Catholic Modesty

[Shin]

Remember folks we have a splendid series of Christian Modesty resources.

The number of quotations of the saints on modesty continues to increase and the humble person willing to follow them wherever they lead, and put aside the world's preconceptions, will certainly find how modesty is so fundamental to being a Christian. Modest clothing, modest conversation, modest manners, it is all key to holiness.


'What does God think of spurious beauty, rejecting utterly as He does all falsehood?'

St. Clement of Alexandria

'The body should be bedecked naturally and without affectation, with simplicity, with neglect rather than nicety, not with costly and dazzling apparel, but with ordinary clothes, so that nothing be lacking to honesty and necessity, yet nothing be added to increase its beauty.'

St. Ambrose

'Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.'

Ecclesiasticus 11:4

[George]

The purpose of clothing is to keep you warm in the winter and to cover your nakedness, not to serve your vanity.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem

[Shin]

Succinctly puts it, no?

It makes me think of numerous statements against superfluities when I look to find that word in the writings of the saints and revelations. Whether it is food, clothing..

[George]

exceeding what is necessary, Yes.

[Shin]

A simple life.

Simplicity is a virtue too!

[George]

A simple life.

Simplicity is a virtue too!
[/quote
Yes, and it leads to a more peaceful heart.

[pebbles]

"Catholic Modesty" would this not embody Our Lady?   

[Shin]

"Catholic Modesty" would this not embody Our Lady?   

Who else? 

[Stella Matutina]

As a recent convert (Easter 2012!) I've found the sections of this site devoted to modesty to be indespensible. I've always been somewhat "modest" in the way I dress myself, so that wasn't a huge change, but the parts stressing how to carry yourself as a Christian - how to avoid immodest speech, to become mild-mannered, and strive always for sanctity, were real eye-openers. I come from a pretty crass family and social circle, so it's been a challenge to start rooting out these flaws in my character. These pages have been an immense help, and with the inspiration of the saints and God's Grace I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

[Shin]

Thanks be to God and Mary Ever Virgin, and all the angels, saints and holy souls! And may God grant rest to the holy souls!

I am thankfulu and glad you found the writings of the saints on modesty so helpful!

Yes.. Modesty is Christianity.. Without modesty, where is Christ?

Without it, where is Christian conversation? Where is Christian behavior? Where is the Spirit of God?

That temperate, modest spirit.. That persevering peacefully spirit.. That graceful and charitable spirit..

Glad to hear from you and welcome home, welcome home!

Follow the saints and you will be following the path to Heaven!

And welcome to the Saints' Discussion Forums!   

[Stella Matutina]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Shin! 

I'm glad to be here, and I will forever be greatful, from the bottom of my soul, for all of the graces that God has granted me, when I have done nothing to warrant them. Reading the lives of the saints was one of the major factors that brought me to the One True Faith to begin with, so I have been striving hard to follow their great example and take their advice.

May God richly Bless you for all you do!

[MidnightSun12]

As a recent convert (Easter 2012!) I've found the sections of this site devoted to modesty to be indespensible. I've always been somewhat "modest" in the way I dress myself, so that wasn't a huge change, but the parts stressing how to carry yourself as a Christian - how to avoid immodest speech, to become mild-mannered, and strive always for sanctity, were real eye-openers. I come from a pretty crass family and social circle, so it's been a challenge to start rooting out these flaws in my character. These pages have been an immense help, and with the inspiration of the saints and God's Grace I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

Welcome aboard, Boredom! 

I am also a convert from Easter 2012.  There's a great amount of holiness to be found here and this site is a great antidote to the secularism that abounds in our world.

[Shin]

There should be God willing, some new modesty material before long from St. Jean Eudes, his book, 'The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God'

With so little respect for modesty in these times, and so little good example even from authorities, who have forgotten perhaps that to be without modesty is to be without Christ -- St. Jean Eudes' work is more refreshment for the soul.

Mary-like Modesty.. imitating the virtues of Our Lady...

