Here is a caption from Pope Benedict XV's encyclical Sacra Propedium
19. From this point of view one cannot sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and condition; made foolish by desire to please, they do not see to what a degree the in decency of their clothing shocks every honest man, and offends God. Most of them would formerly have blushed for those toilettes as for a grave fault against Christian modesty; now it does not suffice for them to exhibit them on the public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of the churches, to assist at the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seducing food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table where one receives the heavenly Author of purity. And We speak not of those exotic and barbarous dances recently imported into fashionable circles, one more shocking than the other; one cannot imagine anything more suitable for banishing all the remains of modesty.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Modesty starts with purification of the heart
A Pastoral Letter by Most Rev. John W. Yanta, Bishop of Amarillo
June 18, 2006
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As the hot weather has descended on us and we are in summertime or vacation time, it is appropriate to speak of modesty of dress especially in participation in the Holy Eucharist, the receiving of Our Lord in Holy Communion, the privilege of being a lector of the Sunday Bible Readings, and serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
This time of the year, I (and am sure many of you also) hear complaints about a lack of respect and reverence for the house of God, the sacredness of the Lord’s presence in the liturgy, and lack of respect for others and the lack of consciousness of the battle for purity in which the opposite sex finds itself even while attending Sunday Mass.
Immodesty in dress is governed by two citations from God’s Law:
1) The Ninth Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” (Exodus 20:17);
2) Jesus said: “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
To live our daily Faith as children of God (baptism), disciples of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit, we are faced with moral choices constantly, many times a day. Conscience can either make a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law, or on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them (CCC: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1799).
Dressing or putting on one’s clothes is a moral act and wearing them is a moral act. There are different appropriate modes of dress for different occasions, e.g. in the privacy of our home, with our spouse only or with our children in our home, at work or school, in mixed company, at the lake or swimming pool, grocery shopping, at church, etc.
The four cardinal virtues are in play here (Wisdom 8:5-7). The wise person is guided by wisdom, the highest of riches that guides us to be prudent (doing and saying the right thing), justice (respects the dignity of other persons), fortitude (courage to go against popular, suggestive, provocative styles), and temperance (insures mastery over sensual temptations as occasions of sin). You can read more about these four cardinal virtues that play a pivotal role in our lives (CCC 1803-1809).
Our condition – all of us are beset with concupiscence. Concupiscence or covetousness: “Human appetites or desires that are disordered due to the temporal consequences of original sin, which remain even after Baptism and which produce inclination to sin” (CCC, Glossary).
St. John identifies and distinguishes the three kinds of inclinations of all human beings: “For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world”(I John 2:16).
The road to modesty starts with the purification of the heart: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication…” (Matthew 15:19). Bible beginners should be encouraged to get the basic overview of Jesus’ teaching by starting with the beatitudes in Matt. 5 in Jesus’ first sermon: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Part of the essence of that teaching is a wholesome, orthodox, first hand appreciation of God’s plan for our sexuality - its sacredness, its fulfillment in marriage, its place in family, Church, and world.
The Catechism speaks next, after the purification of the heart, about “the battle for purity”. We, the baptized and the forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation struggle against concupiscence of the flesh and disordered desires (CCC 2520).
“Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden (CCC 2521).
“Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It is discreet (CCC 2522).
“There is a modesty of the feelings as well as of the body. It protests, for example, against the voyeuristic explorations of the human body in certain advertisements, or against the solicitations of certain media that go too far in the exhibition of intimate things. Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies (CCC 2523).
“Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person (CCC 2524).
“Christian purity requires a purification of the social climate. It requires of the communications media that their presentations show concern for respect and restraint (CCC 2525).
“So-called moral permissiveness rests on an erroneous conception of human freedom; the necessary precondition for the development of true freedom is to let oneself be educated in the moral law. Those in charge of education can reasonably be expected to give young people instruction respectful of the truth, the qualities of the heart, and the moral and spiritual dignity of man” (CCC 2526).
Yes, we can help the devil in many ways including the way we dress. In the Act of Contrition we promise “to avoid the near occasion of sin”. St. Paul writes about “provoking another” (Gal. 5:26).
The key to all modesty is rooted in our mother and daddy who model modesty for their children, i.e. a strong, but tender St. Josephlike husband and father who is blessed with a wonderful wife and mother for their children. “Happy the husband of a good wife…choicest of his blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person” (Sirach 26: 1, 15).
