This is very similar to my own experiences, as well (except I’ve only attended the EF a handful of times).Hi there. I’ve been wearing a mantilla for 5 years. I attend the Novus Ordo primarily and the EF occasionally. I observe the postures appropriate to each one, meaning that when I’m at the Novus Ordo Mass I stand for the Our Father and the Lamb of God. When I’m at the EF I would kneel for those. I dress and veil the same for each because both are the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Hope this helps. God bless you.
I have never heard of the “first fruits” and dressing up for Mass.
That is how I remember my granny dressing to go to ‘town’ as well as to church - that was how women dressed for important occasions back then. Things have changed.Hi ClearWater,
I totally agree with you.
I remember when ladies would dress up with hats and gloves and really fine coats, too.
Dressing in general has become less formal. I still see people wearing their smarter clothes to church though.This used to be the case, where people would really get dressed up for church years ago, just like I mentioned above. Children would be dressed up, too. If you were a little girl, you would be wearing a dress to church.
I think you’re confusing dressing modestly/humbly with dressing “down,” or being casual or “common.” It’s entirely possible to “dress up” for Mass and still do it humbly and modestly–in fact, it has often been done in the past, and in some places, it is still done.
Thanks for trying to explain. I understand modesty. I don’t understand what is meant by humble dress up. From the freeonlinedictionary:I think you’re confusing dressing modestly/humbly with dressing “down,” or being casual or “common.” It’s entirely possible to “dress up” for Mass and still do it humbly and modestly–in fact, it has often been done in the past, and in some places, it is still done.
Seriously, if you think about the way we would approach a personal visit to the home of a favorite movie star, or the Queen of England, or the Pope… wouldn’t most of us dress better than our everyday-wear, out of respect for our host or hostess? Most of us would probably wear the best we have that is appropriate for the occasion (and many of us would purchase something special just for that occasion). Yet we treat a visit to God’s House–being in the Presence of the King of Kings–as so “common” and “ordinary” that many of us don’t even bother to consider how we present ourselves, like we would do for a famous human being. I’ve been guilty of it, too, I’m sorry to say.
Certainly, I’d rather that everyone show up in jeans and t-shirts than to skip Mass entirely simply because they didn’t have a nicer outfit clean… but then again, would we allow the laundry to pile up so much if we knew we were going to be visiting, say, President Obama (even if you don’t like Obama)?
So, yes, please… respect, reverence… but especially, relationship. How do we actually treat Our Father, Whom we claim to love and worship?
Just my thoughts.
Do you mean something else by the phrase “dress up”? According to these definitions dressing up is not compatible with humility. I was always told to wear the least expensive clothes that meet the requirements of modesty, warmth, etc.
By “dressing up” I don’t mean trying to project a fancier or more expensive image, so perhaps I’m choosing the wrong phrase here. I’m just referring to wearing something nicer than our common, every day clothing. A woman who normally wears jeans and no makeup could be “dressed up” in a casual skirt and a little eyeshadow, because it’s sort of a “step up” from the usual.
Thanks for further explaining. I think I understand why people dress up.
I’m really amazed that people actually pay that much attention to others. I’m Byzantine, but I attend daily Mass at a Latin parish and have spent many years in Latin parishes. I make the sign of the cross right to left and I always have. Nobody has ever said anything to me about it, except for Sister Paul in 1st grade. She felt it necessary to correct it because it was her job to teach me how to make the sign “correctly”. Nobody else has ever noticed, or if they have, they’ve never said anything. Sometimes, I have my 3 year old with me at daily Mass, and he receives communion. I’m assuming people have noticed and might wonder, but nobody has ever approached me about it. People really need to stop paying so much attention to what others do.
Hi oldgraymare2. Is is OK if I just call you Mare?I try to look as nice as possible, out of respect for being with the Lord, in His house.
My mother and sister wore makeup for dances or parties, but never to Mass. We showed our respect to the Lord by standing straight with our hands folded, not talking in church, sitting with our palms on our lap, and by genuflecting when we entered or left our pew.Love this post!
I never see it these days. I would’m mind seeing it. I think some of them are beautiful.
I completely agree -
I was born after Vatican II. I think head coverings were a beautiful sign of respect for God, and I, too, wish they would come back. I have never worn one because I don’t want to stand out in the crowd or cause distraction, but I think it’s sad we left that behind, and I love it when I see other women wear them.