How to Dress for Church
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ธ.ค. 2024
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Music written and generously provided by Paul Jernberg. Find out more about his work as a composer here: pauljernberg.com
Spanish translations by Vélez Translations, www.veleztransl...
There’s a prominent current within Christianity that, maybe 20 or 30 years ago would have been seen as innovative, but today is about as common as the Church signs that it’s messaging appears on.
It’s what I would call “come as you are” church culture. It’s the idea that you don’t need to make extra effort to dress or act a certain way when you come to church. Just be yourself like this is any other day. And this was the context in which I was introduced to church life as a young adult exploring different denominations.
And, in a way, I’m grateful for it because it broke down barriers of intimidation for me. It made me feel comfortable enough to just show up without worrying about what other people would think of me and not because I wasn’t willing to adjust my behaviour, but because I didn’t know what to adjust it to and I was worried that whatever I did would be wrong.
The point, for me, of going to Church was to learn how to be a Christian and while I appreciated being told that I didn’t have to worry about the way I dressed, this emphasis also taught me something - which is that it doesn’t matter how I dress for Church.
And now that I’ve been a Christian for a while, my understanding of that has shifted quite a bit and if you’ll bear with me, I want to explain why.
A priest I had once put it this way: Think of all the important dates of the year. You dress up for an anniversary dinner, you dress up for going out dancing, you dress up for New Year's Eve. What could be more important than receiving Jesus in the form of the Eucharist? We are talking about everlasting life. Surely for this you would wear your finest for the most important days of the year: Sundays
I think that's a reasonable point; the only "however" I'd suggest is that your consideration is best applied to those who believe in Jesus; for those who are seeking answers, or looking for help, i'd ask for "basic modesty," and not much else. Once someone has made a decision to follow Jesus, I'd like them to "consider" what you've said. It may not be God's highest priority for them in the moment, but, as we walk with new believers, we'll get to know where they are, and when to address such things.
@@just-dl Agreed. The most important part first and foremost is showing up and making the decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. After that, people can concern themselves with what to wear.
Yes, I stopped wearing Jean's to Church years ago. When I wear pants they are business. I do my best to dress up in a "business attire." It has been hard since we are still having Mass outside and I am 9 weeks post c section but I am doing my best. We just took our baby to Mass last week. It was a blessing.
Yes!!! It’s about honor and respect!
I cam fir the style tips, but stayed for the theology.
Coming from one of the most catholic countries in Europe, Croatia I can say that the majority of Catholics here pay attention to how they dress for church. In the south of the country there is a term for the items you wear to church (literally translated to clothes for Mass, it's mostly used by the elderly) and that clothes used to be stored in a special place, apart from your everyday clothes. After attending a couple of Holy Masses around the rest of Europe I realised that it was not the same everywhere🤷♀️
Catholicism is a big part of our identity and we still hold to some traditions from years ago. For example, I was very surprised to learn that it was not obligatory anymore to fast on fridays throught the year. We still do that and even the restaurant of my public university has only fish menus on fridays (just to clear up, the state and the Church are separated but the christian traditions are just deeply rooted in our culture). Also, you can still see a lot of grandmas wearing headscarves, not only in church but in their everyday life as well. The younger generations don't do that anymore but if you look up croatian traditional outfits this catholic tradition became big part of our folklore as well.
I find your videos very interesting and insightful. It helped me understand the status of Catholicism in the West and we also face a lot of similar challenges. One of them is the Charismatic Renewal (the rise of the Neocatechumenal way in South Europe) with a lot of questionable doctrines. I would love to hear your opinion on that.
God bless and sorry for my English
Engleski ti je perfektno, zemljače! 😉
It actually is still required to fast on Fridays. You may swap meat for something else (like no alcohol, no TV, no internet, no hot water shower, etc) but the fasting rule still remains. Nobody believes this any more, but it has become generally accepted to not do meat fasting on Friday anymore, but never has that been officially taught anywhere, to the best of my knowledge.
@@Hawka23 yes I have heard so, but we have no habit of swaping meat for something else. That practice was what surprised me.
@Prasanth Thomas I never said it wasn't. I just said that Croatia is one of the most catholic countries in Europe, not the most catholic :)
@@Hawka23 I’m pretty sure that’s just something from the USCCB. I’m not sure it applies to other countries
As a recovering Baptist, currently non-denominational, just call me a christ-follower....I so agree with the details of what you said. In general, I favor the "come as you are" approach, with an eye towards teaching people to not stay as they are. Just like we come to Jesus just as we are, and he dresses us in his righteousness. I really like your attitude in this matter. combination of graciousness and a call to live better. Thank you for this.
D L just wanted to tell you that my husband described himself as a “recovering Baptist” for at least 15 years, after 40 years deep in the faith. He also was a “follower of Christ” and “spiritual not religious”. That was until he “discovered” the Catholic faith. All those “answers” to his questions he could never find Baptist (or any Protestant faith), were answered by Catholicism. He found his faith “home” and was officially received into the church this year. He’s never been happier.
Reading your description of yourself and your respect for Brian and his message, I felt called to share my husbands story with you. God bless you!
