Question about Latin Mass

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Daizies

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Okay, so this is probably a stupid question, but I was wondering, what sort of attire is appropriate for a woman to wear to a traditional Latin Mass? I’ve been considering going to a Latin Mass at the parish that offers them, but I’m not sure if you just wear what is appropriate for a regular English Mass (like dress pants and nice shirt), or something more formal (like a dress or skirt). And would I have to wear a head covering or anything like that? Please forgive me if this question is really stupid, but I’m still learning social etiquette for Mass (theology is easier since you can read up on it in books:) ) I don’t know anyone who goes to the Latin Mass, so I don’t really have anyone I can ask.
 
I see many wear skirts and head coverings, but some don’t (you would feel less like you’re sticking out if you did though ;))

My best suggestion though, would be to call the parish office, and maybe ask there. 🙂

Good luck!
 
It might depend on the community, but if it’s a traditional latin mass community they tend to lean more conservative. The FSSP parish we occasionally attend has this in their weekly bulletin:
We ask all visitors and parishioners to please abide by our dress codes. For women, dresses or skirts must be below the knee. Please no shorts, pants or sleeveless, low-cut, tight, or revealing clothing. Head coverings are highly recommended. For men, please no shorts, t-shirts, tank-tops, or jeans.
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For the most part people (including children and teens) follow those guidelines at that parish.
 
Daizies said:
Okay, so this is probably a stupid question, but I was wondering, what sort of attire is appropriate for a woman to wear to a traditional Latin Mass? I’ve been considering going to a Latin Mass at the parish that offers them, but I’m not sure if you just wear what is appropriate for a regular English Mass (like dress pants and nice shirt), or something more formal (like a dress or skirt). And would I have to wear a head covering or anything like that? Please forgive me if this question is really stupid, but I’m still learning social etiquette for Mass (theology is easier since you can read up on it in books:) ) I don’t know anyone who goes to the Latin Mass, so I don’t really have anyone I can ask.
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Oh! Sweet Old Times!
A veil. My sisters and aunties used them. Plain or made of lace. It was pretty.
 
This is not a “stupid question” at all.

As a general rule I would suggest that you dress in the same manner you would consider appropriate if you were meeting the pope. In other words, it need not be something “formal” but should be something nice as well as modest.
As for head coverings…These are not required, but if you feel inclined to wear one, you can be sure that you won’t be alone.

I hope you are able to go soon and are edified by the EF.

Peace
James
 
I like the suggestion that you should dress as if you were to meet the Pope. It really does vary depending on the parish. Even in an SSPX chapel, chapel veils and dresses are not mandatory. We understand that, although that is the norm for our church, we frequently have visitors who come in either by accident or out of curiosity. They are not chased out, given dirty looks, or skipped at the Communion rail. They do tend to stand out, as do men who may show up in jeans.

As a Catholic, your attire should reflect our belief that we are standing in the physical and true presence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have heard frequently throughout my life comments like “Jesus is so happy we showed up that He won’t care what we wear”. Perhaps that is the case. But if we spend and hour and a half shaving and dressing in a coat and tie for a job interview or perhaps 2 hours getting ready for a friends wedding or prom and yet show up in our “play clothes” at Mass, surely this is at least the sin of laziness.
 
Just dress modestly in nice clothes. By nice I don’t mean formal evening wear. A knee length or longer skirt and a nice shirt is fine. Oh yes, and a head covering would be appropriate. It is not required, but if you want to blend in you should wear one. It doesn’t have to be a veil, you can wear a hat or scarf. Someone above posted that their parish requests women not to wear pants. I disagree with that. Many women’s dress pants look nice and are very modest. We aren’t United Pentecostal.
 
giuseppeTO said:
I like the suggestion that you should dress as if you were to meet the Pope. It really does vary depending on the parish. Even in an SSPX chapel, chapel veils and dresses are not mandatory. We understand that, although that is the norm for our church, we frequently have visitors who come in either by accident or out of curiosity. They are not chased out, given dirty looks, or skipped at the Communion rail. They do tend to stand out, as do men who may show up in jeans.

As a Catholic, your attire should reflect our belief that we are standing in the physical and true presence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have heard frequently throughout my life comments like “Jesus is so happy we showed up that He won’t care what we wear”. Perhaps that is the case. But if we spend and hour and a half shaving and dressing in a coat and tie for a job interview or perhaps 2 hours getting ready for a friends wedding or prom and yet show up in our “play clothes” at Mass, surely this is at least the sin of laziness.
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I was not aware of this. I was never sure what happens if a woman shows up at an SSPX chapel with no veil. I imagined it must happen sometimes because all churches occasionally receive visitors. This is good that you do not give them dirty looks or anything.
 
