Summer Sloppiness??

Summer is approaching.  Unfortunately for some that means that their already-too-loosey-goosey standards of dress will deteriorate even further.  A few priests will put some blurbs in the bulletin but even fewer will actually say something from the pulpit.  So, as in many other areas, it's up to us laity to speak up.

Truth be told, I was inspired to revisit this topic when I came across this excellent article.  It is worth a read.  I'll now link to an older post of mine regarding this very topic.

Faithful Catholics, we can - we MUST - do better.  Yes, that means you!  Let's dress like Mass is the most important event of the week - for that is precisely what it is.

By And Large, We Are NOT A Serious Church

Not too long ago I came across an article on the internet that had as its theme the idea that the United States is no longer a serious nation.   The author opined that to be a key reason why we, as a nation, seem mentally unable to deal with the various societal ills that plague us: breakdown of morality, the de facto invasion of our southern border, etc.  I wish I could find it so that I could link to it but so far I have been unable to locate it.

I have thought a bit about it, particularly in terms of coming up with a root cause for this national shortcoming, and I believe that cause to be rather obvious.  We are not serious as a nation for by and large, the people of this country are not serious, but rather silly and shallow.   We see this in so many aspects of ordinary life: sloppiness in dress, the disregard and outright disdain for common manners and decorum, crude "humor" and of course, sexual immorality and increase of violence.

Proper Attire For Sunday Mass

Below I will try to reconstruct from memory an email I sent to our parish council several years ago, in response to their solicitation for ideas on improving worship. Needless to say, my ideas were disregarded.  I offer these words to all my readers, to use as you deem best.  Here goes..

There has been a decent number of comments from the pulpit regarding immodest dress at Mass, particularly on the part of women.  While I agree with the comments as they are, they fail to address a larger question - that of proper attire for Sunday Mass, for women and men.

It is no secret to those with at least one functional eye ball that the bar has been lowered quite a bit over these past five decades.  I daresay it's been visible over this past one decade; parishioners who ten years ago would always have worn a tie to Mass now show up in jeans, sneakers and open collars.

Now let me anticipate some preliminary screeching from my readers, as they wail and gnash their teeth protesting, "You're judging by appearances."   New flash!  News flash!  Dress is NOT appearance!  Dress is behavior!  This behavior is reflective of the philosophies, attitudes and priorities of those engaging in that given behavior.  It might even be reflective of one's relationship with God.  I lamented in a previous post of the overly-casual, overly-jocular and even flippant attitudes that people harbor to their Creator, Savior and Sovereign Lord.

I believe the idea behind the "bar lowering" was the false hope that relaxed dress standards would increase Mass attendance.  So church leaders encouraged informal attire.  Well, we all know what happens when the bar is lowered just one inch.  Informal becomes casual becomes careless becomes sloppy becomes indecent and even obscene.  For all this bar-lowering, has Mass attendance improved?  No!  Quite the opposite!  Mass attendance has not increased but plummeted over the years!  I think there is a correlation between dress standards and Mass attendance, but not the one imagined by church leaders.  "When we dress like Mass is no big deal, what's the big deal about attending at all?"  While that attitude is lamentable, it is also logical.

Truth be told, if one leaves the issues of modesty aside for sake of this discussion, men dress in a more slovenly manner than do women.  Should not men be leaders in all things - including attire at Mass?  In other words, should they not be leading as opposed to lazing?

Let's get down to "nuts and bolts".  The thought of discussing that does cause outbreaks of cowardice among church leaders but it's high time we did violence to such reticence.  For all: there should be no shorts, jeans, tee-shirts, polo shirts, no bare shoulders, no bare midriff, no sneakers, no sandals nor flip-flops, nothing either tight or baggy.  No denim, including those jean-jumpers.  Nothing ripped or dirty.  Here are my specific suggestions.

For men - of all ages and at all times - jacket and tie, please.  That also entails dress slacks, dress shirts and dress shoes.  And keep the jackets on.  In our own church, we have added incentive since our hvac seems to be overly-efficient in the summer.

Ladies, we're not off the hook!  Skirts and dresses (no slacks!) should be no shorter than just below the knee.  Blouses and dress tops should not be "see-through".  There should be no bare shoulders (in other words, nothing sleeveless) and neck lines should be no lower than two fingers' breadth below the larynx.  Of course that means no bare backs or spaghetti straps.  In the summer, I see lots of bare legs.  Unacceptable.  I cannot see how that passes the most minimal standards for modesty.  Wear stockings and formal shoes.  This is no great hardship, ladies!