@@queenofhearts7726 thank you for sharing that! I find much of the catholic faith (when practiced!) worthy of consideration. There's a few details I'm not in agreement with, but, it's something I care to debate. Merely nod, and say we agree on the basics! ("In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity!") In the intro to Mere Christianity, CS Lewis describes entering the faith like entering a large house. We're all members of the house, but need to find which room we belong to. I can rejoice when anyone finds their "room," like your husband found his; I believe I found mine in the non-denominational arena, merely because that group tends to "re-think" it's situation more often than others. While I prefer that, and the typically more casual style of service, sometimes, I get a hankering for tradition and the liturgical. (That, to me, is the vacation, not the "9-5") - I have several Catholic friends who drop in at my church once in a while, for a little spice to their more traditional mass. We love each other's company, and enjoy seeing each other on the other's patch! Because, we are one big family. (right down to the sibling rivalry!) :-) But, again, thank you...I appreciate you sharing your husband's experience, and I'll never say I won't look at the catholic church as my home. not currently looking, but, the feeling that someone is holding open the door for me is a good one! All the best!
D L you are always welcome any time! It’s wonderful that you have good friends, both Catholic and non. We do, too. Respectful debate can be a great blessing. I’ve personally never been comfortable in a Protestant church even when I went with friends, but I’m a cradle Catholic who grew up in the Traditional Latin Mass with cousins who were priests so nothing else ever compared for me, not even the “new Mass”. The greatest blessing for me was that my husband was willing to do whatever was necessary for me to continue my faith with no expectation that he would convert... not even on the radar. Then, I believe a miracle happened and the Holy Spirit caused his faith to blossom after a long winter. We attend a Novus Ordo parish (no Latin ones near us), but it is a good compromise for us both.
I’m glad you are happy, yet not ruling out Catholicism. If you ever have questions or would like a different point of view on the things you disagree with, I’m up for a friendly debate. In the meantime, God bless!
@@queenofhearts7726 THANK YOU! I enjoy discussing the distinctions of the different "flavors" of the faith. I'm a fan of the writer Dorothy Sayers (from the early/mid 20th c), who I believe to be one of the best advocates still for the Catholic church. Hugely ironic, as she was Anglican. I'd love to see the R Catholic and Anglican churches "kiss and make up." LIkewise, I'd like to see (here in the US) the American , Southern and National Baptist churches consolidate. Amongst my favorite coffee-house colleagues are two guys who know "really know" the faith, and I cannot have a short conversation with either of them without learning a half-dozen things. In my younger years, a good friend from a 12-step program was a priest, whom I referred to as my "father confessor." These are the guys who have made catholicism a permanent option for me. Again, thank you! All churches, Catholic and Protestant, need more ambassadors like you! :-)
D L Actually, there have been at least one Episcopalian (American Anglicans) parish that has converted to Catholicism, their “priest” was ordained a Catholic Priest, but they were allowed to continue their traditional service as long as the main required parts of the Mass were observed. The whole parish came over! I thought that was just awesome! I think we have been making a few strides here and there toward unity. Keep praying for that!
Your friends sound wonderful! I have a few like that, too. May I ask what your main objection to Catholicism is?
Our church still dresses up for church. Women in skirts and dresses and men in suits and ties. One issue we have is that such ‘church dress’ for women are becoming rarer to shop for. Either the dresses are immodest or too casual separates. I am learning to sew my own. I view Sunday sacrament as dinner with the Savior. A lady would try to look her best. Now, I know this isn’t a perfect analogy but it conveys how I should show respect to the Savior by acknowledging that church is a special occasion. It does help that others make an effort as well.
I think that's a great way to approach it. Best of luck in finding (or making) the dresses. Frankly, I think the effort put into making something you feel befits the situation is an honor not unlike perfume poured on the feet of Jesus....It's your "sacrifice of praise."
Its true that its not easy to find modest yet beautiful dresses in mainstream shops, but there are some small business making rather nice clothing in better style. May I recommend them? I promise I am not their marketing agent :D. I have a couple of items from Dainty Jewell and Skirt Society and I find these two shops lovely. And yes, sewing your own clothing is so great too!
God bless you
We are living in these world but we are not for these world
My husband dresses nice for church. That's the way it should be.
I agree with you HOWEVER there should be written guidelines from the parish regarding modesty. For example, coming to church with short shorts and your stomach showing is disgusting and not creating a reverential atmosphere.
Here I also would say shorts that show the bottom of one's buttocks and skirts so short that they're just below the buttocks. I've seen this at the Church I attend. It's irreverent, and disrespectful to God.
In Italy that's the case: you can't enter a church (even as a tourist) if you are dressed immodestly. In the biggest churches, someone is even paid to give you a shawl to cover your legs or your shoulders if your clothes are inappropriate.
Dina Andrade I often wonder why a person would do that. It’s interesting because I didn’t see that much in my Protestant churches but I see it a lot more in Catholic Churches.
@@tknows470, that is true. The Catholic Church has become so lax regarding attire, it's shameful, actually.
Catholic churches that celebrate the Extraordinary Form have written guidelines about what not to wear to mass. At least, the ones near me have them on their websites.
I change my dress in a very minor way for Sundays; I try to pick a nicer shirt to wear. Virtually all of my clothes are quite casual but I still prefer to have the slight reminder that it’s God’s presence in the Eucharist I am coming for.
No one makes knights templar armour anymore. Shame.
K-plus....yes they do. Deus Vult!
I guess I know how I wanna dress going to church.
They do, however, make Knights of Columbus 4th Degree uniforms. Close enough, right?
I can just see the advert for armour: Clank and Clunk LTD., Armour Makers.
I have had an interesting relationship with dressing for Sundays. When i was a boy my parents always made sure my brother and I were dressed up nicely for worship (we were raised Methodist). When i left for college I started attending an evangelical campus ministry that started to shape my heart to realize that God cares little for the exterior of what you're wearing and more of your heart of worship. This led me to start wearing far more casual clothing. So I dropped the blazer and went with the T-shirt. However, as I continued to grow in the Lord I also grew to appreciate offering the very best of myself to God, which meant wearing something with a collar. And that's what I did. When I was in college, my senior year I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy and that desire has only grown to where now I don't even like wearing polos or short sleeved button downs (also due to tattoos and I don't want to scandalize my fellow worshipers).
