How can I prepare myself? - Page 2

kage_ar · #16 Jul 19, '07, 11:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlestOne

might I also suggest that you familiarize yourself with some of the other things about the TLM? Like that you will not see female altar servers, women should have their heads covered and almost exclusively wear skirts or dresses? You will kneel for communion and you will receive on the tongue.

Okay, confused again. In this thread

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...ghlight=slacks

I was concerned because I do not wear skirts or dresses. I wear slacks to weddings, to formal business events, etc. Now that I hear women almost exclusively wear skirts or dresses (and I'm hearing this from other people too), guess I will not be able to attend TLM

**Tantum ergo** · #17 Jul 19, '07, 12:57 pm

Quote:

guess I will not be able to attend TLM

Eeek! No, no, no, no, no!

No one is saying that you are 'not as good a Catholic' if as a woman you prefer to wear pants.

"Almost exclusive". Obviously there are women who do not wear skirts or dresses, and instead wear modest, tasteful pants. One does not HAVE to wear skirts or dresses.

That being said, provided you have no medical issue (prosthetic leg, for example), no psychological issues (prior sexual abuse), etc., why NOT try wearing a simple (and currently stylish) coatdress or sheath, or another (also stylish) gored skirt, with a simple oxford shirt perhaps? Is there any reason you chose pants over skirts "all the time"?

.

kage_ar · #18 Jul 19, '07, 1:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tantum ergo

Eeek! No, no, no, no, no!

No one is saying that you are 'not as good a Catholic' if as a woman you prefer to wear pants.

"Almost exclusive". Obviously there are women who do not wear skirts or dresses, and instead wear modest, tasteful pants. One does not HAVE to wear skirts or dresses.

That being said, provided you have no medical issue (prosthetic leg, for example), no psychological issues (prior sexual abuse), etc., why NOT try wearing a simple (and currently stylish) coatdress or sheath, or another (also stylish) gored skirt, with a simple oxford shirt perhaps? Is there any reason you chose pants over skirts "all the time"?

.

Actually, I do have a physical reason. No manufacturer makes panty hose or stockings that fit me as I have dwarfism. Beause of a prosthetic build up required on one of my shoes, I have no "ladies dress shoes", I wear children's oxford shoes and athletic shoes. My black oxfords and socks would make a dress or skirt into a very tasteless outfit.

**Tantum ergo** · #19 Jul 19, '07, 1:55 pm

There, you see? It is perfectly reasonable for you to wear pants.

However, speaking from my old Catholic school days, my clunky saddle shoes and navy knee highs went just fine with my tartan uniform jumper.

I'd say that for you, dressing in pants is absolutely equivalent to the woman dressing in a dress for the TLM--because in your case, you ARE trying to 'dress your best' for God. You're wearing not what you wear 'casually' but what you wear both for necessity AND in a way that shows you want to present yourself at your best.

TraderTif · #20 Jul 19, '07, 2:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tantum ergo

Eeek! No, no, no, no, no!
That being said, provided you have no medical issue (prosthetic leg, for example), no psychological issues (prior sexual abuse), etc., why NOT try wearing a simple (and currently stylish) coatdress or sheath, or another (also stylish) gored skirt, with a simple oxford shirt perhaps? Is there any reason you chose pants over skirts "all the time"?
.

How about the reason that.....*tearing through closet*......I don't have a dress or skirt?? lol

Oh no.....wait a minute.......*shuffles through laundry*......I do have a denim jumper.

And speaking of this, is denim ok to wear to mass? Because.....er......I don't think I can actually assemble an outfit without denim at the moment! (Ok, ok, I admit it. I was born without any fashion sense at ALL! I don't even match my socks!)

Tif

**Tantum ergo** · #21 Jul 19, '07, 5:34 pm

Denim jumpers are fine. So are pants worn with due respect and love. So, indeed, would be clothing that is dirty or torn, if that is the very best one has. .

This is one of the devil's great triumphs--that he can take people away from the Holy Mass just by getting them to focus on their pride, either by some, "I wear whatever I want, even if it is immodest, provokes lechery, has a vulgar message, or is simply dirty and sloppy--not because I'm in a hurry or had a valid reason, like being in the hospital with a sick child all night, or homeless--but because I like to be COMFORTABLE--or FASHIONABLE--or SEXY-- and God 'doesn't care'. He's just so THRILLED that I'm honoring Him with my presence".

Or by others, "I want to go but if I wear a dress, 'somebody' will call me a Pharisee. If I wear pants, "somebody' will call me disrespectful." "I would go but I don't think I will fit in. I only wear X and people will judge me".

Or others, "I can't go because my clothes are not 'nice' and I have nothing else; I would be ashamed at what people would say."

It's all 'what somebody would say'. Even when God is brought into the picture, notice that it's only to have God 'approving' one's behavior--or 'finding fault' with somebody else's!!

Because if we stop to think, "What does God want me to do?" then we just go ahead and do it. He does not hold us to the impossible. So. . .God wants us at Mass, we know. God is someone who loves us. He is also somebody we WORSHIP. So. . .if we are focusing not on 'our comfort', not on 'what people say', not on "God wants ME to be happy", but. . .

God wants me to be at Mass. At Mass, I should be loving God and showing my love by being humble, respectful, and COURTEOUS. . .then we will make the right decision.

No matter what we wear, we will wear it for the 'right' reason. If we are poor, we will not allow 'what others think' to keep us from worshipping God as best we can.

If we wear dresses, we will do so not judging others who wear pants as 'lesser', but because this is how we personally wish to be 'our best' to God.

And ditto on those who wear pants. They will not sneer at those who wear dresses as 'elitist snobs' but will join their sisters in presenting themselves, as their personal 'best', to God.

The ONLY ones who might really have some difficulty are those who are so focused on reading God's mind and justifying themselves in wearing anything LESS than what they consider their 'best' for God. They are the most difficult to reach, because they have completely taken out the 'worship God' in favor of the "God wants us to be happy on any terms possible".

That's why I think it is important that we women, whether we wear our best dress/skirt or our nicest pants, present a united (and tidy) front which acknowledges that God does not demand anything from us but our BEST. Best pants or best skirt. Like Abel, we are to offer Him our BEST when we participate in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Finally

MaryD7 · #22 Jul 23, '07, 7:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TraditionalCath

another way to prepare yourself for the TLM is to get yourself a missal for it. they do have the latin-english ones. you can buy them at a Catholic bookstore that carries them, or you can buy them on ebay, or at amazon and so on.the one i have is the New Marian Missal. or you can get the St. Joseph's Missal. they have both latin and english. here is a store online where you can get them:

http://www.amazon.com/New-Marian-Mis.../dp/B000BMWMGM

http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index....8949/index.htm

Is there any difference between the two missals?

Also, what is acceptable as a head covering?

BlyssfulDreamer · #23 Jul 23, '07, 8:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlestOne

might I also suggest that you familiarize yourself with some of the other things about the TLM? Like that you will not see female altar servers, women should have their heads covered and almost exclusively wear skirts or dresses? You will kneel for communion and you will receive on the tongue.

In my TLM church there are women who do not cover their heads....although I do...and there are those who wear pants...I do. Not jeans...but nice dress pants. There is also usually a basket of mantillas available for use and a basket of missals for use.

♥Blyss