Proper Dress for Women at Mass?

[Memaw]

I heard about a young man whose mother, when he was ordained a priest, pulled him aside afterward and told him she had one piece of advice to give him. Then she whispered in his ear “Son, never tell a woman what to wear to church!”

He claimed it was the best advice anyone ever gave him.

We had a priest a few years ago, that gave many talks on how women should dress properly and modestly for coming to Church. He didn’t pull any punches either and included how men should dress too. . And let me tell you the way people dressed changed a whole lot. No mini skirts, shorts, tank tops, beach clothes he called them, etc. He taught respect for God’s house. He has been gone for about 5 years and for the most part they still dress modestly. Some of the younger ones are starting to drift away from it but I would love to have him here again before it gets out of hand again. Have we lost so much respect for God that we don’t care anymore?? Who will we respect then, ourselves??? I don’t think that mother’s advice was very wise. Our priests are supposed to tell us what is right and what isn’t. The problem today is they don’t speak out enough to keep us on the right road toward Heaven. The Church has always and still teaches MODESTY. If we don’t agree with that, guess whose wrong!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[ProVobis]

The problem today is they don’t speak out enough to keep us on the right road toward Heaven. The Church has always and still teaches MODESTY. If we don’t agree with that, guess whose wrong!! God Bless, Memaw

But the trend nowadays is more comfort and/or more convenience. I’ve learned a long time ago not to fight it.

 

[utah_rose]

That attitude certainly exists, but it is a very, very small minority in the Church. You likely won’t encounter it in person, outside of some traditionalist circles. The Internet amplifies such voices much beyond what they deserve. (This is coming from a woman who always wears a dress or skirt to church.)

I even wear dressy slacks to a TLM Mass although most women wear skirts or dresses. I have a problem with both feet so must wear well made athletic shoes that don’t go well with dresses. I’m also a senior, and do remember 50 or so years ago when women had to wear dresses and skirts to Mass. I think as long as you are modestly dressed, even dressy jeans are acceptable. I don’t wear dresses or skirts very often either.

 

[zab]

We had a priest a few years ago, that gave many talks on how women should dress properly and modestly for coming to Church. He didn’t pull any punches either and included how men should dress too. . And let me tell you the way people dressed changed a whole lot. No mini skirts, shorts, tank tops, beach clothes he called them, etc. He taught respect for God’s house. He has been gone for about 5 years and for the most part they still dress modestly. Some of the younger ones are starting to drift away from it but I would love to have him here again before it gets out of hand again. Have we lost so much respect for God that we don’t care anymore?? Who will we respect then, ourselves??? I don’t think that mother’s advice was very wise. Our priests are supposed to tell us what is right and what isn’t. The problem today is they don’t speak out enough to keep us on the right road toward Heaven. The Church has always and still teaches MODESTY. If we don’t agree with that, guess whose wrong!! God Bless, Memaw

It is really a touchy subject. I don’t see anything wrong with an occasional mention or posting of a suggested dress code. Some people actually want to know. And some people need to be reminded occasionally of what is appropriate and what is not (tank tops and shorts come to mind). On the other hand, there are some people who may be just coming around again or just making their way to church for the first time and may not have what some of us consider to be appropriate dress in their closet. So it is possible that that may feel too embarrassed to go to church if they are made to feel that they are not dressing appropriately. In my own case, I am a cradle Catholic who has never left the Church, but there was a time when I did not even own a dress or a skirt. But there came a time when I kind of knew that I should be thinking about buying something appropriate for church wear. As we grow in our faith and love for God, little things come to our attention and we act accordingly.