Skirt/ dress a must for a papal mass?
Mar 5th, 2006, 09:31 AM
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Skirt/ dress a must for a papal mass?
On March 19th my Mom and I are hoping to attend a papal mass. We will be waiting in line and hoping to get in, since no tickets are being given out. Could someone tell me if it would be acceptable to wear dressy slacks to this or if a skirt would be more appropriate? I would hate to get turned away after waiting in line for hours. Just curious if there is a set rule on this?
Mar 5th, 2006, 09:38 AM
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Trousers/slacks will be perfectly acceptable. Only if you are going to be personally presented to the Pope will more formal dress be desirable. Just make sure your shoulders are covered if it happens to be an unusually hot day.
Mar 5th, 2006, 09:49 AM
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I would prefer to wear pants, since it will probably be on the cold side while waiting in line. They are more comfortable too. Keeping my shoulders covered won't be a problem since I'm worried about being cold. Thank you for your help.
Carol
Carol
Mar 5th, 2006, 09:53 AM
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I have seen people standing in the middle of churches smoking, women entering the church with bikini tops etc.
As Christians believe that a church is the house of God some respect is asked for - a dress code is for that reason.
Limits are set as guidelines, they are not always enforced but the Vatican is one of the places you will face controls at the door. The punishment isn't from God - it will be from the guard!!
As Christians believe that a church is the house of God some respect is asked for - a dress code is for that reason.
Limits are set as guidelines, they are not always enforced but the Vatican is one of the places you will face controls at the door. The punishment isn't from God - it will be from the guard!!
Mar 5th, 2006, 10:45 AM
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God doesn;t care what you wear - we all started out naked didn;t we?
But I think (s)he would prefer that we show some respect for the people whose house of worship we are visiting. Therefore, if one wants to be considered civilized, polite and considerate one follows the rules laid down for respectful attire.
And - in the case of the Vatian - it doesn;t matter if you want to be polite or not - the Swiss Guard will not allow disrespectful attire.
But I think (s)he would prefer that we show some respect for the people whose house of worship we are visiting. Therefore, if one wants to be considered civilized, polite and considerate one follows the rules laid down for respectful attire.
And - in the case of the Vatian - it doesn;t matter if you want to be polite or not - the Swiss Guard will not allow disrespectful attire.
Mar 5th, 2006, 12:51 PM
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Hi CVerga: Just for an example: when I and a friend attended a Sunday mass at Notre Dame in Paris, one where there were Gregorian Chants, you can imagine the mob outside. I wore a dress with my head covered (just a pretty scarf) and my friend wore a suit and tie. While the teeming masses, in their shorts and halter tops, backpacks, ballcaps and flip-flops, stood at the back behind ropes, trying to see on tiptoe, we were given programs and escorted into wonderful seats where we saw everything and my friend could take communion. I'm not Catholic but I was in their house of worship and a little respect goes a long way.
Mar 5th, 2006, 01:09 PM
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CVerga, we will be attending the same mass. Just wanted to let you know that Eloise was gracious enough to inform me that the mass now begins at 9:30 a.m., rather than 10:30.
What time are you planning to arrive in order to hope to get in? We are thinking 2-3 hours early.
What time are you planning to arrive in order to hope to get in? We are thinking 2-3 hours early.
Mar 5th, 2006, 06:02 PM
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Thank you all for your advice.
Statia, for some reason I was always under the impression that it was at 9:30 on that day. Perhaps the schedule that I saw was updated. I was told, by the office that I requested tickets from, that 7am would be a good time to get there. I sent a follow up email asking for advice, after they said that tickets were not being given out. By the way, are you planning on wearing a dress or skirt. It sounds like it might be a good idea.
Mar 5th, 2006, 06:14 PM
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If you do wear a dress or a skirt, make sure it's long enough. I've read knee-length, and that if you have a shorter skirt, you won't get in. If I were going to wear a skirt, I'd probably want it calf-length, just to avoid any confrontation.
Mar 6th, 2006, 04:49 AM
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CVerga, thanks for the advice. Yes, you must have gotten a later schedule than I orginally did. We will probably be there between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. as this mass is very important to my mom.
I do not plan to wear a skirt or dress because I live in the tropics and do not have anything that is long enough or warm enough due to our climate. Therefore, both my sister and I will be wearing pants. I've read on various boards that even nice jeans are acceptable. I wish I had something dressier that is warm enough, but I unfortunately don't and I can't buy clothing on the small island where I live.
I do not plan to wear a skirt or dress because I live in the tropics and do not have anything that is long enough or warm enough due to our climate. Therefore, both my sister and I will be wearing pants. I've read on various boards that even nice jeans are acceptable. I wish I had something dressier that is warm enough, but I unfortunately don't and I can't buy clothing on the small island where I live.
Mar 6th, 2006, 05:29 AM
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Make sure that you're wearing rubber soled shoes or better. Your feet will get realy cold waiting outside and focusing on keeping your head, feet and hands will make a huge difference!
Layer, layer and layer!!
Layer, layer and layer!!
Apr 18th, 2006, 08:13 AM
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Thanks Carol. I thought of you, too, and have wondered how it went for you.
We were going to get there really early, but then were told by Vatican guards a day prior that the Pope wasn't going to be saying mass that day. So, instead, we arrived St. Peter's about a half hour before mass and the line to get in moved quickly. We were in the door in fifteen minutes and sat near the back of the church. (Those chairs were cold!)
It worked out well because as I'm sure you know, the Pope did indeed say mass that day, and we were standing about five feet from him as he entered and left the church. My mom was elated, to say the least.
The only dissappointments were how disorganized communion was with everyone pushing and shoving as if they were afraid they wouldn't get any. Also the people who were literally standing on their chairs in order to see the Pope. I was shocked that they were acting like animals in a place of worship, getting back up again even after the guards requested they get down. Sheesh.
Overall it was a dream come true for my mom, though, and very special for all of us. So, how did things turn out for you?
We were going to get there really early, but then were told by Vatican guards a day prior that the Pope wasn't going to be saying mass that day. So, instead, we arrived St. Peter's about a half hour before mass and the line to get in moved quickly. We were in the door in fifteen minutes and sat near the back of the church. (Those chairs were cold!)
It worked out well because as I'm sure you know, the Pope did indeed say mass that day, and we were standing about five feet from him as he entered and left the church. My mom was elated, to say the least.
The only dissappointments were how disorganized communion was with everyone pushing and shoving as if they were afraid they wouldn't get any. Also the people who were literally standing on their chairs in order to see the Pope. I was shocked that they were acting like animals in a place of worship, getting back up again even after the guards requested they get down. Sheesh.
Overall it was a dream come true for my mom, though, and very special for all of us. So, how did things turn out for you?
May 31st, 2006, 05:18 AM
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If you were ever invited to a dinner at the White House, how would you dress? You should dress at least as well for God and the Pope as you would for some temporal president. You can get away with wearing pants in most Catholic Churches these days but you should probably dress in your best dress for a Papal Mass.
