Modesty in Dress
Mother Teresa, a model of modesty and womanhood shows by her life that 'a
virtuous life is the best adornment for women' (1 Tim. 2:10). In Rome, on
December 4, 1985, she graciously accepted different issues of The Fatima
Crusaderand was interested to learn from Father Gruner the findings of the
International Fatima Rosary Crusade Symposium regarding the urgent need to
consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her order is dedicated to
Our Lady's Immaculate Heart.
GIVE US GUIDELINES ON MODESTY
In December, 1985, we received a letter from Joseph B. of New York asking
us to get the Vatican to supply guidelines on Modesty in Dress. His letter
follows:
"Dear Father Gruner,
"Three times this year I have written to the Vatican to obtain information on
the subject MODESTY. Twice I wrote to Cardinal Ratzinger and once (recently)
to Pope John Paul II. In these letters I asked for booklets, history, documents,
etc. in which MODESTY would be fully explained. I have not received an answer
at all.
"I ask you Father Gruner, could you somehow get the Vatican to supply this
material to me? Please. You know that at Fatima, MODESTY was very much
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stressed by the Blessed Virgin Mary. She said that She wanted people to dress
modestly.
"All this year I've been asking everyone possible about the subject
MODESTY - but no one seems to know or care. There has to be detailed
information on MODESTY, since THE MOTHER OF GOD WOULD NOT TELL US
TO DRESS MODESTLY IF THERE WERE NO GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW.
"Please reply!
"Sincerely,
Joseph B.,
New York."
Our Response
It is with apprehension that we reply to this request. Today we know that
there is much opposition from some laypeople and even from some bishops to
teaching the Catholic Doctrine regarding Modesty in Dress. The Vatican has in
the past given clear guidelines regarding Modesty in Dress.
It is perhaps because there has been widespread opposition and
disobedience to these guidelines that the Vatican refuses to come out with a
new statement.
God allows us to be punished by the silence of the Magisterium today for
the sins of not obeying the Magisterium when it spoke up. Just as God, as
punishment, did not send more prophets to the people of the Old Testament
after the people had killed and rejected many of the prophets He had already
sent to them.
If anyone wants the last clear statement of guidelines from the Vatican and
Church authorities, they can obtain it from the International Fatima Rosary
Crusade offices - ask for the Modesty in Dress leaflet. The essential guidelines
that the Vatican gave in this matter is summed up in the one paragraph which
we here quote:
"A dress cannot be called decent which is cut deeper than two fingers
breadth under the pit of the throat; which does not cover the arms at least to
the elbows; and scarcely reaches a bit beyond the knees. Furthermore, dresses
of transparent materials are improper."
Following this guideline as well as special guidance from Heaven, Padre Pio
the stigmatic priest who bore the bleeding wounds of Christ on his own body
from 1918 until his death in 1968 refused time and again to absolve any
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woman, no matter how important she was, who did not wear her skirts well
below the knee. He also insisted that they do not wear slacks. Yet this guideline,
due to ignorance, prejudice, enslavement to vanity or passion has been
combated so much.
Over six years ago, even two bishops temporarily entered the fight. They
felt compelled to persecute The Fatima Crusader in 1979 for publishing this
material. One of these bishops, several years later before his death, seemed
more disposed to hear the truth.
Thus we hope you will understand why today many priests do not want to
talk about this subject. But for Our Lady of Fatima and for the salvation of souls
we shall here attempt to explain the matter more fully.
We agree that Joseph B. poses an important question. One that is very
important because if it is not properly answered it can lead to the loss of
immortal souls. These souls are of infinite worth because Jesus Christ paid for
them with the shedding of His Most Precious Blood. Immodesty in Dress, if
gravely offensive would be a mortal sin for the wearer and it is an occasion of
sin for the beholder of immodest fashions. So that immodest fashions alone
send to Hell, or at least make worthy of Hell's fire, the souls of many of those
who see these fashions.
Our Lady at Fatima lamented that in our times the Militant Atheists, that is
the Communists and their associates in our own country would spread their
errors against our Christian Catholic faith and morals. Our Lady said,
"Russia will spreadher errors throughout the world." She also said, "Certain
fashions will be introduced which will offend My Son very much."
The Blessed Virgin Mary also tells us at Fatima that "more souls go to hell
for sins of the flesh than any other reason".
There are a number of sins against purity that Our Lady was referring to
and there is need for clear teaching that only persons who are married may
have procreative relations. All others may not use or even give their consent to
any pleasure attached to the procreative faculties. Nor may these faculties be
voluntarily aroused except in marriage. This is because the power of begetting
children is a sacred trust that God has given to men and women to be used only
according to His laws.
As Creator of each one of us as well as Creator of each child's immortal soul
He has a right to demand we obey Him. These matters were explained in a
general way in The Fatima Crusader: Issue No. 15, "The Meaning of Christian
Chastity", by Father Pelagia, S.T.D. It is because these sins against holy purity
are particularly prevalent today causing many souls to go to hell that we here
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publish Father Pelagia's article on Modesty in Dress and in answer to Joseph B.
and many other people's requests.
