Should people be allowed to wear shorts and sandals at Mass?

[CarolAnnSFO]

Nararya:

I read some arguments comparing we wearing suit or formal dress to the interviews or other important occassions but not wearing one when we go to the church for mass. I think the answer is actually really simple : It is because we wear those clothings to impress our fellow humans, because they don’t have the ability to see through our hearts. Jesus apparently has this ability. I don’t think he would mind at all seeing us in more casual clothings in His home.

:clapping: Very well said!

buffalo:

This thread begs the question. Is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a black tie affair?

Some seem to think that whatever we wear to a dressy occasion, we should be willing to wear to Mass. And some believe that we shouldn’t get less dressed up for Mass than we would for any secular occasion. Some secular occasions call for white tie and tails for the gents, and ball gowns for the ladies. Maybe that’s what we should all wear to church! Can you imagine seeing that? The priest might burst out laughing! All the churches would have to add large numbers of hat racks, to accommodate the gent’s top hats!

(And no, I wouldn’t wear a suit to the White House. I never wear suits at all, anywhere. I don’t wear shorts or sleeveless tops, either. )

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[buffalo]

:clapping: Very well said!

Some seem to think that whatever we wear to a dressy occasion, we should be willing to wear to Mass. And some believe that we shouldn’t get less dressed up for Mass than we would for any secular occasion. Some secular occasions call for white tie and tails for the gents, and ball gowns for the ladies. Maybe that’s what we should all wear to church! Can you imagine seeing that? The priest might burst out laughing! All the churches would have to add large numbers of hat racks, to accommodate the gent’s top hats!

(And no, I wouldn’t wear a suit to the White House. I never wear suits at all, anywhere. I don’t wear shorts or sleeveless tops, either. )

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No, they would just put back the hat clips in the pews.

 

[mercygate]

buffalo:

This thread begs the question. Is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a black tie affair?

Only Christmas Midnight Mass. DH sometimes goes in Black Tie; I’ll wear a dinner gown (but not a ball gown.) If people can “come as they are” in sweats, we can “come as we are” in party clothes . . . Can’t we?

 

[buffalo]

mercygate:

Only Christmas Midnight Mass. DH sometimes goes in Black Tie; I’ll wear a dinner gown (but not a ball gown.) If people can “come as they are” in sweats, we can “come as we are” in party clothes . . . Can’t we?

I can conclude that the exterior disposition shown by clothing does indeed shed some light on the interior.

To the poster who said we dress for others. - Why? Because others cannot see into our hearts? So dressing up is basically to impress them? Or is it to show a respect for the stature of their event?

Bottom line question - if others cannot see intop our heart as Jesus can - do we scandalize our youth by dressing with less outward reverence?

Fathers - will your children see that you think Mass is more important than a dinner, by the way you dress? Will they believe you take your faith seriously?

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

mercygate:

Only Christmas Midnight Mass. DH sometimes goes in Black Tie; I’ll wear a dinner gown (but not a ball gown.) If people can “come as they are” in sweats, we can “come as we are” in party clothes . . . Can’t we?

Sure, why not?

buffalo:

No, they would just put back the hat clips in the pews.

You mean that’s** what those clips are for? :bigyikes: I thought they were for bulletins, or envelopes, or whatever. Guess that just goes to show how many men wear hats these days.

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[General]

buffalo:

This thread begs the question. Is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a black tie affair?

It used to be very common (and it’s still seen in some parishes) for ushers to wear morning dress or white tie/tails at Christmas and Easter.

I have seen ushers wear very conservative matching black tuxes at the Easter Vigil and it added a nice touch.

 

[scjmb03]

While I agree we cannot judge a person’s heart by their attire, I do believe a person who truly believes they are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ will dress appropriately. My parish priest is implementing a dress code and I say kudos for him, because the way many dress today is beyond inappropriate. Several have even been told, cover up or don’t come forward to communion.

Too many women dress in a revealing manner that distracts men (and women) from the true presence of Christ. Sloppy, immodest clothing that would not be worn to a job interview or other important event should not be worn to Mass. Meaning: lengthen the skirts, ditch the shorts, and cover the shoulders. Sandals at Church? Provided they are not flip flops, I do not think it matters.

Honestly, I have seen the best dressed people at poorer Churches. Their clothing might not be fancy, but at least they dress as if they are going to visit God and not play at the beach. Honestly, Mass is one hour maybe an hour and half each week of our time and God deserves our best during this time. If it means bringing a change of clothes then by all means do it! Our weekend should be planned around attending Mass appropriately dressed instead of shoving Mass in between social events. Make God a number one priority instead of our personal desires and miracles will happen.

 

[Kristina_P]

CarolAnnSFO:

A lot of people bring this up, and I’m just curious – do you all really expect people to wear tuxedos and floor-length gowns to Mass? That’s what “black tie” means around here.

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If you’ll read my post more thoroughly, you’ll realize that I was pointing out a problem with the “you should dress better for Mass than you would for a restaurant” argument. I was not suggesting that anyone show up to Mass in a floor-length ballgown.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Kristina P.:

If you’ll read my post more thoroughly, you’ll realize that I was pointing out a problem with the “you should dress better for Mass than you would for a restaurant” argument. I was not suggesting that anyone show up to Mass in a floor-length ballgown.

