Author Topic: What is Proper Attire to Wear to the Traditional Latin Mass? (Read 11985 times)

Truth is Eternal · « **on:** May 22, 2011, 11:31:42 PM »

Is there defined Catholic Dogma on what is and what is not acceptable attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass?

My Uncle says I have to conform to the Church as far as the style of clothes I wear to Church. The problem I am having is I do not know what does or does not constitute proper attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

What determines what is or what is not considered a dress shirt? Is a polo shirt considered a dress shirt or does that fact the buttons don't go all the down the shirt mean this is not a dress shirt? Are black jeans wrong to wear to mass? Should the shoes I wear to Church be dress shoes? Do I have to wear a tie or is wearing suit or a dress shirt without a tie fine?

My uncle seemed to think I should not wear colored dress shirts to mass even though I have never heard before that modern dress shirts shouldn't be worn to mass.

I want to conform but first I need to make sure I am conforming to the Church and not just peoples stereotypes (Color Versus no Color) (Modern Dress Shirts Versus Traditional Dress Shirts) of what is the norm to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2011, 12:20:47 AM »

Years ago, there were standards of modesty (MINIMUM) put out by the Vatican.
Here are a couple of websites, and a docuмentary explaining why the minimum standards are in place.

The Naked Truth about Modesty

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

Marylike standards of dress

Also you might like to read Cardinal Siri's letter to women regarding dress.

http://www.catholicmodesty.com/Mens_Dress.html

As far as men's dress goes, my husband wears dress pants and a nice polo shirt. My son, however, enjoys wearing a button-down collared shirt, a sport coat, and a tie. Jeans are really considered work clothes, and are casual. Not saying it's absolutely WRONG to wear them, but if that's all you have, then you really don't have a choice. It is highly unlikely in this day and age, that you can't go down to a thrift store, and find yourself something nice inexpensively if you don't own any dress pants, and wear those rather than sloppy casual stuff.

A lot of it is left to common sense.

LordPhan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2011, 12:52:57 AM »

Quote from: Truth is Eternal

Is there defined Catholic Dogma on what is and what is not acceptable attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass?

My Uncle says I have to conform to the Church as far as the style of clothes I wear to Church. The problem I am having is I do not know what does or does not constitute proper attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

What determines what is or what is not considered a dress shirt? Is a polo shirt considered a dress shirt or does that fact the buttons don't go all the down the shirt mean this is not a dress shirt? Are black jeans wrong to wear to mass? Should the shoes I wear to Church be dress shoes? Do I have to wear a tie or is wearing suit or a dress shirt without a tie fine?

My uncle seemed to think I should not wear colored dress shirts to mass even though I have never heard before that modern dress shirts shouldn't be worn to mass.

I want to conform but first I need to make sure I am conforming to the Church and not just peoples stereotypes (Color Versus no Color) (Modern Dress Shirts Versus Traditional Dress Shirts) of what is the norm to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

One wants to be presentable before God. For men, dress pants, nice shirt, I guess a polo would be fine but I'm not sure, dress shirt is better, it can have colour, just don't have something flashy or distracting.

As a rule if it's distracting it's a no. You don't have to wear a tie, I don't. It is better to wear a tie though.

I usually wear a suit, no tie and dress shoes. You can wear just a dress shirt and dress pants with dress shoes though. You don't need the suit jacket.

You can get some cheap dress shoes. Mine were about 30 dollars I think.

I'll give you a thumbs up for asking the question.

John Grace · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2011, 10:35:12 AM »

Quote from: LordPhan

Quote from: Truth is Eternal
Is there defined Catholic Dogma on what is and what is not acceptable attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass?

My Uncle says I have to conform to the Church as far as the style of clothes I wear to Church. The problem I am having is I do not know what does or does not constitute proper attire to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

What determines what is or what is not considered a dress shirt? Is a polo shirt considered a dress shirt or does that fact the buttons don't go all the down the shirt mean this is not a dress shirt? Are black jeans wrong to wear to mass? Should the shoes I wear to Church be dress shoes? Do I have to wear a tie or is wearing suit or a dress shirt without a tie fine?

My uncle seemed to think I should not wear colored dress shirts to mass even though I have never heard before that modern dress shirts shouldn't be worn to mass.

I want to conform but first I need to make sure I am conforming to the Church and not just peoples stereotypes (Color Versus no Color) (Modern Dress Shirts Versus Traditional Dress Shirts) of what is the norm to wear to the Traditional Latin Mass.

One wants to be presentable before God. For men, dress pants, nice shirt, I guess a polo would be fine but I'm not sure, dress shirt is better, it can have colour, just don't have something flashy or distracting.

As a rule if it's distracting it's a no. You don't have to wear a tie, I don't. It is better to wear a tie though.

I usually wear a suit, no tie and dress shoes. You can wear just a dress shirt and dress pants with dress shoes though. You don't need the suit jacket.

You can get some cheap dress shoes. Mine were about 30 dollars I think.

I'll give you a thumbs up for asking the question.

The entire thread deserves a thumbs up.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2011, 10:48:45 AM »

LP said it best about what men should wear to a TLM. Even though you're a man, I'll touch up on how women should dress. They should wear chapel veils, black if they're married and white if they're not. The reason women should have their heads covered is because they are sacred, and everything that is sacred in Church is to be veiled. This is not just a matter of opinion, it is a necessity.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:14:11 PM »

Quote

They should wear chapel veils, black if they're married and white if they're not.

