How many women here wear a headcovering to Novus Ordo Mass?

[thechrismyster]

I do- (wear a mantilla or hat) and i would say from observation in my parish that out of 100 women none wear a headcovering. It is at times awkward and I do get stares sometimes but I do it only out of respect and love for our Lord. I also genuflect before recieving on the tongue- only 3 of 200 people (average genuflect) before receiving in my parish. What are your novus ordo parishes like? Thanks everyone!

I’ve never noticed how many folks genuflect before Communion, i’m too busy praying and telling the Lord how much i love Him. I’d think it disrespectful to him to take time away from prayer to count how many knees kneel.
Come to think of it, i’ve never noticed how many women wear hats, either.
I guess we have our attention tuned to different things, you and I.

 

[Veronika_OCDS]

First of all, I’m glad to have read your story Homewardbound! I can identify!

Abira, the passage I refer to is from 1 Corinthians:11:3-12

• but I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman tohave her hair cut off, or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil. A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man: nor was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head because of the angels. Woman is not independent of man, or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman: but all things are from God."*Men, in a church or outside a church, while they are assisting at sacred rites, shall be bare-headed, unless approved mores of the people or peculiar circumstances of things determine otherwise: women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord(Canon 1262, para.2)

When the code was revised in 1983, this issue was not included. Neither was is revoked. It is my understanding that the law must stand until such time that it is revoked specifically.

These were the specific things that I considered when making my choice to veil. I am only a laywoman, trying my best to make sense of my obligation to my church and my God. If I am incorrect in my judgement, please correct and excuse me.

On a more personal note, someone once told me that a woman should first wear the veil on her heart before she wears it on her head. I encourage all women of faith to pray as Homewardbound has done, and I’m sure the Lord will answer.

God Bless!

Veronika

 

[marymonde]

Frankly I never bothered to count. To each her own. I am usually too busy adoring the Lord and participating in Mass to be a reverence patrol officer.

I think if one notices one person in 200 wearing a mantilla it doesn’t necessarily mean that person is not adoring Our Lord. Women do walk in before mass and after mass with their heads covered and it usually an obvious observation if something is on top of their heads.

 

[hasikelee]

I do not. I fear it would become a point of distraction for me, and also one of pride. I am that kind of person that must be inspired from the inside, or else I would be as the man who beat his breast and stood at the front of the temple.

I hear a lot about how wearing a manilla is a sign of respect and humility. But for people like me, it would be a temptation towards pride and personal arrogance.

I often wonder, if the people who wear a veil to Mass, would wear that veil to a Mass where only they were present.

 

[Abira]

First of all, I’m glad to have read your story Homewardbound! I can identify!

Abira, the passage I refer to is from 1 Corinthians:11:3-12

• but I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman tohave her hair cut off, or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil. A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man: nor was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head because of the angels. Woman is not independent of man, or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman: but all things are from God."*Men, in a church or outside a church, while they are assisting at sacred rites, shall be bare-headed, unless approved mores of the people or peculiar circumstances of things determine otherwise: women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord(Canon 1262, para.2)

When the code was revised in 1983, this issue was not included. Neither was is revoked. It is my understanding that the law must stand until such time that it is revoked specifically.

These were the specific things that I considered when making my choice to veil. I am only a laywoman, trying my best to make sense of my obligation to my church and my God. If I am incorrect in my judgement, please correct and excuse me.

On a more personal note, someone once told me that a woman should first wear the veil on her heart before she wears it on her head. I encourage all women of faith to pray as Homewardbound has done, and I’m sure the Lord will answer.

God Bless!

Veronika

thanks that answers me. It’s wierd how Jewish men are to cover their heads too but not Christian men. I kinda like the sexual equality in that…I find it hard to imagine covering myself when a man doesn’t have to… I guess I most definately am a product of my generation!

S

 

[marymonde]

I do not. I fear it would become a point of distraction for me, and also one of pride.

How so?

For many years in the Church it was considered a matter of obedience as well to have your head covered, not just humility. I know there is alot of debate on whether headcoverings were abolished or not, and I think there is a hint it wasn’t meant to be, but I don’t really think a person’s piety is focused on what they do or do not have on their head. I wouldn’t personally think someone was not devoted to her faith if she didn’t veil. However, I do like the modesty displayed in the TLM period, not only are heads usually covered, but bodies as well.

