Proper Dress and Behavior for Catholic Men

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Agripa said:
Sheesh!!! - sounds like you live a pretty serious, button down, no-nonsense life. I guess parties, laughter, conviviality and frivolity are out of the question. Thats o.k., I am sure heaven will allow you the pleasure of some sort of “spiritual” wearing shorts. What ever you do, dont focus on Bernini’s statue of St. Theresa of Avila - its not very sober or serious… 😃
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Cute, but I assume you must have glossed over the part where I said we were not always serious. Actually my wife and I dance, go to parties, make jokes, drink wine, and have good conversation with friends and (gasp) always dress nicely!:rolleyes: I am convinced that people project not enjoying life on people who dress formally, so as to convince themselves that their personal comfort uber alles philosophy is justified. Taking your daily Faith life seriously at all times does not necessitate taking EVERYTHING seriously, and certainly not the government! 😃

On a side note, from what I understand the goods of this life (for example, clothing) will not be an issue at the Beatific Vision because conservation of modesty (no concupiscence) and preservation of the body (no corruption or decay) will no longer be an issue. Besides, if we are lucky, maybe we will all get to wear flowing robes like Our Sovereign Lord. Soft, durable, modest AND comfortable!👍

Instraurare Omnia in Cristo!
 
EnchantedEve said:
Cute, but I assume you must have glossed over the part where I said we were not always serious. Actually my wife and I dance, go to parties, make jokes, drink wine, and have good conversation with friends and (gasp) always dress nicely!:rolleyes: I am convinced that people project not enjoying life on people who dress formally, so as to convince themselves that their personal comfort uber alles philosophy is justified. Taking your daily Faith life seriously at all times does not necessitate taking EVERYTHING seriously, and certainly not the government! 😃

On a side note, from what I understand the goods of this life (for example, clothing) will not be an issue at the Beatific Vision because conservation of modesty (no concupiscence) and preservation of the body (no corruption or decay) will no longer be an issue. Besides, if we are lucky, maybe we will all get to wear flowing robes like Our Sovereign Lord. Soft, durable, modest AND comfortable!👍

Instraurare Omnia in Cristo!
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Hmm, guess that means we must assign some corporeal existance on the “otherside” ?- Seems to me, if there is a spiritual realm called “heaven” (or the contrary, hell), that its a state not reletive to “clothing”, ancient “robes” or so on. For that matter, its not a realm “sensed” with any physical organ or through synaptic nerve (all dead and fallen away) or even understood properly as a physical place.

But I digress - the point is that whatever realm exists beyond the physical spectrum - how we “dress” then is of no more consequence than how we dress in the here and now at a gathering of the spiritual.

And your smart comment on justifying an uber alles philosophy is interesting - seems to me this website is loaded with such people in very many ways, including those people who project not being properly spiritual or respectful before God on people who dress in informally, so as to convince themselves that their personal fixations on image and appearance justify their “uber alles philosophy” ! :cool:

I am amazed often at the level of judgmentalism found amoung those claiming the Christian God - who is reported to have one said “Do not judge, lest ye be judged.”
 
When out on a bicycle tour what should a bicyclist do when it comes to dress for attending mass?

If the bicyclist does not carry a suit and tie with him should he skip mass?

What if the bicyclist’s sweat pants are dirty, but his shorts are clean - should he be denied entrance to a church building of the one holy catholic apostolic church?

I will interested to read the answers to the questions.

God bless
 
Highwayhound said:
When out on a bicycle tour what should a bicyclist do when it comes to dress for attending mass?

If the bicyclist does not carry a suit and tie with him should he skip mass?

What if the bicyclist’s sweat pants are dirty, but his shorts are clean - should he be denied entrance to a church building of the one holy catholic apostolic church?

I will interested to read the answers to the questions.

God bless
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You should not be denied entrance because the Lord cares more about the attitude of your heart than what you look like. If the denied you entrance they will be the ones who will have to give an account of their deeds.
 
People who are responsible are prepared for mass wherever they go, as it is more important than whatever they are doing. These people do their best not to harm standards or be disedifying themselves.

People who wear clothing that is actually sinful or reveal they do not care about the Lord are not to be admitted to mass, they show by their garments that the are not suitable for entrance into the wedding, but only to be cast into the outer darkness.

The Lord is more important than their selfishness.