I'm glad that Brian made this. I think it's interesting how now, my desire to dress up has way less to do of what God wants from me (since I know even dressing nicely is ultimately a vanity) and more of what I want to manifest to myself. Going to the divine services and participating in the life-giving mysteries is a momentary detachment from this world. We exit the chronos of the world and participate in the kairos of the Kingdom which is to come. With that in mind, of course, I should dress nicely, but now my mind never thinks about what I should wear. I simply wear it. it's never an issue anymore, and I don't care if i'm overdressed or underdressed in the minds of others, I simply am, abiding in the presence of the incarnate Word of God on the table of oblation.
while I think the applications of the evangelic mindset serve to deconstruct most people's perceptions of mainline protestant christianity when the reconstruction of those paradigms occurs, if properly oriented, can lead to detachment from the pettiness of things like clothes where you dress up worship, but now you never really think about it. It simply is.
"We are beggar before God, not peacocks" 🦚 God bless you. Love your videos and loving and balanced approach.
I would say modesty isn't just about not standing out. To me, it's more of an internal disposition of humility that guides our choice of dress, actions, and dispositions. I say that as someone who definitely stands out when wearing a veil at Mass, which I do out of humility and reverence for the occasion. Just a different perspective, not a definitive one.
I attended a non-denominational service and folks there were dressed to the nines. In my own catholic church where we are going to see God in person as we believe, things are very different. Board shorts and spaghetti straps. Good commentary Brian. If we were going to a dinner where all the movie stars were in attendance I guarantee you wouldn't see board shorts and flip-flops. The dinner in our Catholic church is a tad more important.
Speak for yourself. As a person that has worn shorts and a t-shirt to Mass for years. I wear the same shorts and t-shirts everyday. To work, to job interviews, on dates with my wife. I would wear the same thing to meet the president.
This argument that people dress for other things better than they do for Mass shows an arrogance and lack of understanding.
When people like me can understand why a shirt with buttons is somehow better than a shirt without buttons then perhaps you will have convinced us. The please stop insisting it is because we just don't care or that we don't have respect. That's not going to go anywhere.
Imagine if I started ranting that people are driving their cars to mass instead of walking and then when asked why walking is better than driving a car I replied, "it shows respect and it's a sacrifice and it takes longer".
How do any of those things actually show that I should be walking the mass instead of driving a car?
They don't.
Did I remain conflicted because I believe there is something to dressing a certain way. But I'm not convinced by any of these shallow arguments or comparisons to other aspects of life. The main reason a person dresses one way or another is to meet the expectations of another person.
By what logic does Christ expect me to wear the modern fashion? I believe these are reasonable questions and they demand reasonable answers. Simply shouting from the rooftop that people dressing a certain way are being intentionally disrespectful is judgmental in the worst possible way.
Give us the real reason that a shirt with buttons is better than a shirt without buttons. Is it the cost, is it the time to put on, is it because buttons are required in the catechism, is it because that's what many people wear to work? Give us the real reason why I shirt with buttons is more respectful than a shirt without buttons.
I'm dying to know the answer.
@@adamgrey268 actually I didnt say anything about button shirts.
@@adamgrey268 maybe you should put your socks where your mouth is.
@@adamgrey268 As long as your shorts aren't too revealing or it's chilly outside, you should be good. You might get a few glances though.
Our Lady of Fatima: Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” And she also issued a direct warning to women, saying: “Woe to women lacking in modesty.” And also: “Let men avoid greed, lies, envy, blasphemy, impurity.”
Yet Christians attack muslim women for covering. FYI there isn’t a specific clothing that Muslim women need to wear, requirements are that they are loose and do not show the shape of the body and of course cover the hair.✌🏻❤️🙂
Rainstorm Birdsong As far as I know the issue with Muslim dress was the covering of faces that made it difficult (or impossible) to identify the person for security reasons. I never heard people say they were being too modest which would be none of their business anyway.
@@trublue2952 Can you give a specific example of a situation where you knew the person was a faithful, practicing Christian and that person attacked a Muslim woman for being too modest? Or are you just throwing stuff out there?
@Ian What you hear from not just middle American Christians, but most civilized, caring people around the world is justified criticisms of Islamic customs of female genital mutilation, honor killings, murder of homosexual, and treatment of non-Muslims (dhimmitude). These are anything but "attacks" or "spewing hatred".
@@joan8862 the examples you are citing are mostly cultural not Islamic, honor killings etc. unfortunately many Muslims do not know their religion very well. Culture and religion got mixed up. In Islam it teaches us to be kind to everyone and not to insult another person’s religion. Do your own research, don’t listen to the media. Peace!!
To an extent, I agree with you. I do think we should put effort in when going to mass. However, I think individual circumstances play a big part. For example, if I’m going to a morning weekday mass before class (I’m in university), it doesn’t make sense for me to dressed up considering the fact that I’m going to class right after. Or, if I’m going to the Saturday night mass on campus, I’ve likely just spent the day in the library studying or in the music building rehearsing. It isn’t practical for me to drive home and get changed before mass. If someone worked a night shift and shows up Sunday morning in their work clothes, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. As well, I live in Eastern Canada, so it doesn’t make sense to show up to mass in a dress in the winter. I need a sweater and pants because it gets pretty cold. I remember last October when a lot of people showed up in workout clothes because they just ran the local marathon. I think the best way to word it is this: We should give God the best we have at the time, and that is different for everyone. For some people it’s a suit and tie, for others, it’s scrubs or workout clothes. Intention matters, and if those people are showing up and giving God the best they can at that time, that’s the most important thing.
