Head coverings

[s4angel]

Ok Hellisreal brought up a good question I have wondered about and in fact am confused about.

I love the idea of a prayer vail and have one myself though I have not used it because I am not sure what it is (ok so I am blond)

What is the head covering or prayer vail and what does it signify?? I read the bible but got more confused. I do have very long hair and was confused if that was the covering he was talking about??? Anyone know???

 

[baltobetsy]

There is currently no Church law requiring the wearing of headcoverings by women. If you wish to do it, go ahead, realizing that others may legitimately make a different choice.

This subject is discussed at length in a number of threads in the Traditional Catholicism forum. Head on over there and take a look at some of them. I’m sure every possible position on this subject has been covered.

If you decide to wear a veil, you can get gorgeous ones on Ebay. Just do a search for “mantilla.”

Betsy

 

[Philothea53]

The wearing of a veil by women in Church is obviously a very important issue - both pro and con - for many people. Can anyone hazard an educated guess or does anyone have any concrete evidence for the reason that we have not heard anything definitive from Rome as to the absolute interpretation of the fact that the instruction disappeared and how/if the parts of the Canon that are frequently discussed/argued? Definitive, not opinions.

 

[cameron_lansing]

The wearing of a veil by women in Church is obviously a very important issue - both pro and con - for many people. Can anyone hazard an educated guess or does anyone have any concrete evidence for the reason that we have not heard anything definitive from Rome as to the absolute interpretation of the fact that the instruction disappeared and how/if the parts of the Canon that are frequently discussed/argued? Definitive, not opinions.

There is a something of a dilemma in formulating a response here since “educated guess” and “definitive” do not convey the same force. In speaking of pro and con positions, it is not that people are pro or con covering as much as it is a case that some believe it is mandated in Church law (others, too, see it as an obligation based in Divine Revelation) or that it is not so mandated (and do not perceive that an obligation based in Divine Revelation exists).

Nothing is definitive unless issued by the Holy See. Yet, we can turn to consider the fact the Holy See only addresses situations where there is true lack of clarity or failure to observe the law in a disciplinary matter. It does not make public declaration as to why it does not make public declaration on a matter. However, we can look to the situations in which public declarations are made for guidance.

Roman dicasteries do not issue clarifications and the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts (see Pastor Bonus, 154-158 and canon 16) does not issue authentic interpretations unless there is a confusion or an objective doubt about a matter. They do not address settled issues.

By virtue of canon 15, law is presumed to be known. Canon 6 of the new code abrogated the canons of the former code, including the one which imposed covering as a universal discipline. However, any particular law with this requirement was not abrogated. Thus unless a law was treated anew in some way in the new code or by particular law or legislated thereafter, its obligation ceased. Nothing in law, however, forbids the practice of head covering for reasons of devotion, reverence, piety, or otherwise. It is simply that it is not mandated by universal law anymore.

Now this — according to one calculation — is the 23rd thread on the topic in this forum, and it probably is something of importance to a number of people for various reasons.

Despite the number of threads on internet fora and the improper analysis of certain websites which ignore canon 6 or selectively apply other canons which are not relevant, however, this appears to be more than clear to the Roman dicasteries, canonists and prelates in full communion with the Holy See.

Hence the silence.

 

[lizaanne]

Ok Hellisreal brought up a good question I have wondered about and in fact am confused about.

I love the idea of a prayer vail and have one myself though I have not used it because I am not sure what it is (ok so I am blond)

What is the head covering or prayer vail and what does it signify?? I read the bible but got more confused. I do have very long hair and was confused if that was the covering he was talking about??? Anyone know???

I wear a veil (not vail) to Mass and to adoration. I have long hair to the middle of my back, and so I like to wear a veil that is longer to cover my hair. This is my personal preference. You will find some who think that only a little hair band is sufficient, I disagree with that, but we all have our opinions on the subject as you will see here.

You should feel totally free to cover your head for Mass if you wish to. No one has the authority to tell you that you can’t or shouldn’t - priest or lay person. It is a personal devotion, between you and God, just like carrying a rosary with you or wearing a crucifix. How someone else feels about it is totally irrelevant.

~Liza

 

[s4angel]

Thank you for your posts I guess what I was trying to ask is what does it signify the wearing of a veil/mantilla/prayer veil?

