Every year, as temperatures rise, I am asked (by parishioners) to remind (other) parishioners and visitors of the importance of modest and appropriate attire for Mass. This topic, much to my surprise has the potential of a powder keg to detonate a contentious debate about whether or not God cares how we dress, and whether or not we have a duty—regarding our attire—not only to the Lord, but also to our brothers and sisters. If the above has already set off alarm bells in your head, I beg your indulgence to continue reading and carefully consider the following appeal.
This year, I thought I would try something different, so I logged onto Google (where one can find everything!) and simply typed: “Golf Course Dress Code” in the search box. The following policy, from St. Andrew’s Golf Club (not the famous one in Scotland!), was near the top of the results list. Read Carefully:
1. The following attire is not permitted at Saint Andrew’s Golf Club at anytime: (a) denim of any type or color; (b) work out clothes of any kind, including but not limited to, sweat pants and shirts; (c) sports jerseys, including but not limited to, basketball or football jerseys; (d) basketball shorts, gym shorts, or other athletic or work out shorts; (e) men’s shirts without collars (turtlenecks and shirts of a style sold in the pro shop are permitted); and, (f) golf shorts more than four inches above the knee.
2. Slacks or shorts (no more than four (4) inches above the knee), collared shirts or turtlenecks (including mock turtlenecks) and golf shoes are required on the Course. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. In general, everyone on the Course is expected to dress in a neat and appropriate manner. Sloppy or untidy attire is not permitted.
3. On Friday and Saturday evenings in the main dining room, men shall wear long pants and a collared shirt. Jackets are required in the main dining room on Saturday evenings. Ties are not required. Women shall wear long pants, dresses, skirts or the like consistent with dressy casual sports wear. Shorts are not permitted.
Consider that the above (preceding column) is composed for the sake of an institution whose principal object is a game of sport, an activity of leisure. While I will grant that golf has always enjoyed a status of gentility or gentlemanliness, it should not be assumed that standards of dress are dependent upon social or economic standing since modesty and decorum apply to all of us as a principle of our human dignity. All of the items mentioned in the “permitted” column above may be purchased at any discount retailer (Wal-Mart or Target) or even a thrift shop as well as finer department stores. The argument for modesty and decorum in dress has nothing to do with economic concerns—this is not about fancy labels!
Now, if a golf course can set standards—and these are not unusual in the world of golf—for dress for its members, then we should reflect on how, what we wear to Mass reflects the level of importance we place upon our participation here. In fact, I would hope that we would hold ourselves to higher standards than the country club.
Generally speaking, guests for a wedding have no trouble “dressing up” for a wedding (both ceremony and reception) and mourners who come to a funeral are usually similarly discriminating about their choice of clothing, yet many come to Sunday Mass (which is a “Wedding Feast”) without any consideration beyond mere personal comfort.
It is not my desire to set down an absolute dress code for attendance at Mass and nobody will be turned away at the door for inappropriate attire, but I would ask you, when preparing for Mass, to ask yourself the following simple questions:
1. “Does my attire show respect for my body and for the modest sensibilities of those around me?”
2. “Would I dress this way if I were meeting an earthly king?” (You are meeting a heavenly, Universal King every time you come to Mass!). If the answer to either of the above questions is “no” then I would ask you to consider changing into a different outfit.
~Fr. Joseph Totton