Modesty

[Brigid]

Moreover, I must remind you that the exterior modesty of which we have already spoken greatly helps the interior, and the acquisition of peace and tranquillity in the soul. The proof of this is that all the holy Fathers, who were especially given to prayer, judged that a well-regulated posture contributed greatly to its efficacy, such as kneeling with clasped hands or arms outstretched.

St. Francis de Sales

[Shin]

Now that is a good quote! 

[Patricia]

'. . . Now, observe, my daughter, the contrast between the luxurious dress of many women, and the raiment and adornments of Jesus. . . Tell me: what relation do their fine shoes bear to the spikes in Jesus' Feet? The rings on their hands to the nails which perforated His? The fashionable coiffure to the Crown of Thorns? The painted face to That covered with bruises? Shoulders exposed by the low-cut gown to His, all striped with Blood? Ah, but there is a marked likeness between these worldly women and the Jews who, incited by the Devil, scourged Our Lord! At the hour of such a woman's death, I think Jesus will be heard saying: "Cujus est imago haec et circumscripto. . .  of whom is she the image?" And the reply will be: "Demonii. . . of the Devil!" Then He will say: "Let her who has followed the Devil's fashions be handed over to him; and to God, those who have imitated the modesty of Jesus and Mary."'

~~ St. Anthony Mary Claret

[Brigid]

He certainly doesn't 'pull any punches', does he.

[Shin]

It's funny because St. Anthony generally gives me the impression of being a bit of a softie, like St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales I believe once said he had a difficulty with anger, which of course no one can possibly tell because he so greatly compensated for that. 

[Brigid]

It's funny because St. Anthony generally gives me the impression of being a bit of a softie, like St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales I believe once said he had a difficulty with anger, which of course no one can possibly tell because he so greatly compensated for that. 

He did? I've never seen any writings of his that showed that. What compensation.

[Shin]

It's funny because St. Anthony generally gives me the impression of being a bit of a softie, like St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales I believe once said he had a difficulty with anger, which of course no one can possibly tell because he so greatly compensated for that. 

He did? I've never seen any writings of his that showed that. What compensation.

I wonder if he overdid it!   

[Brigid]

It's funny because St. Anthony generally gives me the impression of being a bit of a softie, like St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales I believe once said he had a difficulty with anger, which of course no one can possibly tell because he so greatly compensated for that. 

He did? I've never seen any writings of his that showed that. What compensation.

I wonder if he overdid it!   

Never! Couldn't overdo it! 

[martin]

                         The Mind of the Catholic Church on Modesty in Dress

Often today we hear sensible people complaining about the immodesty in dress that is seen everywhere and unfortunately even in our churches. But, objectively speaking, where do wedraw the line and call a garment immodest? And how can we be sure that we ourselves are dressing with proper Christian modesty that is pleasing to God?
This booklet is provided to answer these questions. For on this subject, through his Church, God has made his Will clearly known. Perhaps for some, this booklet will be the litmus test to determine whether or not they are truly willing to deny themselves, to take up their cross, and follow Jesus.

                                        1. The Need for this Booklet

It is widely known that Pope Pius XII often said: "The greatest sin of our modern generation is that it has lost all sense of sin." 1 It is less known that more specifically he once stated: "Many women..   give in to the tyranny of fashion, be it even immodest, in such a way as to appear not even to suspect that it is unbecoming. They have lost the very concept of danger: they have lost the instinct of modesty."

These words spoken over 50 years ago ring more true today than ever (and not only for
women). For in today's post-Christian society where indecent and improper dress have become the norm, even among good-willed and devout Catholics there is much ignorance as to what is meant
by proper Christian modesty. Yes, even the most virtuous of Catholics who attend daily Mass and have an intimate relationship with Jesus, frequently are not fully aware of the Church's teaching
in this matter.

Could it be that this booklet is for you? May Our Lady, our true Mother, be with you to enlighten you to understand and to be receptive to the Will of God in this matter — for indeed, it may be a challenge.
This booklet has been prepared, therefore, to provide all those who have been given the immense privilege of calling themselves Catholic the information they need to be well aware of the mind of
the Church, and therefore the mind of Christ, on what constitutes proper Christian modesty and decency in dress.