When the community of believers comes together for the Eucharist (Mass) let no one be a distraction from Jesus or provide temptation (an occasion of sin) to another because of our manner of dress.
Lectors, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, and Hospitality Ministers should model modesty of dress for the parish as parents do in the family, the domestic church.
May we cherish and bear witness to the virtues of prudence, temperance, chastity, and modesty for the sake of our own salvation and of others. St. Mary and St. Joseph, St. Ann and St. Joachim, parents and grandparents of their son and grandson, Jesus, intercede for us!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. John W. Yanta
Bishop of Amarillo
Observations
by Bishop John W. Yanta
Basics of modesty in dress
From the Catechism
“There are differences between male and female: physical, emotional, and spiritual differences. These differences result, by God’s plan, in a beautiful complementarity oriented toward the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life” (CCC 2333).
“Men and women are equal but not the same obiously. There is equal personal dignity. Each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God” (CCC 2334-5).
“The virtue of chastity comes under the cardinal virtue of temperance, which seeks to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason” (CCC 2341).
“Christ is the model of chastity. Every baptized person is called to lead a chaste life, each according to his particular state of life” (CCC 2394).
“Temperance: The cardinal moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasure and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the mastery of the will over instinct, and keeps natural desires within proper limits” (CCC Glossary).
From the Dictionary
Modesty: “Propriety in dress, speech or conduct” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate p.798).
Dress, Apparel, Clothing: “Covering, adornment, or appearance appropriate or peculiar to a particular time” (Webster’s p.380).
Propriety: “Fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior esp. between the sexes; the customs and manners of polite society” (Webster’s p.997).
Compendium of the Catechism
“Purity requires modesty which, while protecting the intimate center of the person, expresses the sensitivity of chastity. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their communion. Purity frees one from wide-spread eroticism and avoids those things which foster morbid curiosity. Purity also requires a purification of the social climate by means of a constant struggle against moral permissiveness which is founded on an erroneous concept of human freedom” (Compendium of the Catechism 530).
On Reverence
“The Church, the house of God, is… the privileged place of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament” (CCC 2691).
Excerpts from a Homily Given by Fr. Dominic Mary, MFVA on EWTN Televised Mass (6-14-05)
“Included in the virtue of modesty is not only humility, but also in how one externally dresses (cf. John Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary, p. 356). But many today have rejected to practice this virtue so desperately needed in our current culture. Even to the most casual observer, immodesty in dress is seen as common place in our Churches.
We have got to do all we can to help people to wake up and realize they are dressing way too immodestly, especially when it comes to entering a Church to worship God. We must be like the Vatican - just one example (cf., www. cathnews.com) - When there are heat waves in Rome the Vatican dress police, neatly dressed in pants, shirts and ties, turn back all tourists in shorts and bare shoulders trying to get into St. Peter’s Basilica. I’ve seen them do this with my own eyes. These immodestly dressed people have to go and buy paper pants and shirts from vendors eagerly waiting outside.
“Many people come to Church dressed like they are ready to go to the beach. You should not come to Church dressed in shorts, miniskirts, swimsuits, bikinis, tank-tops, bare shoulders, low cut dresses, very tight fitting clothing, etc. “We must return to having a holy fear for God and for His true Presence in the Eucharist and for being in His house. How can we expect to grow in the spiritual life if we are dressed like we don’t care? How dare we approach the Holy Eucharist dressed like we are going to the beach.
“When a person dresses immodestly he or she can become an occasion of sin for other people. And this is the fashion for today. Each year it seems that the latest fashion is to see how little clothing one can wear and how much of one’s body can be shown. And what flesh is not shown is revealed by extremely tight clothing.
“To knowingly and intentionally dress like this is sinful, and can be even seriously sinful, because one can become a temptation to sin for other people. We are all weak and can easily fall into many sins of impurity by someone else’s immodesty.
“Before we go out or buy new clothes we should do a modesty check”. Fr. Hathaway, FSSP on Modesty of Dress at Holy Mass
“We will speak on dress for women and men at the Holy Mass... especially on Sunday.
“But let me preface that I did not wake up this morning thinking, “I wonder how I can ruin their day?” I do not want to make you mad, but only advance your salvation. Our dress can be a touchy topic... but all of us should want to correct errors should they exist.
