What You At Mass Wear Does Matter!

[Love_the_Lorax]

Hmm, I see what you mean…

You know, I think we are saying much the same thing. You do your best to be decently attired at Mass. No shirts with words, etc. That alone is nice! I would be thrilled if some of our parish kiddos had to live by the same criteria that you describe - clean, pressed, shirts with collars, no words on the shirts, etc. Yeah, I know it isn’t a sin to have words on a shirt, it just makes it very casual.

I guess this goes back to what you wear does impact people - someone clean and modestly dressed simply comes across differently that a person with their thong hanging out, strapless dresses, short short shorts, etc. - all of which I’ve seen at Mass and really would rather not have - thank you very much.

I was only confirmed last year, so I’m still a rather new Catholic and learning by leaps and bounds. Back when I was a young kid, I remember being rather awestruck hearing reports of how ladies in the Catholic churches covered their heads, skirts had to touch the floor when you kneeled, etc. Not in a bad way, but so impressed about how the Catholics kept an atmosphere of reverence in their worship. Yeah, I knew that some individuals might not always feel that way, but the church as a whole kept standards for dress and liturgy. I was more than shocked when, at the age of 40, and I started attending Catholic church. To see people coming to Mass in such casual attire was shocking, since I honestly didn’t even know much about Vatican II and what all had changed.

And no… I’m not even brave enough to begin a discussion about Vatican II !!! Just telling you how much I’ve had to adjust to reality vs. what I expected the first time I entered a Catholic church 4 years ago, and I still struggle with some things I see.

Don’t assume the OP has good motives until you read all his posts. Read his post #128.

 

[Chuy]

Choose Your Excuse By The Number:

I wore my shorts, tank-top, Big Johnson t-shirt, tube top, micro-miniskirt, bluejeans, ball cap, shower thongs, etc. to Mass because:

1. It was too hot or too cold.
2. God doesn’t care what I wear to Mass, only that I am there.
3. If my garb offends others it’s their problem, not mine.
4. I’m going to the beach, park, lake, etc. after Mass.
5. This is what I wear everyday.
6. I don’t have the money for high fashion.
7. Mass really is not a priority.

 

[Love_the_Lorax]

Well, I doubt that vast majority of people could dress like a king. From my understanding the common folk didn’t have a lot of options in clothing styles, not like we do now. And certainly Mary might be more informal in home than out of the house - especially at the temple.

No argument with you that Jesus didn’t look down on people because they weren’t dressed to the nines all the time. If they were out fishing, they were in fishing clothes (however skimpy that might be!). But, I guess for me I’m wondering - when it was time to go to temple to worship - did they show up in fishing outfits?

If I visit someone cooking in a restuarant, digging a ditch, scrubbing floors - of course they won’t be all that clean. That hardly means I look down on them. But when it is time to worship our creator at Mass, and meet Him in the Eucharist, does that person make an effort to clean up? I didn’t say gold rings and linen - but scrub the dirt off and throw on a clean shirt? That is the difference I am pointing out, of how what is in your heart shows in how you present yourself. Using your example of Mary, I doubt she showed up to temple with diaper poop on her - I have to think that she cleaned up and put on a clean robe - KWIM?

I’m enjoying this conversation greatly, and learning. Thank you for replying!

QUOTE=LilyM;4274576]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.

I don’t think He worried that much about clothing.

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.

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.

 

[thistle]

Choose Your Excuse By The Number:

I wore my shorts, tank-top, Big Johnson t-shirt, tube top, micro-miniskirt, bluejeans, ball cap, shower thongs, etc. to Mass because:

1. It was too hot or too cold.
2. God doesn’t care what I wear to Mass, only that I am there.
3. If my garb offends others it’s their problem, not mine.
4. I’m going to the beach, park, lake, etc. after Mass.
5. This is what I wear everyday.
6. I don’t have the money for high fashion.
7. Mass really is not a priority.

You need to talk to a priest. You are being arrogant and judgemental.

 

[Aramis]

Blue jeans have never been acceptable attire for church, govt situations, many restaurants, civic events, private events, etc.

When I worked for the National Archives, normal mode of dress for my boss, myself, and 3 of my 5 coworkers was blujeans and dress shirts. (One of the Archivists usually wore a skirt, and another usually wore slacks.)

I routinely wear bluejeans and dress shirts to work as a teacher, and compared to many coworkers, and overdressed. About 1/10th of the teachers in my district wear sweats to work at least once a week.

