Wearing workout clothes to weekday mass?

[DrDanno]

The way you dress is a direct extension of your attitude and feelings for the level of importantce for those you meet. Would you wear the work-out clothes to a buisness meeting? Now extend that to your meeting with Christ.

You seem to set the example with your children on the weekend. I would be true to that during the week.

I would bring a change of clothes and change in the bathroom either befor or after reconcilliation. This way you can feel good about attending the Mass and show God the respect he deserves.

 

[brinkman2310]

Years back I was at a fancy dinner and realized that I was dressed up more than I usually dressed up for Mass. Since then, my minimum dress standard is business casual and, weather permitting, I wear a jacket. I work in a casual office (shorts are permitted, for example), but if I’m attending Mass afterwards I’ll wear my church clothes for work.

As to the OP’s situation, I’d skip/delay the run if there really wasn’t time to change.

 

[pianistclare]

We seem to be going around in circles.

There are clearly those who believe what a person wears is a direct reflection of their level of respect for the Church and displays piety in Mass.

There are those who believe that what you are wearing is not a good enough reason to stay away from Mass, and in the long run, (especially in light of circumstances), immaterial.

I know lots of poor people who would love to have something a bit nicer to wear to Mass. But they don’t, so they wear what they can.
Using the second form of logic, it doesn’t matter.
Using the first form of logic, it would make one feel ashamed and possibly keep them away from the Sacrament.

Which one is more pastoral?

Setting aside real disrespect or laziness, it would appear that as long as the clothes are modest, it’s not a deal breaker. When so few people attend daily Mass…???
My priest would LOVE to see everyone there regardless of their attire. And if he thought you were too poor to have proper clothes he’d gather us all together to do something about it. And if he thought someone was really disrespectful, he’d begin a dialog with that person.

Peace,
pianist

 

[graceandglory]

Years back I was at a fancy dinner and realized that I was dressed up more than I usually dressed up for Mass. Since then, my minimum dress standard is business casual and, weather permitting, I wear a jacket. I work in a casual office (shorts are permitted, for example), but if I’m attending Mass afterwards I’ll wear my church clothes for work.

As to the OP’s situation, I’d skip/delay the run if there really wasn’t time to change.

Brinkman, you’re missing the whole point. If someone is in athletic clothes, and circumstances change and they find themselves in front of a parish church at the time of their daily Mass, should they go to Mass, or skip it because they are in athletic gear.
I’m so impressed that you are dressed so nice. So glad that you dress better than most for Mass. I’m sure you will get a jewel in your crown for that. What about the surprise of, and very welcome opportunity for daily Mass for someone who doesn’t usually get to attend?

 

[MissRose73]

I don’t dress up for Daily Mass when I’ve been able to go but dressed modestly yet decently. I dress up for Saturday evening, Holy Days of Obligation, and Sunday Mass though.

If your workout clothes are decent and modest then wear them for Daily Mass if you have no chance to change if coming to or from Mass. If you have a few spare minutes, then put on a decent shirt and trousers/pants at least.

 

[Jennifoo]

Catechism regarding clothing etc and reception of Holy Communion:

1387 To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#1387

Make a good judgment (I would tend to say simply – bring a change with you…)

There is likely a spectrum of what such clothing would be…

Is there not a bathroom there -to change?

(when I went to University during when it was hot enough for shorts --I carried some clothes with me to change for daily Mass)

I totally agree. I have often brought a change of clothes to change into for weekday Mass. It only takes about 5 minutes or so. My thinking is that every Mass, including weekday Mass, is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and equally sacred.

Hope this helps. I commend both your desire to exercise and your desire to attend weekday Mass. God bless you.

 

[marytk]

I think it sounds like they are modest and you can just go. BUT the nice thing about work out clothes is that it is easy to throw something over them . It may not be too stylish.but it would be modest.

