Victor R. Claveau, MJ
I realize that by posting this, I am opening a can of worms, and that, many readers will object and conclude that this was written in a different, perhaps ancient age.
I post this as a reminder that we should always dress appropriately. Our “Sunday best” is still the best rule to follow.
A Catholic church is God’s house and we are invited to attend a heavenly banquet. Should we not dress accordingly?
Prior to Vatican Council II, Catholics always wore their “Sunday best.” Today, it seems as if anything goes; t-shirts, tank-tops, jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, flip-flops, low-cut or tight-fitting dresses, etc.
In 1961, Kay Toy Fenner published American Catholic Etiquette. Chapter 17 of this work was entitled “Behavior at Mass” and the first subject addressed was Dress. Fenner writes:
A few general rules cover proper dress for attendance at Mass, novenas, and other church devotions.
For women:
Women must always dress modestly for any church service. There is no permissible exception to this rule. The preferred costume is a suit, coat, or dress with long sleeves and a modest neckline, hat, gloves, stockings, and street shoes. Regardless of how warm the weather may be, a low-cut dress or one without sleeves should not be worn. Any dress must have, at the very least, a cap sleeve or a collar that covers the shoulders.
Shorts may never be worn; neither should slacks, except under the exception noted below.
A head covering, preferably a hat, is obligatory, but a scarf or veil is permissible.
Exceptions for women: a woman planning to attend services while on the way to or from work or school may wear the costume proper for the activity in which she is about to engage. This means that a woman whose work requires her to wear slacks may wear them to Mass; a nurse may wear her uniform; a schoolgirl may wear head scarf, socks, and school uniform. But this permission does not extend to sports clothes such as a gymnasium suit, tennis dress, bathing suit; and it is allowable only when the choice is between attending services in working clothes or failing to attend.
For men:
Laymen never cover their heads in church.
The ideal attire is a dark suit, white shirt, and a sober tie. Slacks and a sports jacket are allowable. Some sort of suit coat or jacket is always worn. It is poor taste to come to Mass in a sport shirt or jersey without a coat, regardless of how warm the weather may be.
Men do not wear shorts to Mass.
Exceptions for men: A man who goes to church while en route to work or school may wear school or work clothes. A laborer returning from work in soiled clothing who wishes to attend an evening Mass may do so, even though he would otherwise wish to appear neat and clean.
For girl children:
Girls and girl babies wear a bonnet or hat in church. If they are under twelve years old they may wear socks. If they are over twelve, they should wear stockings. Snowsuits are permissible in cold weather through the twelfth year. Plat suits and shorts are not permissible at any age.
For boy children:
Boys of any age uncover their heads in church. Boys over the age of twelve should not wear shorts to church. Children should not come to church dressed sloppily in denims, jerseys, etc., unless they own no other clothing. Children should learn young to bathe and dress carefully for church and to present as neat and attractive appearance as possible; this training will carry over into adult life,
All these rules apply to attendance at church services at which others will be present. Anyone wishing to pay a private visit to the Blessed Sacrament may feel free to do so in any costume provided only that it is modest. Women and girls always wear a hear covering, men and boys never do.