Never heard of that before. It certainly doesn't seem to be the rule where I went.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:17:10 PM »

I don't know the history but I think hats were the norm in most places, and mantillas were not confined to church.

Jitpring · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:02:58 PM »

You might listen to:

http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20040321-Modesty-the-Virtue-That-Guards-Purity.html

Related:

http://www.audiosancto.org/categories/purity.php

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:16:50 PM »

Quote from: Telesphorus

Quote
They should wear chapel veils, black if they're married and white if they're not.

Never heard of that before. It certainly doesn't seem to be the rule where I went.

It was actually a tradition before VII. Nowdays, people are just happy if you have your head covered, but my girls all wear white veils or hats, and I wear a black one, or a hat.

Jitpring · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:16:55 PM »

Quote from: parentsfortruth

The Naked Truth about Modesty

The message is good, of course. But am I the only one who finds this video unbearable? I've just watched the first two minutes, and then skipped around to various parts of it. It seems that the blasted background music in the beginning continues basically throughout the whole thing. The whole thing, it seems, has that air of evangelical sentimentality and self-conscious contemporaneity that I just can't stomach. But who knows. Maybe it'll do some good in spite of this.

stevusmagnus · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:06:03 PM »

I can't tell you how edifying the advice on Cath Info is to read after having to be subjected to FE insanity for years on this topic. When I left they were a-ok with t-shirts and flip-flops much less jeans. And anyone who suggested otherwise was "obsessed" with appearances and an evil judger of souls!

To my shock, the same Neo-Trad indignancy to proper standards of dress at Mass was apparent on AQ, from a mod no less, though there were other sane Trads there. Much moreso than FE.

I commend the OP for trying to figure out what is right. His attitude is correct.

The tell tale sign of someone guilty of not giving God his all in dress at Mass is one who vehemently and personally attacks anyone suggesting standards or accountability for it.

TKGS · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2011, 08:15:47 AM »

When the chapel where I generally attend Mass decided to investigate inviting the SSPX to the chapel, the question of acceptable clothing was asked of the SSPX. Since the chapel was first established in the 1970s, the priests who came to the chapel asked the ushers to make sure people who came into the church were properly dressed; at the very least, they were to explain the dress code to make sure visitors knew that they would not be welcome dressed as they were for a second visit. The SSPX said that the laity should not talk to people about their dress at Mass.

As an example of what I am saying, if a woman were to come wearing slacks, the requirement of dresses/skirts extending to below the knee would be explained. Head covering was provided. She would be asked not to approach the communion rail improperly dressed. If a man came in wearing jeans, he would be advised of the "no jeans" policy and also asked not to approach the communion rail. People in shorts/mini-skirts were not admitted to the chapel.

The SSPX explained that the priest that came to the chapel on Sundays and holy days would determine the appropriate dress in the chapel and that ushers WOULD NOT address the dress of any visitor. Period. If people were inappropriately dressed, the ushers could talk to the priest and the priest would address the issue himself. Of course, the priest is in the confessional for an hour before Mass and goes directly from the confessional to the sacristy to dress for Mass so the issue cannot usually be addressed prior to Mass.

However, based on what has been completely acceptable at our chapel as defined by the priest not addressing the issue:

Woman's skirts can now be up to a couple of inches above the knee.
Woman may wear pants
Woman need not wear anything on their heads
Jeans on men are ok as long as they're the good jeans
Earrings (in one or both ears) on men are acceptable
Hoodie's are acceptable outer-wear (though I admit he wears slacks and a tie)

TKGS · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2011, 08:37:18 AM »

I forgot one more that I learned about last Sunday:

Men can now wear shorts.

No word on cut-offs yet.

LordPhan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:11:19 AM »

Have you talked with your Priest about this?

Telesphorus · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:13:24 AM »

Quote from: TKGS

When the chapel where I generally attend Mass decided to investigate inviting the SSPX to the chapel, the question of acceptable clothing was asked of the SSPX. Since the chapel was first established in the 1970s, the priests who came to the chapel asked the ushers to make sure people who came into the church were properly dressed; at the very least, they were to explain the dress code to make sure visitors knew that they would not be welcome dressed as they were for a second visit. The SSPX said that the laity should not talk to people about their dress at Mass.

As an example of what I am saying, if a woman were to come wearing slacks, the requirement of dresses/skirts extending to below the knee would be explained. Head covering was provided. She would be asked not to approach the communion rail improperly dressed. If a man came in wearing jeans, he would be advised of the "no jeans" policy and also asked not to approach the communion rail. People in shorts/mini-skirts were not admitted to the chapel.

The SSPX explained that the priest that came to the chapel on Sundays and holy days would determine the appropriate dress in the chapel and that ushers WOULD NOT address the dress of any visitor. Period. If people were inappropriately dressed, the ushers could talk to the priest and the priest would address the issue himself. Of course, the priest is in the confessional for an hour before Mass and goes directly from the confessional to the sacristy to dress for Mass so the issue cannot usually be addressed prior to Mass.

However, based on what has been completely acceptable at our chapel as defined by the priest not addressing the issue:

Woman's skirts can now be up to a couple of inches above the knee.
Woman may wear pants
Woman need not wear anything on their heads
Jeans on men are ok as long as they're the good jeans
Earrings (in one or both ears) on men are acceptable
Hoodie's are acceptable outer-wear (though I admit he wears slacks and a tie)

The liberalization seems to be proceeding apace.