By Gabe Morrison ’17
THE ROUNDUP

This is a response to Andrew Howard ’17’s column “Mass dress aids students, keeps students equal and focused through worship.”

I disagree with Howard’s argument that students should have to wear Mass dress, primarily because it serves little purpose.

Howard argues that Mass dress is beneficial for three main reasons, none of which I find compelling.

First, he says that Mass dress solves his daily decision on what to wear. I understand his point, but relying on Mass dress is illogical since we wear Mass dress so rarely.

Second, Howard argues that Mass dress unifies Brophy, and he says that it “keeps students equal.” I support equal opportunity but fail to see how wearing the same thing only a few days a year supports this.

Finally, Howard contends that we should go to Mass looking respectful, not sloppy. This argument is weak on multiple levels.

Brophy students already look respectable in our dress code.

I would also note that, when attending St. Francis Parish, my brother and I wear our same Brophy oufits. Such clothing is the norm.

Moreover, the idea that we should dress up for Mass misses the point.

Mass is about becoming closer with God. While this can be accomplished a number of ways, I do not believe dressing up is necessarily one of them. Instead, I feel Mass dress is more about looking religious than actual prayer.

After all, Jesus once said “when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray … to be seen by others.”

I encourage all people who find dressing up helps them pray to dress up as much as they can.

However, I doubt that most students need Mass dress for relationships with God, and Mass Dress is more hassle than it is worth.