and soul, I do hope you begin to seriously consider how a change in external dress inevitably leads to a change in mentality… If a woman begins to dress like a man, she will, even if she does not intend to, slowly start to adopt masculine mannerisms and habits. At the very least, the polarity of gender is reduced, and the world loses the beautiful complementarity of the sexes. The revolution inaugurated by immodesty in dress will not stop until its ultimate consequences are before us. The push for moral licentiousness through immodesty in dress was already gaining momentum in the 18th century and had as its ultimate goal to make public nudity acceptable. This was clearly demonstrated when at the height of the French revolution, on December 10, 1793, an angry mob rushed into the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, seized the statue of the Virgin Most Pure, and sacrilegiously dashed it to the floor. Thereupon, as a symbol of the nudist program of licentiousness and feminine emancipation, they enthroned in Mary’s place on the altar a nude woman, the “goddess of reason.” The nudist banner of rebellion against the Church’s teaching on modesty was raised high on this occasion, inviting Catholic women to enlist under it. Two centuries later we see it all playing out before us. This makes it clear that by the undue exhibition of flesh, a woman is, whatever her intentions might be, playing the goddess. And that is sacrilegious. The reality is that feminine beauty is one of God’s gifts to the world, and women have the prerogative and the duty to make it shine brighter. But in order for that beauty to edify men and not be a stumbling block to them, it must be veiled by modest clothing. Such is the teaching of nature, such is the teaching of the Church handed down by Tradition. I hope the above have clarified your questions. Perhaps you might try to put it into practice to see for yourself how the way you dress influences not only the way you move around, but also the way others interact with you. Try to wear only dresses for a month and always wear a veil to church. See if you feel and behave differently. Mind you, the dress does not need to be ostentatious – indeed, it should not! –, but feminine and dignified, with simplicity and modesty; beautiful, but not distracting others by any undue revealing of your beauty. I repeat, Amanda: look feminine and beautiful, not cheap and vulgar! The world so needs it. Please keep me in your prayers, and rest assured of mine for you. Your Father in Christ 22
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