Let's bring back modesty of dress!

Let's bring back modesty of dress!

"Impress, My child, upon your world the existence of hell that man seeks to deny. There are fires of hell. These fires will be felt on those who have lost their modesty to modernization, who expose the sacred temple of God, placed when their spirit entered their body—expose them to ridicule! The flames will burn every inch of that which is exposed." - Our Lady of the Roses, November 20, 1971

(The following is an article written by a parish priest):

Have you noticed over the summer months as well as over the past few years how crudely and awful people of all ages are now dressing? It never ceases to amaze me how people dress today when at the doctor's office, in the supermarket, at the mall, in a restaurant, walking the streets, attending meetings, visiting the hospital, attending a wake at the funeral home or when attending Mass, funerals, christenings, weddings and other formal occasions that are either religious or secular in nature. There is not only a real lack of modesty, but also a real lack of good taste, judgment and common sense.

There are norms for modest dress in accord with the virtue of modesty. In his Letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul lists modesty as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, those "perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory." (cf. Galatians 5:22-23; Catechism, no. 1832)

Father John Hardon, S.J., defined modesty as follows: "The virtue that moderates all the internal and external movements and appearance of a person according to his or her endowments, possessions, and station of life. Four virtues are commonly included under modesty: humility, studiousness, and two kinds of eternal modesty, namely in dress and general behavior." (The Pocket Catholic Dictionary, 1985)

First, humility is a virtue by which one recognizes his talents and attributes, and appreciates them as gifts from God to be used wisely and for His glory. In humility a person, as creature, walks humbly with his God. Humility also counteracts the vice of pride. Concerning the question at hand, a person who is very attractive or has a great physique must be careful not to become "full of oneself" and act like an exhibitionist.

Second, studiousness is the virtue whereby a person pursues knowledge within the parameters of faith and right reason. This virtue is opposed to a curiosity which in its excessive desire for knowledge leads one away from God's truth onto a path of destruction. Concerning the question at hand, a person must not dress to pique the curiosity of another and see what the reaction may be.

Finally, modesty in dress and general behavior is governed by the principle of not offending others and not being an occasion of sin for others. St. Augustine said, "In all your movements, let nothing be evident that would offend the eyes of another."

All four of these virtues which pertain to modesty deal with the question at hand. A modest person will respect the gift of whom he is as made in the image and likeness of God. He will treasure and safeguard his body and soul, and thereby the physical (including the sexual) and spiritual dimensions of his being. Such respect recognizes certain parameters, which govern one's interactions with others. Recognizing these parameters, thereby, entails modesty in both behavior and dress.

The Catechism expounds upon these principles: "Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of person and their solidarity. Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love. It encourages patience and modesty in loving relationships; it requires that the conditions for the definitive giving and commitment of man and woman to one another be fulfilled. Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet." (nos. 2521, 2522)

A good Catholic needs to ask himself or herself, "What am I stating by what I am wearing? In other words, what is the 'packaging' advertising? What am I trying to draw attention to?" If the intent is to show off the body and to arouse the sexual feelings of another, to draw attention to oneself and pique the curiosity of another, then one has violated modesty, and the virtues of humility, studiousness and modesty in dress and behavior.

Some may respond, "That is not my intention. These are today's fashions. I should not be judged by my clothes." The reality is everyone is judged by his or her clothes. Why else do people try to look their best for a job interview? Why else do most schools and companies have dress codes? The reality is that clothes send a certain message and reveal the spiritual disposition of the person.

Moreover, whether it is a person's intention to show off the body and to arouse sexual feelings or not, to draw attention to oneself and the curiosity of another, prudently, a good Catholic must not be an occasion of sin for someone else.

Sadly, many young people are simply ignorant. They have been misled by the "superstars" and I dare say by the older generation who should know better themselves by allowing their young to dress that way and because a lot of them dress that way too. Some of our older people today dress far worse than the young. The fashion industry has also done its best to promote this line of clothing.

Even worse, some parents have misled their children even at a tender age by dressing them up in adult clothing, make-up, jewelry, and perfumes. Worse yet, many priests of our faith and religious leaders of other denominations decline to give the guidance they should. Because of the casual world in which we live, people need to be reminded to dress appropriately in God's house, and that preshrunk, shrink-wrapped, and skimpy clothing is not appropriate. A bit of soap and water also goes a long way too to help the cause and doesn't cost much either.

Dressing for modesty does not mean looking like a geek or being out of fashion. Clothes should help reflect who we are as a person. Modesty is an apostolate of beauty which reflects God. How a person dresses can make the difference between being respected as a person or being treated like a non-person or an object of lust and shame.