Background Information
To help you more fully understand Father Pelagia's explanation given below,
some background Theology would be useful. It is because of original sin that
every man, woman and child experiences difficulty in controlling some of his
appetites, even when he knows by his reason it is in his own best interests to
do so.
For example, everyone might recall eating just a little too much after his
reason and senses tell him that he has already had enough. Others have felt the
desire for more alcohol to drink, or cigarettes to smoke even though they know
that any more is not good for them. The appetites then like the appetites for
food and drink, clearly want to "do their own thing" even when it is bad for the
person who is the owner of that appetite.
We do not always have direct control over how our sense appetites feel. We
can control them by Christian mortification as well as by other indirect methods.
For example, by not keeping our mind's attention focused on food, drink or
tobacco, we can the more easily not give in to the sin of gluttony. If we
continue to dwell on food or drink or the pleasure they give us then inevitably
we shall give in to our appetites even against our better judgment.
Since Original Sin, this appetite for sex, the procreative faculty's appetite in
all men and women is also not always subject to direct control of the will and
intellect.
This appetite is also controlled indirectly by the mortification of fasting and
abstinence, as well as by not dwelling upon certain creatures that would tend to
awaken a desire in this appetite. Because this appetite is so powerful (God
made it that way in order to ensure the continuation of the human race) it does
not take much to arouse the desire of the procreative faculty. Because of the
different nature of men and women, it is generally true that men's sexual desire
is more easily aroused.
It is by seeing persons of the opposite sex immodestly dressed that
persons, especially men, find that their appetite for use of the procreative
faculty is drawing them to exercise this faculty. This can happen even when it is
against the Law of God, and, therefore bad for the person. That is when this
appetite is not directed towards one's marriage partner, and if it is, after
sufficient reflection fully consented to, then that person has thereby committed
a mortal sin.
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If this sin is not repented, it would eventually drag that soul to hell for
eternity.
Therefore, as a result of this weakness that our brothers and sisters
experience as a result of original sin, we must safeguard their virtue by dressing
modestly. Both men and women are obliged to dress modestly in strict justice
and charity. To offend in this matter is often a mortal sin.
Because of the differences in psychology between men and women it is
usually the case that the devil and the militant atheists try to get women to
dress immodestly. By this strategy the devil and his followers often succeed in
causing men and women to fall into hell. This they achieve by having men
mortally sin by their eyes and impure desires and actions. This also causes men
to be enslaved on earth by the militant atheists as is explained in the
booklet Our Lady's Urgent Appeal. The women are sent to hell for having caused
the men to sin by their immodest manner of clothing. They, too, thereby give
the Communists and other militant atheists the greater possibility of enslaving
the free world.
It is a mistake to read into this concern for modesty as somehow being
anti-women. Both men and women are bound by the law of modesty. However,
it is much more common for the sin of immodesty to be committed by women,
that is why Father Pelegia outlines the obligation of women in this regard. Men,
too, must be concerned about this virtue. And if they should feel that their
clothes are too tight or immodest in any other way, they too must be more
modest so as to not be the occasion whereby anyone of their sisters in Christ
should lose their souls by unlawful desires being aroused.
With this background we should appreciate the clarifying article of Father
Pelagia, a Doctor of Sacred Theology. He is a Catholic priest who has for more
than 20 years studied the moral theology of St. Alphonsus Liguori. St.
Alphonsus has been proclaimed Doctor of the Church in Moral Theology by the
Magisterium of the Church. Father's article starts immediately below.
Mary-Like Guidelines
A sound guide for girls and women who want to know what good authorities
in the Catholic Church have to say about modesty in dress, is the program of
the Mary-like Crusade.
For many years until his death in 1969 Father Bernard Kunkel of the
diocese of Belleville, Illinois, U.S.A., was Director of the Crusade, his bishop
being the President. Followers of the Crusade pledge themselves to observe the
norms contained in A Girl's Modesty Guide, which we here print:
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IN RESPONSE TO THE PLEA OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA FOR ABSOLUTE
MODESTY IN DRESS AND TO HELP PREVENT THE COUNTLESS SINS CAUSED BY
IMMODEST DRESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER TIME, I SHALL EARNESTLY
STRIVE TO CARRY OUT THIS PROGRAM:
1. To refrain entirely from wearing "shorts" of any type, whether at
home or in public.
2. To refuse to wear other types of scanty wear, including such things
as sun-suits, and such outfits that expose the shoulders, breast, back, or
midriff; likewise to avoid sheer or transparent outfits, tight dresses, tight
sweaters, and tight slacks; and to wear only such skirts that go
sufficiently below the knees to safeguard modesty in all normal postures
and movements.
3. To limit my necessary recreational or work garb only to such
pants-type garments that reach below the knees and are not tight preferably full-length ample slacks.
4. To be particularly careful to dress modestly and respectfully for
church, and for all sacred services and sacred places, including parish
grounds; to encourage others always to dress with Mary-like modesty,
without fear of being "unpopular"; to follow the wishes of Our Immaculate
Lady rather than the decrees of pagan fashion dictators.
