What You At Mass Wear Does Matter!

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if i just left the pool would it be ok to roll into mass in my swimsuit, and flip flops? if a towel is draped over my shoulders will that count as a shirt?
 
maize said:
if i just left the pool would it be ok to roll into mass in my swimsuit, and flip flops? if a towel is draped over my shoulders will that count as a shirt?
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pure silliness. You cannot go to church in dripping wet clothes.
 
Perhaps one should look at proper attire as an obligation under “full participation of the laity”. We aren’t an audience.
 
But ‘proper attire’ has changed a hundred times since the time of Christ, and varies from one country/region to another.

It will continue to change.

I’m fascinated that so many people here hate ‘flip flops’ when many of our religious orders mandate sandals-- are ‘lay toes’ somehow different?

And in my rural, western area, many men don’t own long pants other than jeans, which are considered appropriate [here] for any occasion.

Really, I don’t think we should call each other names like ‘slob’. That’s as offensive as anything I’ve ever seen worn in church.
 
Most times in religious orders, the sandals they wear are to reinforce the dedication to their vow of poverty.

Regardless of what the norms are in individual areas, people recognize the difference between everyday and Sunday best.
 
LilyM said:
I seriously doubt Mary or John, for example, nipped back home for a quick change into their good-occasion threads before heading off to join Jesus at the foot of the Cross, nor would they have been done up in their finest on Easter, being still deep in grief and mourning.

I DO get it, Chuy, that’s the problem. If you seriously, with all your heart and soul, believed that it was Our Lord there in front of you at the altar, you probably wouldn’t, and certainly shouldn’t, be giving a rats whether the people around you were stark naked, or even if there was anyone else there at all apart from you and Him - you’d be focusing on Christ present before you to the exclusion of all else.

So just worry about what you wear, unless what other people wear is actually an occasion of sin by being immodest, carrying satanic or offensive pictures or slogans, or similar. Offer up all other distractions to God and leave the issue of other peoples’ dress, for the most part, between themselves and Him, to whom they have to answer and not to you.
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I also doubt that Mary or John went back to change clothes - because in their society there wasn’t such a thing as dressing “down” - simply not having a woman’s head covered could imply things about her. That doesn’t mean that they went around dressed in ways that were inappropriate to be around Jesus. They were appropriately dressed all the time.

FWIW - for me - I AM aware of the fact that Jesus is up there. And that awareness makes me feel embarrassed and ashamed for the attire that is allowed in our church. I’m not saying that women need to be in dresses head to toe or have every man in a full suit. However, if every single person at Mass truly and deeply pondered what was happening I think that the level of dress in my parish would go up several notches. At one homily the priest commented that he could tell some people came up for the Eucharist and were obviously reverent and aware - others came up looking bored and just wanting to complete their duty. How sad.

Of course at Mass I need to focus on Jesus, and not judging those around me. I also think that the churches that enforce some level of a dress code do a lot to make people realize that they are entering a holy place, not a local BBQ.

What you wear to Mass does matter!!!
 
aimee said:
I think Choy is having fun with us :rolleyes:
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And he’s made his point. Even if it is a dumb one.
😛

Everyone should dress their best. “Their best” is different for everyone according to their customs and their culture.

Being Catholic is universal. Choy can’t understand that though.
 
graceandglory said:
And he’s made his point. Even if it is a dumb one.
😛

Everyone should dress their best. “Their best” is different for everyone according to their customs and their culture.
**
Being Catholic is universal**. Choy can’t understand that though.
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Yet another excuse… 🤷

Being Catholic is being a member of Jesus’ Church as defined in Matthew 16:18. Your definition is the one favored by heretics – those who may be catholic, but are in no way Catholic, yet claim to be based on the definition that you provided.

Being a Catholic is not license to dress like a slob at Mass – although that would seem to be the case in a great many instances…
 
If I might politely disagree… I thought that was exactly his point. People should be making an effort to dress decently, considering where they are. While “best” may certainly vary by customs and culture, what the OP was saying was too many people weren’t making the effort to dress nicely for Mass within their own society and norms.

Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I don’t understand why people get upset at the idea that how you dress does make an impact on those around you, not just in Mass. To state that it shouldn’t matter just seems to ignore reality.

I was thinking about this whole issue… and how in the OT God had very definite rules about dress and behavior, about how to worship, build temples, altars, etc. Very orderly, not an attitude of “as long as they have a good heart it is fine.” Like the guy who was struck dead for touching the Ark, even though it was just to save it from falling. Does the fact that Jesus fulfilled all the rules perfectly mean that God no longer desires order from us? That would seem to say that God Himself changed, but He is the same forever. Giving us the indescribable gift of Jesus doesn’t change that. I wonder about this when I hear about various things that happen in some Masses - not all by any stretch. FWIW - I do not attend TLM, or any sort of traditional Mass. I’ve only ever been to a N.O. Mass, so I’m not putting digs toward anyone or any Mass on particular. I’m simply pondering the idea of being pleasing to God… and how order/dress/etc. are a part of the package.

Just something I was thinking about, not trying to be argumentative or anything. I’d love to hear others opinions, just not flames please.
graceandglory said:
And he’s made his point. Even if it is a dumb one.
😛

Everyone should dress their best. “Their best” is different for everyone according to their customs and their culture.

Being Catholic is universal. Choy can’t understand that though.
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Chuy said:
Yet another excuse… 🤷

Being Catholic is being a member of Jesus’ Church as defined in Matthew 16:18. Your definition is the one favored by heretics – those who may be catholic, but are in no way Catholic, yet claim to be based on the definition that you provided.

Being a Catholic is not license to dress like a slob at Mass – although that would seem to be the case in a great many instances…
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Choy, you win. You are the most disagreeable person I’ve come across on this forum.

