Priestly Attire

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I met a priest about a week ago who was dressed in flip flops, shorts, and a teeshirt. He can over to say hello to the boys at a scout meeting. He introduced himself as Fr. Matt. Honestly, I did not even feel like I was in the presence of a Catholic priest. I prefer a more traditional priest, who wears the garb. I have seen photos of JP2 skiing in his cassock! I beleive the dress is part of the priesthood.
 
I fully understand your point. I have met many priests when they were not in priestly garb, from the gym or track to the mall. Usually, it does not bother me at all, as long as they are not dressed in a scandelous way or trying to hide who they are. I do think that there are many times that priests miss an oportunity to evangelize by dressing casually. AS far as the Pope goes, I am not sure he has other clothes. First, his income would not allow a large wardrobe. Second, as a sign to all, he is not a man serving as pope, but he has internalized it to the point that he is on duty at all times and it cannot be separated from who he is.
 
The uniform is impressive and it certainly has its place. But I also like to see our Priests in regular guy clothes, It helps bring them to an aproachable level. My wife used to fear Priests until she got to know one of our’s as a real person. Those regular city clothes might break the ice with those who are intimidated by the uniform or frock.
 
My two priests dont wear the collar, but they are always nicely dressed, in a shirt and tie.

They always have a cross on their lapel.

I dont think the collar is necessary anymore.

I wouldnt want to see them wearing an “eminem” t-shirt though 🙂

Love Kellie
 
As long as they are dressed modestly and appropriately and with no writing on their shirts I don’t care what they wear. My daughters about lost their uppers when they saw Father at the water slide with swim trunks on though. But what is he supposed to wear to the waterslide? He’d drown with a long gown on, same as the rest of us. I’m glad he or any priest can enjoy wholesome fun.
 
Actually, it is canon law that priests are supposed to dress in distinctive garb, which varies from country to country. (If my canon law book wasn’t way over there on the shelf, I’d look up the paragraph number for you. :)) I think the “place” for priests and religious to dress in their habit or clerics is when they are in public, due to the sign value their clothes can have… Since, as “JackPaul” said, the dress can be somewhat of a barrier, if a priest is only among people who already know he’s a priest, I don’t see as much of a reason to “dress up.” And, i suppose, a water slide isn’t the place for a cassock or full habit.

At the same time, if all priests and religious actually wore their proper attire, we wouldn’t be quite as intimidated by those who do…
 
Priest need to were the collar, and be dressed in their clericals most of the time. One, they have made a life long choice for God and should represent that in their lives. Two, it seems that alot of this not wearing their clericals comes from a missinterpitation of Vatican II, we see many religous orders not wearing habits anymore 😦 which seems to suggest that they are embarassed by their lifestyle.

I am fine with the wearing of regular stuff when they are exercising or doing yard work, but when they are around town or just walking down the street they should be in the clericals.
 
I used to travel quite a bit, and still do from time to time, and I can tell you this it is a great wake up call for a man to see a priest or a nun in the proper attire. One time I will never forget walking by some magzine racks that did not need to be looked at, however it would not hurt to take a peek just as I was about to give in around the coner comes a priest, he helped me that day just by being who he was, and he never had to say a word. It was just by wearing the clothes. I know it is hard some times but for all the priest and nuns that wear the attire know that you have my thanks, you have probaly helped me and never known it.

God Bless
 
I’ve a priest friend who told me that he never wears clericals to fly. I’ll leave that one to your imagination. 😃

Justin
 
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kellie:
My two priests dont wear the collar, but they are always nicely dressed, in a shirt and tie.

They always have a cross on their lapel.

I dont think the collar is necessary anymore.

I wouldnt want to see them wearing an “eminem” t-shirt though 🙂

Love Kellie
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It makes zero sense for a priest to go through the trouble of wearing a tie and NOT to wear the Roman collar instead.

That IS their tie. I can see how a priest need not wear the Roman collar in some situations, but anytime a secular male would wear a tie is the exact time a priest should wear a roman collar – for vestments for the Mass.
 
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srkbdk:
I used to travel quite a bit, and still do from time to time, and I can tell you this it is a great wake up call for a man to see a priest or a nun in the proper attire. One time I will never forget walking by some magzine racks that did not need to be looked at, however it would not hurt to take a peek just as I was about to give in around the coner comes a priest, he helped me that day just by being who he was, and he never had to say a word. It was just by wearing the clothes. I know it is hard some times but for all the priest and nuns that wear the attire know that you have my thanks, you have probaly helped me and never known it.

Wearing the clericals for priests and nuns is extremely important witness

God Bless
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Interesting to find out that wearing the priestly dress is part of Canon Law. Thanks Brother.

My thought is that seeing a priest or a nun in a Roman collar or a habit is a sign of hope in the world. It is very easy to be discouraged by the world, but seeing them can be like a beacon and a reminder of who we are supposed to be living for.

I can see why a priest would want to be a ‘real person’ once in a while, especially at a water park, but I sure appreciate seeing them.
 
I suggest that many of the arguments presented for a distinctive dress for priests could also be used to support a distinctive dress for all Catholics.
 
If you were in desperate need of a priest, nowadays you might pass three on the street and not know you had one handy … for someone in an accident, or suddenly ill, or shot by thugs, or about to commit suicide.

What good are priests if, when needed most, they hide in their jeans and t-shirts?
 
I can truly say that Priestly Attire is (for me) very important… I wish that all the orders would or should be proud to announce privately at mass or in public that they are soldiers of and for Christ and the uniform of office should be proudly displayed… I truly hope that the Priestly Attire is continued but will learn to accept anything that Rome approves… 👍
 
It’s interesting to me that the orders who do wear the habit are the one that are growing strong! Mother Angelica’s and the FSSP are two good examples. The ones who cast off the habit are dying on the vine.😦
 
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Ken:
I suggest that many of the arguments presented for a distinctive dress for priests could also be used to support a distinctive dress for all Catholics.
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Excellent point…

It would be absolutely wonderful if all Catholics wore some sort of distinctive garb to at least the Mass and other Church functions.

I have no idea what it would look like – only that it would have to be inexpensive, distinctive and in good taste.

I remember someone mentioned that everyone should wear albs to Sunday Mass. While that is the vestment proper to our baptism, a hoard of Catholics dressed in white albs might scare a great many people…
 
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jccurtis:
Priests belong in priest clothes!
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I agree, but not at all times. I have many priest friends, and have gone many places with them. At an evening dinner, a a Roman Collar is appropriate. When visiting the Fine Arts Museum, a Roman Collar is appropriate. But, when relaxing at a friend’s summer cottage on the lake or in the mountains, or at the seashore, jeans and a sweat shirt, or swim attire is “more appropriate.” The point is that a priest should never mask his identity as a priest or dress so as to give scandal to anyone.
 
Not too long ago the US bishops said that priests here should were clerical garb whenever they were in public and that the cassock was preferred. My current bishop was the signor of that letter. The priests here in the diocese ignore it.

I don’t expect clericals at the gym or beach. I am sad though when Father comes into church in street clothes for Mass, adoration or confession - he vests over his street clothes, except for Confession where no one can see him. I was in a group that went to see the Vatican art that was touring museums and our leader was a priest in street clothes. I was jealous of another group led by a priest in a cassock and a sister in full habit.

I also think it would be a good thing for vocations for priests to do “regular” things like go to dinner, the movies, shopping, traveling and be proudly identifiable as priests.
 
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