A priest I had once put it this way: Think of all the important dates of the year. You dress up for an anniversary dinner, you dress up for going out dancing, you dress up for New Year's Eve. What could be more important than receiving Jesus in the form of the Eucharist? We are talking about everlasting life. Surely for this you would wear your finest for the most important days of the year: Sundays

No one makes knights templar armour anymore. Shame.

Our church still dresses up for church. Women in skirts and dresses and men in suits and ties. One issue we have is that such ‘church dress’ for women are becoming rarer to shop for. Either the dresses are immodest or too casual separates. I am learning to sew my own. I view Sunday sacrament as dinner with the Savior. A lady would try to look her best. Now, I know this isn’t a perfect analogy but it conveys how I should show respect to the Savior by acknowledging that church is a special occasion. It does help that others make an effort as well.

Coming from one of the most catholic countries in Europe, Croatia I can say that the majority of Catholics here pay attention to how they dress for church. In the south of the country there is a term for the items you wear to church (literally translated to clothes for Mass, it's mostly used by the elderly) and that clothes used to be stored in a special place, apart from your everyday clothes. After attending a couple of Holy Masses around the rest of Europe I realised that it was not the same everywhere🤷‍♀️ Catholicism is a big part of our identity and we still hold to some traditions from years ago. For example, I was very surprised to learn that it was not obligatory anymore to fast on fridays throught the year. We still do that and even the restaurant of my public university has only fish menus on fridays (just to clear up, the state and the Church are separated but the christian traditions are just deeply rooted in our culture). Also, you can still see a lot of grandmas wearing headscarves, not only in church but in their everyday life as well. The younger generations don't do that anymore but if you look up croatian traditional outfits this catholic tradition became big part of our folklore as well. I find your videos very interesting and insightful. It helped me understand the status of Catholicism in the West and we also face a lot of similar challenges. One of them is the Charismatic Renewal (the rise of the Neocatechumenal way in South Europe) with a lot of questionable doctrines. I would love to hear your opinion on that. God bless and sorry for my English

I agree with you HOWEVER there should be written guidelines from the parish regarding modesty. For example, coming to church with short shorts and your stomach showing is disgusting and not creating a reverential atmosphere.

I change my dress in a very minor way for Sundays; I try to pick a nicer shirt to wear. Virtually all of my clothes are quite casual but I still prefer to have the slight reminder that it’s God’s presence in the Eucharist I am coming for.

As a recovering Baptist, currently non-denominational, just call me a christ-follower....I so agree with the details of what you said. In general, I favor the "come as you are" approach, with an eye towards teaching people to not stay as they are. Just like we come to Jesus just as we are, and he dresses us in his righteousness. I really like your attitude in this matter. combination of graciousness and a call to live better. Thank you for this.

Come as you are was not a reference to clothing but a reference to where you are in your journey with God. I was raised in a Catholic home but been a prodigal child during my lifetime. Thank God I know I will be accepted back no matter how much I have faltered.

"We are beggar before God, not peacocks" 🦚 God bless you. Love your videos and loving and balanced approach.

I have had an interesting relationship with dressing for Sundays. When i was a boy my parents always made sure my brother and I were dressed up nicely for worship (we were raised Methodist). When i left for college I started attending an evangelical campus ministry that started to shape my heart to realize that God cares little for the exterior of what you're wearing and more of your heart of worship. This led me to start wearing far more casual clothing. So I dropped the blazer and went with the T-shirt. However, as I continued to grow in the Lord I also grew to appreciate offering the very best of myself to God, which meant wearing something with a collar. And that's what I did. When I was in college, my senior year I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy and that desire has only grown to where now I don't even like wearing polos or short sleeved button downs (also due to tattoos and I don't want to scandalize my fellow worshipers). I'm glad that Brian made this. I think it's interesting how now, my desire to dress up has way less to do of what God wants from me (since I know even dressing nicely is ultimately a vanity) and more of what I want to manifest to myself. Going to the divine services and participating in the life-giving mysteries is a momentary detachment from this world. We exit the chronos of the world and participate in the kairos of the Kingdom which is to come. With that in mind, of course, I should dress nicely, but now my mind never thinks about what I should wear. I simply wear it. it's never an issue anymore, and I don't care if i'm overdressed or underdressed in the minds of others, I simply am, abiding in the presence of the incarnate Word of God on the table of oblation. while I think the applications of the evangelic mindset serve to deconstruct most people's perceptions of mainline protestant christianity when the reconstruction of those paradigms occurs, if properly oriented, can lead to detachment from the pettiness of things like clothes where you dress up worship, but now you never really think about it. It simply is.

