I do primarily manual labor in my vocation as mother .

Dresses and Skirts would be highly impractical.

I am surprised that this issue is such an emotional one.

I also think that the culture of the Parish should probably be considered. I felt uncomfortable this weekend in a dress, because the person next to me was in jean shorts, and I didn’t want her to feel underdressed…

However, if I were going to a very formal church, such as the cathedral in Chicago, or St Peter’s Basilica, or a church with a TLM, then I would feel very uncomfortable in shorts, and I would definitely wear a dress.

I think I would dress more formally in the latter situation for the other people around me. I am not convinced that God cares about what I wear.

If our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), then what are our filthy rags???

God Bless,
Iguana

 

[system]

Speaking of TLM, the first time I attended a TLM, I showed up the way I did at my N.O parish on weekdays–jeans, nice shirt, only I dressed down and had sneakers on.

I was horrified when I parked my vehicle. I saw immediately the formal dress, head coverings, etc. I sat and thought maybe I shouldn’t go in, but I did. I figured I drove all the way here, I didn’t know any better, and darn it, I was going in. And I’m so glad I did. For me, the Lord was so much easier to “find” in that High Mass.

But when I returned the following week, you betcha I had on dress clothes and a head covering. The thing I’m having trouble with is Jesus is present in both the TLM and the N.O parishes. It’s the same Jesus, so why should I be so comfortable dressing down in teh N.O parish. I actually feel like a hypocrite, but if I showed up in my N.O parish with that mantilla on, well, it would be distracting and yes, I shouldn’t feel pride and worry what others would think or look at me like, but I do…

JELane

 

[S_Corda]

St Veronica:

I think you are creating a strawman here. I don’t ever recall saying they weren’t indecent.

Too short is too short, irregardless if it’s a skirt, dress, shorts or even a skort…add in cullotts into that group…that should cover all the bases.

SV

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you said something you didn’t.
In my first message that you responded to, I wrote (emphasis added):
“if modesty is the issue, then I guess you couldn’t wear a skirt or dress either, ** if they are the same length as shorts** .”

I am laughing to myself now, however, considering skorts and cullottes (sp?). I wonder, if we take this whole thread and substitute “skort or cullottes” for shorts …

 

[St_Veronica]

iguana27:

My only problem with the dress/skirt issue is that I do primarily manual labor in my vocation as mother .

Dresses and Skirts would be highly impractical.

I am surprised that this issue is such an emotional one.

I also think that the culture of the Parish should probably be considered. I felt uncomfortable this weekend in a dress, because the person next to me was in jean shorts, and I didn’t want her to feel underdressed…

However, if I were going to a very formal church, such as the cathedral in Chicago, or St Peter’s Basilica, or a church with a TLM, then I would feel very uncomfortable in shorts, and I would definitely wear a dress.

I think I would dress more formally in the latter situation for the other people around me. I am not convinced that God cares about what I wear.

If our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), then what are our filthy rags???

God Bless,
Iguana

Well I’m not even saying you must wear a skirt. I generally wear jeans, unless I attend Latin Mass (then I wear a skirt, head cover etc etc). Afterall a short skirt is just as bad as shorts.

Again I think it’s not just about God caring what we wear to Mass…it’s about avoiding scandalizing (or making uncomfortable) those who are attending Mass with us.

SV

 

[misericordie]

I see many still don’t get it, and one actually told us to mind our business. My friend: church issues ARE our business. I just wish one thing: I wish I was a priest and a PASTOR at that. I will promise, MY PARISH would have a policy: “in order not to be embarrased, or escorted out of the Mass by the Ushers, please observe the dress codE: No Shorts, tank tops, minnie skirts, or cleavage showing. You are in the house of God, and the church has a teaching on MODEST dressing.” This would be a sign I would post on the entrance. People have the notion the Church is a democracy: NEWS: IT IS NOT. There is a thing as OBJECTIVE truth, and something is either true or false. Again, the CHURCH IS NOT A DEMOCRACY. OH, YES, IT IS ALSO PRIVATE PROPERTY(A PARISH). I know hundreds of true orthodox Catholic groups who would FILL all the Masses with their presence at a parish (if i were a priest, at MY PARISH), the ones who don’t comly with church teachings are always free to go to ANOTHER parish, maybe there they can even have a bathing suite for Mass, if it makes the PERSON happy.

It is funny how many people don’t know the teachings of the church, that they have to go to their local parish priest to ask him if it is “OKAY” to have shorts on etc., Of course, many are just searching for the GREEN light by a LIBERAL priest (maens usually for the most part a priest over 50),the priest can say whatever he wants (his personal OPINION) but the church’ s teachings are clear.
SAPIENTIA ET DOCTRINA:dancing:

 

[hsmom2four]

WhiteDove:

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.

:bigyikes: NOT if your skirt is long enough! If not, then you probably WOULD be better off in modest shorts!

WhiteDove:

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.

Well, I suppose we could argue that we are still receiving the same JESUS, whether it’s Sunday or Monday, but I think that’s been covered on another thread…

 

[Maresiedotes]

I’m almost afraid to post here, due to how heated some of this discussion has become. However, I believe that the various churches in the many dioceses across this country will see a lot of variation in customs, catechetical education and individual church practices. It is up to the pastors to set the norms and up to individuals to examine their consciences to determine if their dress is appropriate. I, personally, find a few reasons to question some people’s dress, but for the most part, everyone dresses modestly in the church I attend. I have a whole lot more problem with some of the T-shirts that the teens wear…the messages printed on some them are so sleazy and suggestive. Adds for beer or Jack Daniels, etc. (I actually saw a shirt that said, “Overnight service guaranteed,” and it WAS NOT the shirt of some service like UPS or FEDEX!) I pray that our focus at Mass will always be Our Lord in the Eucharist, and that, if we see something truly offensive, we will take it to our pastor. If enough people complain, it just may make the pastor take charge of his duty. It’s a touchy subject, but there is a limit to everything.

Love to all,

Mary

 

[Maresiedotes]

misericordie:

the church’s teachings are clear.
SAPIENTIA ET DOCTRINA:dancing:

Can you point us to the teachings you’re referring to? I’d really like to know if the Church has made some kind of pronouncement on this topic.

Thanks so much!

Mary

 

[Anne_Carmel]

The thread is now off topic. Thank you for your participation.