We need to demonstrate some modesty in the presence of His Majesty! Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, condescends to reside humbly within our sanctuaries. By the way, many of us dress, though, you’d never guess He’s there in the tabernacle. At most Masses, you can observe styles you probably prefer not to see anywhere–particularly not in church. You might see leggings and other form-clinging clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. Or you may see young women wearing short shorts that look like something out of a lingerie ad. This, of course, while fulfilling their ministry roles at Mass. And don’t get me started about spaghetti straps and low necklines. Men are not exempt, either. Flip flops, tank tops, tee shirts, and shorts may fit in at the backyard barbecue, but really, are they appropriate in front of the Most High God?
Dressing with Dignity for the Ultimate Dignitary
Many books, articles, and blog posts discuss the Real Presence. In fact, there’s an entire website devoted to it, so I’m not going to discuss it here. I just want to ask, if we really believe that the hosts in the tabernacle are the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus, why don’t we show more reverence in the way we dress at church? Why don’t we dress as well as if we were visiting an important dignitary? And who is more important, or who should be more important, than Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, ignorance of, or indifference toward, what is proper dress for solemn occasions, liturgical or otherwise, has its roots in our culture. In this cultural milieu, an entire generation or two have grown up not learning proper decorum in many matters, not the least of which is attire.
Casualization of the Culture and Loss of a Sense of Propriety
The casualization of our culture has taken a gigantic toll on how we present ourselves–to each other, and to God. Many men today may not even own garments such as a sport coat and dress pants. The same may be true regarding the nature of women’s wardrobes as well. In other words, what used to be “Sunday best” is now something that looks like everyday normal–at best. Okay–so one’s assortment of garments may not contain anything approaching business/informal articles of clothing. That’s fine, but we still need to dress modestly for Mass, no matter how casual or informal the wardrobe we have in the closet.
Tight pants and form-fitting shirts or tops don’t belong in the nave. Neither do low-cut tops on women or tank tops on men. Nor do shorts, nor fashion jeans with holes in them designed to expose skin. Now, I’m not claiming that everyone should dress in formal attire for Mass attendance at all times. Many of us, however, do believe that it’s still apropos to dress a notch better than normal for Sunday Mass, and modestly for any Mass. Modesty in attire can be as simple as dressing so as to not draw unnecessary attention to oneself.
To Show Modesty Means To Not Draw Attention to Oneself
Speaking of drawing attention, have you ever noticed patterns of scratches on the seats of wooden church pews? Especially if they run perpendicular to the grain on the seat of the varnished wooden pew, a good guess is that they came from some fancy, rhinestone-studded jeans. Each time the wearer got up or sat down, the rhinestones slid across the pew. Now, the wear and tear on the furniture is bad enough, but, why are the rhinestones on the jeans to begin with? Bling like rhinestones is added to draw attention to whatever the bling is on. The sparkle draws the eye’s attention to the derriere on which it resides. Does this then demonstrate modesty in Mass attire?
Yet, the sparkle-butt jeans may not be as immodest as too-tight short shorts. And what about those low-cut dresses and blouses we see all too often? Ladies, do you realize what you are showing the priest, deacon or EMHC handing you the blessed sacrament when you bow with low-cut, or even loose, tops? We don’t want to see that. You shouldn’t want us to, either.
The Virtue of Modesty
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, citing Galatians 5:22-23, modesty is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Modesty also is a virtue that moderates, among other things, an individual’s appearance. Exercising modesty in dress helps avoid behavior that might scandalize others. Immodest attire that displays more than it should, can cause others to sin (i.e., scandalize them) in their thoughts, for example. On top of that, immodesty actually ends up objectifying the person who dresses immodestly.
Why do people do it? Sometimes it results from vanity, which includes worrying excessively about what others think, wanting to be admired, appreciated, complimented, or praised, for example. On the other hand, some (mostly men, in my opinion) come to Mass dressed far more casually than appropriate to make a point. They make an appearance in flip flops, beach shorts, and a tee shirt for a Mass. What might be the root of this? Here again, perhaps it’s the result of vanity, together with pride, flaunting good manners. In view of all this, does a parish need a dress code for its parishioners and visitors to show some modesty at Mass?
Dress Codes and Common Sense
Actually, many places, some church buildings included, do have some sort of minimal dress code in place. At Mother Angelica’s Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, guests who want to visit the beautiful church there has a dress code to follow. Visitors should wear attire that covers the shoulders and pants or skirts/dresses below the knee. At the Vatican, the rules can be summarized as “no knees, no shoulders, no hats.” These don’t seem to be onerous requirements. In fact, with a little thought and minimal effort, anyone who wishes to do so can comply with them.
