Dress to impress our dear St. Niño.
On October 1, 2024, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in Cebu implemented a strict dress code policy to end the practice of providing shawls to visitors wearing inappropriate attire for worship. Or to prevent them from wearing inappropriate attire for that matter.
This decision, announced by the Augustinian Friars, aims to maintain the sanctity and solemnity of the historic church. The policy specifies that inappropriate upper garments include:
- Spaghetti straps
- Tube tops
- Sleeveless shirts
- Tank tops
- Crop tops
Inappropriate lower attire includes:
- Short skirts
- Low-waist pants
- Ripped jeans
*Any kind of hats is also prohibited.
Despite the church’s dress code, why does this rule even exist? Shouldn’t we be able to use common sense and dress appropriately without being told? When we attend church, we are entering the house of God!
Dressing respectfully reflects our reverence for God and the sacredness of worship as we make a public covenant with Him; showing honor. Wearing an attire that goes against the dress code can be seen as a sign of disregard, reflecting a lack of respect for the Almighty. And for nonbelievers, it simply shows the lack of respect for other religions, cultures, and traditions.
To our dear Sugboanons, for the love of God—no pun intended, next time you enter the Basilica or any church around the world, it is in our common sense that we should wear proper attire; not because it’s a rule, but to show we respect God enough to call ourselves His worshippers and that we respect the beliefs of other people’s religion.