Society has changed: clean, unfaded, non-damaged bluejeans are now equivalent to slacks for many American communities.

 

[graceandglory]

Choose Your Excuse By The Number:

I wore my shorts, tank-top, Big Johnson t-shirt, tube top, micro-miniskirt, bluejeans, ball cap, shower thongs, etc. to Mass because:

1. It was too hot or too cold.
2. God doesn’t care what I wear to Mass, only that I am there.
3. If my garb offends others it’s their problem, not mine.
4. I’m going to the beach, park, lake, etc. after Mass.
5. This is what I wear everyday.
6. I don’t have the money for high fashion.
7. Mass really is not a priority.

I still really wonder if you’ve had your heart checked lately.

You’d prefer they all die and go to hell, right? You don’t want anyone like that sharing the heavenly banquet table with you do you?

Christ cares more about your heart than anything. You really are judging people’s hearts by the clothes they wear. If they aren’t up to your standards. There is a reason dress code isn’t canon law, and that’s because it’s not scriptural!

We are all called to be modest in our dress and present ourselves before the Lord as best we can. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. My family is no less than you are based on the kinds of clothes we can afford to wear to Mass.

You know what? My children don’t judge and criticize people who go to Mass. Usually it’s, “Praise the Lord they made it to Mass.” Jesus is the focus, not the clothing.

 

[Frosty]

Choose Your Excuse By The Number:

I wore my shorts, tank-top, Big Johnson t-shirt, tube top, micro-miniskirt, bluejeans, ball cap, shower thongs, etc. to Mass because:

1. It was too hot or too cold.
2. God doesn’t care what I wear to Mass, only that I am there.
3. If my garb offends others it’s their problem, not mine.
4. I’m going to the beach, park, lake, etc. after Mass.
5. This is what I wear everyday.
6. I don’t have the money for high fashion.
7. Mass really is not a priority.

The Sunday after Easter this year, I attended a Mass that was celebrated on the sandy beach of a small, out of the way Caribbean island. The remoteness and tranquility of the island and the majestic harbour make it a popular place for boaters. The island has no church and the Catholic population is not large. There is no air strip and a priest must make a six hour ride from the nearest large island on one of the three times a week barges that carry provisions to this small island. The crossing can be extremely rough and hazardous so there is no guarantee that A priest will even be there for the once a month scheduled Mass. It is a very big deal when it happens!
A yellow and white flag is raised at the end of the main pier on the beach early on Sunday morning to let any boaters who are interested know that there will be a Mass. There were probably about seventy-five boats moored in the harbour that paticular Sunday. People from the boats made their way to the beach either by swimming in or by small tenders. Along with the locals, there were approximately a hundred and fifty people gathered for the Mass. The locals were dressed as they normally do. The men is shorts and brightly coloured shirts. The women mainly in flowered skirts or shorts and plain tops. A few fishermen who had just come in from the sea were still in rather ratty pants and t-shirts. The boaters were an eclectic mix. Some of the women had on cotton skirts and blouses, some shorts and a T. All the men wore shorts and various types of tops, yes, even a couple of tank tops! No one was dressed in just a bathing suit or cover-up. Even those who swam in had put a waterproof bag around their necks with a change of clothes. Oh yes, just about everyone was in bare feet!
Now I don’t expect what I have just described would live up to your rigid standards since it seems that you make no allowances whatsoever for either people or circumstance. I do agree that there are those who appear to show little respect by the way they dress for Mass but it isn’t always just an excuse as you claim and you have no right to judge others by appearance. Some of the other posters on this thread have tried to explain their circumstances to you but you arrogantly dismiss them and their reasons as being of no importance. This type of attitude carries as much pollution as any slovenly dressed person.

 

[Genesis12345]

maize:

Maize,

I was scrolling down and you had mention if yu just got out from the pool and had not shirt and placed a towel around you would that count as wearing a shirt?

You have to be kidding? Is this a joke?

I do not think you need an answer to that question because I think you can answer it your self. How disrespectful to enter the Lord’s house.

Forgive me if you did not make that quote, but as I was reading the messages, it had this message from you.

 

[maize]

tongue planted firmly in cheek.

 

[aimee]

I prefer #130…

Don’t you mean #136

 

[Chuy]

When I worked for the National Archives, normal mode of dress for my boss, myself, and 3 of my 5 coworkers was blujeans and dress shirts. (One of the Archivists usually wore a skirt, and another usually wore slacks.)

