Courage to Wear a Mantilla... at college?

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irri6

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Hello! So for a long time now I’ve been trying to find the confidence in myself to wear my mantilla to mass here at my university. It is a Catholic university, but it’s Jesuit so their practices can be a little different. For example, during sunday mass, no one kneels during the liturgy of the eucharist. I already do that, but I definitely get a lot of strange looks for it, even though it’s a regular thing for about half of the people that attend daily mass. I’m just not sure if I should, or at least how I should go about it. I’ve also seen plenty of people wearing short shorts or borderline appropriate clothing… I’m not sure. Thoughts? Advice?
Thank you! God Bless!
 
First of all there is a group here of like minded women called Veiled in Grace where you will find support.
Second although I am no longer a college girl I do understand the tug on ones heart to veil and the struggle when it comes to put that into action.

Do examine your motives before you go forward so that when you make the final decision , you know it is between you and God and no one else so yo will be able to put up with little comments like “is your head cold” etc.

I found it easiest to start by covering at adoration and also by being comfortable with whatever cover I had chosen.

Hope this helps. Being veiled on your heart first was some of the best advice I ever got.
 
I went to a Jesuit University too, graduated just a few years ago. You should not feel awkward about wearing a mantilla, but it will make you stand out and you will likely get comments of a curious nature.

My advice- if you go to Mass wearing one, and spend the whole time worrying about who is watching you and what they might say, then you have lost the point of attending Mass. Only do it if you are confident enough to not let looks and comments bother you.

Good luck at those Jesuit schools. I loved mine, but had a very hard time with their views and was very ready to move on after 4 years.
 
Ahh the college years. Right now is the best time for you to not care so much about what others are thinking - especially with faith-related things. Be bold and live your faith life. You may get other girls to do the same. You may get one person to think more about their faith. You will definitely feel closer to God because you are living your faith!
 
I went to a Jesuit college church all the time I was in school and if yours is anything like mine was, a matilla is hardly the most bizare thing people will be wearing. Our student Mass was at 10PM and students arrived in their pajamas with their hair literally in wet towels! If you want to wear a mantilla, I don’t think anyone will look down on it. In fact, there could be ten other girls wearing one the next week! By Christmas there will be a mantilla crocheting club meeting weekly in the dormitory. Or, maybe no one will even notice you next to they guy wearing nothing but his swimming trunks and a teeshirt with Elmo on it.
 
If you feel called to cover your head might I suggest a slight compromise - go for something other than a mantilla. Lots of students wear funky hats, caps, berets, beanies and whatnot.

That way you are not drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, but still covering the head for Mass. A win-win.
 
A few years back, my husband and I visited a friend who was attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. While the guys headed to the gym to work out one afternoon, I decided to attend the afternoon Mass at St. Elizabeth University near the campus at 5:30. Not only was the church nearly full (it was a Thursday afternoon) of students, there were a few girls wearing mantillas (some with blue jeans), and one young lady in particular doing the stations of the cross before Mass–wearing a mantilla.

If you feel called to it, wear it with confidence. I still think of those young women to this day!
 
At one of the campuses I attended, there was a parish not two miles off of campus that was miles more traditional than our Newman Center. You have the option of attending a regular parish, too, and there might be one nearby in which women have adopted the mantilla. If you have that option and find it more edifying than attending on campus,. do that. It is perfectly fine.

The truth is, that is a more likely place to meet like-minded men. As the old saying goes: Don’t marry for wealth. Hang around rich people, and marry for love! 😃 If the riches of the faith as reflected in the mantilla are practiced somewhere close to campus, hang around there!
 
bluerose said:
A few years back, my husband and I visited a friend who was attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. While the guys headed to the gym to work out one afternoon, I decided to attend the afternoon Mass at St. Elizabeth University near the campus at 5:30. Not only was the church nearly full (it was a Thursday afternoon) of students, there were a few girls wearing mantillas (some with blue jeans), and one young lady in particular doing the stations of the cross before Mass–wearing a mantilla.

If you feel called to it, wear it with confidence. I still think of those young women to this day!
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This is good advice, too. You never know, your example might give others confidence who would otherwise feel pressured to abandon an edifying and beloved practice.
 
Go for it. I wish I had the courage to cover my head and dress more modestly while attending college. Perhaps, you can try a variety of head covers like berets if you feel you will stick out like a sore thumb. You will never know who you will inspire to cover their head no matter the type of item you choose to use. And yes, I recommended the Veiled in Grace group, its a great group of women.
 
Allegra said:
I went to a Jesuit college church all the time I was in school and if yours is anything like mine was, a matilla is hardly the most bizare thing people will be wearing. Our student Mass was at 10PM and students arrived in their pajamas with their hair literally in wet towels! If you want to wear a mantilla, I don’t think anyone will look down on it. In fact, there could be ten other girls wearing one the next week! By Christmas there will be a mantilla crocheting club meeting weekly in the dormitory.** Or, maybe no one will even notice you next to they guy wearing nothing but his swimming trunks and a teeshirt with Elmo on it**.
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:rotfl::rotfl::bigyikes:

The Mass offered on campus at the Newman Center where my younger son will be in the fall, is at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. It’s right near the dorms, and in a very small setting like a classroom almost, although it’s a free-standing building. I will be very curious to see if anyone turns up in PJs. But wet towels? :eek: That’s going too far.
 
A few times that my university had Mass in a break room type place, people showed up dressed often in grungy clothes like tees, flannel shirts and jeans. Keep in mind this was the mid 1990’s where the Seattle grunge look was still popular but had not completely faded away. I was no different and often dressed that way at times. The people showed up to Mass mainly in casual clothes, and the celebrant did not admonish any student that showed up dressed casual or even immodestly.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
:rotfl::rotfl::bigyikes:

The Mass offered on campus at the Newman Center where my younger son will be in the fall, is at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. It’s right near the dorms, and in a very small setting like a classroom almost, although it’s a free-standing building. I will be very curious to see if anyone turns up in PJs. But wet towels? :eek: That’s going too far.
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Reread the post - their HAIR was in wet towels. They did have clothes on! 😃

IMHO this is no worse than if they had wet hair, perhaps put up in a ponytail or a bun - ie totally fine. Going in public with wet hair is something many busy men and women have to do from time to time.
 
LilyM said:
If you feel called to cover your head might I suggest a slight compromise - go for something other than a mantilla. Lots of students wear funky hats, caps, berets, beanies and whatnot.

That way you are not drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, but still covering the head for Mass. A win-win.
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I cover my head but I don’t use a lace mantilla, I use a silk scarf. Not a lot of people notice yet I feel like I am still honoring God and the Virgin Mary by doing so.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
:rotfl::rotfl::bigyikes:

The Mass offered on campus at the Newman Center where my younger son will be in the fall, is at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. It’s right near the dorms, and in a very small setting like a classroom almost, although it’s a free-standing building. I will be very curious to see if anyone turns up in PJs. But wet towels? :eek: That’s going too far.
Click to expand...
Just pray he goes Juliane. My son is a Sophomore and even though I found out where the local FOCS is etc he just would not join with them. He goes to the 10 pm ( occasionally) at the uni his GF went to , he goes without argument when he is home ( 2 hours away - he is home more than I thought he would be) BUT I doubt he goes all the time.
 
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