“First, we should give a definition. Modesty in dress is the virtue which regulates the type of clothing and the manner of its wearing so that it conforms to the purposes by which clothing is worn. Now the purpose of clothing is to protect against the weather, to reveal status or position or formality in society, and to preserve decency.
“Now how should women dress at Holy Mass?
“Indecency of women’s dress at the Holy Sacrifice is not a new thing. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV (Sacra propediem) lamented the indecent dress of women at Holy Mass this way: ‘...one cannot sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and condition; made foolish by a desire to please, they do not see to what degree the indecency of the clothing shocks every honest man, and offends God.
“Most of them would formerly have blushed for those toiletries as for a grave fault against Christian modesty; now it does not suffice for them to exhibit them on public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of the churches, to assist at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seductive food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table where one receives the heavenly author of purity.
“Now how should a man dress at the Holy Sacrifice?
“If women exceed the virtue, it is common for men to come up short in practicing the virtue of modesty in dress. Men, we are inclined to be careless or slovenly about what we wear... (even at Holy Mass); and young men are prone to deliberately neglect their dress so as to attract attention.
“At Holy Mass, men should wear a coat and tie; or, at least, a collared shirt and nice slacks.
“Young men must be taught that baggy pants are not appropriate; that their hair be nicely cut and combed; that shirts be clean and without slogans or cross bones or a dragon,... or anything which may give Satan the appearance of being honored”.
On Galveston-Houston Archdiocese Website
“The Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Communion Under Both Kinds refers to reverent attire (cf. #29) but does not describe what is considered reverent. Does the Diocese of Galveston-Houston have guidelines describing what is considered appropriate attire for liturgical ministers?”
“Extraordinary Ministers should be appropriately dressed when distributing Communion during the liturgy. On several occasions I have directed that men, including young men, must wear a coat, and women modest dresses or pant suits. This directive is to be observed even for Youth Masses.”
The Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia
“I am often asked about the dress requirements for people who perform the roles of readers and special ministers of communion in a parish.
“This usually comes about because complaints have been made about the way these liturgical ministers present themselves at Mass.
“A good place to begin tackling this question is to revisit the meaning of the word ‘ministry’. Readers and special ministers serve the liturgy and the gathered assembly by proclaiming the Word of God and helping in the distribution of the sacred elements. Their manner of dress should reflect the importance and dignity of the ministry in which they serve. “The term ‘Sunday best’ is sometimes used to describe what is acceptable. This does not mean expensive or fancy, but it does mean clothing that is neat, clean and reasonably modest. Outlandish or clattering jewelry, tee shirts with slogans or insignia, jogging outfits or see-through clothing are probably universally considered inappropriate.
“Liturgical ministers become channels of God’s presence when they carry out their ministry. Anything that blocks that channel – whether gesture, demeanor or clothing – is out of place. If a reader’s dress attracts the attention of the assembly rather than what he or she is proclaiming, or if a communion minister’s outfit prevents communicants focusing on receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, then something is clearly amiss”.
Ministers of Hospitality (Archdioces of Brisbane, Australia).)
“Because all liturgical ministers, by their demeanor and attitude, send a message about the importance of what is taking place, it is helpful if they are attired in their ‘Sunday best’. “
In some parishes, ministers wear a uniform blazer for visibility so that they can be identified immediately in case of an emergency. In either case, a nametag identifying a person as a minister of hospitality would be helpful.
Diocese of Trenton, NJ
“Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should dress in secular clothing that is modest, clean, and appropriate for worship.
“If the local parish decides to use special dress for its Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, it must be distinctive and not confused with the dress of a priest or deacon.”
June 18, 2006
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As the hot weather has descended on us and we are in summertime or vacation time, it is appropriate to speak of modesty of dress especially in participation in the Holy Eucharist, the receiving of Our Lord in Holy Communion, the privilege of being a lector of the Sunday Bible Readings, and serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
This time of the year, I (and am sure many of you also) hear complaints about a lack of respect and reverence for the house of God, the sacredness of the Lord’s presence in the liturgy, and lack of respect for others and the lack of consciousness of the battle for purity in which the opposite sex finds itself even while attending Sunday Mass.