 

[brinkman2310]

Brinkman, you’re missing the whole point. If someone is in athletic clothes, and circumstances change and they find themselves in front of a parish church at the time of their daily Mass, should they go to Mass, or skip it because they are in athletic gear.
I’m so impressed that you are dressed so nice. So glad that you dress better than most for Mass. I’m sure you will get a jewel in your crown for that. What about the surprise of, and very welcome opportunity for daily Mass for someone who doesn’t usually get to attend?

The OP states “I am going for a run after work today and then I am going to Confession” so there’s no surprise going on. In this case, I’d skip the run. If the OP said, “I went for a run yesterday and then found myself by a church where Mass was about to begin,” that would be a different situation and my answer would be different. OP asked for thoughts on his/her non-surprising situation. I gave a thought. If you disagree, there’s no need to be unpleasant.

 

[johnmann]

Can we drop the “Wouldn’t you dress better if you were doing x? Jesus is at least as important,” argument? I would go see my mother in shorts and sandals. And she’s more important to me than the judge I go to see in a suit or the date I get all dolled up to meet. Just because you went to your prom in a tux, doesn’t mean you need to go to Mass in one. Appropriateness is not the same thing as formality.

 

[Jozsa]

I think your clothing can be sporty or informal, but should be clean and neat (no tears, holes, frayed edges, etc) for a weekday mass. On Sundays you should wear clothing at least as proper as if you were visiting family or your neighbor. What I object to in the summer are clinging dresses for women with necklines showing cleavage.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

If you are female you shouldn’t wear pants of any type to church unless your church allows that. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and the women are not allowed to wear pants to Mass and we have to have our heads covered. Not sure if this is the case at your church. I would wear the proper clothes just out of respect.

Was this an SSPX chapel? Even our FSSP priests don’t require women to not wear pants or cover their heads. Our priest specifically gave a sermon admonishing the Wardrobe Police.

That said, I don’t agree with those who say it doesn’t matter what one wears to church anymore because people now wear whatever they feel like. It’s still God’s house and Jesus is still present there. Moral theologians even mention that if the only clothing one has for Mass would cause scandal, than one is not required to attend Mass on Sunday.

That being said, daily Mass is different than Sunday Mass, so some relaxation in dress is understood. However, I would say that yoga pants are not appropriate for church ever. There are workout pants that are suitable for running in that are made of a different material such as a light-stretch nylon in a wide leg cut. They allow ample room for movement, but they aren’t clinging and stretched over your body. Furthermore, they’re not as sloppy looking as sweatpants or track pants.

 

[zab]

Was this an SSPX chapel? Even our FSSP priests don’t require women to not wear pants or cover their heads. Our priest specifically gave a sermon admonishing the Wardrobe Police.

That said, I don’t agree with those who say it doesn’t matter what one wears to church anymore because people now wear whatever they feel like. It’s still God’s house and Jesus is still present there. Moral theologians even mention that if the only clothing one has for Mass would cause scandal, than one is not required to attend Mass on Sunday.

That being said, daily Mass is different than Sunday Mass, so some relaxation in dress is understood. However, I would say that yoga pants are not appropriate for church ever. There are workout pants that are suitable for running in that are made of a different material such as a light-stretch nylon in a wide leg cut. They allow ample room for movement, but they aren’t clinging and stretched over your body. Furthermore, they’re not as sloppy looking as sweatpants or track pants.

Maybe it is a matter of taste. I prefer my sweatpants to wide leg cut nylon . Otherwise, good post!
P.S. even though I have not needed to wear my sweatpants to daily Mass.

 

[Cimachol]

Thanks to all for the replies. I will go make my confession and then ask Father his thoughts on Mass in yoga pants, tennis shoes and a windbreaker

As a male, I will tell you that having a woman in yoga pants in front of me in Mass would be a big distraction. Perhaps you could throw a pair of sweats on over the yoga pants?

 

[kimwein]

St. Padre Pio would not approve.