Thank you for this, and I appreciate the reminder to be gracious and charitable when we think others aren’t dressed appropriately. Subscribed and hit the bell!

I would say modesty isn't just about not standing out. To me, it's more of an internal disposition of humility that guides our choice of dress, actions, and dispositions. I say that as someone who definitely stands out when wearing a veil at Mass, which I do out of humility and reverence for the occasion. Just a different perspective, not a definitive one.

I like the modesty aspect you talk about. Nevertheless I wouldn’t disagree with someone wearing a suit, specially on solemnities

God bless you for this video. These have been my thoughts for years. May you be blessed thru this Chanel and continue to share our Lords messages.

Thank you for addressing this issue with such Grace and lack of judgement toward others!

How dare you win me over with such sound reasoning. Inconceivable.

I attended a non-denominational service and folks there were dressed to the nines. In my own catholic church where we are going to see God in person as we believe, things are very different. Board shorts and spaghetti straps. Good commentary Brian. If we were going to a dinner where all the movie stars were in attendance I guarantee you wouldn't see board shorts and flip-flops. The dinner in our Catholic church is a tad more important.

I’m commenting before the video has even finished so I don’t know if he talks about this but I love when churches have a little closet with donated clothing. This way if someone is poor or didn’t have a chance to change into nicer clothes before coming to Mass, etc. they can help themselves to some nice, modest clothing for free. I think that all of us just need to remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows if we’re doing the best we can and He also knows if we’re slacking because our love for Him isn’t strong. Love God and give Him the best that you can. That’s all He wants from us.

“Lead by example, not by condemnation.” Many years ago, a friend of mine was reprimanded for wearing slippers to church. Since then, he stopped going to church and now he is not a believer.

I completely agree with you, Brian. Colleen Hammond wrote a great book entitled "Dressing With Dignity" which people might find helpful. It's available on Amazon.

Brian: Don't dress like a peacock Me: Ok, well jeans and sneakers will be Brian: But that doesn't mean dress casual Me: :0

Thank ,totally agree there isn't a one way only to dress but it should be respectful at most . Because the one we worship is special ❤

Our Lady of Fatima: Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” And she also issued a direct warning to women, saying: “Woe to women lacking in modesty.” And also: “Let men avoid greed, lies, envy, blasphemy, impurity.”

100% agree. Too many "Eucharistic Ministers" on the alter wearing shorts and tee shirts.

I am glad I grew up going to church with my parents regularly as a child. So I always had an idea what is appropriate to wear. I can imagine the difficulties people have when coming to a church for the first time. So the come as you are idea is a good one. Everything else will eventually settle as going regularly will give them an idea of how they want to dress when worshipping. So if anyone is worried I can only encourage you: come as you are. You will be fine.

I once looked at the webpages of Opus Dei student centres across the world. (they're usually very well dressed). My home country: modest dressing and suits England: a suit Spain: a suit USA: jeans, T-shirt and sneakers

To an extent, I agree with you. I do think we should put effort in when going to mass. However, I think individual circumstances play a big part. For example, if I’m going to a morning weekday mass before class (I’m in university), it doesn’t make sense for me to dressed up considering the fact that I’m going to class right after. Or, if I’m going to the Saturday night mass on campus, I’ve likely just spent the day in the library studying or in the music building rehearsing. It isn’t practical for me to drive home and get changed before mass. If someone worked a night shift and shows up Sunday morning in their work clothes, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. As well, I live in Eastern Canada, so it doesn’t make sense to show up to mass in a dress in the winter. I need a sweater and pants because it gets pretty cold. I remember last October when a lot of people showed up in workout clothes because they just ran the local marathon. I think the best way to word it is this: We should give God the best we have at the time, and that is different for everyone. For some people it’s a suit and tie, for others, it’s scrubs or workout clothes. Intention matters, and if those people are showing up and giving God the best they can at that time, that’s the most important thing.

All so true, and good point about it was helpful in the beginning to go to dress down church to "break down barriers". Which creates a new question for me: Is Protestantism the narthex for the Catholic Church? Is that its role in the economy of salvation?

Hi Brian appreciate much your talk. I also love your background music. May I know which one this is? Thank you so much! More power to you and your work.

Where in Canada? Praise God , thank you Jesus . Not one Canadian pastor found until now .. Blessings.

