Vampire t-shirts at Mass

[Chatter163]

Yes, I understood that.

But what exactly are Chatter163 and you saying? Are you saying that after Mass we should approach Orpheus2112 and tell him, “You need to think about someone other than yourself! It’s not enough just to be at Mass, you also have to dress appropriately.”

THAT’S what I’m asking! PRACTICAL ANSWERS, please! Yes, in our own circle, we can analyze the immature behavior of other people at Mass and condemn it. But WHAT, if anything, can and should we do about it?

As I said in my first post in this thread, I do NOT believe it is ever a good idea to approach a total stranger and comment on their apparel at Mass.

Do you disagree with me? Does Chatter 163 disagree with me?

I’m looking for an answer, please, an approach, a course of action. Thanks.

Not sure why you keep asking “what I am saying.” My earlier post was clear and concise and could be summed up in the first twio sentences.

Apparently what I wrote was not “practical” enough to suit you. If you are asking if the kid with the vampire shirt should be kicked out of Mass, I would say no, but someone (preferably a clergyman, but possibly a senior usher) should tell him after Mass that such attire is not appropriate at X parish. Mine used to have a dress code posted, and the priest would routinely tell people at communion not to wear shorts, and direct them to the posted dress code as a follow-up. He still gave them commuinion, but he only had to tell any one person once.

But what you seem to have overlooked was that I was not merely commenting on someone wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt to Mass; I was commenting on the “at least I’m there” statement. This is an entirely different issue from someone who is ignorant and/or poor. This is someone who obviously knows better and even after being told that something is not right, responds with a flippant remark like that. THIS is what I was addressing.

 

[T700]

Not necesarrily. Please do not presume you know about and speak on behalf of all vampires. Thank you.

I can’t quite tell if you are kidding. You do know that vampires are fictional? Please excuse me if you were joking and it went right over me.

Paul

 

[BlessedMomof2]

Does the Catholic Church have an official dress code policy - because I’ve never seen it.

 

[Chatter163]

No, there are too many different cultures and circumstances involved to make a universal dress code. But a pastor is certainly within his rights to establish one for his parish.

 

[yellowbird]

“Son, I will make a deal with you – if no one ever sees the tops of your boxers at Church, no one will ever see the tops of mine at one of your tennis matches!” And we never had a problem seeing the tops of his boxers again!!! HAHAHA

I LOVE this idea!!!

 

[Malia_Belen]

I read the Twilight books, all four of them. While, the problem may not come from the books themselves. I think the bigger problems comes after you’ve finished the last book. It’s a good series and you want to search out other books like it to satisfy the interest the books created. However, the other books, may not be nearly as “clean” of occult elements as Twilight. Even the local library has noticed how a good book can make readers crave others like it. They’ve started making free bookmarks in the young adult section that advertise books that are like popular books kids are reading. So at the least, readers come out knowledgeable about the occult which can be a good or bad thing depending on what they do with that knowledge. At the most, readers could find themselves in need of someone who specializes in exorcisms because they’ve gotten in too deep to turn back on their own.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

Thank you everyone for posting answers and comments. I appreciate them and enjoyed reading them. I want to clear up a couple of misconceptions.

The young man wearing the shirt did not look poor or sloppy. The shirt looked very new. It was deep black (not faded or worn) and the message on it was in deep red handwriting. He looked nice and his family looked nice.

I understand that there are poor people who can’t afford new clothes going to Mass. I am one of them. I was able to afford new clothes a few years ago, so I also understand that sometimes appearance can fool and people who are poor might not look it.

