Hello! I have a bunch of questions about more traditional Catholicism (any traditional Catholic please feel free to answer but it would be extremely helpful if you specify which type you are: i.e. SSPX).

Background: I was raised Catholic, but I've delayed my confirmation because I didn't want to be made a full "adult member of the Church" without fully understanding the ramifications of that decision. I have several members of my extended family who are traditional Catholics; many who wear the veil, don't wear pants, homeschool, etc. as well as a Dominican sister and a priest. (Those are just the people that I know of, since my family is rather large.) However, my brothers and I were raised less traditionally as my dad chose to be confirmed Catholic only upon meeting my mom (he was raised half-Catholic and half-Methodist and was deciding between the two). We go to church every week and try to dress modestly in general, but I wasn't raised with the same theological knowledge as my extended family or even my mother. The more strict rules of certain traditional Catholics are something of which I'm completely unaware. So, I have questions!

1. Attire: I know that shoulders need to be covered during mass and that we need to dress nicely and modestly. However, based on some comments here, it seems like cap sleeves are something particularly offensive to traditional Catholics. Is this true? If yes, why?

2. Attire-- Occasions: For special occasions which involve a religious ceremony (i.e. a wedding, baptism, etc.), what are the requirements? Specifically, what are the requirements for sleeves? It seems like many of the mainstream sources online require only that shoulders be covered (or they provide a very vague description which is not at all helpful). What are the sleeve requirements for you and why? Also, is a lower back acceptable, and how low would be considered indecent to you? If a veil is covering one's back or arms, does this affect your answer? Lastly, and this is for weddings specifically, are tea-length dresses appropriate for a bride?

3. Cohabitation: I feel like I should begin this with a disclaimer that I am not in fact cohabiting with anyone; this is an abstract question at this point. Is living in the same house or apartment as a significant other before marriage acceptable in traditional Catholicism, so long as the couple reside in separate bedrooms and aren't engaging in behaviors reserved for married people? This could be for either monetary reasons or health reasons. That last one concerns me particularly: I have some rather persistent asthma that still isn't controlled after two decades. Because my symptoms are worst between 2 and 6am, my boyfriend and my mother have both expressed concerns about me living alone. Frankly, I don't blame them, but I don't like the way living with a significant other would look, especially if it would affect my membership within a particular church.

Okay! That's it. Detailed answers (and answers to all the sub-questions) would be much appreciated, but do what you can. Not everybody has 30 minutes to type out a response. :-\

This is the Mary-like standards set by the Cardinal Vicar of Pope Pius XI to delineate between decent and indecent clothes. It is a sinful act to wear indecent attire.

"Be Marylike by being modest -- be modest by being Marylike."

1. "Marylike" means modesty without compromise -- "like Mary," Christ's pure and spotless Mother.
2. Marylike dresses have sleeves extending to the wrists; and skirts reaching the ankles.
3. Marylike dresses require full and loose coverage for the bodice, chest, shoulders, and back; the cut-out about the neck must not exceed "two fingers breadth under the pit of the throat" and a similar breadth around the back of the neck.
4. Marylike dresses also do not admit as modest coverage transparent fabrics -- laces, nets, organdy, nylons, etc. -- unless sufficient backing is added. Fabrics such as laces, nets, organdy may be moderately used as trimmings only.
5. Marylike dresses avoid the improper use of flesh-colored fabrics.
6. Marylike dresses conceal rather than reveal the figure of the wearer; they do not emphasize, unduly, parts of the body.
7. Marylike dresses provide full coverage, even after jacket, cape or stole are removed.
8. Marylike fashions are designed to conceal as much of the body as possible, rather than reveal. This would automatically eliminate such fashions as slacks, jeans, shorts, culottes, tight sweaters, sheer blouses, and sleeveless dresses; etc. The Marylike standards are a guide to instill a "sense of modesty." A girl or woman who follows these, and looks up to Mary as her ideal and model, will have no problem with modesty in dress. She will not be an occasion of sin or source of embarrassment or shame to others.

http://www.salvemariaregina.info/Modesty.html

I completely agree.  Cohabitation is simply not acceptable. 

"I have some rather persistent asthma that still isn't controlled after two decades."

Dulera made a huge difference in my quality of life, you might want to ask your doctor. Good Luck. 1MT

I still suffer from asthma, but I now have it under control.

My doctor instructed me to keep well hydrated and to practice deep breathing. Taking singing lessons has helped.
Also my doctor told me to take powdered MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory, which has reduced my allergy attacks, and thus has reduced my asthma attacks.

Hello! I have a bunch of questions about more traditional Catholicism (any traditional Catholic please feel free to answer but it would be extremely helpful if you specify which type you are: i.e. SSPX).

Background: I was raised Catholic, but I've delayed my confirmation because I didn't want to be made a full "adult member of the Church" without fully understanding the ramifications of that decision. I have several members of my extended family who are traditional Catholics; many who wear the veil, don't wear pants, homeschool, etc. as well as a Dominican sister and a priest. (Those are just the people that I know of, since my family is rather large.) However, my brothers and I were raised less traditionally as my dad chose to be confirmed Catholic only upon meeting my mom (he was raised half-Catholic and half-Methodist and was deciding between the two). We go to church every week and try to dress modestly in general, but I wasn't raised with the same theological knowledge as my extended family or even my mother. The more strict rules of certain traditional Catholics are something of which I'm completely unaware. So, I have questions!

1. Attire: I know that shoulders need to be covered during mass and that we need to dress nicely and modestly. However, based on some comments here, it seems like cap sleeves are something particularly offensive to traditional Catholics. Is this true? If yes, why?

2. Attire-- Occasions: For special occasions which involve a religious ceremony (i.e. a wedding, baptism, etc.), what are the requirements? Specifically, what are the requirements for sleeves? It seems like many of the mainstream sources online require only that shoulders be covered (or they provide a very vague description which is not at all helpful). What are the sleeve requirements for you and why? Also, is a lower back acceptable, and how low would be considered indecent to you? If a veil is covering one's back or arms, does this affect your answer? Lastly, and this is for weddings specifically, are tea-length dresses appropriate for a bride?

3. Cohabitation: I feel like I should begin this with a disclaimer that I am not in fact cohabiting with anyone; this is an abstract question at this point. Is living in the same house or apartment as a significant other before marriage acceptable in traditional Catholicism, so long as the couple reside in separate bedrooms and aren't engaging in behaviors reserved for married people? This could be for either monetary reasons or health reasons. That last one concerns me particularly: I have some rather persistent asthma that still isn't controlled after two decades. Because my symptoms are worst between 2 and 6am, my boyfriend and my mother have both expressed concerns about me living alone. Frankly, I don't blame them, but I don't like the way living with a significant other would look, especially if it would affect my membership within a particular church.

Okay! That's it. Detailed answers (and answers to all the sub-questions) would be much appreciated, but do what you can. Not everybody has 30 minutes to type out a response. :-\

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1. God bless you and your family.
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2. just to remember to try to imitate our Lady.  To-the -elbow sleeves or longer are best.  Mid-calf skirts or longer are best. 
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3. No low backs.  Veil doesn't matter in this regard.  Modesty always, no matter the occasion.
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4. Long, modest dress for a bride, too.  Modesty is a lost art and most women don't understand that it increases their femininity. 
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5. Absolutely no cohabitation before marriage.  In no way, for no reason.  Get a female roommate.  
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6. Asthma can generally be cured through NAET.  Look it up.  No books, no toys, no plants, no curtains, no ozonator  in your bedroom.  Nothing that can harbour dust, dust mites, mold, or generate ozone.  Get a hepa air purifier for your bedroom.
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