I routinely wear bluejeans and dress shirts to work as a teacher, and compared to many coworkers, and overdressed. About 1/10th of the teachers in my district wear sweats to work at least once a week.

Society has changed: clean, unfaded, non-damaged bluejeans are now equivalent to slacks for many American communities.

I don’t think I have ever seen a K-12 public or parochial school teacher wearing bluejeans except maybe on casual Fridays. Sweats? Sure – the PE teachers.

Just goes to show that inappropriate dress is not limited to church.

 

[Chuy]

You need to talk to a priest. You are being arrogant and judgemental.

As arrogant/judgmental as the person dressed like a slob who comes to Mass and assumes that if his/her manner of dress offends others that it must be the other person’s problem?

Entering a sacred place dressed like a slob negatively impacts said space. People notice that. The onus is for the slovenly-dressed person to change, not those who are negatively impacted.

 

[Galnextdoor]

Hi Chuy,

God Bless you! I read every thread you posted here. I like the Christian way you handled all the mud slung at you. I think most of the people who have been hateful to you in this post, read what they wanted to read into your post.

You stated that you were not talking about poor people, who dressed in the best that they own. You said you were talking about people who wore expensive name brand clothes and shoes to church. You didn’t call people slobs. You said you were talking about people who had the money to dress better but were dressed like slobs or dressed immodestly. I understand why you would say blue jeans were inappropriate because the style of many jeans. The stretch jeans are often skin tight. Then there are the faded ones with holes in the knees. There are the low rise jeans that some women wear that expose the top half of their rear-end every time they go from a sitting position to a standing position. I’ve even seen people come to church with holes in the seat of their jeans, although that fad seems to be fading, thank goodness. These people were not poor. They probably paid forty dollars for these jeans. Chinos or dress slacks are usually much more modest.
Modesty in church for me is a no brainer, but some people have never been taught about modesty. So I pray for them. (I usually say Jesus forgive them for they know not what they do.) I’m sure they didn’t intentionally dress in a fashion that would cause men to sin in church. Today many women do not know the difference between looking sexy and looking beautiful. My brothers and ex-husband used to talk about having trouble concentrating in mass when a girl showed up at mass in short khaki shorts and a spaghetti strap blouse. Many young girls feel that shorts are modest as long as you can’t see the bottom half of their rear-end when they stand up. I’m sure that none of the posters here would go to church dressed in such a fashion as I mentioned. For people who don’t have the common sense to dress appropriately, I think you were trying to give a rule of thumb to go by for proper church attire. I noticed that no one accused the priest that posted here of being arrogant when he gave a very similar rule of thumb for dressing in church.

Many people say “I want to feel comfortable in church.” But is church really about feelings and being comfortable? Wearing something out of the ordinary, shows respect for being in God’s house. If a friend invited you and a number of other people over for an important celebration, your friend probably would be glad you came, but would have been more pleased if you had dressed for the important celebration. It’s the same way with the mass. God is pleased that you have come to the celebration of mass in his house, but he would be even more pleased if you had dressed for this important celebration.

I know what it is to not have money. I can think of only a handful of occasions when new clothes were purchased for me as a child. We went one winter without heat in our home. There were many times when I went to bed hungry. I even dug through dumpsters looking for dented labeless cans of food. No matter how bad things were, the girls in the family always wore dresses and the boys always wore dress slacks and a button down shirt to church. The dresses were made or purchased used or given to us then handed down through the girls. I was the sixth girl The boys wore clothes purchased from the Goodwill etc. and were handed down to the youngest boy. (There were four boys. ) The expense involved was nominal.

I still shop at used stores and refuse to pay more than $3 for an article of used clothing unless it’s a coat. My son is one of the best dressed kids in his class at school. I run across all kinds of name brand Polo type and button down type shirts at thriftshops. For the guy who has only one pair of dress slacks, I feel for you. I alternate between three, which were all purchased used. They are name brand and still in style. I sometimes worry whether the rich people will notice that my best doesn’t even come close to their best, but deep down what matters is that God knows I made the effort.

Chuy, you suggested going to a thriftshop, too, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. I am sorry that one poster made fun of your name, because they didn’t like what you had to say. You must have a deep love and respect for Christ in the Eucharist and the house he resides in. I wish I had some of your intrepidness when it comes to defending reverence to God. By the way, do you have tinted glass in your vehicle? Please tell me you do. Otherwise, it would be better to change in a restroom.