I know, but this was the part that I was quoting, where you mentioned “black-tie event”, not “restaurant”:
Kristina P.:

For those who still have difficulty, have you ever attended a black-tie event? Do you dress to those standards when attending Mass? If not, why do you “dress up” more for a secular event than you do for a sacred one?

**Crazy Internet Junkies Society
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[Mike_Dye]

I learned a lesson as our Parish’s RCIA co-director that I will not soon forget. First of all I should say that our parish is an inner city parish with quite a mix…from wealthy to destitute and every race and people from every station in life.
I was asked at one of our last meetings before Holy Saturday …what should we wear…I said your Sunday Best…Dress like you were going to visit the pope. It just so happened that that week I went into a neighborhood thrift store and happened to overhear one of our Canditates and her sponser lamenting over how they could not find anything to wear in their price range… From that point on I have never said squat about anything anyone wears at church!
Mike

 

[Mike_Dye]

Can anyone tell me what St. Francis wore when he went to Mass?

 

[General]

Mike Dye:

Can anyone tell me what St. Francis wore when he went to Mass?

You ain’t St. Francis, nor do you live as St. Francis did…

 

[General]

JKirkLVNV:

Utterly smug. If the server’s are covered by their robes, what does it matter what they are wearing? Surely we’ve better to do during Mass than to keep track of what others are wearing.

“Robes?” You means “albs?” The simple fact is that they aren’t “covered” by their “robes.” It’s quite clear when a confused parent has allowed their child to serve while wearing shorts. It’s sad to see.

Just as a thought – maybe people should refrain from signing-up for sanctuary-based ministries if they cannot even make the effort to wear long pants to Mass? It’s just a thought, but it makes far more sense to me than your suggestion…

 

[Catholic90]

“Robes?” You means “albs?” You really are quite full of yourself!! The simple fact is that they aren’t “covered” by their “robes.” It’s quite clear when a confused parent has allowed their child to serve while wearing shorts. It’s sad to see.

Just as a thought – maybe people should refrain from signing-up for sanctuary-based ministries if they cannot even make the effort to wear long pants to Mass? It’s just a thought, but it makes far more sense to me than your suggestion…Oh yes, that’s definitely what Jesus would have done! After all, he never included anyone except the perfectly dressed and coifed. He never ate with anyone but the finest, most upstanding citizens. He wouldn’t have been seen with the prostitutes, beggars, or leppers. …Oh wait…that was the Pharisees that wouldn’t do any of those things!/QUOTE]

The servers ARE covered in our parish. They wear heavy, thick ALBS. No one can see anything through them. They are hot, itchy, and uncomfortable. Nearly all the servers wear shorts to be more comfortable. (Just what would be the point of telling these 9-12 year olds to serve but be horribly uncomfortable? We have a most difficult time getting enough servers to sign up already! :banghead: Last summer, my boys served 12 Sundays in a row because no one else stepped up to do it. Thankfully, we now have more.)

General, just why are you looking so closely at what those servers are wearing under their albs anyway??

 

[JKirkLVNV]

“Robes?” You means “albs?” The simple fact is that they aren’t “covered” by their “robes.” It’s quite clear when a confused parent has allowed their child to serve while wearing shorts. It’s sad to see.

Just as a thought – maybe people should refrain from signing-up for sanctuary-based ministries if they cannot even make the effort to wear long pants to Mass? It’s just a thought, but it makes far more sense to me than your suggestion…

Our servers don’t wear albs (the white garment the priest wears over his clericals, under the chasuble). Our servers wear red cassocks and then a surplice or cotta over those (the shorter white vesture). So, no, in fact, I didn’t mean albs. I meant “robes,” since that covers any liturgical vesture the servers might wear.

If the thought that the servers might have on shorts under their ROBES disturbs you, perhaps you could offer it up for the poor souls in purgatory.

 

[General]

Catholic90:

“Robes?” You means “albs?” You really are quite full of yourself!!

The simple fact is that they aren’t “covered” by their “robes.” It’s quite clear when a confused parent has allowed their child to serve while wearing shorts. It’s sad to see.

Just as a thought – maybe people should refrain from signing-up for sanctuary-based ministries if they cannot even make the effort to wear long pants to Mass? It’s just a thought, but it makes far more sense to me than your suggestion…Oh yes, that’s definitely what Jesus would have done! After all, he never included anyone except the perfectly dressed and coifed. He never ate with anyone but the finest, most upstanding citizens. He wouldn’t have been seen with the prostitutes, beggars, or leppers. …Oh wait…that was the Pharisees that wouldn’t do any of those things!/QUOTE]

The servers ARE covered in our parish. They wear heavy, thick ALBS. No one can see anything through them. They are hot, itchy, and uncomfortable. Nearly all the servers wear shorts to be more comfortable. (Just what would be the point of telling these 9-12 year olds to serve but be horribly uncomfortable? We have a most difficult time getting enough servers to sign up already! :banghead: Last summer, my boys served 12 Sundays in a row because no one else stepped up to do it. Thankfully, we now have more.)