                                         A Cultural Revolution

Now, how is it that there exists today this ignorance among devout Catholics regarding proper Christian modesty? We have passed through a Cultural Revolution — a revolution aimed at
destroying the once Catholic culture on which Western Civilization was founded. Although styles began changing for the worse soon after World War I, it was only 40-50 years ago that the true revolution took place. Since that time, little has been done to preach against the new, unchristian fashions which have become the norm. In a recent article, Catholic journalist, Marian Therese Horvat, Ph.D. 3 explained:
If we understand the revolution as the abolition of a natural and good order of things so as to replace it with the opposite, we can begin to analyze the cultural revolution that has changed the customs, habits and ways of being of modern-day man. The cultural revolution includes a revolution in style, in which a new "loose," "relaxed," egalitarian and vulgar type of clothing and way of being came to replace the existing order and values that had been cultivated by Christian Civilization.
She went on to explain that this revolution, which began to
take place in the 1960s, affects our way of thinking and the health of our society:
Now, some thirty years after, we can see that this egalitarian revolution has produced profound transformations in the mentality of modern-day men — even of those who call themselves conservative. Dress began to change in a way that increasingly accentuated the idea not only of equality among sexes — with increasingly unisex clothing — but also the notion of equality among social classes. The differentiation in dress that still remained in the '60s to indicate a class or office of life has largely disappeared. The businessman and lawyer are removing their suits, the
professor looks like the student, the doctor like his gardener.

In effect, the consequence of the underlying philosophy of this revolution was the creation of an egalitarian, vulgar and sexually liberated culture to replace the Catholic culture characterized by harmonic inequalities and chaste customs.…The new "anything-goes" dress and way of being gives no opportunity for souls to mirror the moral values and notion of hierarchy necessary for the good ordering of any sound society.

Dr. Horvat went on to say, "Christendom has always been understood as a projection of the Catholic principles into every aspect of the temporal sphere." This means Catholics are called to counter this anti-Catholic Cultural Revolution by reestablishing Catholic principles in society. One way they can
and must do this is by choosing clothing that truly reflects our Christian belief. For as Horvat recognized, "The more a civilization becomes Christian, the more the clothing of men will be virile, dignified, noble — from the highest dignitary to the lowest worker."

This booklet may seem lengthy for the topic it covers, but since this Cultural Revolution has "produced profound transformations in the mentality of modern day men — even of those who call themselves conservative," many words are needed to point out the errors of this modern mentality.

The goal of this booklet is not to preach self-righteously to those who are erring, but as humbly as possible, to present the Catholic truth. Thus it is hoped that the sincere Catholics will be assisted in replacing this false mentality with the truly Catholic one that is in full harmony with the Holy Will of God.

                            The Two Aspects of Christian Modesty:

First Aspect: Avoid Being an Occasion of Sin There are two aspects to Christian modesty. The first is to avoid being an occasion of sin. The second, more positively speaking, is to be instilled with the spirit of modesty inspired by a deep love for the virtue of chastity, and also by the proper understanding that our clothing is meant to enhance the dignity of the human body and to be a symbol of our state in life. Both aspects, while in no way excluding men, are much more important
for women. Because of the natural differences in the genders, women are both far more prone to be occasions of sin, and, being "the weaker vessel" (1 Pet 3:7) to be treated with less dignity or
respect. Proper dress does much to overcome this, and this is why St. Paul wrote in the New Testament that women should appear "in decent apparel; adorning themselves with modesty and
sobriety." (1 Tim 2:9).

