Modesty

The Good Lord calls us all to modesty and purity.  

The supernatural reason for modest behavior is obedience to the Commandments of God and to preserve the virtue of chastity in/out of marriage. 

It applies to all we have and are…

Heart – do we seek to be most pleasing to our Lord and could we face Him at any moment, unashamed of our dress or speech?

Thoughts – do we offer an ejaculation to call upon Our Lord when a bad thought or image comes into our mind or do we entertain such things? Do we watch bad movies/tv, read indecent books/sites, or listen to inappropriate music? 

Speech – do we curse, use vulgar language, take the Lord’s name in vain directly, by way of modern speech or texting (ie; OM*), or remaining unmoved when it’s done in our presence?

Dress – do you dress to meet the conditions that the Church has always taught —  the needs of hygiene, modesty, and decorum? Do we adhere to the degrees of decency regarding the parts of the body? A traditional priest once broke it down as the honest, less honest, and dishonest parts of the body.  The degree of incentive toward the sensual passions that the parts arouse is the criterion used to establish the above classes.  

We are an image of God and are always in His presence, and that of the angels and saints.  

May we dress & carry ourselves to uphold our greatest dignity, show our love of God and neighbor.

Don’t know where to start but desiring to do so this Lent? Start with the following items which should always be observed in Church but would be most pleasing to Him if it were our constant decorum.

Women: Wear modest dresses or skirts and tops that properly cover the body. Cover yourself in a dignified way to never reveal  “less honest” parts without good reason — by way of lack of clothing, transparent items, short hems, low necklines, tight clothing, clothing which was not originally designed for women, or items intended to be used as undergarments, and never the “dishonest” parts outside of the absolute appropriate times.  Many have been transformed interiorly by making this change. 

Men: follow the suggestions above that apply to men and leave work dress for work, workout clothing for working out, etc… Fathers/husbands guide your daughter/wife in the above.  

All: Pray to have God set watch over your mouth and not speak one word that could offend Him or call upon diabolical influences — no curse words, vulgarities, or gossip.  

All: Inform your conscience – read the writings of Pius XII and other good traditionalist moralists.

May we give glory to God with our clothing, bearing, and way of being, at all times.   May we let nothing cheat us out of our call to holiness, purity, and our eternal salvation.