Immodesty in dress is governed by two citations from God’s Law:
1) The Ninth Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” (Exodus 20:17);
2) Jesus said: “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
To live our daily Faith as children of God (baptism), disciples of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit, we are faced with moral choices constantly, many times a day. Conscience can either make a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law, or on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them (CCC: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1799).
Dressing or putting on one’s clothes is a moral act and wearing them is a moral act. There are different appropriate modes of dress for different occasions, e.g. in the privacy of our home, with our spouse only or with our children in our home, at work or school, in mixed company, at the lake or swimming pool, grocery shopping, at church, etc.
The four cardinal virtues are in play here (Wisdom 8:5-7). The wise person is guided by wisdom, the highest of riches that guides us to be prudent (doing and saying the right thing), justice (respects the dignity of other persons), fortitude (courage to go against popular, suggestive, provocative styles), and temperance (insures mastery over sensual temptations as occasions of sin). You can read more about these four cardinal virtues that play a pivotal role in our lives (CCC 1803-1809).
Our condition – all of us are beset with concupiscence. Concupiscence or covetousness: “Human appetites or desires that are disordered due to the temporal consequences of original sin, which remain even after Baptism and which produce inclination to sin” (CCC, Glossary).
St. John identifies and distinguishes the three kinds of inclinations of all human beings: “For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world”(I John 2:16).
The road to modesty starts with the purification of the heart: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication…” (Matthew 15:19). Bible beginners should be encouraged to get the basic overview of Jesus’ teaching by starting with the beatitudes in Matt. 5 in Jesus’ first sermon: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Part of the essence of that teaching is a wholesome, orthodox, first hand appreciation of God’s plan for our sexuality - its sacredness, its fulfillment in marriage, its place in family, Church, and world.
The Catechism speaks next, after the purification of the heart, about “the battle for purity”. We, the baptized and the forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation struggle against concupiscence of the flesh and disordered desires (CCC 2520).
“Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden (CCC 2521).
“Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It is discreet (CCC 2522).
“There is a modesty of the feelings as well as of the body. It protests, for example, against the voyeuristic explorations of the human body in certain advertisements, or against the solicitations of certain media that go too far in the exhibition of intimate things. Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies (CCC 2523).
“Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person (CCC 2524).
“Christian purity requires a purification of the social climate. It requires of the communications media that their presentations show concern for respect and restraint (CCC 2525).
“So-called moral permissiveness rests on an erroneous conception of human freedom; the necessary precondition for the development of true freedom is to let oneself be educated in the moral law. Those in charge of education can reasonably be expected to give young people instruction respectful of the truth, the qualities of the heart, and the moral and spiritual dignity of man” (CCC 2526).
Yes, we can help the devil in many ways including the way we dress. In the Act of Contrition we promise “to avoid the near occasion of sin”. St. Paul writes about “provoking another” (Gal. 5:26).
The key to all modesty is rooted in our mother and daddy who model modesty for their children, i.e. a strong, but tender St. Josephlike husband and father who is blessed with a wonderful wife and mother for their children. “Happy the husband of a good wife…choicest of his blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person” (Sirach 26: 1, 15).
When the community of believers comes together for the Eucharist (Mass) let no one be a distraction from Jesus or provide temptation (an occasion of sin) to another because of our manner of dress.
Lectors, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, and Hospitality Ministers should model modesty of dress for the parish as parents do in the family, the domestic church.
May we cherish and bear witness to the virtues of prudence, temperance, chastity, and modesty for the sake of our own salvation and of others. St. Mary and St. Joseph, St. Ann and St. Joachim, parents and grandparents of their son and grandson, Jesus, intercede for us!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. John W. Yanta
Bishop of Amarillo
Observations
by Bishop John W. Yanta
Basics of modesty in dress
From the Catechism
“There are differences between male and female: physical, emotional, and spiritual differences. These differences result, by God’s plan, in a beautiful complementarity oriented toward the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life” (CCC 2333).
“Men and women are equal but not the same obiously. There is equal personal dignity. Each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God” (CCC 2334-5).
“The virtue of chastity comes under the cardinal virtue of temperance, which seeks to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason” (CCC 2341).
“Christ is the model of chastity. Every baptized person is called to lead a chaste life, each according to his particular state of life” (CCC 2394).
“Temperance: The cardinal moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasure and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the mastery of the will over instinct, and keeps natural desires within proper limits” (CCC Glossary).
From the Dictionary
Modesty: “Propriety in dress, speech or conduct” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate p.798).