I am not judging people for not wearing their best to church. I do not always wear my best clothes to church. I do not own a car. I take public transportation to go to Mass. Sometimes this means two buses to the church and two to three buses back and involves some walking as well. I prefer to do some necessary shopping after Mass, or go to a rare movie matinee, because that way I do not spend bus fare on another day. Dressing up for Mass is not entirely feasible at times. It hurts very much to walk in heels all day and they also get worn with walking city streets. I try to wear nice pants, but do often fall back on jeans because my nice pants have been getting worn and I wonder if it shows. (I am happy jeans are accepted at church by most people.) I wear a nice, attractive top or sweater with jeans. Although I suppose some might be offended with the neck line during summer, I usually carry a light sweater and cover up during Mass. Which leads me to this; I never wear a shirt with writing on it to Mass without covering up. This is because I would feel very creepy wearing something inside a church that would call attention to me and what I am “into”.

The off handed comment about Catholics being like vampires is, I’m sure, well meaning. That is exactly what those who hate Catholics say about us, though, that we are a cult and that we hold beliefs similar to vampires. That is one reason the shirt was inappropriate. And I do believe that, because humans have intellect, what we read makes us think. The shirt being so close to the altar could be an invitation (not from the boy, but from elsewhere) to those of weak or confused faith to consider the validity of the Eucharist.

Lastly, I agree with those comments that take the vampire fad seriously. It does open up a door. I thought that was a great comment about how reading about something and enjoying it makes you more likely to read more and to delve deeper into the subject.

I should mention that a week or so before I saw this shirt I saw a documentary on TV about teens (in Florida) who called themselves vampires and ran with a group whose leader ended up murdering the parents of one of the teens. Maybe this is an isolated case, but it shows these things can get serious.

Anyway, when I look at a message on a shirt with the saying, “I run with vampires,” I don’t see how it has anything to do with anyone being poor, or how they dress for church really. It is just a message that says, “I’m friends (or want to be) with beings who want to kill others to supply their own desires and needs.” This is not the message of our Church.

 

[JohnTrueHeart]

Hi everyone, and HAPPY EASTER from this new Catholic !!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we all must agree that there has to be some modesty when attending Mass, especially HIGH MASS !!

Now the wearing of tee shirts , period is against the Church. Males should wear shirts with collars and no writing on them and Females should wear appropriate women’s attire.

Now that does not mean, for the other Masses, such as during the week, jeans, sneakers, and a polo shirt is not acceptable… I think they are, as long as they are presentable. I wore black jeans, a long sleeved shirt with collar, and closed toe sandels on Thursday, then on Good Friday I wore black jeans, long sleeved shirt with collar and black shoes, but for Saturday, and Sunday I wore a suit and tie, and long sleeved white shirt… I just can not see anyone wearing at tee-shirt or allowing their kids to wear tee-shirts that some feel are offensive to any Mass. AND I feel that the Priests should say something !!! I know you young people have your generational dress…but no TEE SHIRTS IN MASS… show some pride in your dress and demeanor…it does help you set standards for yourself in the business world !!! Thanks guys !! Bless you all and Happy Easter !!

 

[T700]

Now the wearing of tee shirts , period is against the Church. Males should wear shirts with collars and no writing on them and Females should wear appropriate women’s attire.

Would you care to back up that proclamation of discipline for the Universal Church with a authoritative document or was it a personal revelation?

Paul

 

[Cat]

Hi everyone, and HAPPY EASTER from this new Catholic !!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we all must agree that there has to be some modesty when attending Mass, especially HIGH MASS !!

Now the wearing of tee shirts , period is against the Church. Males should wear shirts with collars and no writing on them and Females should wear appropriate women’s attire.

Now that does not mean, for the other Masses, such as during the week, jeans, sneakers, and a polo shirt is not acceptable… I think they are, as long as they are presentable. I wore black jeans, a long sleeved shirt with collar, and closed toe sandels on Thursday, then on Good Friday I wore black jeans, long sleeved shirt with collar and black shoes, but for Saturday, and Sunday I wore a suit and tie, and long sleeved white shirt… I just can not see anyone wearing at tee-shirt or allowing their kids to wear tee-shirts that some feel are offensive to any Mass. AND I feel that the Priests should say something !!! I know you young people have your generational dress…but no TEE SHIRTS IN MASS… show some pride in your dress and demeanor…it does help you set standards for yourself in the business world !!! Thanks guys !! Bless you all and Happy Easter !!

