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The following appeared
in the September '04 issue of the Messenger . The monthly newsletter
of St. Ignatius. Modesty and Propriety in Church Dear Church Family: “But self-control and modesty do not consist only in purity of the flesh, but also in seemliness and in modesty of dress and adornment.” — St. Cyprian From time to time it becomes necessary for a priest to go “from preaching to meddling,” as the old saying goes. Over the past several months I have observed (as much as I have tried to avoid observing) what must be considered inappropriate dress at Divine Liturgy and other services. Before offering specific guidelines, it is important to examine why the way we dress is important. First, we dress properly to honor our Lord. Doesn’t it go without saying we want to offer our Lord and King our very best? Would we be careless in our dress for a meeting with our senator, president or even for an important job interview? How much more important to dress properly for Christ? Thinking consciously about our church attire reminds us of where we are going and whose presence we are in. Second, we dress properly to respect others. Immodest or inappropriate dress is a distraction and embarrassment to others. Inappropriate dress is a stumbling block in others’ ability to worship and even a potential scandal to visitors. Third, we dress properly to protect ourselves. There is nothing wrong with looking nice. In fact, that is what I am encouraging you to do. It is sinful however to dress in such a way as to purposefully draw attention to ourselves. This can take several forms. We should not draw attention to ourselves through immodest dress. We should not draw attention to ourselves through flamboyant or overly extravagant dressing. We should not draw attention to ourselves by underdressing — in other words wearing shabby clothes purposefully to proclaim our individuality or freedom from convention. With those thoughts in mind, let us offer some specifics: For women and girls § Please refrain from wearing strapless or spaghetti strap dresses and tops that leave the shoulders bare. § Please refrain from wearing dresses and tops with low necklines. Please wear dresses of proper length — something that allows you to comfortably make a bow or prostration. § Please refrain from wearing shorts. § Please refrain from any garment that exposes the midriff. § Please make sure dresses are properly lined or worn with a slip to ensure modesty. § Please refrain from any garment that exposes any portion of undergarments. § Please refrain from extravagant displays of jewelry.
For men and boys § Please refrain from wearing T-shirts or other shirts that carry logos, emblems or phrases. § Please refrain from entering the church with a cap or hat on your head. § Please refrain from wearing shorts. § Please refrain from wearing pants that sag and expose any portion of undergarments. § Please refrain from wearing sports jerseys. § Please refrain from extravagant displays of jewelry. Brothers and sisters, forgive any potential offense. The intent is not to embarrass anyone — the intent is to preserve the dignity of our approach to the King of Kings and Lord and Lords. No one is being asked to buy a new wardrobe. If T-shirts and jeans are all you own, then wear your best T-shirt and jeans. Consider the way you dress an offering before God. Let us all remember the words of St. Peter: “Do not let your beauty be the outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. But let it be the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3). — Fr. Stephen
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