Dress, Apparel, Clothing: “Covering, adornment, or appearance appropriate or peculiar to a particular time” (Webster’s p.380).
Propriety: “Fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior esp. between the sexes; the customs and manners of polite society” (Webster’s p.997).
Compendium of the Catechism
“Purity requires modesty which, while protecting the intimate center of the person, expresses the sensitivity of chastity. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their communion. Purity frees one from wide-spread eroticism and avoids those things which foster morbid curiosity. Purity also requires a purification of the social climate by means of a constant struggle against moral permissiveness which is founded on an erroneous concept of human freedom” (Compendium of the Catechism 530).
On Reverence
“The Church, the house of God, is… the privileged place of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament” (CCC 2691).
Excerpts from a Homily Given by Fr. Dominic Mary, MFVA on EWTN Televised Mass (6-14-05)
“Included in the virtue of modesty is not only humility, but also in how one externally dresses (cf. John Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary, p. 356). But many today have rejected to practice this virtue so desperately needed in our current culture. Even to the most casual observer, immodesty in dress is seen as common place in our Churches.
We have got to do all we can to help people to wake up and realize they are dressing way too immodestly, especially when it comes to entering a Church to worship God. We must be like the Vatican - just one example (cf., www. cathnews.com) - When there are heat waves in Rome the Vatican dress police, neatly dressed in pants, shirts and ties, turn back all tourists in shorts and bare shoulders trying to get into St. Peter’s Basilica. I’ve seen them do this with my own eyes. These immodestly dressed people have to go and buy paper pants and shirts from vendors eagerly waiting outside.
“Many people come to Church dressed like they are ready to go to the beach. You should not come to Church dressed in shorts, miniskirts, swimsuits, bikinis, tank-tops, bare shoulders, low cut dresses, very tight fitting clothing, etc. “We must return to having a holy fear for God and for His true Presence in the Eucharist and for being in His house. How can we expect to grow in the spiritual life if we are dressed like we don’t care? How dare we approach the Holy Eucharist dressed like we are going to the beach.
“When a person dresses immodestly he or she can become an occasion of sin for other people. And this is the fashion for today. Each year it seems that the latest fashion is to see how little clothing one can wear and how much of one’s body can be shown. And what flesh is not shown is revealed by extremely tight clothing.
“To knowingly and intentionally dress like this is sinful, and can be even seriously sinful, because one can become a temptation to sin for other people. We are all weak and can easily fall into many sins of impurity by someone else’s immodesty.
“Before we go out or buy new clothes we should do a modesty check”. Fr. Hathaway, FSSP on Modesty of Dress at Holy Mass
“We will speak on dress for women and men at the Holy Mass... especially on Sunday.
“But let me preface that I did not wake up this morning thinking, “I wonder how I can ruin their day?” I do not want to make you mad, but only advance your salvation. Our dress can be a touchy topic... but all of us should want to correct errors should they exist.
“First, we should give a definition. Modesty in dress is the virtue which regulates the type of clothing and the manner of its wearing so that it conforms to the purposes by which clothing is worn. Now the purpose of clothing is to protect against the weather, to reveal status or position or formality in society, and to preserve decency.
“Now how should women dress at Holy Mass?
“Indecency of women’s dress at the Holy Sacrifice is not a new thing. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV (Sacra propediem) lamented the indecent dress of women at Holy Mass this way: ‘...one cannot sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and condition; made foolish by a desire to please, they do not see to what degree the indecency of the clothing shocks every honest man, and offends God.
“Most of them would formerly have blushed for those toiletries as for a grave fault against Christian modesty; now it does not suffice for them to exhibit them on public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of the churches, to assist at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seductive food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table where one receives the heavenly author of purity.
“Now how should a man dress at the Holy Sacrifice?
“If women exceed the virtue, it is common for men to come up short in practicing the virtue of modesty in dress. Men, we are inclined to be careless or slovenly about what we wear... (even at Holy Mass); and young men are prone to deliberately neglect their dress so as to attract attention.
“At Holy Mass, men should wear a coat and tie; or, at least, a collared shirt and nice slacks.
“Young men must be taught that baggy pants are not appropriate; that their hair be nicely cut and combed; that shirts be clean and without slogans or cross bones or a dragon,... or anything which may give Satan the appearance of being honored”.