It is true that people dress differently in church depending on location or season. Here in Phoenix, shorts and sandals a fairly common to see on a Sunday morning in the summer. If someone is wearing long pants or a suit jacket, we assume they are visiting from a colder climate. Great video, thanks.

I love the base's you've touched Brian! Pax Christi!

this was great verry informative how about dressing all week like your going to church? the sabbath is a day of calmth after-all, wouldn't dressing like it's the sabbath on weekdays encourage one to act calmly and modestly, and have a mild manner?

Very interesting thoughts Brian and I think I would agree with everything you said. However, do you think there might be a link between what Jesus did at the cleansing of the temple and what maybe sometimes we ought to do (rebuking and not being so nice)? Or do you think our time today faces great challenge in the fact that people today are too sensitive and can not accept any form of rebuke. Sometimes it seems so difficult to see "what would Jesus do". Would he be nice or would he rebuke.

Perhaps it is helpful when getting ready for church, to be more focused on how my outfit will make others feel than how it will make me feel. Some examples- Instead of: I will wear yoga pants because they are comfortable, I will not wear yoga pants because they are form fitting and they may bring attention to me instead of the mass. I will shorts because it warm outside, I will wear long pants for modesty’s sake because I do not want to distract from the mass. I think another thing to keep in mind is that we know when go to Mass we will be standing in front of at least one person that has taken a vow of chastity , (one of the vows that is probably the most difficult to keep). In 1 Corinthians 8:9, we are called to be cognizant of the effect we have on others: “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak”.

Hey, may I use a clip from your show in one of my KZfaq videos on Laity teaching the faith?

A good explanation.

Thank you

So I go to an orthodox church, and everyone my age wears skinny jeans or shorter/tighter skirts and dresses(Basically anything trendy), and I used to be like that as well, but a couple of months ago I decided to only wear longer skirts or dresses to church as an attempt to dress modestly (instead of showing off my curves or skin for example). However, since I’m the only girl my age that dresses this way, I actually draw more attention now, which defeats the point. I no longer feel comfortable wearing skinny jeans to church either, and Technically I could wear baggy jeans, but that would make me feel lazy and I’ll probably look uninterested. Any tips?

YES!!! Finally! I have been saying this ever since the "NEW" dress code began. Dressing respectfully, signals to our brains ( and the brains of non-Christians who are visiting) that we are doing something important, something to be respected, something special. And if a person REALLY believed that Jesus died for their sins, they would WANT TO dress respectfully for church to show gratitude and respect!

Preach on, brother.

What is the name of the hymn you play for your intro?

I have been hesitant to go to Mass because my nice clothes were not clean. My fault, but i couldn'nt justify missing mass just because I had to wear board shorts.

Drawing attention to yourself is a factor when dressing up for church when you attend a church where everyone else is casual. It's making me look for a more dressy church so I can be both, modest and dressed up for God.

I can recognize that chad chin anywhere from Father Mike Schmitz.

I choose to dress nicely for mass because I am going to mass to be in the presence of my Saviour. I know he has seen me at my best and my worst. But why would I choose to not give Him my best when I go to worship Him? I have gone through similar phases as you did but now that I better understand why I choose to go to mass the answer for me is clear.

Nice topic

Your channel is so refreshing

PERFECT.

A good video, Brian. I’m a Lutheran subscriber. “We are beggars before God” - Luther’s final words. And your theology of worship was 100% a Lutheran understanding. We aren’t so different.

I noticed in your thumbnail pic there was a head covered woman. Do you have a video on your opinion on that?

It may depend what type of area you live in.In certain areas impoverishment is quite prevalent.Many South American areas to name a geographical area

Amen!

You said nothing of women wearing head coverings, like they have for the first 1900 years.

So right

But what would I do if I don't like or fell confortable with the standart dress code in my diocesis? If I dress my way (even in a normal modest way) it could drag atention. What to do when most people at church are just not well dressed to go to church, should I stand out of the crowd?

My church has a dress code that we have to follow. Though some people do not follow it, they are not permitted to receive the Eucharist if they don't.

Once again I think you are spot on!

Most people use dress code or modesty as a means to show off they faith and themselves. rather do it for the respect to god.

It’s an old word with true actions: respect

I had a priest try to get the parish to dress down to encourage the poor in the area to come to mass when they couldn't afford nice clothes for church. I've had a priest complain I was under-dressed when I was in my best clothes. I don't think there's a right answer. As one wise person once told me, "Make it beautiful for God." That is enough.