Exactly. There’s nothing wrong with showing up to mass in your uniform right before or after work. Or dressing for the weather. Or not changing clothes when mass is a part of a busy day of classes. But if you have the time and ability to wear something nice,it’s good to do so.
Just so you know, there are some nice formal winter clothes out there that you can wear to church. You can look up ‘formal winter clothes’ on Google and there will be different guides where you can find something classy to wear.
100% agree.
Too many "Eucharistic Ministers" on the alter wearing shorts and tee shirts.
That’s the parish fault. Tell people the minimum of dress to minister to set an example or take a seat in the pew.
@Harry Waddington agreed.
Pat Aherne
The only time I’ve seen that has been at my university Catholic campus center. Weekday masses were at noon (coinciding with an hour long campus-wide lunch break). Students would swing by for mass between classes and we’d have lunch together after church. We’d all be dressed for class since that was what we were doing before and after mass. I’ve seen lector’s and Eucharistic ministers in athleisure wear, fraternity-branded tank tops, sweat pants, etc. but at the end of the day, if college students are coming to daily mass, nobody’s going to harp on them for not dressing up. On Sundays, though most people wore their best clothes.
Elijah Culper being modest isn’t dressing up.
@@elijahculper5522 except me.
You don't come to a kings banquet not properly dressed. Where's the respect?
“Lead by example, not by condemnation.”
Many years ago, a friend of mine was reprimanded for wearing slippers to church. Since then, he stopped going to church and now he is not a believer.
Sounds like he was on the way out
I like the modesty aspect you talk about. Nevertheless I wouldn’t disagree with someone wearing a suit, specially on solemnities
Drawing attention to yourself is a factor when dressing up for church when you attend a church where everyone else is casual. It's making me look for a more dressy church so I can be both, modest and dressed up for God.
My husband likes to dress more formal to church. That's just his take on things. You can do what you want though.
Thank you for this, and I appreciate the reminder to be gracious and charitable when we think others aren’t dressed appropriately. Subscribed and hit the bell!
I’m commenting before the video has even finished so I don’t know if he talks about this but I love when churches have a little closet with donated clothing. This way if someone is poor or didn’t have a chance to change into nicer clothes before coming to Mass, etc. they can help themselves to some nice, modest clothing for free. I think that all of us just need to remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows if we’re doing the best we can and He also knows if we’re slacking because our love for Him isn’t strong. Love God and give Him the best that you can. That’s all He wants from us.
What is the name of the hymn you play for your intro?
See the link in the description.
@@BrianHoldsworth Thank you!
Just in case, you'll find it as Introit: The Love of God.
Thank you for addressing this issue with such Grace and lack of judgement toward others!
I once looked at the webpages of Opus Dei student centres across the world. (they're usually very well dressed).
My home country: modest dressing and suits
England: a suit
Spain: a suit
USA: jeans, T-shirt and sneakers
YES!!! Finally! I have been saying this ever since the "NEW" dress code began. Dressing respectfully, signals to our brains
( and the brains of non-Christians who are visiting) that we are doing something important, something to be respected, something special. And if a person REALLY believed that Jesus died for their sins, they would WANT TO dress respectfully for church to show gratitude and respect!
My husband dresses respectfully for church. That's the way it should be.
Perhaps it is helpful when getting ready for church, to be more focused on how my outfit will make others feel than how it will make me feel.
Some examples-
Instead of:
I will wear yoga pants because they are comfortable, I will not wear yoga pants because they are form fitting and they may bring attention to me instead of the mass.
I will shorts because it warm outside, I will wear long pants for modesty’s sake because I do not want to distract from the mass.
I think another thing to keep in mind is that we know when go to Mass we will be standing in front of at least one person that has taken a vow of chastity , (one of the vows that is probably the most difficult to keep).
In 1 Corinthians 8:9, we are called to be cognizant of the effect we have on others:
“But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak”.
Amen! Thank you for mentioning about our priest and their vow of chastity. I firmly believe we should help our priests and not be a temptation.
I completely agree with you, Brian. Colleen Hammond wrote a great book entitled "Dressing With Dignity" which people might find helpful. It's available on Amazon.
Patricia Wright thank you for this resource!
How dare you win me over with such sound reasoning. Inconceivable.
God bless you for this video. These have been my thoughts for years. May you be blessed thru this Chanel and continue to share our Lords messages.
Brian: Don't dress like a peacock
Me: Ok, well jeans and sneakers will be
Brian: But that doesn't mean dress casual
Me: :0
I just keep some midi length dresses in my closet from Old Navy. Boots in colder weather, sandals in warmer weather, and I'm all set. ♥️
In only about 20 years in my own church experience, I've seen where nearly all adults dress up for church to almost no one dressing this way. Instead, most of the congregation dresses in casual clothes you might expect them to wear while watching TV at home. Very, very sad.
Thank ,totally agree there isn't a one way only to dress but it should be respectful at most .
Because the one we worship is special ❤
I am glad I grew up going to church with my parents regularly as a child. So I always had an idea what is appropriate to wear. I can imagine the difficulties people have when coming to a church for the first time. So the come as you are idea is a good one. Everything else will eventually settle as going regularly will give them an idea of how they want to dress when worshipping. So if anyone is worried I can only encourage you: come as you are. You will be fine.