General, just why are you looking so closely at what those servers are wearing under their albs anyway??

First, others can tell that they are wearing shorts, whether you can or not. Shorts don’t belong in the sanctuary. If a parent can’t make the effort to see their child dresses correctly for altar server duty, they need to let someone else’s child serve.

SEcond, maybe those “thick” albs are what are making the kids “horribly uncomfortable?” Perhaps they can find lighter weight albs?

 

[General]

JKirkLVNV:

Our servers don’t wear albs (the white garment the priest wears over his clericals, under the chasuble). Our servers wear red cassocks and then a surplice or cotta over those (the shorter white vesture). So, no, in fact, I didn’t mean albs. I meant “robes,” since that covers any liturgical vesture the servers might wear.

If the thought that the servers might have on shorts under their ROBES disturbs you, perhaps you could offer it up for the poor souls in purgatory.

“Robes” are not approved for altar servers…

Better yet, perhaps parents could ensure their kids don’t wear shorts (and light-up sneakers and hooker-like boots, etc.) while serving at the altar?

 

[La-Petite-Fleur]

I would never wear shorts to mass. But some sandals are actually dress shoes. Is there something wrong with dressy sandals, or should females just stick to Mary Janes?

 

[Catholic90]

General:

Catholic90:

First, others can

tell that they are wearing shorts, whether you can or not. Actually, no they can’t. Not unless they are obsessed with trying to view the lower half of preadolescents. (In which case they have far bigger problems to deal with.) Shorts don’t belong in the sanctuary. Your opinion. If a parent can’t make the effort to see their child dresses correctly for altar server duty, they need to let someone else’s child serve. Good luck with that one! When no one else steps forward to volunteer and the Priests repeatedly comes by our pew every Sunday to ask our sons to do it, I don’t think there is any choice! If our priests would have a problem with our boys wearing shorts, I believe they would have said something by now. Our whole family is very involved and know the priests very well. They have dined at our home, and we have travelled to Germany with one of them. No one has ever said a word. And yes, one of the priests is VERY outspoken and would have said something had he felt it was an issue.

SEcond, maybe those “thick” albs are what are making the kids “horribly uncomfortable?” Perhaps they can find lighter weight albs?
Doubtful. We have a closet full of these things in multiple sizes. Our parish is in no financial shape right now to spend the money. These have worked for years, so I’m sure they will be used for years to come./QUOTE]

The light up shoes - I agree with you. Hooker boots?? If you are referring to the ultra high platforms, I agree with you there also. Dress sandals, birkenstocks, etc - they are fine. My boys were Birkenstock wannabes when they are serving in the summer. In the winter, they wear their tennis shoes - with no lights or wheels. (they don’t have any other shoes for winter).

 

[General]

Catholic90:

General:

Catholic90:

First, others can

tell that they are wearing shorts, whether you can or not. Actually, no they can’t. Not unless they are obsessed with trying to view the lower half of preadolescents. (In which case they have far bigger problems to deal with.) Shorts don’t belong in the sanctuary. Your opinion. If a parent can’t make the effort to see their child dresses correctly for altar server duty, they need to let someone else’s child serve. Good luck with that one! When no one else steps forward to volunteer and the Priests repeatedly comes by our pew every Sunday to ask our sons to do it, I don’t think there is any choice! If our priests would have a problem with our boys wearing shorts, I believe they would have said something by now. Our whole family is very involved and know the priests very well. They have dined at our home, and we have travelled to Germany with one of them. No one has ever said a word. And yes, one of the priests is VERY outspoken and would have said something had he felt it was an issue.

SEcond, maybe those “thick” albs are what are making the kids “horribly uncomfortable?” Perhaps they can find lighter weight albs?
Doubtful. We have a closet full of these things in multiple sizes. Our parish is in no financial shape right now to spend the money. These have worked for years, so I’m sure they will be used for years to come./QUOTE]

The light up shoes - I agree with you. Hooker boots?? If you are referring to the ultra high platforms, I agree with you there also. Dress sandals, birkenstocks, etc - they are fine. My boys were Birkenstock wannabes when they are serving in the summer. In the winter, they wear their tennis shoes - with no lights or wheels. (they don’t have any other shoes for winter).

Your comments are really nothing more than noise…

First you make a horribly crude comment regarding “preadolescents.” I’ll chalk that one up to defensiveness on your part because you obviously know that shorts don’t belong in the sanctuary.

Then you bring out the old “if we required that of them, then no one would serve.” Utter hubris – laughable hubris at that. When someone uses that excuse (usually in conjunction with female altar servers) I now wonder if they are aware just how foolish they appear?

Then you go into a diatribe (for unknown reasons) about sandals for which I have no comment.

You’re defensive because you know darn well you are attempting to defend an undefendible position. You’d better get used to more pressure because a great deal of the garbage long tolerated from the late 1960’s no longer receives special license from the laws of PCism and that is sure to enrage people like yourself.