Exceptions are made for exceptional circumstances and emergencies as is prudent and necessary. Of course beggars, the poor, the distressed are generally admitted. These are known exceptions.

Exceptions do not become rules.

Standards are to be maintained.

For they are for the sake of the Lord and the human soul.

🙂
 
I think if you are passing a church for weekday Mass and it happens to be the right time, go in wearing whatever. That said, I would personally appreciate it if you know you’re going, if you would carry a pair of lightweight shorts to cover your bike shorts. for the squeamish among us 😉

I was totally embarrassed this weekend, because I had already packed away all my winter clothes, hadn’t done laundry, and we had a freak ice/snowstorm. I showed up in jeans because that was the best I could do, having to hike in with kiddos on a sled. And then of course the usual EMHC’s couldn’t make it and I ended up serving up front. Sigh. Promotes humility, I suppose.

And before you smack me, know that the crowd was much thinner than usual and it was obvious many other people had to show up in whatever they could throw together, so I am quite sure I didn’t cause anyone to stumble. We were all in it together 🙂
 
Shin said:
People who are responsible are prepared for mass wherever they go, as it is more important than whatever they are doing. These people do their best not to harm standards or be disedifying themselves.

People who wear clothing that is actually sinful or reveal they do not care about the Lord are not to be admitted to mass, they show by their garments that the are not suitable for entrance into the wedding, but only to be cast into the outer darkness.

The Lord is more important than their selfishness.

Exceptions are made for exceptional circumstances and emergencies as is prudent and necessary. Of course beggars, the poor, the distressed are generally admitted. These are known exceptions.

Exceptions do not become rules.

Standards are to be maintained.

For they are for the sake of the Lord and the human soul.

🙂
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Shin - I sincerely hope if there is an afterlife with a loving god, that God admits you entry and shows you happiness, comedy, levity and above all, more mercy than you seem to reveal in these posts. 😉
 
I don’t know—a lot of people seem to be arguing for sloppiness in dress because THEY like it.

And yes, what IS more important, a bicycle race or Mass?
 
I would like to say that i would prefer to attend the EF and OF Masses in Full dress suit.

That being said I have to ride Public Transportation for at least one hour and a half to get to my parish of choice. Because of that (And the fact that i live in Portland where we get on Average 50-60in of Rain) I tend to dress for the Weather (Now i know alot of people say “Well just use an Umbrella”, even if i use one my slacks would be soaked to the skin. So sadly i usually just stick with my collared Dickies Jacket and Blue Denim Jeans. No one really seems off put by this (I think most are just amazed to see a Nineteen Year old there on his own accord.)

For Easter and Christmas i try my best to at least wear a Tie.
 
Highwayhound said:
When out on a bicycle tour what should a bicyclist do when it comes to dress for attending mass?

If the bicyclist does not carry a suit and tie with him should he skip mass?

What if the bicyclist’s sweat pants are dirty, but his shorts are clean - should he be denied entrance to a church building of the one holy catholic apostolic church?

I will interested to read the answers to the questions.

God bless
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  1. The cyclist, in my opinion, should at least bring a set of decent clothing to change into before entering.
  2. Shame on the cyclist to not at least “prepare himself” before attending the eucharistic celebration; one should not treat it like “im just dropping by to attend mass” but the bicycle tour is more important attitude (the fact one even raised such a question suggested that already)
  3. If I’d seen such a person entering, I would not forbade the person from entering for I do not think I have such an authority ~ although I think he should have been forbidden.
Above are my answers to these question. 🙂
 
doughnut said:
  1. The cyclist, in my opinion, should at least bring a set of decent clothing to change into before entering.
  2. Shame on the cyclist to not at least “prepare himself” before attending the eucharistic celebration; one should not treat it like “im just dropping by to attend mass” but the bicycle tour is more important attitude (the fact one even raised such a question suggested that already)
  3. If I’d seen such a person entering, I would not forbade the person from entering for I do not think I have such an authority ~ although I think he should have been forbidden.
Above are my answers to these question. 🙂
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I might agree with your first point, if we were talking about one’s Sunday obligation. One should be prepared for that.

But if one were on a bike tour through Europe, say, on a Wednesday, and happened to pass a Church, and one felt the Spirit a-moverin’, what does one do then? Does one pull on one’s sweatpants and go in, or does one ride on because one doesn’t have a tie?

In a case such as this, I think our Lord would be more glad of the company. I think He’d hate to think that a passer-by might not visit and say a prayer or two because they’re in jeans.

