I also often go to Mass at a monastery. The brothers wear sandals, and I have often seen them kick them off and serve the Mass in bare feet.
And/or bare feet!
We don’t let people people walk around like that without mocking them. 
So since you dare not show up in other than the white and black you described, you fear if you showed up in lets say a light blue or gray buttoned down, collared shirt and navy or brown dress pants and brown dress shoes, you would be turned away? You’re right about YMMV then because I personally would be going some miles elsewhere. I’m glad you are happy and find peace there though. His continued blessings and peace be with you always.We won’t have dress shoes on when we see Him
That’s a good point!Excellent post!Although others will disagree, I say if sandals were OK for our LORD or His friends, they are definitely ok for those who drop His name!
I live my life either in sandals or barefoot (and am several thousand miles from Cal.)
We won’t have dress shoes on when we see Him
ICXC NIKA
Yes but it never ceases to amaze me. Your popcorn looks good.here we go again
For Mass you have to wear your Sunday’s best. If you made the choice of living a life of poverty, as in detachment from materialism, and your sandals are the best that you have to wear then I do not see any problem with wearing them. However, if you would not consider them part of your best attire then probably you should not wear them. My Sunday’s attire is not the most elegant or expensive that I could purchase but it is the best set of clothing that I use and I reserve it for Mass and Church occasions, my work attire is not up to that level. I personally rather see a person using sandal over sneakers when it comes to Mass but that is because, as you mentioned, it comes from an older cultural tradition that is still maintained by friars and sisters. I loved when once kneeling behind a sister I was able to read the word “demonio” (devil in Italian) embossed in the rubber sole of her sandals. She knew on what she was stepping!
Although others will disagree, I say if sandals were OK for our LORD or His friends, they are definitely ok for those who drop His name!
I live my life either in sandals or barefoot (and am several thousand miles from Cal.)
We won’t have dress shoes on when we see Him
ICXC NIKA
It is true that it is only at my parents’ parish in California at the Mass they attend that I dare to wear tee shirt, jogging pants and clean tennis shoes. However, when attending the 10:30 I wear my usual business casual. The ushers there are required to wear coat and tie.Since you live in California I say wear the sandals.
Some people here don’t get it but what is considered “dressed up” does vary from place to place. What would be considered normal business attire in one location would be considered rather snobbish in another place.
In California people dress up if they work in one of the nicer banks, if they are lawyers in court, if they are attending the Academy Awards, if they are playing/singing in a classical concert, or if they are in a wedding party.
Other than that we tar and feather you and ask you to leave the state.
Oh, and when we leave banks we shake our heads and wonder what is WRONG with those people.
Yes, I am being a bit silly but at least in the southern part of the state we really are kind of scared of people who dress up. And I don’t mean the “in awe of” kind of scared.
Thank you for the tip! Would you mind sending an e-mail to my husband about this?
As a fellow Californian, I totally agree with you! I don’t know if you are old enough to remember, but about 20 years ago (or more?) there was a commercial for something or another. One of the lines was “In California, formal means you wear socks.” I “dress up” for Mass, but it is dressing up based on my culture. I usually wear a long skirt and a knit shirt. I would feel horribly out of place (not to mention uncomfortable) in pantyhose and heels. In some cultures, it would be required to remove your shoes for Mass and you certainly wouldn’t attend in a suit and tie. Maybe a salwar kameez in India? On the East Coast, I understand that the dress still tends to be more formal and it would be appropriate to dress according to the standards of the community. Basically, I think you should dress “nicely” based upon community standards, but not formally. Definitely, Mass calls for a step above everyday wear, though. Make sure your clothes and neat and not dirty. For us, that means collared shirts on boys/men, long pants, etc.Since you live in California I say wear the sandals.
Some people here don’t get it but what is considered “dressed up” does vary from place to place. What would be considered normal business attire in one location would be considered rather snobbish in another place.
In California people dress up if they work in one of the nicer banks, if they are lawyers in court, if they are attending the Academy Awards, if they are playing/singing in a classical concert, or if they are in a wedding party.
Other than that we tar and feather you and ask you to leave the state.
Oh, and when we leave banks we shake our heads and wonder what is WRONG with those people.
Yes, I am being a bit silly but at least in the southern part of the state we really are kind of scared of people who dress up. And I don’t mean the “in awe of” kind of scared.
I know!!! Sandals with socks?!? Unfortunately, where I live I see that a lot. (Too bad there isn’t a covering eyes smilie)Thank you for the tip! Would you mind sending an e-mail to my husband about this?
I don’t see why not. Members of religious orders wear them to mass, and pretty much everywhere else. It’s possible even Christ wore them as they were standard footwear in those days in some parts of the middle east, as they are today.
I don’t remember that specific commercial but I believe it.