 

[Veronika_OCDS]

Hasikelee wrote:

I often wonder, if the people who wear a veil to Mass, would wear that veil to a Mass where only they were present.

We neverattend a mass where we are the only one present. He who sees our hearts will judge us. I find it sad that we who are supposed to be striving to worship God the way He wants us to worship Him can be so bold as to assume the motives of each other and sit in judgement so quickly.

For those of us who choose to veil, it is more a matter of obedience than pride.

 

[MTD]

I do- (wear a mantilla or hat) and i would say from observation in my parish that out of 100 women none wear a headcovering. It is at times awkward and I do get stares sometimes but I do it only out of respect and love for our Lord. I also genuflect before recieving on the tongue- only 3 of 200 people (average genuflect) before receiving in my parish. What are your novus ordo parishes like? Thanks everyone!

I’ve often thought about it but do not currently wear one. However, I see quite a few women and girls wearing headcoverings at my conservative NO church, especially at the Mass with Latin.

We kneel at the rail for Holy Communion, so there’s no genuflecting. Also, we have altarboys with patens accompanying the priests distributing Communion, so while anyone could receive Communion in the hand, the vast majority do not.

I began to do this when I ran across an article on the net about how the wearing of head coverings in church was , first of all called for by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians,and is included and never directly removed from, Canon law.

In the 1917 code of Canon law it states
*Men, in a church or outside a church, while they are assisting at sacred rites, shall be bare-headed, unless approved mores of the people or peculiar circumstances of things determine otherwise: women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord(Canon 1262, para.2) *

When the code was revised in 1983, this issue was not included. Neither was is revoked. It is my understanding that the law must stand until such time that it is revoked specifically.

Have you seen this question at the EWTN canon law forum?

However, I do like the modesty displayed in the TLM period, not only are heads usually covered, but bodies as well.

I do not consider the low necks of the Victorian Era modest.

Maria

 

[maggieodae]

I think if one notices one person in 200 wearing a mantilla it doesn’t necessarily mean that person is not adoring Our Lord. Women do walk in before mass and after mass with their heads covered and it usually an obvious observation if something is on top of their heads.

I would only notice perhaps if it was a halo…

 

[hasikelee]

How so?

For many years in the Church it was considered a matter of obedience as well to have your head covered, not just humility. I know there is alot of debate on whether headcoverings were abolished or not, and I think there is a hint it wasn’t meant to be, but I don’t really think a person’s piety is focused on what they do or do not have on their head. I wouldn’t personally think someone was not devoted to her faith if she didn’t veil. However, I do like the modesty displayed in the TLM period, not only are heads usually covered, but bodies as well.

It was considered a matter of obedience and in all simplicity, that would have settled the matter for me.

In my OWN experience though, not speaking for others on this thread, I have found those I know who wear the veil to be quite prideful. I do not feel called to humility, obedience or love for Christ with these people in my parish and community as a witness. Instead, what I feel from them is that somehow those who don’t wear a veil are lesser or not as in love with Christ.

This also teeters on the edge of clinging to the past. Perhaps because I have more a community connection with those who disapprove or disagree with VII and the NO, I see this more often.

It also has to do with my personal feelings. The veil is considered culturally today to be a showy item used in special occasions and also very sexually feminine. I see nothing humble or meek about it. If I wear it, I truly do believe I would be more attractive and showy then just wearing my hair nicely combed and down.

I am 100% certain that there are Catholic women who wear their manilla with humility and love for Christ. I just don’t have the same personality to do that, nor do I have the same examples in my life.

 

[hasikelee]

Hasikelee wrote:

I often wonder, if the people who wear a veil to Mass, would wear that veil to a Mass where only they were present.

We neverattend a mass where we are the only one present. He who sees our hearts will judge us. I find it sad that we who are supposed to be striving to worship God the way He wants us to worship Him can be so bold as to assume the motives of each other and sit in judgement so quickly.