'In is this imitation, my dear sisters, will consist your eternal salvation. Is it not a great glory for a miserable creature to walk in the footsteps of the Queen of heaven. Is it not a great honor and happiness, above all to a daughter of so great a Princess, to resemble her Mother? Does not your eternal salvation depend upon the solemn promise you made to God in Baptism to follow Jesus Christ, and His Mother, who has always trod the same road wherein He journeyed? Cast your eyes often upon this beautiful mirror; behold the example of your Queen; see the perfections of your Mother; behold her employ every moment of her time in so holy a manner; and then consider what you have done.'

St. Jean Eudes

[pebbles]

Now, I'm not promoting a show...but I've seen this "My big gypsy wedding"... and well, they get negative comments from people just because of the way they dress and how they act. Not being a Westerner, I don't really know much about them except from books one reads.  However, seeing the show, one has a better idea of them.  And it was surprising to know that they are practicing Catholics  It's a case of "Do not judge a book by its cover." kind of thing.  They have big families and are not promiscuous as other people think. 

One girl made a very good argument.  Why are they being judge that they marry in such an early age and get pregnant at an early age.  But there are teenagers who get pregnant without a husband and don't get the same criticism.  At least they are married when they get pregnant.  And they seem to be faithful to their spouses.

Why did I mention this here?  Well because they do wear rather revealing clothes, but their hearts are in the right place.  Considering other people who who dress modestly and claim to be Christians...but behind locked doors... they are having an affair.

[Shin]

Well, these forums aren't for discussing television shows.

There's a sermon on movies that gives some idea why.

One expects immodesty on television, and so that's one reason for avoiding it. As well as of course, the sins of speech, taking the Lord's name in vain, blasphemy, and so forth that we are not permitted to (what Christian would) find entertainment in, though the TV accustoms people to take these grave sins lightly and overlook what offends God.

Modesty is revealed not only in dress, but also in how people look and act and speak.

Objectively if someone isn't wearing enough clothing, it's a problem, where-ever their hearts are, we do know that God's laws are written in the heart, and the harm they are doing in general.

Even in the very beginning Adam and Eve immediately realized how important modesty is, God didn't need to say anything to them to instruct them about it, they put on something! And then as that wasn't enough He put something on them, and that He found it necessary to do so is something written in the very first book of Holy Scriptures as a lesson for us I am thinking. If only people would listen to it.

[pebbles]

Hmmm... I seem to be always violating the rule of discussing television shows. 

I wonder... Is it a defense that I'm NOT promoting the television show per se but sharing a view of what happens in the world?  Since basically, it is the only way I learn about people and other cultures.  Like in Jesus' parable the weed grows with the crop when the farmer asked if he should pull out the weed.  Because if you pull out the weed, you might also pull out the sprout growing beside it.  Let them both grow and when the time comes for reaping, it will be easier to take out the weed for the sprout has grown strong root and the weeds will be taken out and be burned.  (Uhmm... I'm sure I didn't get the verses verbatim... but that what it means, right?)

And like in writing a book, if you take something from another book so as not to be plagiarized(?) one has to acknowledge where one got his resources, right?  Which is why I refer to where I've seen such a thing.  I didn't think I was doing anything wrong.     However, since I am, I apologize and will try to do better.

But let me be a devil's advocate for an argument.  What of places where clothing is not an issue for some cultures?  There are people in Africa where women don't wear blouses and men wear thongs of some kind.  I believe in our mountain province it's the same case.  But when missionaries come in,  when these people are as innocent as babes in not having any idea of their nakedness as "bad", missionaries begin teaching that it is "bad" or "immodest".  Nakedness being bad or immodest is a Western idea, I think.  Don't get me wrong.  I am for modesty.  And I'm from a generation where mini-skirts, low necklines (no cleavage seen necessarily), and spaghetti straps are somehow a no-no... for which such things are now normal for the younger generations.  But isn't there a Church teaching of adapting to other people's cultures? I mean...up to a point...

I believe God said to Adam and Eve, "Who told you you were naked?"  It was only when they've been disobedient that God taught them how to make clothes.  Because the body God created which is a thing of beauty can no longer go around without coverings, lest shame and lust be in a person's mind.  Because we can no longer become who we were once... INNOCENT.