We need to teach new Christians about what's appropriate and what's not. However we need to make sure we do so in love. 💕
I had a priest try to get the parish to dress down to encourage the poor in the area to come to mass when they couldn't afford nice clothes for church. I've had a priest complain I was under-dressed when I was in my best clothes. I don't think there's a right answer. As one wise person once told me, "Make it beautiful for God." That is enough.
I'd have to question that pastor's heart. You should point out to him what John Baptist wore.
this one is easy. Dresses, of course, for women, no skirts or pants. Which type of dress is appropriate is what is nowadays termed a 'vintage' dress. It should be combined with a head veil and high- or medium-heeled shoes. Dress shirts, pants, designer belts, dress shoes and jackets for men, a suit essentially. Ties I will say are optional for ordinary masses, but would probably be best to wear one especially for the more sacred or solemn masses. Oh and let me add: dresses must never go above the knees. Also almost needless to say it should be a chest-covering dress and not a tight shape-revealing one. Short sleeved dresses and shirts are permissible during hot and muggy weather and jackets would also be optional.
There’s nothing wrong with women wearing skirts and pants. Dress with modesty and simplicity!
If modesty is defined as not drawing attention, how do you feel about women who are the only ones to veil in their parish? I wore mine for awhile, but found that I was distracting more than contributing to an atmosphere of modesty. I try to avoid “performative trad” behavior (Fr. Ripperger’s words), and veiling in a non-veiling parish felt like the opposite of modesty.
I felt just like that. It helped to go to the bilingual mass because some other Mexican women went there wearing veils. If it helps, remember that the benefits and reason for veiling outweigh any negative perceptions from other people. The bible specifically says for women to veil during prayer and worship. Remember attention isn't always immodesty, you can get a lot of attention just following Christ, it's about intention.
Smyrna your Ex thanks for the encouragement! I’ll probably give it another go. Getting attention is especially hard for me, but I think you’re right. The benefits outweigh my shyness and fear of judgment.
I have to hear Mass at NO parishes a lot of times and you have no idea how much peace and joy it brings me to see that one woman with a mantilla. She might be distracting everyone else but she always reminds me where I am and what I'm doing.
I am so grateful for the one, or two women who veiled at my Parish when I was still a recent revert to the faith.
I was badly catechied my 1st go round and wandered away. I really didn't understand the faith. But when I returned I was hungry to learn the faith.
The courage those couple women had to veil at Mass caused me to LEARN about why we veil. Those women, by their actions gave me permission to try it.
And I am grateful. Veiling began a way of being a woman I hadn't ever been permitted by the culture of the world to explore. Feminism harmed me, veiling gave me permission to be who God made me. Veiling has been a healing balm on the wounds Feminism caused me.
As a convert, I have gone back and forth with veiling. Recently I stopped veiling At a NO parish because I thought I was being “performative” as you said up there. I didn’t want to stand out, and I didn’t want people to think I was holier than thou. But, I realized it’s really an area of cognitive dissonance for me that I need to get past. Either I believe I need to wear this, and I should wear it all the time. Or I don’t, and I need to put it away for good. And the truth is, I DO believe I need to wear this. I don’t care what other people think anymore. Plus, my daughter is old enough to ask: “why do you veil sometimes, and not others?” Try coming up with a good answer for that! Lol
I have been hesitant to go to Mass because my nice clothes were not clean. My fault, but i couldn'nt justify missing mass just because I had to wear board shorts.
Exactly. You should wear your nice clothes. But if your choices are between not dressing “appropriately” and skipping mass, God would prefer that you show up wearing whatever you’ve got.
So I go to an orthodox church, and everyone my age wears skinny jeans or shorter/tighter skirts and dresses(Basically anything trendy), and I used to be like that as well, but a couple of months ago I decided to only wear longer skirts or dresses to church as an attempt to dress modestly (instead of showing off my curves or skin for example). However, since I’m the only girl my age that dresses this way, I actually draw more attention now, which defeats the point. I no longer feel comfortable wearing skinny jeans to church either, and Technically I could wear baggy jeans, but that would make me feel lazy and I’ll probably look uninterested.
Any tips?
All so true, and good point about it was helpful in the beginning to go to dress down church to "break down barriers". Which creates a new question for me: Is Protestantism the narthex for the Catholic Church? Is that its role in the economy of salvation?
I agree, we are presenting ourselves to a great Diety. Would anyone go and visit the Queen casually? No. But also we have to be aware that some cannot afford lovely clothes. But as long as we are clean, modest and presentable, plus humble to worship together.
Modest and appropriate does not mean fancy and expensive.
@@floragreenfield4256 Hi Flora, you misunderstood my comment. I wasn't talking about clothes that cost an arm and a leg. There are families in my country, who cannot afford to spend even at K Mart prices. This is where I'm coming from.
I noticed in your thumbnail pic there was a head covered woman. Do you have a video on your opinion on that?
You would like to check out Sensus Fidelium has channel, “the significance of veiling”, etc.
Where in Canada? Praise God , thank you Jesus . Not one Canadian pastor found until now .. Blessings.
I’m tired of the everyone pretending everyone else’s lose standards are always valid. That if you dare imply a standard, you’re a judgmental crank. Make things sacred again! This is a great binge watching day
It is true that people dress differently in church depending on location or season. Here in Phoenix, shorts and sandals a fairly common to see on a Sunday morning in the summer. If someone is wearing long pants or a suit jacket, we assume they are visiting from a colder climate. Great video, thanks.
Women can still cause men to stumble in warmer climates. God will still hold them accountable. People in Phoenix are still likely to wear long pants and suits to church, because the air conditioning will keep you cool.
If somebody is wearing long pants or a suit, it's probably because they don't want to freeze to death in the air conditioning.
We dressed nicely for church to show respect to God.