This post is somewhat disturbing.

I am a fat woman, and I don’t own anything except t-shirts and a few sweaters, but sweaters are usually to warm for me to wear to church. So I wear t-shirts. I haven’t owned or worn a blouse for over 30 years.

They are nice t-shirts, not the kind with writing on them. Take a walk into a Lane Bryant or Catherines or some other plus-sized clothing store and you will see that t-shirts are the prominent article of clothing. There are blouses–yech!–often they hang below the knees, or just the opposite–they’re up above the belly-button. I don’t think fashion designers understand how to design a blouse for a large lady.

Sometimes when a woman is large, she doesn’t have much choice what to wear. She wears what the fashion designers design and what the retail stores purchase. (Catalogue purchases are not a good idea when a size 2X can be anything from a 14 Misses to a 24W to a 48 plus size–you just don’t know. Best to try it on.

 

[Lepanto]

As catholics, aren’t we all just vampires in some way? After all, we eat flesh and drink blood.

At least the kid is there. I sometimes wear my old Iron Maiden t-shirt to Mass.

At least I’m there.

Well, if the minimum is all that counts in order to be there, why not just show up in a bathing suit? At least you’d still be there, right?

Where do we draw the line?

 

[Lepanto]

my favorite is slippers, shorts and tang-tops

Our altar servers will be wearing this in about a month.

 

[Lepanto]

I would close your eyes and thank God that He has brought this teenager into church and placed him in the front row where said teenager could partake in the Mass and then say a prayer for all the other families who allow their teenagers to just stay home and a prayer for all the families who have lost teenagers and don’t have their children to bring to Mass.

Why can’t said teenager also dress appropriately?

Are appropriate clothes and Mass attendance mutually exclusive?

Or do we have to “dumb down” our expectations of teenagers because they can’t handle it?

 

[Lepanto]

This teenager in the vampire shirt was at church. He was worshipping God and Jesus. Perhaps he comes from a poor family and does not own any nice clothes.

Would it change your mind if he had an $$$$ iPhone in the pocket of his jeans?

What if he can afford to dress nicely, like when he’s out on a date?

 

[Lepanto]

I thank you for your concern of how I raise my child, but I do NOT believe that allowing him to wear a t-shirt and jeans to church is teaching him the easy way out. Perhaps my original post should be re-read.
My father believes that when we are face to face with the Almighty, He will ask us all “What did you do for me on Earth?” I truly believe this as well. I seriously doubt that He will ask us why we wore jeans to Church. I suppose I could be wrong, but I don’ think so. We can care for one another, worship and follow God and Christ, and still wear a t shirt to Mass. Respect and reverence come from WITHIN.
As I said, my son is not yet 2. When asked who made him so handsome, he replies “Jesus.” He says a prayer every day: “Dear Jesus, Help me to be a better person. Amen.” I have purchased religious books for him and read him stories about Noah, Moses, and Jesus. I think that I am doing a very good job in teaching him the ways of the Lord. And none of that has to do with how he dresses on Sunday.
I went to Good Friday Service tonight, and I wore jeans. I happened to look around the Church, and noticed that all eyes were on Father, or the cross, where they should be. Nobody was staring at what another was wearing because we were all there for the same purpose: to solemnly celebrate the death of our Lord and Savior.
I’m sorry if this comes off as a rant, or a personal attack on anyone-that is not my intent. May God Bless You All.

Using this logic, would it be acceptable if the priest were to show up and say Mass in jeans and a vampire T-shirt and without vestments?

If not, why not? What’s the difference?

 

[JohnTrueHeart]

MMMMMMMMMMMM… well I have to say respectfully, there is no excuse for saying one can not find appropriate attire. There are several large ladies that attend Mass at my church and they seem to be able to NOT wear tee-shirts. Proper blouses and skirts that either are hemmed just below the knees or hemmed just above the ankles.