Again, God Bless you and have a great day.

 

[Chuy]

Hi Chuy,

God Bless you! I read every thread you posted here. I like the Christian way you handled all the mud slung at you. I think most of the people who have been hateful to you in this post, read what they wanted to read into your post.

You stated that you were not talking about poor people, who dressed in the best that they own. You said you were talking about people who wore expensive name brand clothes and shoes to church. You didn’t call people slobs. You said you were talking about people who had the money to dress better but were dressed like slobs or dressed immodestly. I understand why you would say blue jeans were inappropriate because the style of many jeans. The stretch jeans are often skin tight. Then there are the faded ones with holes in the knees. There are the low rise jeans that some women wear that expose the top half of their rear-end every time they go from a sitting position to a standing position. I’ve even seen people come to church with holes in the seat of their jeans, although that fad seems to be fading, thank goodness. These people were not poor. They probably paid forty dollars for these jeans. Chinos or dress slacks are usually much more modest.
Modesty in church for me is a no brainer, but some people have never been taught about modesty. So I pray for them. (I usually say Jesus forgive them for they know not what they do.) I’m sure they didn’t intentionally dress in a fashion that would cause men to sin in church. Today many women do not know the difference between looking sexy and looking beautiful. My brothers and ex-husband used to talk about having trouble concentrating in mass when a girl showed up at mass in short khaki shorts and a spaghetti strap blouse. Many young girls feel that shorts are modest as long as you can’t see the bottom half of their rear-end when they stand up. I’m sure that none of the posters here would go to church dressed in such a fashion as I mentioned. For people who don’t have the common sense to dress appropriately, I think you were trying to give a rule of thumb to go by for proper church attire. I noticed that no one accused the priest that posted here of being arrogant when he gave a very similar rule of thumb for dressing in church.

Many people say “I want to feel comfortable in church.” But is church really about feelings and being comfortable? Wearing something out of the ordinary, shows respect for being in God’s house. If a friend invited you and a number of other people over for an important celebration, your friend probably would be glad you came, but would have been more pleased if you had dressed for the important celebration. It’s the same way with the mass. God is pleased that you have come to the celebration of mass in his house, but he would be even more pleased if you had dressed for this important celebration.

I know what it is to not have money. I can think of only a handful of occasions when new clothes were purchased for me as a child. We went one winter without heat in our home. There were many times when I went to bed hungry. I even dug through dumpsters looking for dented labeless cans of food. No matter how bad things were, the girls in the family always wore dresses and the boys always wore dress slacks and a button down shirt to church. The dresses were made or purchased used or given to us then handed down through the girls. I was the sixth girl The boys wore clothes purchased from the Goodwill etc. and were handed down to the youngest boy. (There were four boys. ) The expense involved was nominal.

I still shop at used stores and refuse to pay more than $3 for an article of used clothing unless it’s a coat. My son is one of the best dressed kids in his class at school. I run across all kinds of name brand Polo type and button down type shirts at thriftshops. For the guy who has only one pair of dress slacks, I feel for you. I alternate between three, which were all purchased used. They are name brand and still in style. I sometimes worry whether the rich people will notice that my best doesn’t even come close to their best, but deep down what matters is that God knows I made the effort.

Chuy, you suggested going to a thriftshop, too, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. **I am sorry that one poster made fun of your name, because they didn’t like what you had to say. **You must have a deep love and respect for Christ in the Eucharist and the house he resides in. I wish I had some of your intrepidness when it comes to defending reverence to God. By the way, do you have tinted glass in your vehicle? Please tell me you do. Otherwise, it would be better to change in a restroom.

Again, God Bless you and have a great day.

Thank you for your comments. People react negatively (and it some cases rudely) because of guilt. They know they should not be dressing like slobs for Mass but they do so without a valid reason. The harsher the posting the more guilt.

Sift through these postings and read the “reasons” given for dressing like a slob for Mass. When it really comes down to it, they don’t amount to a hill of beans.

Please remember I never tried to define a dress code. I only mentioned some articles of clothing that are unacceptable at Mass.

As for the person who made fun of my name (I did not see it), feel pity for said person. “Chuy” is the diminutive form of Jesus. It’s use is quite common in some cultures and it’s origin should be known to all. Any Christian attacking the name is displaying abject ignorance and maliciousness.

 

[Chuy]

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)

False dichotomy…

Why are they in such widespread use here?

Why do some think they can prove this positions by the use of false dichotomies?