What I suggest should be most especially emphasized to those who occupy prominent positions of service during Sunday Mass: ushers, choir, lectors and most especially to the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  How is it that one can presume to handle the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord without so much as tucking in their shirt-tails?  (On a happy note, the men in our choir are quite exemplary in their dress.)

Will there be exceptions?  Yes.  Military, medical and emergency-service personnel who are on-duty may be in uniform.  Illness, injuries and severe weather may necessitate changes of dress.  But by definition, these will be the rare exceptions, not the every-day standards.

Since I wrote my proposal to our parish council, it has become apparent to me that others have noticed the problem and are doing something about it.  I see more suits and ties among the men, and some of them are dressing their sons accordingly. These boys can only benefit from the examples of their fathers.

What I'm suggesting is not extraordinary hardship.  Fifty years ago, when class and dignity were more ingrained into our thinking, my suggestions would already have been established norms.

Remedial Training For Behaving At Mass

A few days ago came the announcement that the Vatican will soon publish a manual of sorts to help priests celebrate Mass more appropriately and for the congregation to participate accordingly.  No thinking person doubts that such an effort is necessary; it does reflect poorly on both the training that priests receive in seminary and Catholics receive in their education - actually "don't receive" might be more to the point.  Today's Vortex touches upon this topic.  Below that I'll post a challenge to faithful Catholics, as it is up to us to "raise the bar" on conduct in church, particularly before the Blessed Sacrament.



Now I suggest some immediate actions that can - should be taken by serious Catholics.

• No chit-chat in the nave of the church, either before or after Mass.  If someone comes up to you and starts talking, politely insist that you move the conversation into the lobby.
• Dress as though you are going to meet someone vitally important, for that is indeed what you're doing.  That means no jeans, shorts, sneakers, sandals, tee-shirts, polo shirts.  Women should dress modestly: skirt or dress no higher than knee, blouses should have sleeves, nothing see-through, nothing clingy.  Men should be in jacket and tie, dress shirt/shoes/slacks, nothing baggy.  Got the picture?
• Father, please don't crack jokes in the homily or at the altar.  We came to Mass, not the Jay Leno Comedy Hour.  The words you say during your homily might well be the difference between salvation and damnation for someone in your congregation; that is a matter of the utmost gravity and should be regarded as such.
• Liturgical committees and other planners, please take the concept of "inculturation" and put it in the trash where it belongs.  Mass is about Christ's Paschal Sacrifice and our worship of Him.  That's it and nothing else.
• No applause whatsoever.  The Holy Father has made quite plain his displeasure at this unfortunate practice.  There should be no distraction from God in favor of some person - not even "for a minute".
• Additional suggestions are welcome via the comment box.

Dressing For Mass

This morning one of the home-schooled children made his First Holy Communion today.  He occupied the front pew and some of his relatives were present.  I sat about half-way back.  I could hear a man behind me commenting and expressing amazement at "all the coats and ties" he saw.  Of course, he had on one of those polo shirts with button undone.  I was struck with the irony of it all.  45 years ago, "all the coats and ties" would have been the norm and that man's manner of dress would have been the anomaly.

How far have we been dumbed down?  Quite a bit.  Let me preempt some "dont' judge by appearances" objections by pointing out this little factoid.  Dress is not appearance.  Dress is behavior.  One chooses their wardrobe based upon their beliefs, attitudes, and core character.  As such, it is fair game for comment and even criticism.  If one truly believes that they are attending Holy Mass, the Unbloody Sacrifice of Our Lord and that they will receive Him in the Eucharist, why does their dress belie their beliefs (apart from poor catechesis received)?  May I suggest some improvements?

1. For both men and women  No jeans (including denim dresses), shorts, sneakers, sandals, bare shoulders, bare midriffs, tee shirts.  Clothing in good repair, nothing torn.  Nothing too tight or baggy.
2. Gentlemen (of all ages)  Jacket and tie at all times - and keep them on.  That presupposes, of course, dress shirts, dress slacks and dress shoes.
3. Ladies  No slacks.  Skirt and dress hems no higher than the knee.  Nothing sleeveless.  Nothing "see-thru" (unless there is at least one more layer).  No bare legs in summer; wear hose (NOT fishnets).  Close-toed shoes.

Again, 45 years ago, in a more civilized age, this would have been considered the norm.  Why not now?  There are times when "casual" is simply inappropriate; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is one such time.  Of course there will be exceptions for illness, injury, inclement weather or other extenuating circumstance, but these will be precisely that - exceptions, not the norm.

Parents, that means that you should not allow your daughters to go to Mass dressed like hookers - nor should you allow your sons to go dressed like they just broke out of jail.  You might find that if you insist on proper dress, that their attitudes will change - provided, of course that you yourselves follow suit.