--The
Cardinal Vicar of Pope Pius XI
Women’s Dress
Our Lady’s words at Fatima, “Certain styles and fashions are being introduced which gravely offend My Divine Son,” certainly represent no innovation in the teachings of her Divine Son, Who said Himself, “Anyone who so much as looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28) All throughout the centuries the true followers of Christ have recognized the critical need, not only of penance and self-denial, in order to preserve chastity of mind and body, but also of avoiding all occasions of sin, especially immodest fashions on the part of women, who through their vanity become horrible occasions of sin for men, just as Our Lord warned. Indeed, if woman’s vanity has been a prolific source of temptation down throughout the centuries, what is to be said of our own age, in which the styles and fashions are deliberately calculated to lead men into sin. Let us be reminded of the unchanging doctrine of the Church in this regard, and diligently avoid, without fear of human respect, that terrible immodesty in dress which is the cause of so many sins and offenses against the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son! Considering this tragic reality, reflect carefully upon this warning to women by a great and holy Doctor of the Church:
“You carry your snare everywhere and spread your nets in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not, indeed, by your words, but you have done so by your dress and your deportment, and much more effectively than you could by your voice. When you have made another sin in his heart, how can you be innocent? Tell me, whom does this world condemn? Whom do judges in court punish? Those who drink poison or those who prepare it and administer the fatal potion? You have prepared the abominable cup, you have given the death-dealing drink, and you are more criminal than are those who poison the body; you murder not the body, but the soul. And it is not to enemies that you do this, nor are you urged on by any imaginary necessity, nor provoked by injury, but out of foolish vanity and pride.”
~ St. John Chrysostom
1. “Marylike”
means modesty without compromise -- “like Mary,” Christ’s pure and spotless
Mother.
2. Marylike
dresses have sleeves extending to the elbows; and skirts reaching at least below the knees.
3. Marylike
dresses require full and loose coverage for the bodice, chest, shoulders, and
back; the cut-out about the neck must not exceed “two fingers breadth under the
pit of the throat” and a similar breadth around the back of the neck.
4. Marylike
dresses also do not admit as modest coverage transparent fabrics -- laces,
nets, organdy, nylons, etc. -- unless sufficient backing is added. Fabrics such
as laces, nets, organdy may be moderately used as trimmings only.
5. Marylike
dresses avoid the improper use of flesh-colored fabrics.
6. Marylike
dresses conceal rather than reveal the figure of the wearer; they do not
emphasize, unduly, parts of the body.
7. Marylike
dresses provide full coverage, even after jacket, cape or stole are removed.
8. Marylike fashions are designed to conceal as much of the body as
possible, rather than reveal. This would automatically eliminate such fashions
as slacks, jeans, shorts, culottes, tight sweaters, sheer blouses, and
sleeveless dresses; etc. The Marylike standards are a guide to instill a “sense
of modesty.” A girl or woman who follows these, and looks up to Mary as her
ideal and model, will have no problem with modesty in dress. She will not be an
occasion of sin or source of embarrassment or shame to others.
The standard set by the Cardinal Vicar of Pope Pius XI (quoted above)
is meant to delineate between “decent” and indecent; it would be sinful to wear
clothes which “cannot be called decent.” We expect women, who are resolved to make reparation for the sins of the world --
especially of immodest and impurity, will do far more than the minimum. They
will truly strive to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary in the virtue of modesty.
Keep this guide with you when buying clothes. Make sure that you purchase or
make only garments which meet the Marylike Standards.
“Be Marylike
by being modest -- be modest by being Marylike.”
Warning of St. Anthony Mary Claret
Concerning Immodest and Worldly Fashions
“...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 women’s death, I think Jesus
will be heard saying: ‘Cujus est imago haec... 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’.”
Certain Fashions Threaten To Retard Mary’s
Triumph And World Peace
By Rev.
Father Bernard Kunkel
Is it a sin to wear shorts, strapless dresses, short skirts, pants,
modern swimwear, etc.? These questions continue to disturb even so-called
conservative Catholics almost a century after the disrobing trend began in
feminine attire at the close of the First World War. True traditional
Catholics, mindful of the virtues of Christian modesty and purity, refuse to be
stampeded by “the crowd” into accepting the hedonistic fashions. They know that
the Blessed Virgin Mary will never approve of these pagan
styles which are so contrary to Christian tradition on modesty.
Our Blessed Mother knew in advance the moral havoc that would follow
the introduction of these unholy fashions. This is why she came personally at
Fatima in 1917 to forewarn us. At the same time she gave the answer in advance
to the question, “Is it a sin to follow these fashions?” To little Jacinta,
aged seven, Our Lady entrusted this prophecy, which embodies her theology on
the modern fashions: ”Certain fashions will be introduced that will
offend Our Lord very much.”