Watch family movies and family shows in the 1950's to see how people dressed for church and in public.
Father Knows Best, Leave It To Beaver, The Donna Reed Show, Ozzie and Harriet are a few shows to look at.
More importantly we don't want to cause our brothers and sisters to stumble.
A good video, Brian. I’m a Lutheran subscriber. “We are beggars before God” - Luther’s final words. And your theology of worship was 100% a Lutheran understanding. We aren’t so different.
Luther also apparently suffered from the serious case of the scruples. It is one thing to make mention of appearances but quite another to attribute that to some form of worship. The act of charity for another human shouldn't hinge on whether your clothes worship the Lord. We, as a result of the Fall, have to accept the covering of grace given to us. Being anxious and worried all the time about what a neighbor thinks is expressly warned against in the Sermon on the Mount.
@@MissPopuri the attack on Luther was unnecessary. First the man was a theologian, a professor and a monk. He was not someone who just sat up to lead a protest. He thought things through. If not for the attempt on his life by corrupt church officials he would have been able to bring a lot of sanity into the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican II is a clear vindication of Luther. And we Protestant Catholics value his contribution in our lives. You don't hear us referencing any of your greedy and bad Popes all the time do you? For Protestant Catholicism to have survived from the time of the Waldensians and break out at the Reformation the Roman Catholic Church had to have had issues. Once you admit that the rest of your relationships with us will invariably be more conciliatory.
@@hesedagape6122 I wasn't attacking Luther. You are only being oversensitive and not looking at the truth.
Most people use dress code or modesty as a means to show off they faith and themselves. rather do it for the respect to god.
You said nothing of women wearing head coverings, like they have for the first 1900 years.
And still do at a Latin Mass.
This is one reason muslim women wear hijab. Muslim ppl believe it is protection for society/woman.
As they cover their beauty it makes it more important for them to develop their personality, morals, intellect, to be defined by.
This makes them plesent to talk to and hold real conversations around shared values, beliefs and long-term life goals.
It prevents ppl getting a superiority complex based on superficial trates.
Keeps ppl down to earth, modesty.
Helps to prevent insecurities trying to maintain unrealistic and unsustainable beauty standards
Peace x
My mother Converted to Catholicism while she was undergoing treatment for Polio... She is a Cantor an LEM she was before her limitations from age as active at her church as ANYONE..
She understood that there were homeless who would come to get coffee and doughnuts AFTER mass... that they would not come inside to attend Mass.... and it may well have caused some disappointment with other attendants that these flotsam and jetsam would USE the church in this way... My Mother never saw it that way...Making an effort.... being careful and considerate of others.... SEEMs like the point...but it isn't.
My mother didn't ask them to come in, nor did she discourage them...The celebrant would often wait on my mother before he started Mass... More than once it was announced that the delay was due to my mother.... See My mother who was often just getting to Church a minute before the scheduled mass, would nevertheless say hello to EVERY homeless person outside before coming in.
When mass was concluded and the rectory was open... she would help serve... and would ensure that every one who had waited was able to have coffee and doughnuts. Even if those people only ever uttered the words "Thank You" and "God Bless you" that one day a week...it was better that they know Christian loving-kindness then than not at all.
I do not tell my brother the conditions by which my father will love him, my father can do that in his way and in his time...I can only reassure my brother that he is loved.
I understand that when you go to church you dress up nicely. But when there are people who aren't dressing that way, please don't make judges upon them.
My friend eventually stopped going to church. She felt beind judged and uncomfortable. She didn't understand why she had to dress the way other people want.
I know it's just a little thing, but I think that people stop going to church due to many little things that bothers them. First come bad feeling and then comes agnosticism or atheism. But it's just my opinion.
I agree. My sister wore a skirt to church that was above the knee (she was around 12 years old and it wasn’t even that short, in my opinion), and afterwards, and old man, probably 85 years old, came up to us and criticized my grandma for letting her wear that. That was definitely not a godly move. Afterwards, my sister ultimately stopped going and I think much of her hatred towards God stemmed from all the unnecessary rules and criticism from believers. I wish that wasn’t the case.
I agree. My sister wore a skirt to church that was above the knee (she was around 12 years old and it wasn’t even that short, in my opinion), and afterwards, and old man, probably 85 years old, came up to us and criticized my grandma for letting her wear that. That was definitely not a godly move. Afterwards, my sister ultimately stopped going and I think much of her hatred towards God stemmed from all the unnecessary rules and criticism from believers. I wish that wasn’t the case.
Concur...this discussion is for believers, not for those seeking answers...
I respectfully disagree.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"Matthew 6:25
What are you disagreeing with, specifically?
The mentality among so many people today for formal occasions (religious or non-religious) appears to be "what can I get away with" in terms of comfort and casualness. Few seem to realize the game theory aspect to this whereby if we all think this way, the standards will plummet such that in a few decades we all show up in pajamas (or less) everywhere. Is that what we actually want? To not recognize certain environments and events as special via our dress? That doesn't sound fun but rather depressing.
So instead of thinking "how casual can I get and still be accepted by the group," why not think "how formal can I get and still be accepted by the group?" Thereby gradually elevating the standards for everyone without necessarily sticking out as too much of a try-hard in the short term.
I choose to dress nicely for mass because I am going to mass to be in the presence of my Saviour. I know he has seen me at my best and my worst. But why would I choose to not give Him my best when I go to worship Him? I have gone through similar phases as you did but now that I better understand why I choose to go to mass the answer for me is clear.
I just follow the Catechism, which says "dress modesty"... even for morning prayer at your own home...
