Another thread about head covering

[DaMaMaXiMuS]

Greetings and peace unto you all,

From what I’ve been able to understand from these boards, I know that many feel that because of Vat. II things such as women’s head covering have been relaxed. I’m not trying to discuss Vat. II, I’m not sufficiently educated on it to speak on it, but instead I did have some questions on head coverings.

We all know the scripture involving this topic, 1st Cor. 11 chap. But after talking about this topic with my girlfriend, it hit me that there may be a double standard going on in the church.

What I mean is this, women are not bound to wear a covering for the their heads while attending mass, where prayers are being said. They may freely decide whether they want to wear a covering or not. But what about men? Do men have the freedom to NOT uncover their heads while in mass?

We know the scriptures also said that if men prayed or prophesied with their head covered it was a shame, because they would be dishonoring Christ. As far as I have observed in mass, I’ve never seen a male person keep their head wear on when they come into the church. They always remove it and keep it off until after they leave the church.

My girlfriend thought I made a good point, she said that if ever a man did come into mass and keep their hat on they would no doubt receive stares from appalled congregants.

This is my main reason for having women covering their heads. Because if it’s not enforced for women, then it would be unjust to force men to uncover their heads. I mean I don’t see how we don’t have a double standard here.

This is unless the Church has officially said that men do not have to uncover their heads while prayering or prophesying.

Anyone have some (name removed by moderator)ut on these points I’ve raised?

God Bless You All,

Nelson

 

[AltarMan]

You’re right in a sense. If the Bible was “proof enough” that women needed to cover their heads at Mass, then it would logically follow that Catholic males would need to wear tefillin, (also known as phylacteries) during the Mass as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:8, 11:18; and Exodus 13:9, 16.

 

[axolotl]

DaMaMaXiMuS:

My girlfriend thought I made a good point, she said that if ever a man did come into mass and keep their hat on they would no doubt receive stares from appalled congregants.

Yes. Because a gentleman never wears a hat inside a building. A lady may continue to to wear her fashionable head accessory, but if it’s something like a ball cap, she would have to remove it, just as a man would.

 

[paramedicgirl]

axolotl:

Yes. Because a gentleman never wears a hat inside a building. A lady may continue to to wear her fashionable head accessory, but if it’s something like a ball cap, she would have to remove it, just as a man would.

In our church, the ushers ask men to remove their hats if they happen to leave it on . So yeah, you bring up a good point about a double standard. I’m not sure though, if the CC still requires men to remove their hats . Maybe someone else knows for sure.

 

[AltarMan]

paramedicgirl:

In our church, the ushers ask men to remove their hats if they happen to leave it on . So yeah, you bring up a good point about a double standard. I’m not sure though, if the CC still requires men to remove their hats . Maybe someone else knows for sure.

Of course men are to remove their hats inside of a Catholic church. That should be axiomatic. On the other hand, women are welcomed to wear their hats indoors – even if they are “ball caps.”

“Double standard?” Perhaps by the rules of secular culture, which mean little inside of the Church.

 

[AmISearching]

axolotl:

Yes. Because a gentleman never wears a hat inside a building. A lady may continue to to wear her fashionable head accessory, but if it’s something like a ball cap, she would have to remove it, just as a man would.

exactly - I don’t think that part is actually a “Church” or “Religious” thing at all - it is just expected that a man will not wear a hat inside - of course that cultural “norm” is dwindling these days, and perhaps church is the one place where one might still get such looks so strongly…

 

[Petite]

I find the head covering debate fascinating! I have searched the web for the history of headcoverings for women, in particular, and the history is absolutely fascinating!

Here is something I found that is pertinent to this discussion.
This is from the website, ETIQUETTE for Hats and Caps (askandyaboutclothes.com/Clothes%20Articles/etiquette_for_hats_and_caps.htm)

*In places of worship head coverings are required for both men and women in Muslim mosques, and Sikh temples.

Men are required to cover their heads in Jewish synagogues, but only married women wear hats or scarves representing a display of her increased modesty towards those other than the woman’s husband.

The small, round head covering or skullcap worn by men is called a “kippah” which means, “dome” or “cupola”. The Yiddish word for the cap is “yarmulke”. The wearing of the yarmulke is a reminder of humility before God, a mark of respect in a Jewish congregation, and a sign of recognition of something greater above oneself, which is why many male Jews wear a head covering whenever they are awake, with the exceptions of bathing and swimming.

It is acceptable for women to wear hats in Christian churches, (it was once required, but the custom has all but disappeared) but disrespectful for men to wear them.

A woman may leave her hat on indoors or during the playing of The National Anthem, unless it is considered unisex like a baseball cap. When wearing such a unisex cap, a woman should follow the same guidelines as for men.

Why are there different rules for men and women? It may have to do with the difference in the styles of men’s and women’s hats.

Men’s hats are easily removed, but women’s hats with ribbons, bows, flowers and other decorations can be quite a production to remove, especially if they’re anchored with hatpins. Women might also risk messing up their hairdos if they had to remove their hats. A lady, however, never wore brimmed hats after 5 PM, a fashion rule that developed because she didn’t need a brim after sunset. *

 

[Elphaba]

The 1917 canon law on head coverings said that women’s veils were mandatory, but the uncovering of men’s head was a matter of custom. You can search the threads for it, I know it is on CAF because I participated in that thread.