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"Parents, how dare you allow your daughters to be looked upon with lustful eyes! Have you no shame? What is your example? Are you pagans?" - Our Lady of the Roses, May 30, 1972

The amazing Bayside Prophecies... http://www.tldm.org/directives/directives.htm
These prophecies came from Jesus, Mary, and the saints to Veronica Lueken at Bayside, NY, from 1968 to 1995:

A WAY OF LIFE
"I ask that a task force be set upon the world to eliminate the products of the forces of evil that seek to debase, destroy the souls of your children. Remove from your homes the corrupters of souls: the pornography, the infernal box—your television—and the destructor of souls, modesty and purity—the nakedness of the body.
"Parents, you shall be judged for the destruction by permissiveness, of your children's souls. Clothe them in goodness, holiness, and piety, and make modesty a way of life for the young." - Our Lady, August 21, 1975

EXAMPLE OF QUEEN OF HEAVEN
"The world must follow the example of the Queen of Heaven. Modesty, purity of heart and purpose." - St. Michael, December 7, 1973

SACRED TEMPLE OF GOD
"Impress, My child, upon your world the existence of hell that man seeks to deny. There are fires of hell. These fires will be felt on those who have lost their modesty to modernization, who expose the sacred temple of God, placed when their spirit entered their body—expose them to ridicule! The flames will burn every inch of that which is exposed." - Our Lady, November 20, 1971

AS BEFITS A WIFE AND MOTHER
"Women shall not approach the sacred Body dressed as pagans, exposing the temples of their spirit to shame! Cover yourselves, My children, or you will burn!
"I repeat: women will dress as befits a wife and mother, clothing themselves with modesty and holiness. Children will follow the example of their parents. Therefore, if your example is poor, your children will be your thorns. The sins of the parents are surely visited upon the children." - Our Lady, March 18, 1975

ARE YOU PAGANS?
"Parents, how dare you allow your daughters to be looked upon with lustful eyes! Have you no shame? What is your example? Are you pagans?" - Our Lady, May 30, 1972

DO NOT LEAD YOUR CHILD INTO DANGER!
"Mothers, why are you permissive with your children? Do you not recognize the plan of satan? Do you wish lustful eyes cast upon the innocence of your young child? Do not lead your child into danger!" - Our Lady, June 8, 1972

CHAIN OF EVIL
"Foolish virgins! Why do you choose to live in this world of earth? Have you become blind to modesty? Has vanity invaded your hearts? Woe to those who cause the downfall of Our dedicated by their examples. You are all following the evil circle, My dedicated; for it is like a chain of evil, link by link. By your example you build a solid chain to hell. For woe to those entrusted with the souls of the little ones, and who lead the little ones to hell!" - Our Lady, November 21, 1970

SAFEGUARD THEIR PURITY
"As parents your duty is manifold. You must teach your children within your homes. You must safeguard their purity. Modesty! Mothers, your daughters—do you permit them to expose their flesh to lustful eyes? Are you stripping from their young souls modesty and purity of purpose and spirit? What kind of example are you giving as parents in your homes?" - Our Lady, October 2, 1975

PERMISSIVE ATTITUDES
"Nakedness! Abomination! Aberrations have become the way of life in your country. Nakedness! Have you no shame to expose your body and cause another to fall? Mothers, you allow your daughters to sin and cause others to sin in your permissive attitudes. Have you no protective instincts for your children? Do you subject them willfully to the ravages of satanic agents?" - Our Lady, March 25, 1972

EYES: MIRROR OF YOUR SOUL
"Modesty must be retained. Modesty must be taught to the young. Keep pure and holy thoughts in your minds and the minds of your children, for your eyes are also the mirror of your soul." - Jesus, May 18, 1977

"CHASTITY", "MODESTY"
"You see, My child, you use the word 'Marylike,' but the word is truly 'chastity,' 'modesty.' It is a word, chastity, the word modesty, soon forgotten on your earth." - Our Lady, June 15, 1974

Directives from Heaven... http://www.tldm.org/directives/directives.htm

D128 - Modesty PDF
D200 - Lust PDF
D201 - Vanity PDF

Articles...

Modesty of dress: “Beauty is never in exposure”
http://www.tldm.org/news6/modesty2.htm

Directives on Christian modesty
http://www.tldm.org/news6/modesty.htm

Women will not dress as men: 1960 letter by Cardinal Siri
http://www.tldm.org/News6/modesty4.htm

Pastor speaks out against immodesty, will refuse Communion to those so dressed
http://www.tldm.org/News7/modesty1.htm

St. Padre Pio and modesty
http://www.tldm.org/News7/modesty2.htm

The Marylike Standards for modesty in dress
http://www.tldm.org/News7/modestyMarylikeStandards.htm

Letter by St. Ignatius of Loyola on immodestly dressed women
http://www.tldm.org/news6/ignatius.htm

Your names have been written in Heaven… "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for your names have been written in Heaven.... But with this great grace you have great responsibility to send this Message from Heaven throughout the world, for if you are able to recover just one more for Heaven, an additional star shall be placed in your crown." - Jesus, August 5, 1975

A great obligation to go forward... "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for it is by merit and the prayers that have risen to Heaven for your salvation. For those who have received the grace to hear the Message from Heaven, you have a great obligation to go forward and bring this Message to your brothers and sisters. Do not expect a rest upon your earth, for you will have eternal rest very soon." - Jesus, June 12, 1976

The sin of omission... "The sin of omission shall condemn many to hell, be they layman or Hierarchy. I repeat: not the sin of commission, but the sin of omission will commit many to hell." Our Lady of the Roses, October 6, 1980

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