Catholic Living 101: What should you wear to Mass?

"Dressed in your Sunday best" is a phrase that harkens back to a time when people made a point of putting on their nicest clothes for attending church on Sunday. Contemporary culture is far more casual, but is that appropriate for Mass? Notes like this one from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington are appearing in Sunday bulletins with increasing frequency:

The temperatures have risen, and so we dress accordingly, right? Shorts, sleeveless tops, whatever keeps us cool. But wait a minute, it’s Sunday morning and time to prepare for Mass. Whether we consciously think of it or not, this will be the most important event of the day, and certainly worth a bit of “fuss” when it comes to choosing what to wear. Think about it—the angels hide their face before His Majesty—and what have we just pulled off the hanger? If we’re dressed for a backyard barbecue,we need to back up and try again! It’ll only take a minute, and God will bless us for the effort.

What is appropriate Mass attire?  Assisting at Mass is not about greeting your friends and neighbors. It is about greeting God Himself as he is present in the Eucharist. Churches in Rome often require women to wear skirts that reach at least to the knee, no bare shoulders, and have their head covered. Men are not allowed to wear shorts or tank tops.

Here in the Washington D.C. area, the customary dress is not quite so restrictive but similar principles should apply. Let three words guide your clothing selection: neat, clean, and modest. Out of respect for the Eucharist women should not wear plunging necklines, spaghetti straps or strapless tops, nor should they display bare midriffs. Extremely short skirts or shorts, or tight pants are also inappropriate. Any clothing that calls attention to the wearer and away from the Mass is disrespectful.  These guidelines are also applicable if you are going to be a guest at a Catholic wedding. While the wedding reception may have a cocktail party feel, the wedding Mass is a solemn religious rite. Therefore it is wise to have some sort of shawl or jacket to provide modesty during the wedding. Similarly, men should dress in a respectful way. Tank tops, frayed shorts, and T-shirts that seem suited for the beach do not honor God.

Since 1983, the Code of Canon Law has not required women to cover their head in church. However, a growing number of women are finding that wearing a chapel veil or mantilla is a helpful form of personal piety. The veil symbolizes the woman's role as a humble servant of Christ and a woman of the Church. It helps her to approach the Eucharist with humility and reverence. In most parishes in the D.C. area, only a handful of women will wear a head covering at any given Mass, but it is an acceptable practice.

If you attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass, the dress is customarily more formal. Men should wear a tie and many will also be wearing a suit or sports jacket. Women wear skirts or dresses and usually wear some sort of head covering.

Clothing for Mass does not need to be expensive or elaborate. However, the care with which we dress reflects the care with which we pray. Most people take great pains to show up for a job interview or a party in appropriate clothing. It is only reasonable that we make the same effort to be suitably dressed at Mass to meet God.

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