Anybody know the hymn at 1:19 ?

The third commandment? Did you mean 4th commandment or do you not count the command to not have idols

How do you dress for a wedding--and, more to the point, YOUR wedding--or how do you dress for a banquet honoring the most important person you know?

I’m tired of the everyone pretending everyone else’s lose standards are always valid. That if you dare imply a standard, you’re a judgmental crank. Make things sacred again! This is a great binge watching day

"If you showed up to a job interview wearing a dirty track suit" --- laughs in silicon valley. I think I've interviewed people like this.

If modesty is defined as not drawing attention, how do you feel about women who are the only ones to veil in their parish? I wore mine for awhile, but found that I was distracting more than contributing to an atmosphere of modesty. I try to avoid “performative trad” behavior (Fr. Ripperger’s words), and veiling in a non-veiling parish felt like the opposite of modesty.

I just follow the Catechism, which says "dress modesty"... even for morning prayer at your own home...

I understand that when you go to church you dress up nicely. But when there are people who aren't dressing that way, please don't make judges upon them. My friend eventually stopped going to church. She felt beind judged and uncomfortable. She didn't understand why she had to dress the way other people want. I know it's just a little thing, but I think that people stop going to church due to many little things that bothers them. First come bad feeling and then comes agnosticism or atheism. But it's just my opinion.

I generally agree with you, but it seems to me that there should be a point at which communicants climb aboard the “Sunday best” train. God isn’t pleased by clothing but rather by thoughtful choice of clothing that reflects the wearer’s attitude toward worship and religious ceremonies. The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) incidentally illustrates that point. Newcomers to Mass may come as they are, but God doesn’t want them to remain that way.

The mentality among so many people today for formal occasions (religious or non-religious) appears to be "what can I get away with" in terms of comfort and casualness. Few seem to realize the game theory aspect to this whereby if we all think this way, the standards will plummet such that in a few decades we all show up in pajamas (or less) everywhere. Is that what we actually want? To not recognize certain environments and events as special via our dress? That doesn't sound fun but rather depressing. So instead of thinking "how casual can I get and still be accepted by the group," why not think "how formal can I get and still be accepted by the group?" Thereby gradually elevating the standards for everyone without necessarily sticking out as too much of a try-hard in the short term.

In only about 20 years in my own church experience, I've seen where nearly all adults dress up for church to almost no one dressing this way. Instead, most of the congregation dresses in casual clothes you might expect them to wear while watching TV at home. Very, very sad.

Agree

My mother Converted to Catholicism while she was undergoing treatment for Polio... She is a Cantor an LEM she was before her limitations from age as active at her church as ANYONE.. She understood that there were homeless who would come to get coffee and doughnuts AFTER mass... that they would not come inside to attend Mass.... and it may well have caused some disappointment with other attendants that these flotsam and jetsam would USE the church in this way... My Mother never saw it that way...Making an effort.... being careful and considerate of others.... SEEMs like the point...but it isn't. My mother didn't ask them to come in, nor did she discourage them...The celebrant would often wait on my mother before he started Mass... More than once it was announced that the delay was due to my mother.... See My mother who was often just getting to Church a minute before the scheduled mass, would nevertheless say hello to EVERY homeless person outside before coming in. When mass was concluded and the rectory was open... she would help serve... and would ensure that every one who had waited was able to have coffee and doughnuts. Even if those people only ever uttered the words "Thank You" and "God Bless you" that one day a week...it was better that they know Christian loving-kindness then than not at all. I do not tell my brother the conditions by which my father will love him, my father can do that in his way and in his time...I can only reassure my brother that he is loved.

We dressed nicely for church to show respect to God. Watch family movies and family shows in the 1950's to see how people dressed for church and in public. Father Knows Best, Leave It To Beaver, The Donna Reed Show, Ozzie and Harriet are a few shows to look at.

In the Philippines, it is very common to have people assist Church in a shirt and blue jeans for Sundays. Maybe, it is because of the climate and the socio-economic status. If calling upon ourselves attention is “not modest”, wearing formal attires on Mass maybe just that.

To me it’s just not to stand out in any way. I don’t want to distract anyone from the service & why they are there.

Good but we don't have to try to figure out dress codes because the Church has already spoken and teaches us how we are to dress in and outside of the church.

Ah excuse me as retired military veteran your hair and beard brother . I wear my Knights of Columbus shirt at Mass and my name plate . I am there to serve as an "Extra " set of hands . Which happens a lot .

