Monsignor Pope is not trying to “enshrine one particular historical manifestation…of respectful attire.” He’s only calling for respectful attire, and listing what that means for the people who demonstrably don’t understand.
Yes, J is right. I am not saying we have to be exactl like the 50s but it seems pretty clear today that our clothing is almost completely casual and that says something which I don’t think is good.
I wear business suits to Mass during the week, and business causal on Sunday. What’s the matter with that? Tell some Hard Hat that he can’t duck into Mass on his lunch break because he’s wearing overalls. Father, stick to telling our slutty women put on decent clothing and leave it at that.
If you go back to first and second century documents there were no regional differences. The words spoken and the faith professed in Rome were the same as in Alexandria. Why is it that Americans want to believe that we are still individuals on a parish by parish basis. Msgr. Pope– well discussed topic and I as a young man agree that it’s time to bring back formal attire to it’s rightful place.
While I agree with the thrust of your point, I don’t know if your argument is very strong. While the faith was the same in Rome as in Alexandria, practice of that faith had some variation (e.g. fasting). I’m not saying it was a free-for-all, but it wasn’t strictly uniform either.
I can’t wear jeans to Mass on Saturday morning?
I think your comments are spot on. We are now getting into the season when I feel I have to sit up front and after returning to my seat after communion to keep my eyes down or closed after praying, until all have finished receiving communion. The dress of both women and men is disgraceful.
I find it very ironic that people believe so deeply in regional differences
Another point is that some see a big difference in going to Mass and just going to church for other activities. I find that even those who dress properly for Mass, throw everything out the window when they come for training or other ministeries.
Yes, this I suppose too is a manifestation of the over all casualness. As I said in the post we would dress up more whenever we went out of the house, even to a restaurant or movie.
I get that we want to be beautiful on the outside and inside and present our whole hearts raised, body and spirit to Christ on Sunday – it is after all the climax of our week. However, I think it’s also important to note that there are no formal declarations from the Church on the proper attire for Mass. That said, your opinion Msgr., is appreciated.
I dress up for work everyday. By Sunday morning, I loath my boring dress pants. Dresses and skirts are not an option often in my cold climate. When I trudge to Mass in my work clothes, I’m about as excited as a child in front of a plate of broccoli. I made the decision some years ago to dress for Jesus – to dress in clothing that puts me in a prayerful mood and makes me want to dance before the Lord like David. Sometimes, that involves jeans, heels and the pretty new shirt I want to show Jesus. Whenever possible, that involves a dress or skirt.
I take modesty very seriously and am conscious of how much skin I show. I know we have a problem with modesty in our https://www.rksloans.com/title-loans-ny culture. That is a serious issue that should be addressed for both genders. I, however, don’t feel any pressure from God in prayer to dress more formally in Mass. I DO, however, feel pressure from judging eyes around me to dress in a certain way they approve. I also know that I judge people in terribly ratty clothing. In that moment in Mass, what bothers me most about this situation, is that I allow something as little as a baseball cap or a mini skirt to distract me from the Eucharist I kneel before. I guess, in the end, a prayer I often turn to in this situation is:
