"loose" Clothing That Shows Disrespect" For House Of Go

[cappie]

'Loose garb’ at mass irks Catholic Church execs


“Loose" clothing that shows “disrespect" for the House of God is starting to irk officials of the Catholic Church in Manila.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM)’s Ministry of Liturgical Affairs has instructed parish priests to “remind" parishioners to dress properly at Mass.

“(We have) been receiving many requests ... to come up with guidelines on the proper attire in church. These results usually cite the increasing number of people who come to Church to attend Mass or other liturgical functions garbed in a way that disrespects the sanctity of the House of God and the sacredness of the Liturgical Celebration," Ministry for Liturgical Affairs assistant minister Fr. Godwin Tatlonghari said in a circular dated June 19.

He directed the circular to all parish priests, chaplains and rectors of shrines under the Archdiocese of Manila.

Tatlonghari said his office has produced a poster that clearly shows how one can be properly dressed for church.

Each parish, chapel or shrine will get three copies of the poster, though Tatlonghari did not elaborate on the contents of the posters.

“May we request you that after having gotten your copies to please post them at areas that can be readily and easily viewed by people who go to church," he said. - GMANews.TV

[url="http://www.rcam.org/liturgical_news/2007/proper_attire_in_church_posters.htm"]http://www.rcam.org/liturgical_news/2007/p...rch_posters.htm[/url]

[Budge]

I thought it was tight clothing that was the problem not loose

[cappie]

I suppose it depends what is "hanging out" of the loose

[aalpha1989]

so how ould you define loose clothing? what about jeans?like at a lifeteen mass?

[prose]

People wear jeans to Masses other than Lifeteen Masses.

Edited June 25, 2007 by prose

[Sojourner]

I'm thinking by loose they mean immodest ... loose as in morally loose.

[philosophette]

That is what I thought.... otherwise I'd be in big trouble with my wardrobe!

[kujo]

I was thinking about some of the blouses I've seen some of my female teens where that are "loose" in the sense that their chests seem to be held in only by a miracle from God!

[aalpha1989]

Ok so how does everyone feel about people wearing jeans to mass? does their intention matter? people can still be devout and attentive at mass and wear jeans, it isnt essential to the ceremony, although many people just wear jeans because they don't care. what do you think?

[Era Might]

I'll be honest, I don't "dress up" for Mass. I'm always wearing jeans, so that's what I go in. I don't feel that I am being disrespectful, because God sees my heart. I'm not saying that everyone should wear jeans or even that I'm right, but I don't have any disturbance in conscience because I wear jeans, and I am not scandalized by most of the people who come to Mass dressed in normal clothes (as long as it is modest). I don't look at Mass in the same way as a human ceremony. We come to worship God in spirit and in truth every week, not to show off our clothes. Before him we are all naked. We shouldn't go to Mass looking like slobs, but I think going to Mass is like bringing our real selves to the altar, as we are. We come from our ordinary lives and bring our humble selves, but we are transformed inwardly. I don't worry about what other people are wearing at Mass (again, unless it is immodest), I am just glad that they are there with me worshipping God. I would not wear slippers or something like that to Mass, because I associate that with extreme casualness. When I get dressed every day I feel respectable in how I look to go to school for example, so I am comfortable wearing that to Mass. I guess that is technically casual, but I think there is a difference in one casual and another casual. I wouldn't feel respectable in beach wear outside of the beach, whether at Mass or at school, so I think that is an example of going over the line.

I'm rambling. Like I said, maybe I'm wrong, maybe my dress is inappropriate, maybe I should wear a shirt and tie and what not (admittedly I prefer to be comfortable at Mass). If I have a change in conscience then I would change my attire, but I have not felt compelled to do so (actually, I did feel scrupulous once, and wore a full dress coat and tie and slacks to Mass. I felt very awkward). But, I think it is commendable when people dress up (even though I don't), and I think it is good practice to dress up on special Feasts such as Christmas and Easter.

I'd be curious what the Priests think about this issue of jeans.

[Socrates]

[quote name='Era Might' post='1301578' date='Jun 25 2007, 08:40 PM']I'll be honest, I don't "dress up" for Mass. I'm always wearing jeans, so that's what I go in. I don't feel that I am being disrespectful, because God sees my heart. I'm not saying that everyone should wear jeans or even that I'm right, but I don't have any disturbance in conscience because I wear jeans, and I am not scandalized by most of the people who come to Mass dressed in normal clothes (as long as it is modest). I don't look at Mass in the same way as a human ceremony. We come to worship God in spirit and in truth every week, not to show off our clothes. Before him we are all naked. We shouldn't go to Mass looking like slobs, but I think going to Mass is like bringing our real selves to the altar, as we are. We come from our ordinary lives and bring our humble selves, but we are transformed inwardly. I don't worry about what other people are wearing at Mass, I am just glad that they are there with me worshipping God. I would not wear slippers or something like that to Mass, because I associate that with extreme casualness. When I get dressed every day I feel respectable in how I look, so I am comfortable wearing that to Mass. I guess that is technically casual, but I think there is a difference in one casual and another casual. I wouldn't feel respectable in beach wear outside of the beach, whether at Mass or wherever, so I think that is over the line.

I'm rambling. Like I said, maybe I'm wrong, maybe my dress is inappropriate, maybe I should wear a shirt and tie and what not (admittedly I prefer to be comfortable at Mass). If I have a change in conscience then I would change my attire, but I have not felt compelled to do so (actually, I did, and wore a full dress coat and everything to Mass once. I felt very awkward).

I'd be curious what the Priests think about this issue of jeans.[/quote]
It's about the whole concept of giving one's best for God, of treating the Mass as something deserving special respect.

Exterior actions/demeanor reflects inner attitudes. It's basically the reason why fine metals are used for Eucharistic vessels, and why it is preferrable to build beautiful churches than those that look like cafeterias or gyms.
The mass shouldn't be a fashion show, but people should if possible dress in a way to show that the mass means something extra to them.
Reverance and respect should take higher priority than one's comfort.
(Just as kneeling may be uncomfortable, but it is an exterior expression of reverance before God.)

[Era Might]

Giving one's best to God doesn't have to mean giving the absolute best externals, though. If I wear a simple shirt and tie and slacks, but I choose not to wear my formal suit, am I giving my best to God? If I can afford a Tuxedo and a limo and everything for Mass, do I have to get one? God sees my best in my heart. When I see someone in jeans at Mass, I don't think that they are not giving their best. I just see a person at Mass worshipping God. I like to think that is what people think of me. When I see someone dressed up at Mass, I feel happy for them. I respect that. But I feel like I can show reverence and be comfortable. I show reverence by participating in Mass, by getting there early to prepare myself, etc.

[prose]

I wear jeans sometimes. I make a point to wear good, non-torn, non revealing jeans, but I do wear jeans. I also dress up for Mass. I think a person can be and look respectful without having to dress up.

[Era Might]

[quote name='prose' post='1301593' date='Jun 25 2007, 10:04 PM']I wear jeans sometimes. I make a point to wear good, non-torn, non revealing jeans, but I do wear jeans. I also dress up for Mass. I think a person can be and look respectful without having to dress up.[/quote]
I agree, whatever clothes we wear should be presentable. I wouldn't wear something that has a huge rip in it. But, I guess I don't equate presentable with the level of the clothing itself (e.g., tie or no tie), but moreso looking decent, even if you are wearing your regular clothes. Comb your hair, brush your teeth, iron your shirt if you have to, etc.

[aalpha1989]

thanks for answering my question. i pretty much thought as you did but someone called me out on it recently and i didnt really know how to answer them...

i usually wear khakis and a polo but for lifeteen masses i dont really think its a big deal if kids wear jeans. i think its almost a cultural thing since its not integral to the mass or anything. does that sound right? or maybe i'm just overanalyzing it.