Don't think that I am one of those who strive for strict rules or condemnation. I myself love summer, warmth and freedom in clothing. But I have a deep sense of respect for the church space - after all, it is a place of prayer, humility, meeting with God. And when I see women coming there in dresses with deep necklines or short skirts, something inside me shrinks.

Of course, many of them do not even go into the temple itself, they choose to just stand at the entrance or in the lobby, because they respect the sanctity of the place. But still, for me the question remains, why can't we at least be a little more modest on Sundays?

I remember once a young woman came to mass in a very revealing dress - the fabric was thin, the back was almost completely open at the top and there was a fairly deep neckline. The dress hugged her figure. I felt awkward looking at her, but I couldn't say anything either - after all, it was her choice. But for some reason I thought, isn't it possible to choose modesty at such moments, because the church is not a place for demonstrating the beauty of the body, but for inner beauty and prayer?

Another time I noticed a group of girls dressed in short shorts and tops. They didn't go inside, but sat on a bench near the temple. This again made me feel that something was wrong - after all, even respect for the place is shown through clothing and behavior.

I myself have often caught myself thinking that when I choose what to wear to church on Sunday, I try to choose more closed things, unlike what I wear on weekdays. Not because it is some kind of mandatory rule, but because I feel it - it is a sign of respect. A sign that this day is special, that I am leaving the usual hustle and bustle and devoting time to the spiritual.

After all, the truth is that in our culture, summer is a time of freedom and liberation. Fashion becomes brighter, fabrics become lighter, silhouettes become more revealing. And this is great if we are talking about walks in the park, meeting with friends or relaxing. But Sunday in church is completely different. This is the time when you want to show not only external beauty, but also internal beauty.

It is interesting that on forums, in order for girls to get rid of loneliness, they often advise to uncover their shoulders and legs - this supposedly attracts men. And, perhaps, there is some truth in this, because men often pay attention to visual perception. But personally, I believe that attractiveness is not only about appearance, but also internal beauty, and respect for yourself and others.

Even a small gesture - a slightly more closed dress, a neat headscarf - can become a manifestation of inner harmony and strength. After all, modesty is not a limitation, but the freedom to be yourself, the freedom not to demand increased attention to yourself, but to give respect.

It seems to me that even if women come to church with bare shoulders or in shorts, inside them there can be a great desire to pray and connect with God. And this is wonderful. But there is also another level - respect for the place and for those around you. You can show love through your appearance.

Perhaps someone will think that I am too conservative, but for me this is not just aesthetics, but part of my Catholic worldview. When I see an open back or a short skirt in church, it seems to me that this slightly violates the spirit of holiness and concentration.

I would like women to feel beautiful and comfortable on summer Sundays, but at the same time be able to choose clothes that reflect not only the beauty of the body, but also respect for faith and the church. After all, even just covering the cleavage and hips is a small sign of love and respect.

I don’t want to impose my views on anyone, I’m just sharing my experiences. Internal dialogue with myself helps me better understand both my faith and my relationship with the world around me. And if this post makes someone think, then I’ve achieved my goal.

Thank you for listening. I’ll be glad to know what you think about this.

Lana Banana