Mary-Like Standards of Modesty in Dress

Modesty in Dress According to the Teachings of the Church

At St. Michael’s Academy, we strive in all things to live, teach, act and pray according to the teachings of Holy Mother Church – living voice of Jesus Christ Our Lord. If we did not try our best to do so, it would be hypocrisy to call ourselves Catholic.

In regard to modesty in dress, we therefore ask all parents to follow the teachings of the Church whenever they know they will be coming on campus.

First, A Little Bit of History . . .
Let us keep in mind that at Fatima, Our Lady warned that "more souls go to hell for sins of the flesh (i.e. sins against the 6^th and 9^th Commandments) than for any other reason." What did Our Lady pronounce as the biggest reason for these sins of impurity? Let us hear her own words: "Certain fashions will be introduced that will gravely offend My Son."

Teaching of the Church on Modesty In Dress
What are these "certain fashions?" The Church Herself tells us in several documents. She forbids: tight pants, shorts; clothing made of see-through fabrics; dresses or skirts that do not fully cover the knees when seated and standing, or that are tight or revealing or have "peek-a-boo" slits above the knees. The Church forbids dresses that have necklines lower than 2 inches below the pit of the throat or sleeves shorter than on-quarter length from the shoulders.

The Church warns her children NOT to become part of the "same sex" anti-family mentality. Women should strive to wear dresses and skirts, unless, in a given situation, modesty itself prevents this.

Learn More on Modesty in Dress?

Call Leaflet Missal to order the flyer "The Marylike Standards of Modesty in Dress." Call Catholic Treasures at 1-800-257-4893 to order the booklet "Immodest Dress and the Mind of the Church."

The Marylike Standards for 
Modesty in Dress

"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 which scarcely reaches a bit beyond the knee. Furthermore, dresses of transparent materials are improper." - The Cardinal-Vicar of Pope Pius XI.

1. Marylike is modest without compromise, "like Mary," Christ’s Mother.
2. Marylike dresses have sleeves extending at least to the elbows, and skirts reaching below the knees.

(Note: Because of impossible market conditions quarter-length sleeves are temporarily tolerated with Ecclesiastical Approval, until Christian womanhood again turns to Mary as the model of modesty in dress).

3. Marylike dresses require full coverage for the bodice, chest, shoulders, and back; except for a cut-out about the neck not exceeding two inches below the neckline in front and in back, and a corresponding two inches on the shoulders.
4. Marylike dresses do not admit as modest coverage transparent fabrics – laces, nets, organdy, nylons, etc. – unless sufficient backing is added. However, their moderate use as trimmings is acceptable.
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.

"Marylike" fashions are designed to conceal as much of the body as possible, rather than reveal.

The Marylike standards are a guide to instill a "sense of modesty". A girl who follows these and looks up to Mary as her ideal and model, will have no problem of modesty in dress. She will not be an occasion of sin or sources of embarrassment or shame to others.

Keep this folder with you at all times to use as a guide when buying clothes. Make sure that you purchase only garments which meet the Marylike Standards. "Be Marylike by being modest – by modest by being Marylike".