On Galveston-Houston Archdiocese Website
“The Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Communion Under Both Kinds refers to reverent attire (cf. #29) but does not describe what is considered reverent. Does the Diocese of Galveston-Houston have guidelines describing what is considered appropriate attire for liturgical ministers?”
“Extraordinary Ministers should be appropriately dressed when distributing Communion during the liturgy. On several occasions I have directed that men, including young men, must wear a coat, and women modest dresses or pant suits. This directive is to be observed even for Youth Masses.”
The Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia
“I am often asked about the dress requirements for people who perform the roles of readers and special ministers of communion in a parish.
“This usually comes about because complaints have been made about the way these liturgical ministers present themselves at Mass.
“A good place to begin tackling this question is to revisit the meaning of the word ‘ministry’. Readers and special ministers serve the liturgy and the gathered assembly by proclaiming the Word of God and helping in the distribution of the sacred elements. Their manner of dress should reflect the importance and dignity of the ministry in which they serve. “The term ‘Sunday best’ is sometimes used to describe what is acceptable. This does not mean expensive or fancy, but it does mean clothing that is neat, clean and reasonably modest. Outlandish or clattering jewelry, tee shirts with slogans or insignia, jogging outfits or see-through clothing are probably universally considered inappropriate.
“Liturgical ministers become channels of God’s presence when they carry out their ministry. Anything that blocks that channel – whether gesture, demeanor or clothing – is out of place. If a reader’s dress attracts the attention of the assembly rather than what he or she is proclaiming, or if a communion minister’s outfit prevents communicants focusing on receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, then something is clearly amiss”.
Ministers of Hospitality (Archdioces of Brisbane, Australia).)
“Because all liturgical ministers, by their demeanor and attitude, send a message about the importance of what is taking place, it is helpful if they are attired in their ‘Sunday best’. “
In some parishes, ministers wear a uniform blazer for visibility so that they can be identified immediately in case of an emergency. In either case, a nametag identifying a person as a minister of hospitality would be helpful.
Diocese of Trenton, NJ
“Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should dress in secular clothing that is modest, clean, and appropriate for worship.
“If the local parish decides to use special dress for its Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, it must be distinctive and not confused with the dress of a priest or deacon.”
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Second Wedding
Most people only plan one wedding in their life- especially to the same person. I, however, am in the process of planning my second wedding to my darling husband.
Our second will be a small ceremony, not unlike the first, at our parish. We are eagerly anticipating the date we can have our marriage convalidated. Basically meaning that it will become valid in the "eyes" of the Church.
Here is the dress I purchased for our wedding. It is a lovely shade of light Ivory and has beading on the bodice and a lovely, flowing chiffon skirt. My first gown was special and with it being strapless - is completely not appropriate for church. This ceremony is more low key so I wanted something bridal but low key as well. Not a big wedding gown.
When I got home to show my darling husband my new dress, I threw on my original veil just for kicks. He LOVED it!!!
One of my DEAR friends, C, suggested I purchase another veil (before I tried on mine again). I chose this one. But Joe has talked me out of it and said it would be better to tie in the original wedding with this one. And also since most of the women coming to the ceremony will be veiled, Mine will stand out more.
We also decided to do a barbecue at our house later that afternoon/evening for the guests. This is totally different then the elegant dinner at 82 Queen we had for our first reception. Since the wedding is low key - so will the party. Greg has been doing an awesome job of grilling and smoking on the grill lately. So far we have decided on ribs, pulled pork, and chicken as the main fare and of course all the sides to go with it!
More details will come!!!!
Our second will be a small ceremony, not unlike the first, at our parish. We are eagerly anticipating the date we can have our marriage convalidated. Basically meaning that it will become valid in the "eyes" of the Church.
Here is the dress I purchased for our wedding. It is a lovely shade of light Ivory and has beading on the bodice and a lovely, flowing chiffon skirt. My first gown was special and with it being strapless - is completely not appropriate for church. This ceremony is more low key so I wanted something bridal but low key as well. Not a big wedding gown.
When I got home to show my darling husband my new dress, I threw on my original veil just for kicks. He LOVED it!!!
One of my DEAR friends, C, suggested I purchase another veil (before I tried on mine again). I chose this one. But Joe has talked me out of it and said it would be better to tie in the original wedding with this one. And also since most of the women coming to the ceremony will be veiled, Mine will stand out more.