I can recognize that chad chin anywhere from Father Mike Schmitz.
this was great verry informative
how about dressing all week like your going to church?
the sabbath is a day of calmth after-all,
wouldn't dressing like it's the sabbath on weekdays encourage one to act calmly and modestly, and have a mild manner?
How do you dress for a wedding--and, more to the point, YOUR wedding--or how do you dress for a banquet honoring the most important person you know?
Good point. Some women have somewhat immodest wedding dresses, also the bridesmaids.
It may depend what type of area you live in.In certain areas impoverishment is quite prevalent.Many South American areas to name a geographical area
It’s an old word with true actions: respect
"If you showed up to a job interview wearing a dirty track suit" --- laughs in silicon valley. I think I've interviewed people like this.
Al Sharpton wears a dirty track suit
Silicon Valley and some artistic jobs you can come dressed very casual, but I can say with confidence most jobs would not be forgiving if you showed up to the interview looking like garbage.
once I was sprayed with dirt by a passing car...I didn't go to that job interview...
@@johnrebel8925 brother John..you ARE talking about the old rev Al...he is always in a shirt tie and jacket...very well dressed...Brother John where have you been over the past 10 plus years..you do know he has his own show on MSNBC weekends...? Right..peace..praise God from whom all blessings flow....now wear your mask..go VOTE
rothr
My current company specifically said don't worry about dressing up for your interview. I still ended up wearing dress jeans, a button up shirt and a vest. I just can't do an interview totally casual.
Nice topic
Very interesting thoughts Brian and I think I would agree with everything you said. However, do you think there might be a link between what Jesus did at the cleansing of the temple and what maybe sometimes we ought to do (rebuking and not being so nice)? Or do you think our time today faces great challenge in the fact that people today are too sensitive and can not accept any form of rebuke. Sometimes it seems so difficult to see "what would Jesus do". Would he be nice or would he rebuke.
But what would I do if I don't like or fell confortable with the standart dress code in my diocesis? If I dress my way (even in a normal modest way) it could drag atention. What to do when most people at church are just not well dressed to go to church, should I stand out of the crowd?
You should continue to dress modestly and appropriately, not necessarily fancy or expensive. You are setting a good example.
Just dress nice. Is it that difficult to buy a collared shirt and pants at the very least
To me it’s just not to stand out in any way. I don’t want to distract anyone from the service & why they are there.
I had seen the phrase "come as you are" but I hadn't taken it to mean "it doesn't matter how you dress"----I had interpreted it as "come to church, come to Jesus, Jesus is there for you, come to church no matter how you feel about yourself----Jesus will love you". In my mind that phrase wasn't about dress, that was never my interpretation of it. However I do agree with dressing well for church.
The third commandment? Did you mean 4th commandment or do you not count the command to not have idols
That's the first commandment. www.catholic.com/qa/st-augustine-and-the-ten-commandments
Thank you
I always wear a dress or skirt to church. What i want to work on is dressing like that everyday.
In the Philippines, it is very common to have people assist Church in a shirt and blue jeans for Sundays. Maybe, it is because of the climate and the socio-economic status. If calling upon ourselves attention is “not modest”, wearing formal attires on Mass maybe just that.
I'm in the United States. Some of the pastor's wear jeans and t-shirts.
I generally agree with you, but it seems to me that there should be a point at which communicants climb aboard the “Sunday best” train. God isn’t pleased by clothing but rather by thoughtful choice of clothing that reflects the wearer’s attitude toward worship and religious ceremonies. The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) incidentally illustrates that point. Newcomers to Mass may come as they are, but God doesn’t want them to remain that way.
Just because I wear a suit and tie doesn’t make me a peacock. It’s what I want to wear
Do you wear a blue suit with a green tie?
A good explanation.
Yes, modesty please🙏
I love the base's you've touched Brian! Pax Christi!
Good but we don't have to try to figure out dress codes because the Church has already spoken and teaches us how we are to dress in and outside of the church.
Ah excuse me as retired military veteran your hair and beard brother . I wear my Knights of Columbus shirt at Mass and my name plate . I am there to serve as an "Extra " set of hands . Which happens a lot .
Hey, may I use a clip from your show in one of my TH-cam videos on Laity teaching the faith?
Anybody know the hymn at 1:19 ?
I have some dear trad friends who wear strictly skirts and shirts at least tshirt length, along with head coverings or headbands. I went to high mass with them once and it was wonderful, however they didn't dress differently than their everyday skirts and long sleeve tops. They had veils of course but it was confusing to me. Personally I like to save certain dresses or outfits for Mass/nicer events for the same reasons Brian talked about. I just feel like you'd want to distinguish between Sunday and any other day.
One should. I’ve seen this too; women dressing modestly-which is great-but not for the occasion. I have dresses and skirts that are strictly for mass, and more casual dresses and skirts that I won’t wear to mass.
@@Blayneroyse You could still cause a man to stumble on other days of the week.
@@kelle0285 No, I don’t a mean a difference of dress in kind. I just mean I have clothing that is “dressier” for mass (different cut, fabric, etc.) than normal everyday dresses/skirts. I don’t wear denim or chambray skirts to mass, just like I don’t wear silk skirts to Walmart.
Same here! Even though I go to mass during the week I don't want to wear my sunday best every day. Then, my sunday best doesn't feel special anymore. I wear nice casual/work wear during the week as a college student so that it's clear I'm putting effort in, but I'm still saving my nicer dresses and skirts for Sunday.
Hi Brian appreciate much your talk. I also love your background music. May I know which one this is? Thank you so much! More power to you and your work.