 

[DJgang]

Thank you for your posts I guess what I was trying to ask is what does it signify the wearing of a veil/mantilla/prayer veil?

I do not wear a head covering, yet…but have been thinking about it. I think you have to search your heart first, what would it mean it YOU?

 

[s4angel]

I am not sure what it would mean or what it is suppose to mean.

When I first tried one during prayer I felt more humbled and focused during my prayers… Does that make sence?? I stopped using it because I became confused about the passage in the bible about woman covering their heads.

What does that passage mean… Was there a reason it was written???

 

[williamdwriter]

Check out St. Paul’s epistle to the church at Corinth (I Corinthians chapter 11). There is talk about a metaphysical and theological reason for head coverings, i.e. “The power of the angels”—not as a cultural reason that was only applicable during biblical times. I think that the absence of obedience in this realm is one of the many reasons the Church has little power in the world. The disappearence of head coverings in the churches is rather recent. It just happens to coincide with the Feminist movements of the 60’s.
I hope this helps.
William

 

[s4angel]

I hope I am not violating any rules by copying this. If I am I apologise. Any thoughts???

Headcovering for Catholic Women

"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil.
“For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels…If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3-10,16)

In obedience to Sacred Scripture, many Catholic women wear some kind of veil or headcovering. Some wear a headcovering only at Mass. Others feel called to wear a headcovering at other times during the day, as well as at Mass. Many non-Catholic Christian women also wear a headcovering.

These women are following the call of the Holy Spirit. Society discourages women from wearing a headcovering and from doing anything else which shows submissiveness and obedience. Yet these women have found the light of truth in the midst of dark times.

The moral law requires all women to wear the veil on their hearts.

A woman should not wear the veil on her head, until she is wearing it first on her heart.

A woman who wears the veil on her heart accepts the place that God gives to women in the Church, the family, and society.

Women who wear the veil on their hearts are imitating the Virgin Mary in her humility, submissiveness, and obedience to Christ.

The veil should cover her head, but not her face. It is first and foremost symbolic of humility, submissiveness and obedience.

When Saint Veronica saw Jesus carrying His cross, she took off her veil and gave it to Him to wipe His face. He handed the veil back to her, and it had an image of His face on it. In this way, Christ gave a special blessing to the practice of wearing a veil. Even Veronica’s name comes from this event. She is called vera icon because she had a true icon of Christ, her veil with His face on it. Nearly every Catholic Church has the stations of the Cross with this event at one of the stations.

The Virgin Mary wore a veil or headcovering because she understood this symbol of the different roles given to men and women. Those women who wear the veil are imitating the Virgin Mary in her humility and submissiveness. Nearly every Catholic Church has a stature or image of Mary wearing a veil.

Here are some links to sites about women wearing a headcovering. On many of these sites, these women explain their own experiences and their understanding of the theological reasons for wearing a headcovering.

 

[williamdwriter]

Also you may want to check out “The Priviledge of Being a Woman” by Dr. Alice von Hildebrand and the essay, “The Wildness of Domesticity” in the book by G.K. Chesterton called “Brave New Family”. There is a great but different dignity that women have. Why are the cutlural diversity folks so against the diversity of the genders?
Anyhow, may God guide us all and convince us of His truth,
William

 

[s4angel]

I may be wrong but I have tried to explain this to my children.

Man is the head and the woman the heart the head can not live without the heart and the heart can not live with out the head.

Woman was made for man. Man was made for God. There is no implied insult that woman are somehow less worthy than man. Our jobs are just different but each are just as important.

Us woman can impact others in ways that man can’t just as man can impact others in ways that woman can’t. It takes both working as one to complete the job we are given.

This is true both in our home lives and spiritual lives. I except my role and embrace it. I am a woman I will do my job. I will let the man handle his own.

 

[williamdwriter]

God bless you, sangel! Not many have such humility these days. Your husband is truly a blessed man. Do check out Alice von Hildebrand books and also EWTN (she’s often on as a guest). Also Elisabeth Elliot in “Let Me Be a Woman” is another good book. They are of the same scriptural mind. And subservience doesn’t mean at all to be worth less. If anything it is to be worth more. Remember Jesus’ words: He who is least among you is the greatest.
William