I attend an FSSP parish. On Sunday, I wear my “Sunday Best” - nice dress shoes, nice skirt, and professional top, and makeup. On Saturdays, when I help with the altar flowers, I wear a more casual shirt, a modest but casual skirt (kakhi skirt, etc.), and comfy shoes like sneakers or sandals. Most of the time on Saturdays I wear light or no makeup. On the weekdays, when I go to daily mass, I wear what I wear to work, which is “Business Professional” - dress slacks, pressed jackets and blouses, etc. But I also wear jeans sometimes on the weekdays if it’s a Jeans Day at work, like I did today.

I think the most important element is not so much slacks vs skirts, it’s modesty. You don’t want to be a distraction to other parishioners or an occasion of sin by wearing something tight, or sheer, or low-cut. You don’t need to wear anything “dressy” or expensive, simply modest and lady-like. But you also don’t have to dress like a nun. Yes, I wear jeans to weekday masses on occasion like I did this morning, but they’re not skin tight. If my top is a bit low-cut, I’ll wear a shell underneath it so as not to flash the priest and altar boys at the rail during communion. 😊 My skirts all hit me about mid-calf or lower so that I can easily get up and down from the altar rail and kneel during mass without issues. I know a lady that will use a lacy scarf for a head covering that she can drape around her neck if she’s afraid that her blouse may adjust and dip down a bit.

As far as modesty goes, this is what my cassock-wearing priest had to say about it at the beginning of last summer: “Don’t complain to the priests about modesty and the Texas Heat. Our necklines are higher, our sleeves are longer, our hems go all the way to the ground, and we’re wearing all black.” 😃
 
If there is no “official policy” that you can find, then one word sums it up for all Catholic churches: modesty.

And remember, modesty non est finery.
 
HonoraDominum said:
I attend an FSSP parish. On Sunday, I wear my “Sunday Best” - nice dress shoes, nice skirt, and professional top, and makeup. On Saturdays, when I help with the altar flowers, I wear a more casual shirt, a modest but casual skirt (kakhi skirt, etc.), and comfy shoes like sneakers or sandals. Most of the time on Saturdays I wear light or no makeup. On the weekdays, when I go to daily mass, I wear what I wear to work, which is “Business Professional” - dress slacks, pressed jackets and blouses, etc. But I also wear jeans sometimes on the weekdays if it’s a Jeans Day at work, like I did today.

**I think the most important element is not so much slacks vs skirts, it’s modesty. **You don’t want to be a distraction to other parishioners or an occasion of sin by wearing something tight, or sheer, or low-cut. You don’t need to wear anything “dressy” or expensive, simply modest and lady-like. But you also don’t have to dress like a nun. Yes, I wear jeans to weekday masses on occasion like I did this morning, but they’re not skin tight. If my top is a bit low-cut, I’ll wear a shell underneath it so as not to flash the priest and altar boys at the rail during communion. 😊 My skirts all hit me about mid-calf or lower so that I can easily get up and down from the altar rail and kneel during mass without issues. I know a lady that will use a lacy scarf for a head covering that she can drape around her neck if she’s afraid that her blouse may adjust and dip down a bit.

As far as modesty goes, this is what my cassock-wearing priest had to say about it at the beginning of last summer: “Don’t complain to the priests about modesty and the Texas Heat. Our necklines are higher, our sleeves are longer, our hems go all the way to the ground, and we’re wearing all black.” 😃
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Yes, absolutely.
 
giuseppeTO said:
I like the suggestion that you should dress as if you were to meet the Pope. It really does vary depending on the parish. Even in an SSPX chapel, chapel veils and dresses are not mandatory. We understand that, although that is the norm for our church, we frequently have visitors who come in either by accident or out of curiosity. They are not chased out, given dirty looks, or skipped at the Communion rail. They do tend to stand out, as do men who may show up in jeans.
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I think how understanding people are varies from place to place. I was at Mass once where the priest gave a bunch of rules for “dress code” in his sermon. He did not make any exceptions for visitors.

Anyhow, no matter how the other people feel about it, I suspect the OP will feel most comfortable in a dress/skirt that is at least knee length and with a veil. She will know that this is acceptable to everyone and not have to worry about it.
 
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