With regards to the first aspect — avoiding being an occasion of sin — the late Archbishop Albert G. Meyer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has these words to say, taken from his Pastoral Letter to the Clergy, Religious and Faithful Laity of May 1, 1956: In the desire to fulfill the charge given to us as your
pastor, whose duty it is to protect his flock against the enemy, and as an appointed watchman of God, who must speak out in clear and explicit warnings, lest the sins of those who err be charged to his account (Ezech. 33:8-9), we have decided to address this letter to you. In this letter, it is our
thought to consider the general subject of Decency… We are impelled to do this as we recall some of the recent forceful statements of our Holy Father (Pope Pius XII)… With regard to clothing, modesty requires especially two things: first, care that one does not make purity difficult for oneself, or for others, by one's own mode of dress; and, second, a prudent but firm and courageous resistance to the styles and customs, no matter how popular or widespread, or adopted by others, which are a danger to purity . …… We must emphasize in the strongest possible language that it is Catholic teaching based on the words of Christ Himself, that impure thoughts and desires freely indulged in are serious sins. To invite such impure thoughts and desires through dress … [one] cannot help but participate [in] the grave sin of scandal and cooperation.



* In a letter ordered by Pope Pius XII and issued by the Sacred Congregation
of the Council on Aug. 15, 1954, he directed the world’s bishops to "take
action against the most serious plague of immodest fashions." He further
implored "promote with all your power, everything which has to do with the
protection of modesty" and "leave no stone unturned which can remedy the
situation."

Heaven too warned us to offer a "firm and courageous resistance to the styles and customs," for Our Lady of Fatima told Blessed Jacinta Marto in 1919: Certain fashions are to be introduced which will offend Our Lord very much. Those who serve God should not follow these fashions. The Church has no fashions. Our Lord is always the same.

Unfortunately many modern women do not understand the strong reaction men have to immodest dress. For this reason, even fifty years ago Pope Pius XII was led to exclaim: "How many young girls there are who do not see any wrongdoing in following certain shameless styles like so many sheep. They would certainly blush if they could guess the impression they make and the feelings they evoke in those who see them."

[martin]

The above extract is from a booklet printed (I think in the 90's) to make Catholics especially, aware of their obligations concerning the virtue of modesty.
At the time of posting I fear it may have been missed among the large number of other topics being discussed at that time.
I bring it to light again as I feel- or more importantly The Blessed Virgin and many Popes feel -it most important for every Catholic to stand up (even in their own person) in defense of this much ignored and forgotten virtue and as Shin is currently working on a concordance on the subject the above extract might be timely reading again.

Virgin most pure,      Pray for us
Virgin most chaste,    Pray for us   

[Shin]

I remember once looking at a series of photographs of children from decades past.. they all wore little suits, like adults.. where-ever they went.. and they worked in factories, shops, farms.. because this was before the sweeping child labor laws (the photographs were funded by and for the government to use as propaganda to put a stop to this)..

I was impressed at how mature the children were at young ages.. capable.. responsible..

We don't want children working in sweatshops, anymore than we want adults.. but I have always thought that a good deal of harm was done by overly restricting the young from working..

When I was a boy I would have benefited greatly to have helped out at a store, or in some trade. And when you are younger you do desire to take on responsibility as well.

But I digress...

I have been finding more quotes:

"Further we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals incontinence."

St. Jerome, Father and Doctor of the Church

'Honesty pertains to virtue. Now a certain honesty is observed in the outward apparel; for Ambrose says: "The body should be bedecked naturally and without affectation, with simplicity, with negligence 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." Therefore there can be virtue and vice in the outward attire.'

St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church

'Purity is a precious jewel, and the owner of a precious stone would never dream of making a display of his riches in the presence of thieves.'

St. John Bosco

'Modesty should pervade all that is exterior - our walk, our gestures, and our movements. All outside appearances reveal the condition of our mind; although our passions are hidden, they manifest themselves exteriorly; one easily knows if a man is fickle, haughty, mischievous, or if he is wise, patient, and reserved; the motion of the body is a species of voice which bespeaks all that is passing in the soul. . . Modesty is suitable for all ages and for all classes of persons; for all times and places.'

St. Ambrose, Father and Doctor of the Church

See.. the exterior always reveals something of what is inside.. these days we often hear 'you can't judge by appearances'.. but, actually, you can, to a certain degree do just that.. and all do so.. and it is perfectly sensible to do so.. not too greatly.. and yet not without any judgement on certain matters that very much deserve it.. which is when we most often hear, 'you can't judge'.. for some reason which I think is clear.