Let the Modernist pseudo-Theologians realize that they are in serious
conflict with this heavenly message when they condone the aping of these “certain
fashions” by so many Catholic women and girls. They cannot sanctify these
sinful fashions by sprinkling them with holy water. Our Lady’s verdict is that
they are mortally sinful. For, in theological language, to “offend Our Lord
very much” means mortal sin.
How sad Our Blessed Mother must be when so many ignore Her maternal
warning! “Men must cease offending God, Who is already too much offended,” She
pleads. Instead of heeding Mary’s pleas, “the crowd” rejects Her as their model
of modesty and looks for its models in the camp of Her archenemy, Satan. How
can Catholics be so blind?
They
Follow Like Sheep
How sad, too, must have been the Vicar of Christ Himself, Pope Pius
XII, as he lamented this blindness in his allocution to the Sodality convention
in Rome on July 17, 1954! These are the Holy Father’s own words:
“You live in a world which is constantly forgetful of God and the
supernatural, where the only interest of the crowd seems to be the satisfaction
of temporal needs, well-being, pleasure, vanity....
“How many young girls there are who do not see any wrongdoing in
following certain shameless styles like so many sheep. They certainly would
blush if they could guess the impression they make and the feeling they evoke
in those who see them. Do they not see the harm resulting from excess in
certain gymnastic exercises and sports not suitable for virtuous girls? What
sins are committed or provoked by conversations which are too free, by immodest
shows, by dangerous reading. How lax have consciences become, how pagan morals!”
The
Prophecy of Fatima Is Fulfilled
The stern condemnation of modern fashions by Christ’s Vicar shows that
the prophecy of Our Lady of Fatima, “Certain fashions will be introduced”, had
already been fulfilled in the Marian Year of 1954. Especially since, a little
over one month later, on August 21, the Pope startled the world by his
reference to the modern fashions as “a most serious plague”; and directed the
Bishops throughout the world to “take action against this most serious plague of
immodest fashions”.
To emphasize still more the seriousness of “certain fashions”, Pope
Pius XII asked the Sacred Congregation of the Council to make a forceful appeal
to all Catholics, but especially those in authority, to “leave no stone
unturned which can help remedy the situation.” Thus, he repeated the action of
his predecessor, Pius XI, who had asked this same Sacred Congregation to send
out the “Special Instructions” in 1930 directing that the Roman Standards of
modesty in dress (Marylike Standards) be followed.
The Pope
Confirms Fatima Warning
What could be more condemnatory of these “certain fashions” than this
second stern letter of the Sacred Council, which was sent on August 21 through
its Prefect, Pietro Cardinal Ciriaci! Read carefully the excerpts from this
letter which here follow, then resolve to redouble your “prayers and sacrifices”
so that Mary Immaculate may extirpate that accursed heresy of Modernism which
refuses to heed the appeal of both the Mother of God and the Vicar of Christ:
“Everyone knows that during the summer months particularly, things are
seen here and there, which are certain to prove offensive to anyone who has
retained some respect and regard for Christian modesty. On the beaches, in
country resorts, almost everywhere, on the streets of cities and towns, in
public and private places, and, indeed, often even in buildings dedicated to
God, an unworthy and indecent mode of dress has prevailed.
“Because of this, the young particularly, whose minds are easily bent
towards vice, are exposed to the extreme danger of losing their innocence,
which is, by far, the most beautiful adornment of mind and body. Feminine
adornment, if it can be called adornment, feminine clothing, if that can be
called clothing which contains nothing to protect either the body or modesty,
are at times of such a nature, that they seem to serve lewdness rather than
modesty . . . Well did the ancient poet say of this matter, ‘Vice necessarily
follows upon public nudity.’ “
The
Bishops are Asked To Take Action
“But you especially, whom ‘the Holy Ghost has set up as Bishops to
rule the Church of God’, must by all means consider that matter carefully and
take under your care, and promote with all your power, everything which has to
do with the protection of modesty and the furtherance of Christian morals.
“Therefore, it is altogether imperative to admonish and exhort, in
whatever way seems most apt, people of all stations, but particularly youth, to
avoid the danger of this kind of vice (immodest dress), which is so directly
opposed, and potentially so hazardous to Christian and civic virtue...
“It is the earnest desire of the August Pontiff that this cause be
taken up enthusiastically, especially during the present Marian Year. He
desires that Bishops in particular leave no stone unturned, which can help
remedy the situation; and that, with their counsel and leadership, the rest of
the clergy work prudently, assiduously, and earnestly, within their own
jurisdiction, toward the happy attainment of this goal...”
Vain
Excuses For Shameless Fashions
In spite of the many discourses of various Popes condemning the modern
“certain fashions,” many women and girls stubbornly persist in “following
certain shameless styles like so many sheep.” (Pius XII) And how do they
justify their immodesty? In many cases, by parroting this sophistry, which can
only be Hell-inspired:
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? It doesn’t bother me. Evil to him
who thinks evil. He must have a dirty mind. To the pure, all things are pure.”