We also decided to do a barbecue at our house later that afternoon/evening for the guests. This is totally different then the elegant dinner at 82 Queen we had for our first reception. Since the wedding is low key - so will the party. Greg has been doing an awesome job of grilling and smoking on the grill lately. So far we have decided on ribs, pulled pork, and chicken as the main fare and of course all the sides to go with it!
More details will come!!!!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Fell off the wagon...
Recently I have fallen of the blogging wagon, so it's about time I got back on. You know it's bad when Napoleon says I need to blog.
So what's new? Let's see. The downstairs of our home is almost finished. The dining room is gorgeous and I love the living area. We bought a new stainless steel dishwasher courtesy of Lowe's clearance sale and Joe and Greg installed it on Saturday.
Here at work we are preparing for Napoleon's departure to law school. His smiling face will certainly be missed. We have been working hand in hand the past couple of months. I am excited about the changes, once again with the office. It had been originally decided that my boss would have two Administrative Assistants. I have been the main and the other has been a backup (Napoleon), and someone with whom the Office of Planning shares. I think that plan has gone down the tubes. We had a wonderful temp in Thursday and Friday. Hopefully she will be back. A new desk has been brought in for my move to another desk. I would be outside my boss's office and the other person will sit at my (current) desk and will be a Receptionist instead of being an Administrative Assistant. We shall just see what happens.
Let's see what else.....oh, my OB/GYN called me on Friday. He was on vacation when we had the m/c. Anyways, we have a plan now. When I have another BFP, I am to call him immediately and we will schedule an appointment and blood work will be drawn that day. Then probably every two or more days I will go in for more bloodwork to watch the HCG levels go up or down. Unlike the meany who saw us the day we had the m/c, he does not believe we should seek infertility treatment. First we don't believe in most treatements and second he feels (as we do) that it will be a waste of time and money at this point.
We had a wonderful time this weekend. His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze was in town as a guest of Bishop Baker. He was the main celebrant of mass at the Cathedral on Sunday and gave a wonderful homily. Afterwards, there was a small reception. We all were able to line up to greet Cardinal Arinze. Being a convert, I was previously informed how to kneel and kiss his ring. I saw many people kneeling and kissing his hand. This was ignorance on their part- but it's not everyday that you have a Cardinal around, or the Bishop for that matter. Anyways, so I had my opportunity to kneel and kiss his ring. As for kissing a bishop or cardinal's ring, a bishop is a modern day apostle. Apostles are appointed by Christ and the ring signifies this divine appointment. To kiss a bishop or cardinal's ring is an act of great humility as it acknowledges that divinity.
Anyways,
Thanks for all the patience and prayers!!
So what's new? Let's see. The downstairs of our home is almost finished. The dining room is gorgeous and I love the living area. We bought a new stainless steel dishwasher courtesy of Lowe's clearance sale and Joe and Greg installed it on Saturday.
Here at work we are preparing for Napoleon's departure to law school. His smiling face will certainly be missed. We have been working hand in hand the past couple of months. I am excited about the changes, once again with the office. It had been originally decided that my boss would have two Administrative Assistants. I have been the main and the other has been a backup (Napoleon), and someone with whom the Office of Planning shares. I think that plan has gone down the tubes. We had a wonderful temp in Thursday and Friday. Hopefully she will be back. A new desk has been brought in for my move to another desk. I would be outside my boss's office and the other person will sit at my (current) desk and will be a Receptionist instead of being an Administrative Assistant. We shall just see what happens.
Let's see what else.....oh, my OB/GYN called me on Friday. He was on vacation when we had the m/c. Anyways, we have a plan now. When I have another BFP, I am to call him immediately and we will schedule an appointment and blood work will be drawn that day. Then probably every two or more days I will go in for more bloodwork to watch the HCG levels go up or down. Unlike the meany who saw us the day we had the m/c, he does not believe we should seek infertility treatment. First we don't believe in most treatements and second he feels (as we do) that it will be a waste of time and money at this point.
