Are black veils only for women that are married?

[nicolevictoria]

I commend you for wearing a headcovering!
I like to wear my head covered even at the novus ordo. I realized I was sticking out like a sore thumb, so I just started wearing a simple black scarf and let it drape over my shoulders or tuck it into my coat or sweater. No offense to anyone, but I think it looks ridiculous to have this fancy lace headcovering on a woman who is wearing pants and sneakers, or not dressy. It’s like wearing heels with sweatpants, you just cant do it!
We are not going to church for a fashion show, but we are presenting ourselves to His Majesty and should be looking appropriate for Him As to black or colored, i would go with black, unless I had a young daughter I probably would have her wear white.
Magnificat…

 

[Brendan]

I’ve been to Korea on business several times. It is still customary for women to veil there, and the veils are almost exclusively white.

So the color is strictly cultural custom, not Church custom.

 

[Bebekoualy]

Veils are a matter of custom, not Church discipline. Therefore, the custom can change and even disappear and reappear. Just look at religious women. Many communities NEVER had a veil. Therefore, the veil is not expected of them. The two most popular, though not the only ones, are the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Charity. The discipline of the veil only applies to some people, not to everyone. Everyone else can wear what they want.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I understand it’s a custom, and I wouldn’t send anyone to hell by wearing it. I just find it fashionable, and I think it pleases the Lord (a bit). It’s a way to respect Him.
At the origin, it was Spanish!

 

[JReducation]

I understand it’s a custom, and I wouldn’t send anyone to hell by wearing it. I just find it fashionable, and I think it pleases the Lord (a bit). It’s a way to respect Him.
At the origin, it was Spanish!

If you’re interested in the use of veils, you may find this detail very interesting. OK, I find it interesting.

I hate to disappoint those who want to say that wearing the veil is Marian, because you look like Mary or wear what Mary wore. The fact is that women and men in the Middle East wore veils for health reasons, not for religious reasons. The religious symbolism was added much later. It was the Muslims who first introduced the religious symbolism into the veil.

It was their idea that a woman must be covered to protect her virtue from lustful eyes. By covering the woman, you protected her from the temptation to sin and you took away the near occasion of sin for the male who was staring at her. In a strange kind of way, it actually made sense, especially at a time when women had little or no rights. Any man, who wanted to do so, could take advantage of them and it was very difficult to control, though Islam specifically mentions the death penalty for those who rape a woman. But it was the Quran that first explained the purpose of the veil.

The head covering is mentioned in the Epistles, but there was a different reason. The Gentiles came from the Mediterranean and from Europe. Because they had different climates, they only covered their heads when it was very cold, usually at night. The first Christians were Jews, used to the Middle Eastern custom of covering their heads. The comment about head covering was directed as a discipline for the Gentiles to bring them in line with the Jewish Christians.

For the people of the Mediterranean, the veil was neither a religious or protective garment. It was an accessory. That’s why the Iberians made such beautiful mantillas. When the Muslims invaded Spain and governed from about 700 to 1492, give or take a few months, they introduced the custom of head covering. The Iberian women created these beautiful veils known as Mantilla, which in Spanish means “A Small Mantle”. You have to remember that the mantles worn by Middle Eastern women went from the head to the feet. The mantilla only went to the waste.

The wearing of a veil by Christian women is a carryover from two other faiths: Judaism and Islam. It became part of European culture, to the point that few people know where the custom came from or really care. This was not the case in Northern Europe where they had head coverings due to the harsh winters.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[KellBrigan]

…No offense to anyone, but I think it looks ridiculous to have this fancy lace headcovering on a woman who is wearing pants and sneakers, or not dressy. It’s like wearing heels with sweatpants, you just cant do it!

As I said in another post, this is why I love my chapel caps – they’re head coverings for tomboys (And go perfectly well with hiking boots, in a pinch.) (What? So I went to Mass between hikes. I wiped my feet before I went in, honest! )

About colors, I have both white and black, and keep an eye out for other colors just for fun. I read somewhere there was one tradition of always wearing white on Easter, as celebration, and I’ve heard about the white=single, black=married version. In practice, unless you know of something specific to your culture/neighborhood, the color doesn’t really matter.

 

[irisfromohio]

Since I am building a way of life as a secular consecrate, I cannot wear my veil in public & our habit is very discreet, so we don’t draw attention to ourselves as we work towards our goal. That being said, I have worn white veils when I am in the warm weather habit and black in cooler/cold weather. The basic habit is a very dark green or black with dark green modesty shirts underneath. We wear mint green in the summer. We are to always cover our heads at mass and at home during our devotions, unless we have a veil for our level of consecration within the OSMM.

oblatesistersofmarymagdalene.net/

 

[Bebekoualy]

If you’re interested in the use of veils, you may find this detail very interesting. OK, I find it interesting.

I hate to disappoint those who want to say that wearing the veil is Marian, because you look like Mary or wear what Mary wore. The fact is that women and men in the Middle East wore veils for health reasons, not for religious reasons. The religious symbolism was added much later. It was the Muslims who first introduced the religious symbolism into the veil.

It was their idea that a woman must be covered to protect her virtue from lustful eyes. By covering the woman, you protected her from the temptation to sin and you took away the near occasion of sin for the male who was staring at her. In a strange kind of way, it actually made sense, especially at a time when women had little or no rights. Any man, who wanted to do so, could take advantage of them and it was very difficult to control, though Islam specifically mentions the death penalty for those who rape a woman. But it was the Quran that first explained the purpose of the veil.