It is obvious that many of the female sex do not understand the
workings of the mind of man, and how it fits in the plan of God for the
procreation of new human life. Otherwise, to re-quote Pius XII, “They would
certainly blush if they could guess the impression they make and the feeling
they evoke in those who see them.”
All Sense
of Modesty Is Lost
Why do they not blush? God gives to each girl a special innate sense
of modesty which causes her to blush when appearing in public in immodest
attire. This instinct is intended by God for the protection of her own
chastity, but especially to help the male, whose helpmate she is called to be,
to keep in check his fiery passion. If she no longer blushes she has lost this
precious “sense of modesty”. At this point, she is literally “asking for
trouble.”
“My
Conscience Is Clear”
Some women and girls justify their immodest attire by the sophism, “My
conscience is clear. It tells me that there is nothing wrong in wearing shorts,
strapless dresses, swimsuits, etc.”
“Follow your conscience” is a safe rule, provided you add, “Under the
guidance of the Church.” Otherwise you are following the modern sophism, “Everybody
his own Theologian.” This is nothing but the principle of “private
interpretation,” essentially the same as the error held by the Lutherans of the
16th century, which led to the Protestant revolt against the true Church.
“Sister
Says They’re Modest”
Still other women and girls appeal to the authority of a Priest or
even a Sister. They shop around until they find one imbued with Modernism, or
one who is either not too well acquainted with the recent pronouncements of the
Popes, or not inclined to take them seriously.
How often does one hear, “Sister So-and-so says there is nothing wrong
with shorts, strapless dresses, swimsuits”! Unfortunately, some Sisters do usurp
the role of Theologian, without ever having had a course in Theology. Even with
such a course, the Church does not authorize Sisters, Religious, or teachers to
make decisions on such vital and intricate questions as modesty in dress.
Even if you can give the same quotation as coming from a Priest, you
may not follow such a decision. If you do, you are still guilty of wrongdoing.
For, not even a Priest is authorized to make such decisions which contradict
the official statements of the Vicar of Christ, since he is only a “delegated
authority” in the Church. You are still guilty of sin by following “certain
shameless styles like so many sheep”, unless, through no fault of your own, you
are ignorant of the recent Papal statements.
“Blind
Leaders of the Blind”
Pastors, teachers, parents, and all who exercise authority over
others, have a grave responsibility to promote modesty in dress according to
the “mind of the Church.” Otherwise they may fall under this same condemnation
spoken by Christ against the Pharisees: “Let them alone: they are blind and
leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit.”
(Matt. 15:14)
Pre-Requisite
For the Triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart
How can we expect Mary’s triumph and world peace in an unchastened
human society? And how can the reign of purity be established as long as these “certain
fashions” continue to fan furiously the flame of passion in the hearts of men?
Is it not evident from Our Lady’s messages at Fatima that modesty in feminine
attire is a prerequisite for Her triumph and for world peace?
Let’s use our God-given faculty of reasoning. Our Lady tells us “Men
must cease offending God....” In the next breath, as it were, she reminds us
that one way in which God is offended “very much” is by those “certain
fashions.” The conclusion should be plain. These semi-nude fashions retard Mary’s
triumph, and are one of the chief causes bringing the world to the brink of
annihilation.
Our Lady further revealed that “More souls go to Hell because of sins
of the flesh, than for any other reason.” Who can count the millions of mortal
sins of the flesh that are daily occasioned by immodest attire-evil thoughts
and desires, touches, impure embracing, kissing, raping, etc. How can the
Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph as long as “more souls go to Hell” through
shameless fashions?
Again, a Christian society would never tolerate the current flood of
indecent literature, movies, and television if it had not first tolerated the
public appearance of semi-nude women and girls IN THE FLESH. As Pius XII points
out, “vice necessarily follows upon public nudity.” Which implies: when public
nudity is tolerated, innumerable sins against purity necessarily follow, and
the corruption of mankind.
Yet, who will convince our Catholic women and girls that their
shameful attire is responsible that so many “souls go to Hell...”?
It will take a miracle to save a world which has forgotten God to such
an extent that even many Catholics have turned to the worship of human idols in
the form of body cult and sex worship. Our Lady of Fatima has promised this
miracle that will save us from the “greatest catastrophe since the deluge,”
(Pius XII) if we do our part.
Listen to the Virgin Mary’s pleas for “prayers and sacrifices.” There
can be no doubt that one of the sacrifices that is very acceptable to Our Lady
is the sacrifice required to become ever more Marylike ourselves; and to
promote energetically in others the “Marylike Way of Life’’ which will restore
Marylike chastity and modesty to the world. This will hasten true world peace,
which is promised only through the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
From Various Sources
From Various Sources
