monasteries, it is common for monks and nuns to play sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, hiking, and even cycling while wearing their habits. There is no danger in this once you get used to it. (Of course, if you do wear a skirt to cycle, be sure to wear leggings or a tracksuit!) The same principle goes for riding horse back, running, skating, and many other sports. This is also in keeping with the instructions given by Pope Pius XI: “Let parents keep their daughters from public gymnastic games and contests; but if their daughters are compelled to attend such exhibitions, let them see that they are fully and modestly dressed. Let them never permit their daughters to don immodest garb.… [I]n gymnastic exercises and deportment, special care must be had of Christian modesty in young women and girls, which is so gravely impaired by any kind of exhibition in public”.43 In other words, sport should not become an idol, an end in itself, which justifies women appearing in public half-naked. Modesty in dress is required even there. If it is objected that in some places it would be very hot, let’s remember that a fundamental principle about clothing is that it came as the result of sin, and therefore has a certain penitential character about it. We should not be afraid of a little heat. By the way, the hottest countries are those in which the most clothing is worn, for the simple reason that the body must be protected from an aggressive sun. We see this in hot desert areas where people dress in long, light coloured (to reflect the sun), full coverage loose garments made of natural fibres such as cotton. This allows airflow that ensures any perspiration will create a cooling effect. I remember one summer day walking down a street in my monastic habit and a fellow remarked to me that I must be hot. I replied: “Yeah, but it’s hotter in Hell!” He got the point. If you have gotten the gist of what I have been saying over and over again, you are fully aware now that when it comes to modesty in dress, what we are really dealing with is mortal sin, and mortal sin sends souls to Hell. Better suffer from a little heat here and avoid eternal fire. Swimming Suits First of all, I know this is not a problem for you, – it gave me great satisfaction to read that you would not be caught dead in one! – but it surely is for many of your friends, so let’s begin by categorically ruling out and vigorously condemning the 83
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