I remember in the early 1990s I attended a " non denominational church." A woman came in after services had started so everyone saw her. The " dress" she was wearing could have been spray painted on her. It left absolutely NOTHING to the imagination. Maybe she had been out clubbing the night before, that's what it looked like.
Courts DEMAND you to dress respectably to show THEM respect. Can we not do that for the King of kings?
I want to go to church for people not to pay attention of how I look or potentially fall into sin because of what I’m wearing. I want people to pay attention to the message rather then what I’m wearing yk.
I understand all that. I try is all I can say. However, always modestly dressed. Mostly, all I have are track pants and nice t-shirts and some polo 👕. The only that drives me crazy is is shorts and tank tops. Yes lead by example.
Honestly I am the same.
I agree to an extent, but maybe this should also depend on location. What if a homeless person walks in? They shouldn't be uncomfortable.
So right
Here's something I heard some time ago: a man kept coming to a church in worn and dirty clothes. Finally, after complaints from the parishioners, the pastor took the man aside and said he should pray and ask Jesus about what he should be wearing to church. The next Sunday the man showed up wearing the same dirty clothes. The pastor asked, "didn't you ask Jesus what you should be wearing to our church?" The man answered "yes I did." "Well," said the pastor, "what did he say?" The man replied, "Jesus said he didn't know as he had never been here!"
Why would Jesus be estranged from the Church he started and promised to be with until the end of the age? Sounds like a sentimental assumption composed by those who are prejudiced against Christians.
Dirty clothes due to being poor are not the same as inappropriate clothes.
I think I’ve read somewhere that a study showed a correlation between wearing a tie to mass and arriving on time, not entering when the mass is already being performed - typical in my country, where people are lazy and sloppy and look like hobos in church.
Your channel is so refreshing
I dress a step up from a homeless person. Always clean clothes no holes or stains or such but very very casual. Very much come as you are. My dress says I completely do not give a shit about how I dress- nothing more nothing less. I’m all for people dressing how they want- want to wear a suit or dress go for it I won’t judge you for it - want to wear shorts and sandals good for you I’m just happy you are here to worship with me. As for me I’ll dress along the lines of our lord (he wears a white robe or tunic with a rope about the waist) about as un-fancy and dressed down as it gets and I fucking love that about him. And by the way the actual sabbath is Saturday not Sunday just FYI
I agree that people should look nice when they go to church. I don't believe that we nessasarily have to wear a suit. Sometimes I do but most of the time I don't.
Particular functions have specific types of dressing e.g swimming costume, office wear, school uniform, sports wear, chefs, court officials........why not modest dressing for Church
It's partly us parents responsibility to ensure they learn to dress appropriately for Mass. We check our teens before we leave the house to go to Mass - No shorts, no Teeshirts, no short skirts/dresses, no exposed back/shoulders, no low cuts, no singlets, no heavy makeup. At the same time Im mindful that if the Apostles turned up at Mass wearing what they wore way back then with them sandals, most church-goers would look at them strangely. 😂
Having said that I think a homeless person or someone who is very poor should be able to attend Mass dressed in whatever they can afford - some only know what they know until they learn something different. People have looked down on certain segments of society, I have seen it in my own parish.
Some people might be baby Christians whose parents don't know the Lord.
Preach on, brother.
God loves beauty and cleanliness. A Muslim who prays five times a day realizes that he/ she is standing before God. God is looking at us and I think it would be disrespectful to start praying in dirty clothes or looking disheveled. I think the same goes for someone going to church or any other place of worship.
The "Grover Moment" is why Taylor Marshall left the Novus Ordo
You don't have to be _hugely_ smart to go to church. But maybe don't wear anything too expensive. It's probably also a good idea to leave the miniskirts and Daisy Dukes at home.
The scriptures speak of dressing modesty, so as not to draw attention to one's self. Nothing further is necessary, nor are we required to observe the Sabbath.
Scriptures are not the exclusive and final authority.
@@BrianHoldsworth Oh, I wasn't aware of any Sacred Traditions on dress codes or Sabbath observances, can we light a fire, do we need Shabbat elevators?
@@husq48 Are you being intentionally belligerent? The law specific to the tribes of Israel are null and void.
@@marcuscaballarius2159 So new laws were instituted for the tribes of Catholicism?
@@husq48 'Catholic' means 'universal'. One Church for all nations.
Keep in mind brother Sunday is not the sabbath for church service is not restful. Sunday is a weekly reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.
I’m curious. When Jesus did the sermon on the mount and feeding the 5,000, were they wearing their Sunday best? When a church worries about how someone dress than they do with their soul, something is wrong with the church. I took my 13 year old son, who had never been to church, to what I thought was a contemporary service. I had not been to church in 15 years because too much judgment in the church. We were wearing nice blue jeans, nice shirt and nice shoes, not tennis shoes. We accidentally showed up at the traditional service. After service this lady in her 70s chased after us to remind us they don’t dress like that here. When I asked how they dressed at the sermon of the mount, she was quiet. I turned to my son and said this is the first time you have been to church, they are more concerned about how we are dressed than our soul. I promised my son I would never force him to go to church ever again. Who needs that.
I am sorry this was your experience and even more sorry that it drove you away from church. But I think you are conflating two things that dont belong together. One can be concerned about how their soul is and also be mindful about clothing. When we go to church we are in the presence of Our Lord, and it makes sense to dress accordingly. Sure, at the sermon of the mount people were dressed simply because thats what they had. But at the last supper the apostles wore the appropriate garments required for the celebration of passover. And that is what happens again at Holy Mass.
I dont know if you are catholic, but if you are, and if you know what takes place at Holy Mass, something like that shouldnt keep you from going to church.
Good response!
Amen!