Proper Church Attire

My Dear Brothers and Sisters:
During these Summer Months, we are all aware of the Houston heat and humidity.  I have decided that it was time to “A-Dress” another “Hot Topic” that many people would rather me not address.  I understand the need to dress as cool as possible during the Summer; however, many people seem to be unaware of the need for more modest and elegant attire within the Holy Sanctuary of the Church.  I would like to address this topic of Appropriate Church Attire here today, and I will continue with this topic in more detail in next Sunday’s Bulletin.  

I have heard many people complain that we have lost a sense of reverence for the Holy Mass. Even many young people today are searching for a more reverent and Holy Sanctuary to feed their hungry souls.  The Latin language does not make the celebration of the Mass more reverent; however, the attitudes, gestures and attire do exemplify an atmosphere of reverence or lack thereof.  Whenever we dress casually for Mass, we are communicating a very casual attitude toward the Holy Mysteries we have come to celebrate.  Many people interpret this casual appearance as a sign that the Mass is no more important than any other place we visit regularly.  I have seen people walk into Church with the same attitude and attire that one would wear to a grocery store instead of the Heavenly Banquet.  It is as if attending Mass were just another Sunday errand to do between Walmart and Kroger rather than entering the Holy Presence of God and participating in the Holy Sacrifice of our Salvation.

The phrase, “Dress for Success” should apply as much to those seeking Holiness as it applies to those seeking a better job position.  In the professional arena, one’s appearance and attire during a job interview makes a very important statement. Our attire and appearance speak more about us than our resume.  If we have elegant and modest attire reserved for special Banquets and formal gatherings in our closet, why are we not wearing them to enter the Holy Sanctuary of God for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

There is an expected dress code enforced if you were invited to visit The White House, or Pope Leo in the Vatican or any major Basilica in Rome.   An invitation by our Lord Jesus Christ to come to His Holy Sanctuary of the Heavenly Banquet should require us to consider our attire even more carefully.  Who deserves to see us giving our very best apart from God who gives us all we have? When we dress ourselves in our best attire for Church, we better emphasize the magnificence of almighty God and His Holy Church.  Whenever we are attired in modest and elegant clothing, we emphasize our great dignity as sons and daughters of God.  I hope you have experienced for yourself that whenever your attire makes you look important, you actually feel important.  When we dress professional we should also act more professional.  As a child of God, let us all put on the attire which reveals us as the Holy child of God we are indeed.

I would like to continue the topic of appropriate attire for entering the Holy Sanctuary of the Church for the Sacred Celebration of the Holy Mass. As Catholic Christians we are called to lead a life of holiness and to enter the presence of God with a pure heart.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden (CCC 2521).  The Catechism goes on to say, “Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It is discreet” (CCC 2522). 

The fear of addressing the modesty issue during Mass is often fueled by things we’ve heard repeated over the years, such as “we don’t want anyone to feel judged, or unwelcome in our worship space” or “if we say anything about dress they might stop going to Mass.”  While we want everyone to feel welcome, we’re also called to lead by example—encouraging reverence through our words, actions, and appearance. Immodest dress isn’t merely about comfort; it reflects cultural influences that may distract from the sacred.

Immodest dress at Mass is not a comfort problem, but a Spiritual Problem. The Mass is a holy encounter with Christ. Our dress should reflect reverence, humility, and respect for God, for ourselves, and for those around us. The way we present ourselves can either inspire or distract, becoming a source of temptation rather than a means of focusing on Christ.

Wearing appropriate lightweight clothing will keep you just as cool as a tank top and shorts. That’s why the “it’s too hot to wear anything but shorts to church” excuse falls flat.  Let us assist everyone in placing our full attention on the body of Christ during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass instead of trying to draw attention to our own bodies by what we wear.  Appropriate modest attire encourages others to see us for who we are rather than emphasizing our bodies as objects of carnal desires.  
 
Sincerely in Christ, 
​Fr. Christopher Shackelford, Pastor