By Eva C. Visperas

 

A TRIP to Baguio is incomplete without a visit to the Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel in Brent Road. That has been my routine and always will be, as long as I’m physically able to.

It’s what I felt I had to do since my college years and every time I had a chance to visit the City of Pines, whether for work or leisure purposes.

Last Monday, November 13, was no exception. Before heading to Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital to visit a sick uncle, I and my two elder sisters’ first stopover was at the Pink Sisters.

As we prayed in our corner. I saw a nun meditating at the center of the altar. As usual, I was struck by the peace and sense of reverence that filled the air. It’s what I loved most in this place of worship.

When we’re done praying and stood up and about to leave, we couldn’t help but laugh on seeing my sister’s husband who was standing by the chapel’s door, suddenly wearing a green shawl wrapped around his waist area like it was a skirt. Our bayaw was wearing short pants at that time.

He looked a bit silly, but we were also happy to see the Pink Sisters enforcing their dress code.

He later explained that the security guard at the door politely stopped him from entering the church because of his attire. Wearing short pants inside the Pink Sisters church is not allowed.

So that explained why differently-colored shawls were placed beside a bunch of white candles on a table at the entrance door. I thought these were for sale.

These were intended to be lent to individuals who go inside the church to cover their improper attire, i.e., tube blouse, cropped top, spaghetti straps, micro mini-skirt, shorts, etc.

Men in short pants, too, have to comply with the policy. I have no idea how long that dress code has been imposed, but I like it.

I remember a day when I attended a Mass in a small church in a village in Pasig City. A  laywoman assisting churchgoers gave a young lady wearing a revealing blouse a shawl to be worn to cover her top. It was, indeed, an inappropriate attire.

And, I witnessed the same when I was invited to be a bridesmaid at the golden wedding anniversary of my friend’s parents in San Carlos City. Inside the church, one of the guests  commented that it was a good thing I was wearing a decent attire, meaning no skin showing off.

She said church leaders do not allow women wearing revealing clothes inside the church at any time. I nodded in agreement and commented that it was just right and proper to do so.

That was 10 years ago. I’m not sure if this is still being observed up to now. You see, there was a time during our childhood years when we would dress up properly to go to church. Not necessarily new and expensive clothes but ones that were decent and proper to show respect to the place.

But that was such a long, long time ago and things have changed.

Today, you see people in their short pants, spaghetti-strapped blouse, or cropped top blouses baring their midribs and back. In any event, I believe our clothes should not be a cause of distraction for our brothers and sisters at the church.

While I’ve seen tarpaulins hung at the church doors reminding the faithful about proper dress code for both men and women, but that didn’t work.

Why not lend shawls to those who don’t comply like they do at the Pink Sisters chapel?

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