The Center of Our Faith Demands Modest Attire
In the place where we participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reverence and awe should be the rule. At every Mass, we experience a re-presentation of Jesus’ one sacrifice for all time at Calvary. Jesus brings Calvary to us at the altar. Through the action of the Holy Spirit and the mystery of the Eucharist, the bread and wine become Jesus’ body, blood soul, and divinity. Jesus gives Himself–the Bread of Life–to us! It’s not like attending a basketball game or a concert—the Mass is at the center of our faith. Why wouldn’t we want to dress appropriately for such an extraordinary occasion?
“Fashions much offend our Lord. People who serve God should not follow the fashions. The Church has no fashions. Our Lord is always the same.”
If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything to change their lives.” (St. Jacinta Marto of Fatima).,
Yes, it was a Novus Ordo, and it was in a Jesuit-run parish. No surprise there.
I attend Latin Mass on Sundays and I hardly see anyone wearing improper attire. The women wear veils and many men wear suit and tie or a blazer. Occasionally, I see women that reveal too much but they are more likely to be visitors.
I’ve noticed the same thing at the Latin Masses I’ve attended–generally a higher level of decorum. As to your previous post, I’m guessing that event occurred at other than a Latin Mass. Thanks!
Amen!
The most widespread problem in recent years is the fashion for women and even girls wearing tight pantyhose with nothing over them. Even at Mass. I was in the choir at Mass recently when a new chorister arrived, with her 10 year old daughter dressed like this, who sat right in front of me. Normally when this happens I move to another pew, but I had to remain where I was, and shut/avert my eyes every time she stood or knelt. I wanted to say something to the mother but was afraid of her taking offence or thinking I was the perverted one, no matter how carefully and politely I phrased it.
Tight leggings, such as you describe, often from gym workout, or worse, yoga outfits, have no place in church unless they’re under some other garment that covers them up. Thanks for your comment.
Outward appearance is often a reflection of interior disposition.
Thanks Shaune – I tend to agree with you.
This is a request/requirement that should come from the Vatican and each Bishop should insist that this taught throughout their Dioceses.
Thanks, George. It is unfortunate that more isn’t said about it at the higher levels in the Church. Perhaps if more laity mention this to their pastors and write to their bishops, there will be some positive movement. As well, if the lack of belief in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist was addressed through sound, repeated catechesis from the ambo, immodest dress might be reduced significantly.
One example of immodest dressing at Mass that I will not forget involved a Eucharistic minister. She was a heavy set woman wearing a T-shirt, the kind with messages in front, with nothing underneath, and get this, she was distributing communion in that attire. What was she thinking? And why didn’t the priest call her attention?
Thanks, Jess – pretty amazing situation that you describe. The problem may have been that she probably wasn’t thinking; it’s unfortunate that the priest didn’t call her attention to it, but we can hope that perhaps he or someone she respected at least mentioned it to her after the fact.
I remember reading in the Wanderer many years ago when Gary Potter wrote for that publication. In a South American country he actually witnessed this scenario:
A man remaining in the pew during Communion time spoke to an immodestly dressed woman in the line to receive Holy Communion: “Please refrain from receiving Holy Communion, because it is because of you that I must refrain from receiving today.”
Thanks for that anecdote, Joseph–great story! It provides a good example of what can occur when someone chooses immodest attire, even if they do so in a thoughtless, not intentional, manner.
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This issue comes up every so often and in the end nothing gets done or said about it from the pulpit. Count me as one who in the past did not dress my best for Mass until about 25 years or so ago. My change in attitude and dress came with this thought: If God gave us His best(Jesus) then we should give him our best. Your best attire may not be as good as the next person, or the next person’s attire may not be as good as yours, but the point is that WE should wear OUR best for worshiping God. Yeah yeah yeah, I’ve heard that God will love you and accept you AS you are. That’s a lame excuse for not dressing appropriately when we can. We love our two year old child as he is also, despite the tantrums, the messes etc…but we do not expect him to keep acting as a two year old when when he is ten or twenty.
We as adults should know what form of dress is appropriate for Mass or we should. If we dress in a lackadaisical manner then our children will not see the seriousness of our worship. If we wear clothing that is too revealing or immodest, becoming a temptation to impurity to others around us then a certain amount of culpability will fall on us if that person dwells on the temptations he or she sees around them at Mass. Main purpose of Mass: Worship of God in the Eucharist, not as slobs or fashionistas but as God’s children.
Amen! Thanks for your comment–we indeed are at Mass to worship God, not as slobs, nor as fashionistas, as you said, nor in a way that draws attention to us, and away from the awesome mystery taking place in the Mass. I think that most priests have so many challenges they face in their parishes that this one just gets prioritized lower in the overall scheme of things, right or wrong.