Weird Question about being disrespectful

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Is it OK to go to Mass with dirty hair (not washed with shampoo for a couple days, only with water this morning)? Is this disrespectful?

Also, should we receive the Eucharist with clean hands?

Thanks!
 
If your hands are dirty, stop in the restroom before Mass and wash them. You don’t need surgically sterile hands, just, regular clean hands.

Some of us shampoo rarely (I shampoo MAYBE once every two weeks). One can clean themselves without daily shampoo.

If you do not have running water or a shower, be as clean as you can be for Mass.
 
Why do you think it would be disrespectful?

You’ve posted before that you may have scrupulosity/OCD. As you are also a minor, I really recommend you talk to your parents and your Priest about these sorts of questions, instead of CAF.
 
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Thank you guys! I read somewhere that when Altar Serving you should have clean hands/hair etc. And wanted to make sure (even though I’m not Altar Serving today)
 
I don’t think there is anything disrespectful here but there may be some hygiene issues you might want to think about. Your hands should be clean most of the time. I assume you are receiving in the hand, anytime you are bringing something to your mouth that was on your hands. You should care about how your appear when you are out and about. And there is something to making ourselves presentable to the Lord when we are in Mass. But that is not always the case. I know a guy who goes to daily Mass and he is a painter. He is covered in paint most days. But there he is and I doubt anyone would ever think he was being disrespectful.
 
First question: that depends on the individual. Some people have oily sin and need to shampoo daily; others don’t.

As to respect: respect of whom? As to parishioners, if it smells, then yes, it is disrespectful; and no, mostl likely no sin at all.

As to the second question: do you eat without washing hands? That is a common sense issue.
 
So, because of my hair texture, I only wash my hair once a week. In fact, my hair looks better the day before I wash it than the day it is washed. I only point this out, because whether you wash your hair or not has nothing to do with how good your hair looks, and also has nothing to do with respect concerning going to mass.

As to your question regarding the eucharist, I can’t answer it. I always receive the eucharist via intincture (i.e. from a spoon- as the body and blood are both in a chalice).
 
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Some people’s hair just doesn’t get very dirty. My hair and scalp tend to be dry so getting a weekly blowout works just fine for me.
 
Why would your hands be dirty? Just go to the bathroom and wash your hands. 🤔

I mean, unless you’re in some remote area without ready access to soap and water, which I assume you aren’t since you’re accessing the internet.
 
If you have not washed your hair for a few days it will not be dirty. It is not a good idea to shampoo daily. It does your hair more harm than good.

Yes, your hands should be clean and there need be no reason for them not to be.
 
otjm said:
Some people have oily sin and need to shampoo daily; others don’t.
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I know this is a typo but ‘oily sin’ did make me laugh - maybe needs a different type of confessional.

As to the OP’s original question - different types of hair and the use of different products means frequency of washing is variable. (That said some people leave hair unwashed to maintain a ‘look’ and the smell is very unpleasant.)

Hands should always be washed when going to recieve the Eucharist. It’s a common courtesy.
 
No to the hair question…not at all. You are doing your best. Clean hair (or hands for the matter) are not required. You are required to be in a state of grace, ie clean on the inside. It is nice to be clean on the outside if you can and you are certainly making an effort so that’s great, but you would not be turned away in either case. Just do your best. If a homeless person came to mass and was in a state of grace he would be able to receive just like any of us. Remember the Jews were upset with Jesus and his disciples cos they did not wash in rituals like they did and Jesus told them off because they no longer remembered why they did it. The reason we try to keep clean before God is so our inner soul is clean, that is what matters not so much our outside. You have already done your best with your hair, not that hair needs washing so regularly… I for one wash mine once a week or every 10 days. If you ever feel your hair is a problem, you can always brush it through with talc or dry shampoo. What’s in your heart matters most. God bless you.
 
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Matthew 15:2, Mark 7:2, Luke 11:38.

These are about hand washing. Actually they seem to be against it, but more about the absurdity of certain laws and rituals.

I try to remember to wash my hands frequently, but I forget to an awful lot, too. I won’t touch another person if I’m conscious of a lapse in my cleanliness. I receive on my tongue whenever possible. It’s just as important to have a clean mouth/teeth before Communion if at all possible.
 
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