I have some dear trad friends who wear strictly skirts and shirts at least tshirt length, along with head coverings or headbands. I went to high mass with them once and it was wonderful, however they didn't dress differently than their everyday skirts and long sleeve tops. They had veils of course but it was confusing to me. Personally I like to save certain dresses or outfits for Mass/nicer events for the same reasons Brian talked about. I just feel like you'd want to distinguish between Sunday and any other day.

I agree to an extent, but maybe this should also depend on location. What if a homeless person walks in? They shouldn't be uncomfortable.

I agree, we are presenting ourselves to a great Diety. Would anyone go and visit the Queen casually? No. But also we have to be aware that some cannot afford lovely clothes. But as long as we are clean, modest and presentable, plus humble to worship together.

I understand all that. I try is all I can say. However, always modestly dressed. Mostly, all I have are track pants and nice t-shirts and some polo 👕. The only that drives me crazy is is shorts and tank tops. Yes lead by example.

Yes, modesty please🙏

Particular functions have specific types of dressing e.g swimming costume, office wear, school uniform, sports wear, chefs, court officials........why not modest dressing for Church

this one is easy. Dresses, of course, for women, no skirts or pants. Which type of dress is appropriate is what is nowadays termed a 'vintage' dress. It should be combined with a head veil and high- or medium-heeled shoes. Dress shirts, pants, designer belts, dress shoes and jackets for men, a suit essentially. Ties I will say are optional for ordinary masses, but would probably be best to wear one especially for the more sacred or solemn masses. Oh and let me add: dresses must never go above the knees. Also almost needless to say it should be a chest-covering dress and not a tight shape-revealing one. Short sleeved dresses and shirts are permissible during hot and muggy weather and jackets would also be optional.

I had seen the phrase "come as you are" but I hadn't taken it to mean "it doesn't matter how you dress"----I had interpreted it as "come to church, come to Jesus, Jesus is there for you, come to church no matter how you feel about yourself----Jesus will love you". In my mind that phrase wasn't about dress, that was never my interpretation of it. However I do agree with dressing well for church.

The "Grover Moment" is why Taylor Marshall left the Novus Ordo

I agree that people should look nice when they go to church. I don't believe that we nessasarily have to wear a suit. Sometimes I do but most of the time I don't.

I want to go to church for people not to pay attention of how I look or potentially fall into sin because of what I’m wearing. I want people to pay attention to the message rather then what I’m wearing yk.

Just dress nice. Is it that difficult to buy a collared shirt and pants at the very least

I think I’ve read somewhere that a study showed a correlation between wearing a tie to mass and arriving on time, not entering when the mass is already being performed - typical in my country, where people are lazy and sloppy and look like hobos in church.

I remember in the early 1990s I attended a " non denominational church." A woman came in after services had started so everyone saw her. The " dress" she was wearing could have been spray painted on her. It left absolutely NOTHING to the imagination. Maybe she had been out clubbing the night before, that's what it looked like. Courts DEMAND you to dress respectably to show THEM respect. Can we not do that for the King of kings?

This is one reason muslim women wear hijab. Muslim ppl believe it is protection for society/woman. As they cover their beauty it makes it more important for them to develop their personality, morals, intellect, to be defined by. This makes them plesent to talk to and hold real conversations around shared values, beliefs and long-term life goals. It prevents ppl getting a superiority complex based on superficial trates. Keeps ppl down to earth, modesty. Helps to prevent insecurities trying to maintain unrealistic and unsustainable beauty standards Peace x

Make appointments

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

I dress a step up from a homeless person. Always clean clothes no holes or stains or such but very very casual. Very much come as you are. My dress says I completely do not give a shit about how I dress- nothing more nothing less. I’m all for people dressing how they want- want to wear a suit or dress go for it I won’t judge you for it - want to wear shorts and sandals good for you I’m just happy you are here to worship with me. As for me I’ll dress along the lines of our lord (he wears a white robe or tunic with a rope about the waist) about as un-fancy and dressed down as it gets and I fucking love that about him. And by the way the actual sabbath is Saturday not Sunday just FYI

I am in complete agreement!!!!!!!

Just because I wear a suit and tie doesn’t make me a peacock. It’s what I want to wear

You don't have to be _hugely_ smart to go to church. But maybe don't wear anything too expensive. It's probably also a good idea to leave the miniskirts and Daisy Dukes at home.