For those of us who choose to veil, it is more a matter of obedience than pride.

I think what you are trying to say is that, yes, if you were the only one attending Mass, you would wear a manilla, genuflect, sit straight in the pew, read along with the lector, fold your hands nicely, etc.

 

[Veronika_OCDS]

Hasikelee, if I have offended you in some way please accept my apologies. I assure you that I do try to do all those things, but for love of Christ. Lets stop now.

Your sister in Christ,
Veronika

 

[marymonde]

In my OWN experience though, not speaking for others on this thread, I have found those I know who wear the veil to be quite prideful. I do not feel called to humility, obedience or love for Christ with these people in my parish and community as a witness. Instead, what I feel from them is that somehow those who don’t wear a veil are lesser or not as in love with Christ.

I am so sorry you have run into this problem of having strangers make you feel so uncomfortable. I really do not comprehend how a woman that wears a veil can make another woman feel “lesser”. I honestly have never found a woman who veils outwardly prideful. Matter of fact before I started going to the TLM I went to a NO parish that almost half the women veiled. It was never a topic of conversation, nor is it at my TLM parish.

This also teeters on the edge of clinging to the past. Perhaps because I have more a community connection with those who disapprove or disagree with VII and the NO, I see this more often…

I don’t deny I am clinging to the past. The great saints veiled, and all the statues that represent Our Lady and other holy woman in my Church, their heads are covered. I feel it an honor to imitate the precedent Our Lady has left for us. As Saint Paul has so plainly explained:

2 Thessalonians 2:14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.

It also has to do with my personal feelings. The veil is considered culturally today to be a showy item used in special occasions and also very sexually feminine. I see nothing humble or meek about it…

Sexually feminine? Wow, this is the strangest and saddest reason I have ever read for being against a head covering. It has also sickened me to think a Catholic woman would have such a thought enter her mind about a piece of lace on top of one’s head. I guess if you are looking at a head covering in that context, well it wouldn’t seem very meek to you.

 

[paramedicgirl]

I always have… and paramedicgirl… I too got strange looks at first, but who cares?? It’s my devotion to God that I’m concerned with, not theirs ! but I have noticed that since I’ve been wearing mine all along, others have started to cover too. Maybe no one wanted to be the first… somebody has to have the cajones (sorry about the bluntness) Wear it with pride, because the only One who matters sees.

To homewardbound YOU GO GIRL !!!

I don’t think I’m brave enough to be the first!. But I admire you for doing that. If several of the women in my church decided to start wearing head coverings, that would make it easier, because then there would be some mutual support. It’s something that one wants to do out of humility and love for God, but there are obstacles (pride?) in the way. What a paradox!

 

[Veritas41]

It was this past summer, as I was consuming everything Catholic I could to better understand everything. I came across a document about headcovering. About how it began and stopped and everything. It made me start thinking about it and wondering if its really what God wanted women to do. So, I began to pray to God about it, every day during my daily prayers, to ask him if I, personally, should wear one to mass. Along the way I found the verse in Corinthians about headcovering and talked to my mom about it. Her interperation of the verse was that women should have longer hair then men because it is their covering and protection. I came to think that either interpreatation could be correct. But, personally, I felt a heaviness on my heart about it. During the rosary one day I heard my answer, in the way only God talks to me. Which I wish could be put into words. So, I began to wear a scarf over my head during private prayer and during mass. I later bought a mantilla. Once, I even refused to sit in the church during mass because I had forgot my mantilla. I know that may sound incredibly stupid to many, but the voice of God in my head made it impossible to stay where I was. I sat in the little glass room in the back and experianced one of the best masses I have attended as of yet. I had a wonderful sense that I had obeyed God and He was pleased with me listening to Him.

I understand most women who are not wearers of a veil may believe my story as simply me wanting to and believing God told me too wear one. Being raised Baptist, I’d never heard of covering my head before. I know in my heart its what God wants of me, and I don’t worry about whether he wants everyone else to do it too. For me, its obeying a command God has given to me. I will not question or refuse to do it just because some people think differently about it. I find, when I wear a covering, I am get more from mass and am able to pay attention better than without.

