Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Dress code inside the Church

Many requests came up that the Ministry of Liturgical Affairs issued posters with illustrations regarding the proper and improper attire inside the church.

For men, they can wear

• collared shirts or T-shirts,
• jeans or slacks,
• polo shirts or long sleeve polos

while women can put on

• long sleeved or collared blouses,
• corporate or office attire or school uniforms,
• dress, or long gowns

However, men are barred from

• wearing caps,
• jerseys or sandos,
• jersey shorts, or shorts.

For women improper attire are

• spaghetti straps or tank tops,
• skirts, or skimpy shorts,
• sleeveless, or plunging necklines

Basically there is a proper time for everything and this includes the proper clothing for a certain place and occasion. If there is proper attire for a party thus, there should also be proper attire inside the church. Maybe other people would say that we should not judge them by what they wear and what’s important is there interior disposition. I agree that we should look at the heart of a person than his physical appearance. "But internal disposition must always come with External." as fr. Cadwin Tatlong-hari in my interview last August 9 2007

Now a day, people became more lax when it comes to fashion when attending Sunday mass. I remembered back then, during my childhood days, I used to wear my new clothes and my favorite dress when attending mass together with my family. But now, as I personally observed the way people dress up inside the church there is a big difference. People became more liberated and the traditional way of dressing up is not present anymore or is very least.

The dress code in church is not just an issue of decency but a matter of respect not only for the people around but "RESPECT" for the house of God and the celebration of the Eucharist. This dress code is not just for the conservative Catholics as implied by other people which became very negative. Still at the end it will be ones choice and we are to be responsible. Someone cannot be force to do something if he/ she does not intend to. "Kung gusto talaga maraming paraan, kung ayaw naman maraming dahilan (if you want there are many ways, if you don't there are may reasons.) the poster only serves as a guide" as said by Fr. Cadwin Tatlong-hari.

FASHION=RESPONSIBILITY

The IN thing on 8:36 AM

---