What is your purpose for wearing a veil? Do the rest of your clothes also serve that purpose?
I’m not planning on wearing it to Sunday Mass, except maybe on a special occassion. Honestly, I don’t think I’m strong enough to withstand the staring and comments, because nobody in my Church has ever worn one before. But, I go to a Catholic school and we can go to adoration. I think it would be a nice offering to wear one then.
Instead of a chapel veil, I think American women should wear hats.
I think it’s great that you’re willing to wear a veil for adoration at your school, and if jeans are what your daily school attire is, then it would not be disrespectful at all!
Actually that is what American women used to wear to Mass. That was a give away that a woman was going to a Catholic versus non-Catholic service. Veils are actually a newer development.
Even though I wore hats or scarves as a child, I am so out of the habit that I likewise feel awkward when I do wear something on my head. Partly that is because I am also a lector and EMCH. In the parish where I was first commissioned, we were told not to wear a hat when performing these functions.
Yeah, I had heard American women used to wear hats. I find a hat to be more appealing for American women. The chapel veil really… as far as I know, it doesn’t have the same grounding in our society. Yes, it may go well for the Spanish, but we aren’t Spanish.
Like I said before, it’s a major task finding a hat to fit on my head. I’m in the school band, and the biggest hat they had was too small, so they ended up having to modify one just for me so it could fit comfortably.
The only drawback to hats is that dressy hats can be pricey. Many women no longer wear hats and millinery is a fading art. I believe I spent about $50 apiece for a nice winter wool felt hat and a summer straw cloche, both fairly simple in design. I’ve seen hats that I really love which are upwards of $200. I love these hats and they are pieces I will wear for a long time, so I consider them worth the money. But a veil or scarf is a much more price-conscious option.
I’ve also bought myself some pretty printed fabric kerchiefs on Etsy. PM me if you’d like the store link.Until the woman bought me the blue-grey fedora I avoided hats. Unlike my mother, I always had trouble finding one that looked good on me. I have to avoid anything that has a crown that is too high. Before paying for the hat, the woman took time to show me how to wear it. I did receive compliments where ever I went.
I have the opposite problem. I have to wear a small, 22 in woman’s sizes or 6 &3/4 in men’s sizes. I served time in the military so I had to know the men’s size as well.
Hats can definitely be pricey. Even though I know how to crochet, I always have trouble making hats. I tend to make them too small.
I agree with this. I just started wearing a chapel veil to my NO parish, and I’m definitely the only one. It took guts the first time, but after that it’s no big deal. I just ignore everyone else, and eventually they’ll get use to it. I say give it a shot! You never know, we could start a revolution. :nunchuk:I would say to wear it at Sunday mass as well. Who cares what others think? What matters more is your reverence and respect for Our Lord. If both you and your cousin attend the same church for mass, that should make things easier. If anyone asks why you are wearing a chapel veil, tell them your reasons. Who knows, you may start a trend in your church!
Trust me, I know how it feels to be the only one wearing a chapel veil in church. It is a little weird to stand out in the crowd, but once you start concentrating on the mass it goes away. You may also find that you are stronger than you think if people stare or make comments. God will be there to guide you through it.
:manvspc:
then it sounds like you would be wearing it with a skirt anyway?
Well, all during my childhood I attended a very low-church Episcopalian church and every woman there wore something on her head, including kleenex
. In a large proportion of pentacostal-type protestant churches women still wear something on their heads at church, along with nice clothing.Well, Our Church is on a college campus, and they sort of allow jeans and sneakers, because the whole mission is to get students going to Mass instead of hitting the bars on the weekends. I usually wear jeans, a nice top, and flats mainly because I’m a children’s liturgy helper and also because I have to go to confirmation class before.Well, all during my childhood I attended a very low-church Episcopalian church and every woman there wore something on her head, including kleenex
Jeanne - I really think that jeans are not appropriate attire for Sunday Mass (unless, of course, the person can’t afford anything better, however even in Harlem people go to church in “good” clothes!). For daily Mass or Adoration, jeans are fine tho’, and a kerchief from K-mart or a crocheted beret from Target (I got one there for $10) would go fine with them or certainly with your school skirt.
Blessed confirmation (I may be misunderstanding and you may be already confirmed but helping with the class - in which case I thank and commend you)! I understand that you definitely may be in a situation where pants are more modest than most skirts, although there are some skirts - midi-length, jeans skirts that I, personally, prefer. I would just make sure that the pants are as modest (even from the rear view) as you can have them be.