REMEMBER: Modesty in dress helps safeguard the virtue of purity and is
demanded by the moral law of God. The above norms are based on this
unchangeable moral law and on Christian tradition. Immodest dress is immoral
and sinful, and is a matter of confession. We have reason to believe that many
souls are now in hell because of the thoughtlessness of girls who dress
immodestly. Out of love for Christ and His Immaculate Mother, and for the sake
of others who are struggling to be pure, PLEASE DRESS MODESTLY!
Father Bruno Pelagia;
Catholic Priest, Theologian
& Doctor of Sacred Theology
Further Explains:
We are glad to see here and there ladies and girls who do not need to be
told in order to follow these norms. But as for those who stray away from such
wise norms, I, as God's minister, ask them to heed my plea:
YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT, UNSEARED CONSCIENCE, AND BE
SO THOUGHTLESS!
Do not say, What evil is there in the way I dress?
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For would that not be a naive question? You must suspect that
exposing a woman's body as you do can be terribly provocative.
Do not say, Those who see me this way are not forced to sin!
For we admit that. But should we not wish to reduce the offenses our
Divine Lord receives when we can? Woe to us if we are indifferent about
this! Woe to us if, from this indifference, our conduct coaxes others into
sin! We know that some good men will so successfully resist any woman's
provocativeness that they will not sin in the least, but will gain merit.
However, some others, being weak, will consent to what is forbidden; and
according to the Scriptures, you will share in their sin for unnecessarily
giving them a lure to it. (Matt. 18:7)
Do not say, All the other girls dress this way!
For we admit the sad fact that many are that thoughtless. But even if
all were so thoughtless, you should not follow such an example. You
consider yourself capable of making wise decisions of your own in
personal matters. Seeing that you have the freedom, the privilege, and
the duty to pursue virtue and heaven, would you unthinkingly follow the
herd like sheep do? "Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate
and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction: and many there are who
go in thereat. How narrow is the gate and strait is the way that leadeth to
life: and few there are that find it!" (Matt. 7:13-14). Let a sense of
responsibility and uprightness distinguish you from the herd.
Do not say, I do not mean to do evil.
For I can believe that. But the mischief you are doing by dressing
without due care of the consequences is an evil you will be responsible
for.
Do not say, I feel I should be in style and up-to-date.
For there are good women and girls who, using a bit of
resourcefulness, manage to dress with a modest attractiveness and
charm. But beware of a style which, luring men toward corrupt morals,
serves only vanity and the devil; for it is a tragic deception. No matter
how styles change and popular tastes change, the moral law does not
change.
Do not say, Often it is hard to judge if a dress is modest or not.
Reflect: If you suspect that a dish of food is poisoned, you do not
serve it to anyone, for fear of doing harm. Even more so should you not
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wisely play safe when you have any prudent suspicion that your manner
of dress will be a source of harm? Does not an upright conscience look
upon sin as the greatest of harms?
Do not say, I refuse to be a bigot and a hypocrite!
For how can it be wrong to act upon an upright conscience, which
tells you that an offense against the all-holy God is truly the greatest of
evils? A bigot and a hypocrite is one who pretends to hate sin and love
God when he does not really care about these things. But I ask you to
care, and how is that wrong? Uprightness, which at times requires sweat
and tears and courage, is never the same as bigotry and hypocrisy. And
the Saints who fought valiantly against immodesty, were they bigots or
hypocrites?
Do not say, Men want me this way.
That may be true of men who prefer a bit of pleasure to God's
friendship; but it is not true of men who live by a right conscience.
Furthermore, it is to God that you must one day render an account, not to
men.
Do not say, Beauty is supposed to be seen.
I could reply that "When bodily beauty is shown off a great deal, it
loses its loveliness." But there is a physical beauty that cannot be
displayed without becoming a lure to tempt men to forbidden
satisfactions. On the other hand, if you thought that there was beauty in
displaying your legs, why is there not beauty in showing Christian
modesty and a concern for the good of souls?
Do not say, But I feel hot!
You know how to put up with the heat when you want to. Surely a
good conscience is worth suffering a bit of heat for. Many good souls bear
the heat willingly in order to offer it as a penance to God. But - sad to say
- some women in hot weather go scantily clad to Mass and other church
gatherings who dress modestly when they must work in an office where
they receive all kinds of clients, or when they must teach school, or when
they must work as salesclerks where they have to satisfy all kinds of
customers.
Do not say, There are bigger problems and bigger sins than this.
Yes. Some sins are worse than others (John 19:11). But even the less
grave ones are real sins. One need not be a hunted outlaw in order to go
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to hell. And I have the strongest objections to seeing you go there. I will
go there myself if I do not try to keep others from going there.
YOUNG LADY, LET NOTHING CHEAT YOU OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE
AND YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY!
If you want to be Christian in fact and not just in name, if you want to help
and not hinder the work of grace to reform consciences, if you do not want to
feel remorse tomorrow and bear a weight of guilt, then put forth the effort to
dress with Mary-like modesty,
... so that you may prove yourself a Christian woman and not a mere mantrap;
... so that you uplift and inspire chaste love, and not enkindle forbidden
pleasure.
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