I went to the AGO once as part of a school trip. I was in jeans, short-sleeved sport shirt and coat as I recall. I passed by St Patrick’s Church, and decided to stop in to say a prayer. I don’t think the Lord was displeased. If anything, I think He would be as close to pleasantly surprised as an omniscient Being could get, given my reluctance to abandon my bed on a Sunday morning. :rolleyes:
 
Ghoti said:
I might agree with your first point, if we were talking about one’s Sunday obligation. One should be prepared for that.

But if one were on a bike tour through Europe, say, on a Wednesday, and happened to pass a Church, and one felt the Spirit a-moverin’, what does one do then? Does one pull on one’s sweatpants and go in, or does one ride on because one doesn’t have a tie?

In a case such as this, I think our Lord would be more glad of the company. I think He’d hate to think that a passer-by might not visit and say a prayer or two because they’re in jeans.

I went to the AGO once as part of a school trip. I was in jeans, short-sleeved sport shirt and coat as I recall. I passed by St Patrick’s Church, and decided to stop in to say a prayer. I don’t think the Lord was displeased. If anything, I think He would be as close to pleasantly surprised as an omniscient Being could get, given my reluctance to abandon my bed on a Sunday morning. :rolleyes:
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There are always exceptions, and hence I can’t say the person is wrong or anything but it is my opinion that one should not take offence if there are people who should be offended by one’s lack of proper attire. (However if one is too poor to even afford any proper attire, I say theres nothing wrong with entering with all that he can afford; I refuse to agree to simple exceptions as it usually leads to bigger acceptance, and before i know it, i will lose that sense of integrity.)
 
I’m thinking that if we’re going to try to formulate some kind of a rule, allowing for all the exceptions previously mentioned without relaxing an over all standard, then we’re going to have to settle for

a)Choosing for our own selves and families to be dressed as nicely as we are able given the circumstances, and

b) Charitably ignoring what anybody else is wearing, because we don’t know their circumstances, and

c)asking our pastors to make some mention of modesty in the homily or bulletin to help clue in the people who are totally inappropriate and probably don’t even think about it.

B can be hard, but griping and trying to make rules for other people neither work well nor promote charity within ourselves.
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
I don’t know—a lot of people seem to be arguing for sloppiness in dress because THEY like it.

And yes, what IS more important, a bicycle race or Mass?
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Its not about sloppiness. I wear jeans, polo shirt and running shoes to church. I have got slacks and dress shirts but i know that i dont go to church to impress anyone. It is the attitude of my heart towards God, Worship and studying His word that counts. Not what I wear.
 
…tough room…

Well, I entered this room looking for hints, guides, tips, allegations or blatant rules from women offering some advice to us men on how to dress so that we don’t cause them to sin.

Little did I think this was going to be about Mass attire.

Not quoting from Nirvana, but my pastor, during a sermon (and not necessarily in regards to attire) said that we should “Come as you are” to Jesus. He wants you for who you are.

That being said, in talking with a fellow parishoner about how we’d react when we get to Heaven and see Jesus, I said I’d fall on my face, prostrate, thanking Him profusely for all my blessings and His sacrifices for me.

What would my fellow Christian do? He said he give Jesus the biggest bear hug he could muster up.

Either one wrong? no. Will Jesus accept either response openly? You bet.

Now there are people in this thread (and forum) who may gasp at my “homage to Jesus” and others who may gasp at the other “homage to Jesus”…and still others who may gasp at both (there’s no pleasing everyone).

Point is (and I’m sure it’s been covered here…but I think it’s a good one, which is why I’m repeating it 😃 ) it’s who we are on the INSIDE, just as Jesus said (and I’m paraphrasing) its not what goes in the body, but what comes out that important (therefore inferring that what is inside the heart is crucial).

I slide up and down the meter on what I wear to church. But, my attire never has: impure graphics or text, out of whack colors (thinking fluorescent colors), holes, dirt, food stains and the like.

Aside from these criteria (unless poor and/or homeless) then I think (just my opinion) that it’s up to each person how to dress, for God is all about free will and that we lead by example if we want someone else to dress a certain way, but it ought not become an obcession to control others’ attire.

Now, if a woman hasn’t already started a thread on modest dress suggestions for men (in general) could someone please start one? If there is, please PM me a link. Thanks.
 