Its my personal revelation, and I don’t expect all women to seek out the answer like I have. Or, to all get the same answer as I did when they do seek it out. I like to think that God knows we are all individuals. So, depending upon that is how He determines what answers He gives to us. There are different ways to obey and worship God. Different ways to show our obediance and belief. I’m a quiet person, not one to jump around telling everyone. Sometimes, I can even feel too shy to tell God himself. I prefer to merely let him see my heart rather than constantly tell him about it. For me, its my quiet way of telling Him, and showing Him, of my love and obediance for Him. Other people have different ways of showing Him.

I’m sorry for those who think wearing a veil is somehow to show off or something(as I have met people who think that). I feel sorry that they think the veil has anything to do with them. If there’s anything I hate, its being the center of attention. I’d much rather blend in. But if obeying God means I will not, and may even be persecuted by my own fellow brothers and sisters, I’ll do what I have too.

Sorry for the long rambling, this issue is just very close to my heart and I want people to understand the real reasons why people may do it. Thanks for asking Sorry its not anything super amazing.

When I became Catholic in 1998, I was under the impression that it was no longer required for women to wear headcoverings, so I never gave much thought to it. I’ve seen a few women wearing mantillas at various Masses I’ve attended, and I have great respect for their convictions. I’m not going to criticize or judge anyone for making an effort to show greater reverence to God during Mass, especially in view of the great lack of reverence I’ve observed among many Catholics at Mass. I’ve had to stand out in other ways during Mass to be obedient to God, which is uncomfortable (since I don’t like drawing attention to myself) but it’s more important to know I’m pleasing God than worrying about what other people think of me. God bless you for staying true to your convictions!

 

[homewardbound]

It was considered a matter of obedience and in all simplicity, that would have settled the matter for me.

In my OWN experience though, not speaking for others on this thread, I have found those I know who wear the veil to be quite prideful. I do not feel called to humility, obedience or love for Christ with these people in my parish and community as a witness. Instead, what I feel from them is that somehow those who don’t wear a veil are lesser or not as in love with Christ.

This also teeters on the edge of clinging to the past. Perhaps because I have more a community connection with those who disapprove or disagree with VII and the NO, I see this more often.

It also has to do with my personal feelings. The veil is considered culturally today to be a showy item used in special occasions and also very sexually feminine. I see nothing humble or meek about it. If I wear it, I truly do believe I would be more attractive and showy then just wearing my hair nicely combed and down.

I am 100% certain that there are Catholic women who wear their manilla with humility and love for Christ. I just don’t have the same personality to do that, nor do I have the same examples in my life.

This is exactly what I meant when I said earlier that I think God looks at us as individuals and therefore gives us different personal rules to obide by. We all have different personalities, and some are not meant to wear a veil just as some are.

I’m sorry those you know who do wear veils are so prideful and showy. I pray if they are not wearing them for the right reasons that they are soon reminded.

 

[TNT]

I would love to wear a mantilla to the NO Mass I go to, but I would be the only one there to do so, and I’m not yet brave enough! I would feel conspicuous if other people stared at me.

…

COWARD COWARD

Don’t wear a crucifix in the grocery store either?

 

[MTD]

When I became Catholic in 1998, I was under the impression that it was no longer required for women to wear headcoverings, so I never gave much thought to it.

As the link I gave in my earlier post shows, your impression is correct.

Maria

 

[TNT]

It was this past summer, as I was consuming everything Catholic I could to better understand everything. I came across a document about headcovering. About how it began and stopped and everything. It made me start thinking about it and wondering if its really what God wanted women to do. …
Sorry for the long rambling, this issue is just very close to my heart and I want people to understand the real reasons why people may do it. Thanks for asking Sorry its not anything super amazing.

Voted best Post on the Thread. Thanks.

 

[TNT]

Hasikelee wrote:

I often wonder, if the people who wear a veil to Mass, would wear that veil to a Mass where only they were present.

…
For those of us who choose to veil, it is more a matter of obedience than pride.

A better question:
I often wonder, if the people who DO NOT wear a veil to Mass, would wear that veil to a Mass where CHRIST HIMSELF were visibly present. If He just showed up and Said the Mass Himself.