 Albeit to say... WE have to come back to sensibility and properness in our Church, our society and our culture.  That is all I am saying.... because if I were a manager , even in a Pizza hut, and your kid , looking for a part time job showed up looking like he or she didn't care how they dressed for an interview.. I wouldn't hire them... WE should all set good healthy standards for ourselves and our kids so therefore my friends.. my war cry is.................NO TEE SHIRTS IN MASS !!!  

God bless and Have a Happy Easter !!

 

[T700]

…my war cry is…NO TEE SHIRTS IN MASS !!!

I guess we all need a hobby. Glad you found something important to the mission of Christ.

Paul

 

[Cat]

MMMMMMMMMMMM… well I have to say respectfully, there is no excuse for saying one can not find appropriate attire. There are several large ladies that attend Mass at my church and they seem to be able to NOT wear tee-shirts. Proper blouses and skirts that either are hemmed just below the knees or hemmed just above the ankles.

 Albeit to say... WE have to come back to sensibility and properness in our Church, our society and our culture.  That is all I am saying.... because if I were a manager , even in a Pizza hut, and your kid , looking for a part time job showed up looking like he or she didn't care how they dressed for an interview.. I wouldn't hire them... WE should all set good healthy standards for ourselves and our kids so therefore my friends.. my war cry is.................NO TEE SHIRTS IN MASS !!!  

God bless and Have a Happy Easter !!

I respectfully suggest that you revise your opinion. I think that perhaps you are thinking of t-shirts as something grubby that only James Dean should wear.

Please take a look at this link to a Catherine’s large size fashions page which shows pictures of woman’s tee-shirts. THIS is the kind of thing I wear all the time (in fact, I am about the same size as the woman in the picture.) catherines.com/pagebuilder/SHOPPING_LANDINGPAGE?PAGEID=1676&cgid1=1808&my_nav=apparel&cat=tees%20knit%20tops&subcat=see%20all

These t-shirts are inexpensive, modest, attractive, and IMO, very appropriate for church. I don’t like to wear the busy ones with the pattern, although yesterday for Easter I wore a t-shirt with a lovely cheerful floral print in honor of the occasion.

There are plenty of other women’s tops on this website, but often, they are fussy and hot, or not flattering. (They look good on the model, but on me, they will be too tight across the belly, or too tight in the arms, or too low in the neckline, or the tie across the back will hurt when you sit down, etc.)

Do you agree that these t-shirts are appropriate for Mass? Thank you.

BTW, I haven’t worn a skirt or dress in years. I wear orthopedic shoes because of my feet, and I feel like an ugly old hag when I wear anything (also shorts) that makes those shoes and feet more obvious. If you don’t understand this, well…let’s just say I think a lot of women will understand. Even an 51 year-old fat woman with gimpy feet wants to feel pretty, OK? And skirts and dresses deprive me of that ability.

 

[jfmarm81]

My whole point is that we should stop looking down ion people because we don’t know their whole stories. I guess if noone can see that, then I’m wasting my time posting. I try my hardest not to be judgemental based on the appearance of someone. I’m not perfect, but I try my best. I’ve heard it said before by many that if Jesus were to come back today today, many Catholics would reject Him because of how he would dress. Ironically, the one who probably would accept Him is the one in the vampire t-shirt. Go figure. Hope you all had a Blessed Easter!! God Bless.

 

[brigid12]

yeah, my kid would wear something profane like that (anywhere actually) but certainly to mass over my very dead cold body!

In fact – this is a true story – my son is very involved in high school tennis, and he has no hips and his pants slip down and sometimes the top of his boxers show. So when he was started to go to Mass I pulled down the top of my slacks so about 1 inch of pink undies showed and said this: “Son, I will make a deal with you – if no one ever sees the tops of your boxers at Church, no one will ever see the tops of mine at one of your tennis matches!” And we never had a problem seeing the tops of his boxers again!!! HAHAHA

Perfect!!! I’ll have to remember this for when my grandkids are teens! I love it!