Just an observation, but I find it interesting that in these posts about attire, it seems the women get critisized for “immodest” dressing and men get criticized for sloppy dressing. Good to know sexism is alive and well in the RC!!! 👍
 
levi78 said:
…tough room…

Well, I entered this room looking for hints, guides, tips, allegations or blatant rules from women offering some advice to us men on how to dress so that we don’t cause them to sin.

Little did I think this was going to be about Mass attire.

Not quoting from Nirvana, but my pastor, during a sermon (and not necessarily in regards to attire) said that we should “Come as you are” to Jesus. He wants you for who you are.

That being said, in talking with a fellow parishoner about how we’d react when we get to Heaven and see Jesus, I said I’d fall on my face, prostrate, thanking Him profusely for all my blessings and His sacrifices for me.

What would my fellow Christian do? He said he give Jesus the biggest bear hug he could muster up.

Either one wrong? no. Will Jesus accept either response openly? You bet.

Now there are people in this thread (and forum) who may gasp at my “homage to Jesus” and others who may gasp at the other “homage to Jesus”…and still others who may gasp at both (there’s no pleasing everyone).

Point is (and I’m sure it’s been covered here…but I think it’s a good one, which is why I’m repeating it 😃 ) it’s who we are on the INSIDE, just as Jesus said (and I’m paraphrasing) its not what goes in the body, but what comes out that important (therefore inferring that what is inside the heart is crucial).

I slide up and down the meter on what I wear to church. But, my attire never has: impure graphics or text, out of whack colors (thinking fluorescent colors), holes, dirt, food stains and the like.

Aside from these criteria (unless poor and/or homeless) then I think (just my opinion) that it’s up to each person how to dress, for God is all about free will and that we lead by example if we want someone else to dress a certain way, but it ought not become an obcession to control others’ attire.

Now, if a woman hasn’t already started a thread on modest dress suggestions for men (in general) could someone please start one? If there is, please PM me a link. Thanks.
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lol thats Catholic Answer Forum for you. This is tame compared to other threads
 
EvelynEVF said:
I think if you are passing a church for weekday Mass and it happens to be the right time, go in wearing whatever. That said, I would personally appreciate it if you know you’re going, if you would carry a pair of lightweight shorts to cover your bike shorts. for the squeamish among us 😉
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Dear me Lord! :nope:

No, I would never wear those ridiculous bicycle shorts to mass (besides the one time I tried wearing them I got diaper rash :eek:). I should have been more specific. I wear regular shorts with pockets when out on a bicycle ride. I carry one lightweight long sleeve shirt for dressing up when out for a bicycle ride.

By bicycle ride I mean rides over 2,500 miles. This is at least 2 months of time. Rider, bicycle, trailer, camping gear and dog weigh a total of around 400 pounds. The below deck section of the trailer houses both water and a weeks supply of food as well as spare tires, tubes, tools, etc. Above deck is the tent sleeping bag, tarp, etc. Weight and extra items are cut as much as possible.

Good luck wearing a coat and tie in Tomales, CA on a hot summer Sunday. That little church is a roasting oven. No air conditioning was to be found. I felt a little faint and I was in the back row by the open door. I was amazed that Archbishop Levada was able to say mass without fainting. After mass I had a nice conversation with the man and the subject of my shorts never came up once.🤷 He did make sure I knew where to fill up my water jugs. He was very thoughtful.🙂

Well, I have some more thoughts, but I have a date to go pray the rosary.

God bless
 
To read that every man should wear a suit and tie to Mass is admirable, but not always attainable. What about the poor? I don’t mean those in 3rd world countries, but what about the ones in your own town…the unskilled laborors and diner waitresses who are lucky to get their rent paid and food on the table??? Who are we to stand in judgement if their “best clothes” are not a suit and tie, rather clean jeans and a well-worn polo shirt? Are they to be looked down upon? How about immigrant workers? How about the garage mechanic whose wife stays home to raise and homeschool their 6 children, making sure they all attend daily Mass? Are these folks judged or “called out” because their “best” was not a 3 piece Armani or Brooks Brothers suit? Or even one from Goodwill? If those of you are so bent on deciding that every man should wear a suit to Mass, please provide one for him if he cannot afford one on his own. Sometimes even the cost of a suit or dress from Goodwill for each member of the family can be a minor utility payment or even a week’s groceries…just a little something to think about!
 
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