You defined anything less than your snobbish dress code as slovenly. You’re wrong.

I told you I can’t afford to clothe my children in all the finery you require. Good thing I’m not a member of the Church of Choy.
You told me that was an excuse.
Excuse me! It hurts me to not be able to dress my children as nice as I want to. I was raised in wealth, and am now a pauper.

I asked you if you give slacks away to poor people so they can dress up to your standards. You didn’t answer. I dress my best, I tithe my less than poverty level wages. I can’t afford to dress my family to your standards.

You need to have your heart checked.

:gopray:
 
Love_the_Lorax said:
I also doubt that Mary or John went back to change clothes - because in their society there wasn’t such a thing as dressing “down” - simply not having a woman’s head covered could imply things about her. That doesn’t mean that they went around dressed in ways that were inappropriate to be around Jesus. They were appropriately dressed all the time.
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Oh yes there was very definitely dressing ‘up’ and ‘down’, then as now. You think King Herod wore the same clothes as the shlubs who cleaned out his kitchen drains? You think everyone wore exactly the same to synagogue as they did everywhere else? You think Mary, if she was up to her ears in dirty diapers, mightn’t have left her head uncovered in the home, as opposed to when she went out?

If there were no distinctions, how could Paul even talk about the ‘fine clothing and gold rings’ of the rich on the one hand, and the ‘shabby clothing’ of the poor on the other?

You really think every single one of the tax collectors, prostitutes, fishermen and sinners of other kinds with whom He hung out, and who followed Him and loved Him with all their hearts, was ALWAYS dressed in their absolute best?

He visited them while they were sick and in mourning (when no-one worries about what they wear) and tellingly, while they were fishing - they often enough would’ve done that at least near-naked if not actually naked. :eek:

I don’t think He worried that much about clothing.
At one homily the priest commented that he could tell some people came up for the Eucharist and were obviously reverent and aware - others came up looking bored and just wanting to complete their duty. How sad.
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I can tell that too - it comes out in the behaviour during Mass, which has little if any relation to the standard of their clothing. Some of the most reverent people I know are the worst dressed.
Of course at Mass I need to focus on Jesus, and not judging those around me. I also think that the churches that enforce some level of a dress code do a lot to make people realize that they are entering a holy place, not a local BBQ.
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What you wear to Mass does matter!!!
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Not a bbq then - perhaps a nice restaurant or the theatre 🤷

Which may curb some of the worst behaviour, although if you’ve been in a nice restaurant or the theatre lately, as I have, you’d have your doubts. But won’t make them any more aware that it’s Jesus up there and not a snobbish maitre d’ or something.
 
Love_the_Lorax said:
If I might politely disagree… I thought that was exactly his point. People should be making an effort to dress decently, considering where they are. While “best” may certainly vary by customs and culture, what the OP was saying was too many people weren’t making the effort to dress nicely for Mass within their own society and norms. .
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Let’s see. A poor person gives ten percent of their income to the Church. Lives lower than the poverty level, but makes it. That same person could choose to spend the same amount of money of fancy clothes, but doesn’t because it’s not a necessity. Nobody knows by looking at us that we’re poor. They always look clean and pressed.

Given a choice, I’d rather have my children in front of the Blessed Sacrament in nice jeans with humble hearts than in fine clothes with a heart of stone. (I was raised in an extremely wealthy Catholic parish. I know what spiritually dead but beautifully dressed people look like)
 
No argument here… none at all. Not having rich clothes but showing up clean and pressed - that says a lot. Honestly, I would rather be by a family as you describe than dressed to the nines but with a cold heart. I believe that the original poster’s intent was for those who have a choice in clothes and don’t want to make much of an effort to change out of any ol’ outfit they happen to be wearing. That is a far cry from someone with limited means who is honestly doing their best.

I live in an area like you describe - some very wealthy parishioners, but inside… well, I’ll leave that to God. When you have families that make plenty of money, in THAT situation, is showing up at Mass in cut-offs, low-cut tank tops, tacky T-shirts, etc. appropriate? Does that show respect for Mass and those around you? Is it right to expect those around you to “just be happy I’m here and love me as I am?” Honestly, that seems a bit selfish. To me that is the center of the discussion. I hardly expect to go to a parish in the poorest area of town and see fancy clothes.
graceandglory said:
Let’s see. A poor person gives ten percent of their income to the Church. Lives lower than the poverty level, but makes it. That same person could choose to spend the same amount of money of fancy clothes, but doesn’t because it’s not a necessity. Nobody knows by looking at us that we’re poor. They always look clean and pressed.

Given a choice, I’d rather have my children in front of the Blessed Sacrament in nice jeans with humble hearts than in fine clothes with a heart of stone. (I was raised in an extremely wealthy Catholic parish. I know what spiritually dead but beautifully dressed people look like)
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Love_the_Lorax said:
I believe that the original poster’s intent was for those who have a choice in clothes and don’t want to make much of an effort to change out of any ol’ outfit they happen to be wearing. That is a far cry from someone with limited means who is honestly doing their best. .
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Don’t assume the OP has good motives until you read all his posts. Read his post #128.

:rolleyes:
 
And the mormons would never even step foot in thier church unless they were in thier best clothes. even if they can’t afford fine clothes, they go to a used clothes store and get the best they can afford.
Remember, God knows all, he can tell if you tried your best or not.
 
I would honestly like to know what the quality is that makes some people believe they can dress like slobs for the Mass without consequence?

I certainly do not know the answer – and I’m certain it hasn’t been answered here either.

I would also like to know why Eastern Catholics, the Orthodox, many Protestants, Jews, etc. simply don’t tolerate slovenly garb at Mass?
 
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