The head covering is mentioned in the Epistles, but there was a different reason. The Gentiles came from the Mediterranean and from Europe. Because they had different climates, they only covered their heads when it was very cold, usually at night. The first Christians were Jews, used to the Middle Eastern custom of covering their heads. The comment about head covering was directed as a discipline for the Gentiles to bring them in line with the Jewish Christians.

For the people of the Mediterranean, the veil was neither a religious or protective garment. It was an accessory. That’s why the Iberians made such beautiful mantillas. When the Muslims invaded Spain and governed from about 700 to 1492, give or take a few months, they introduced the custom of head covering. The Iberian women created these beautiful veils known as Mantilla, which in Spanish means “A Small Mantle”. You have to remember that the mantles worn by Middle Eastern women went from the head to the feet. The mantilla only went to the waste.

The wearing of a veil by Christian women is a carryover from two other faiths: Judaism and Islam. It became part of European culture, to the point that few people know where the custom came from or really care. This was not the case in Northern Europe where they had head coverings due to the harsh winters.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thanks a lot for the information. Very interesting to know where it comes from!

 

[hangel]

As I said in another post, this is why I love my chapel caps – they’re head coverings for tomboys (And go perfectly well with hiking boots, in a pinch.) (What? So I went to Mass between hikes. I wiped my feet before I went in, honest! )

About colors, I have both white and black, and keep an eye out for other colors just for fun. I read somewhere there was one tradition of always wearing white on Easter, as celebration, and I’ve heard about the white=single, black=married version. In practice, unless you know of something specific to your culture/neighborhood, the color doesn’t really matter.

I dress fairly fancy every day, for work, play, or church. But I wear a variety of head coverings. White, black & colored veils. sun bonnets. Kerchiefs. even baseball hats. etc. so they are often matching my outfit so I don’t stand out. Otherwise I wear one that matches my hair color.
I let my children wear any “head covering” also, verity of styles and colors.
Although my husbands FAVORITE is the shoulder length flowing veil, he says it looks most feminine.

 

[TiggerS]

Since I am building a way of life as a secular consecrate, I cannot wear my veil in public & our habit is very discreet, so we don’t draw attention to ourselves as we work towards our goal. That being said, I have worn white veils when I am in the warm weather habit and black in cooler/cold weather. The basic habit is a very dark green or black with dark green modesty shirts underneath. We wear mint green in the summer. We are to always cover our heads at mass and at home during our devotions, unless we have a veil for our level of consecration within the OSMM.

oblatesistersofmarymagdalene.net/

Delighted to note your continuing perseverance, Iris! (I may have missed some of your posts. This is the first I have seen for a while now). Absolutely delighted - and you and your religious life aspirations, those who may have joined you, remain in my daily prayers.
I see that your website has changed, unless you have another site.

 

[TiggerS]

If you’re interested in the use of veils, you may find this detail very interesting. OK, I find it interesting.

I hate to disappoint those who want to say that wearing the veil is Marian, because you look like Mary or wear what Mary wore. The fact is that women and men in the Middle East wore veils for health reasons, not for religious reasons. The religious symbolism was added much later. It was the Muslims who first introduced the religious symbolism into the veil.

It was their idea that a woman must be covered to protect her virtue from lustful eyes. By covering the woman, you protected her from the temptation to sin and you took away the near occasion of sin for the male who was staring at her. In a strange kind of way, it actually made sense, especially at a time when women had little or no rights. Any man, who wanted to do so, could take advantage of them and it was very difficult to control, though Islam specifically mentions the death penalty for those who rape a woman. But it was the Quran that first explained the purpose of the veil.

The head covering is mentioned in the Epistles, but there was a different reason. The Gentiles came from the Mediterranean and from Europe. Because they had different climates, they only covered their heads when it was very cold, usually at night. The first Christians were Jews, used to the Middle Eastern custom of covering their heads. The comment about head covering was directed as a discipline for the Gentiles to bring them in line with the Jewish Christians.

For the people of the Mediterranean, the veil was neither a religious or protective garment. It was an accessory. That’s why the Iberians made such beautiful mantillas. When the Muslims invaded Spain and governed from about 700 to 1492, give or take a few months, they introduced the custom of head covering. The Iberian women created these beautiful veils known as Mantilla, which in Spanish means “A Small Mantle”. You have to remember that the mantles worn by Middle Eastern women went from the head to the feet. The mantilla only went to the waste.

The wearing of a veil by Christian women is a carryover from two other faiths: Judaism and Islam. It became part of European culture, to the point that few people know where the custom came from or really care. This was not the case in Northern Europe where they had head coverings due to the harsh winters.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Really interesting, Brother. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is really good to see your posts still now and then, although I hadn’t personally seen any for some time and hoped it didn’t mean you were not posting. My prayer is for your wellbeing in all things, including health.
To me (and female), Islaamic women in their veils and Islaamic type clothing I see often as I travel around look far more attractive and feminine than anything western, while I personally will stick to modest western type clothing (hatless most often and never veil) for personal reasons. But I really do like female Islaamic cultural type dress and the beautiful colors and modesty embraced and with the veil.
I also really like the cultural dress I see on African women around the place - the colors are absolutely beautiful and general appearance is feminine and modest, and often most unusal and colourful head wear.
But then I really love to see our religious as well, with veil, and love the traditional religious habit of all and any kind or color.

 

[thequeen]

I have veils in black navy cream white pale blue and beige and I am late forties never been married.

 

[DaughterofaKING]

Well, i don’t think the color has anything to do with marriage. Where i live we normally wear white and for Good Friday we wear black as a sign of mourning the death of Jesus… I think it depends on your church as well