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Question Title Posted By Question Date
wearing hats in Church claire Monday, May 4, 2009

Question:

Good morning,

This past Saturday Mass we had numerous fourth degree Knights of Columbus attending Mass with their wives and they were in full costume (a special ceremony to be held after Mass in our Church hall).

I was shocked that as soon as Mass was ended, before the Priest left the Altar, some of the Knights put on their feathered hats.

I was raised and taught that a man is never permitted to wear a hat in Church especially during Mass. Even in our Catholic schools the boys are not allowed to wear hats - only outside.

What is the teaching of the Church? Are men allowed to wear hats in Church? Does the Vatican allow Knights of Columbus to enter St. Peter's wearing their hats? And if Knights are allowed why not all men then?

thank you and God bless,
Claire

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Claire,

I really wouldn't worry about it, I think the difference is that for the Knights it's part of their ceremonial dress.  Remember, clergy also wear "hats" in church, even during Mass.  They wear mitres, zucchettos and birettas.

I didn't see any official rules regarding men wearing hats in any liturgical documents or in Canon Law, I think it's matter of widespread custom, possibly going all the way back to the scriptural reference in 1 Corinthians.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.