We had a wonderful time this weekend. His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze was in town as a guest of Bishop Baker. He was the main celebrant of mass at the Cathedral on Sunday and gave a wonderful homily. Afterwards, there was a small reception. We all were able to line up to greet Cardinal Arinze. Being a convert, I was previously informed how to kneel and kiss his ring. I saw many people kneeling and kissing his hand. This was ignorance on their part- but it's not everyday that you have a Cardinal around, or the Bishop for that matter. Anyways, so I had my opportunity to kneel and kiss his ring. As for kissing a bishop or cardinal's ring, a bishop is a modern day apostle. Apostles are appointed by Christ and the ring signifies this divine appointment. To kiss a bishop or cardinal's ring is an act of great humility as it acknowledges that divinity.
Anyways,
Thanks for all the patience and prayers!!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
Happy Friday!
So the pregnant lady is NOT in a chipper mood today. (Go figure)I slept the entire commute in this morning and I am SO ready to go home. I thought this morning I would just write some idol thoughts.
SupermanReturns Sucks
ok, I won't give any spoilers but here goes. My dad bought tickets to the 6:00 showing of Superman Returns 3-D at the Charleston Imax. For those of you who don't know Imax, it's a 5 story screen and 12,000 watts of surround sound. So the preview looks hilarious of some character movie coming to Imax 3-D. It left such an impression that I can't even remember the name. Oh well. Anywho... 1/2 way through the movie, we had a power outage. Now, the actual outage lasted all of 10 seconds but it was enough to stop the movie and reset the sound. In other words, "time's up folks, come get a rain checque." So my DH went down and stood in line for over an hour getting us tickets for next week (they have been sold out each day since it premiered). I think I'm going to let Joe, Dad and Greg go because to tell you the truth, the movie is horrible. It is NOT worth my time sitting through it AGAIN.
and the crabbines continues....
My BIL (brother -in-law) is "supposed" to be leaving TN this morning and be driving down here to live with us (for a short while) and then move out to his own place here in Charleston. I've been hearing this story for 18 months. I'll believe it when I see him pull in the driveway. He and my DH are supposed to be setting up our company again and start working on some projects.
Meanwhile I will be making sure hearts aren't being broken all along the Carolina coast. Ladies, he may be handsome and sweet but he's not the type to be "settling down" (again). At leat not right now. Who knows, people can change. (doubtful but probable)
It is dark and gray and I would so like to be back in bed. No morning sickness yet but I am definetly tired. As each day passes we are getting more and more excited. We were deeply dissapointed in January when two days later we miscarried. Our first appointment is July 26th. Hopefully we will have an ultrasound showing our little sack and our little "bean". If we are REALLY lucky, we will be able to see the heartbeat at that appointment. If not, we will see it at the next one. We will definetly be posting pictures so stay tuned!
Happy Friday!!
Superman
ok, I won't give any spoilers but here goes. My dad bought tickets to the 6:00 showing of Superman Returns 3-D at the Charleston Imax. For those of you who don't know Imax, it's a 5 story screen and 12,000 watts of surround sound. So the preview looks hilarious of some character movie coming to Imax 3-D. It left such an impression that I can't even remember the name. Oh well. Anywho... 1/2 way through the movie, we had a power outage. Now, the actual outage lasted all of 10 seconds but it was enough to stop the movie and reset the sound. In other words, "time's up folks, come get a rain checque." So my DH went down and stood in line for over an hour getting us tickets for next week (they have been sold out each day since it premiered). I think I'm going to let Joe, Dad and Greg go because to tell you the truth, the movie is horrible. It is NOT worth my time sitting through it AGAIN.
and the crabbines continues....
My BIL (brother -in-law) is "supposed" to be leaving TN this morning and be driving down here to live with us (for a short while) and then move out to his own place here in Charleston. I've been hearing this story for 18 months. I'll believe it when I see him pull in the driveway. He and my DH are supposed to be setting up our company again and start working on some projects.
Meanwhile I will be making sure hearts aren't being broken all along the Carolina coast. Ladies, he may be handsome and sweet but he's not the type to be "settling down" (again). At leat not right now. Who knows, people can change. (doubtful but probable)
It is dark and gray and I would so like to be back in bed. No morning sickness yet but I am definetly tired. As each day passes we are getting more and more excited. We were deeply dissapointed in January when two days later we miscarried. Our first appointment is July 26th. Hopefully we will have an ultrasound showing our little sack and our little "bean". If we are REALLY lucky, we will be able to see the heartbeat at that appointment. If not, we will see it at the next one. We will definetly be posting pictures so stay tuned!
Happy Friday!!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
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