Priestly Attire

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I definitely like to see priests in Roman collar, it’s more powerful than ever now. I don’t think it’s the end of the world if I bump into Father at Best Buy and he’s in a polo shirt–the value of the witness is enormous, but I don’t think it needs to be 24/7, that can be exhausting. I don’t particularly want to see Father in a polo shirt in the sacristy or at the Bible study. I like the cassock for liturgy (vestments really drape differently ove a cassock) but I don’t think it mediates any special witness different from a clerical suit, and believe me, they are not comfortable for more than a few hours! What do you think of the trend for priests to wear the very formal clerical suits with a cassock-style waiscoat and French cuffs with cufflinks? Some people think this makes the priest look too formal and distant for every day, but many also think the “tab” collar is a little too plastic and casual.
 
I think one argument I heard over here for wearing it, is what if a person in a busy mall or somewhere else, collapsed, and maybe were on their way out, it would be easier for them to receive the last Rites of the Church provided you knew where to find one, (a Priest)
 
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hawkeye:
I think one argument I heard over here for wearing it, is what if a person in a busy mall or somewhere else, collapsed, and maybe were on their way out, it would be easier for them to receive the last Rites of the Church provided you knew where to find one, (a Priest)
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I’ve been in situations where people have seen me at the shopping centre in the collar, asked whether I was a priest then had a good talk about things. Very fruitful, and very important.

God bless,
Fr Matt
 
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StCatherine:
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.
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I wouldn’t want to see a priest in a bathing suit any more than I’d want a priest to see me in a bathing suit. It just doesn’t seem proper or modest.(IMO)

I do believe priests should have wholesome, fun. They need to relax and recreate as much as we do. Too bad water parks don’t have a ‘clergy only’ day so the priests can have a blast while not having to look at women who may be dressed immodestly. —KCT
 
Hawkeye - I once heard a priest tell of meeting with three or four other priests in casual attire for breakfast regularly. One morning he had to make a sick call and came to breakfast wearing his collar. Their regular waitress expressed surprise that he was a priest, and more surprise when she learned they all were priests. It turned out that she had drifted from the Church long ago and had never found her way back. After a short discussion she went to Confession and returned to the Church.

He always wore his collar after that, and wondered how many opportunities he had missed over the years.
 
The Eastern Vestments are quite grand. I also believe that the liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is beautiful too.
 
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FrMatt:
I’ve been in situations where people have seen me at the shopping centre in the collar, asked whether I was a priest then had a good talk about things. Very fruitful, and very important.

God bless,
Fr Matt
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Thankyou for responding, I know there is a lot of silent witnesse’s out there,come on in, thankyou Father !!!
 
Joe Kelley:
Hawkeye - I once heard a priest tell of meeting with three or four other priests in casual attire for breakfast regularly. One morning he had to make a sick call and came to breakfast wearing his collar. Their regular waitress expressed surprise that he was a priest, and more surprise when she learned they all were priests. It turned out that she had drifted from the Church long ago and had never found her way back. After a short discussion she went to Confession and returned to the Church.

He always wore his collar after that, and wondered how many opportunities he had missed over the years.
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True, thanks thats why it’s so important for a priest to wear his proper Attire.
 
Tyler Smedley:
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.
Actually, it’s whomever is the head of the religious order to sets the dress code.
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Let’s all remember that the whole point of what that order wears is that ***in most cases ***
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that’s what the people of the age in which that order was started wore on the streets.

For example, the Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor) wear what poor people wore when St. Francis started his community. That rope belt is because (having taken the vow of Poverty) that’s all they had for a belt.
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Our priest will usually wear his collar and black shirt, and different colored slacks. In their off time or on vacation, let them wear something comfortable. Any way, let’s clean up our own act first. How many people in shorts have you seen at Mass lately?
 
Having worked for the Church for many years, I have seen priests in all kinds of attire…:hmmm: Having said that, IMHO, when in public , they should always wear their priestly attire. They are Consecrated, set aside, so dress like it ,(therefore acting like it).

Personally, I think they should bring back the cassock…they aren’t just the everyday Joe…they are our priests!!! Lets continue to pray for them…🙂
 
My old pastor switched back and forth betweenthe black, but rarely the collar (I think it was because he was overweight) and civilian clothes.

My new pastor wears the black and his collar at all times. I like that. 🙂
 
I know a priest that does a lot of volunteer work in the street missions of his city and does most of the jobs few want to do such as cleaning the bathrooms doing repairs and such. He returns to the priory and sometimes reeks oh so bad. He does this in his street clothes because of the smell and work. He does wear his habit when doing other official things (Mass, confessions and so forth) and about 60% of the time when he is out of the priory or off property. I have no problem with him wearing street clothes to the mission; I would hate to be with him in the confessional if he wore his habit to the mission and then did not have time to wash it before confession. I could also see him buying a lot of habits to replace the ones that got ripped or stained at the mission. I think he is a fine example of what a priest should be.

I think it is more important to look at the actions of the person and not at what they are wearing. Blessed Mother Teresa once said in a book I read years ago “let them know I am Catholic by what I do, not by what I say” I think we could also say by what they wear. I have met few priest and sisters that wore the habit that I wished did not, because they gave poor examples of what a person in a habit or collar should give. The principle of the Catholic school I attended for example was a racist, I feel sorry for every Hispanic and African American that had to put up with her until the school ran her off. The vocation director for a community I once considered joining who was always in his collar that was also disgraced by his actions with a few alter boys. The habit, collar or cassock is just clothing it is the actions of the person wearing or not wearing them that should matter more.
 
Veronica Anne Actually said:
**in most cases **
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that’s what the people of the age in which that order was started wore on the streets.

For example, the Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor) wear what poor people wore when St. Francis started his community. That rope belt is because (having taken the vow of Poverty) that’s all they had for a belt.True, but for a more recent example look at the Missionary Sisters of Charity. Their habit is simply a sari the way woman in India dress day to day
 
They also wear a little crucifix on the shoulder. I doubt if anyone would mistake the Missionaries of Charity for any thing else but.
 
To be holy is to be set apart. Priests should be holy. Proper clerical garb helps to set our priests apart and will likely help them to grow in holiness. When I worked for a CPA firm, you were required to wear a conservative suit and tie with a white shirt. The idea was to represent the firm in a professional manner, thereby instilling confidence in the clients. Appearances can and do make a difference. Would you tend to have more respect for a priest in a cassock and Roman collar or for one with a pierced ear and tattoo in a Hawaiian–no offens eto Hawaii–shirt and flip-flops?
 
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