Is The Chapel Veil Coming Back?

[sneakers]

Perhaps a largish chapel cap would be good?
Check out the Esther and the Scallop at Halo-Works

Thanks! I’ll check it out! Right now, I wear one of the 40+ year old white chapel veils I dug out of my mothers old cedar chest! I can’t believe she saved them! As you can imagine, they are REALLY frayed!

sneakers

 

[beckycmarie]

I hope it changes too. I don’t care what other women choose to do. I, however, am increasingly drawn to the idea of wearing the veil - or some kind of head covering. It is personal. However, I haven’t yet worn one at my OF parish because I fear I would stand out and it would be misinterpreted. I am NOT trying to make a statement. It is just something that has become very important to me. On the rare occasion that I am privileged to attend an EF mass, I am glad to be able to do so.

Sneakers, I started wearing one myself the past couple weeks, and I had the same reservations you do. Then I realized it was just pride - worrying too much what others thought about me that was getting in the way. Even if people do misinterpret it, or make fun of it, or talk about you behind your back, just remember:

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

 

[MoreThan1Hat]

Sneakers, I started wearing one myself the past couple weeks, and I had the same reservations you do. Then I realized it was just pride - worrying too much what others thought about me that was getting in the way. Even if people do misinterpret it, or make fun of it, or talk about you behind your back, just remember:

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

I began wearing a mantilla at Divine Liturgy right after Christmas (I think, I can’t remember the exact Sunday) after a conversation with a friend who also had been discerning whether to veil or not. she wears a scarf now. My mantilla is very old and a bit tattered but I wear it anyhow…I feel I am being more in an outward way, obvious about how I feel inwardly in Church (does that make sense?)
I did worry for about 5 minutes about what would people say, as my parish is REALLY TINY, but then I figured that they are not the ones who will be waiting for me when I reach the Judgment Seat.

:twocents:

 

[surfinpure]

In the wake of the new translation changes coming to the English mass, some Catholic women are using the occasion as an opportunity to make a statement. Upon implementation of the new liturgy text, they plan to dawn the chapel veil… read more here

What are your thoughts on this? Would this be a good time for an old tradition to make a comeback?

Some of us haven’t waited for more Latin in the Mass to don our chapel veils, but I don’t know if I’d call it a statement. I suppose it’s a way of saying we wish to uphold the beautiful traditions that have gone by the wayside, but for the women I know, and for myself, it’s more out of simple desire to do so than to say so.

There are probably half a dozen women at my church wearing a head covering at any given time. I prefer the traditional chapel veil, but I’ll wear a scarf if need be.

 

[ChooseLove]

well about 7 years ago i had a desire to cover my head during mass, yet i had no idea what it meant. i looked for a covering, but did not have the extra funds for one at the time. it was close to $50 where i live. and they only had one type in two colours, so i really could not get anything cheaper than that one. well we ended up having more children and the thought went away. it still comes up when i see a woman who wears one, but with the 7 children in our pew (lol, we sit in the front and are noticed too every week) i’d like to wear one, just for the fact to be left alone during prayers before mass but again, i also would have a one year old tugging it off my head and than putting it back one. so i guess i get to wait more years and learn more about it, before and if ever, i wear one.
i asked my dh what he thought about one, and he said they are nice to see on women. guess he’d enjoy me wearing one also

 

[Joannm]

Why would it cost you $50 for a head covering. I can get scarves inthe 5&10 for less than $5. I do not wear a head covering, and I have no intention to, but back when I did in the 60’s, we wore hats, and regular scarves, not fancy mantillias. If it is to be a sign of humility, then a $5 scarf is a much better sign than an expensive lace mantillia or veil.

 

[lizaanne]

Why would it cost you $50 for a head covering. I can get scarves inthe 5&10 for less than $5. I do not wear a head covering, and I have no intention to, but back when I did in the 60’s, we wore hats, and regular scarves, not fancy mantillias. If it is to be a sign of humility, then a $5 scarf is a much better sign than an expensive lace mantillia or veil.

It often has nothing to do with “fancy expensive lace” - sometimes it is sheer practicality and what you feel comfortable in. I personally can not wear a scarf. I’ve tried numerous times - it slides right off my head. Lace, on the other hand, stays on and I don’t even need to touch it once I plop it on my head. If I had to deal with a scarf, and children, I would not cover my head at all because it would be more of a nuisance than anything. As far as cost goes - one of my favorite mantilla in my collection is solid black and absolutely exquisite. I paid $2 for it at an estate sale. So be careful to pass judgment on someone you see with a beautiful piece of lace on her head - it could be a family heirloom, or something purchased at a resale or estate sale. For me, lace just works best and is what I’m comfortable with. I don’t ever “feel” like I MUST have lace on. It’s just a personal preference. Nothing more complicated than that.

~Liza

 

[ChooseLove]

it was lace and in canada EVERYTHING is twice or three times higher than in USA. this was about 7 years ago, at the ONLY catholic store in town, so they charge big bucks for anything and everything. we did not have internet than to get things cheaper. i also think the lace would stay better on my head than a scarf would. in fact i KNOW a scarf would not stay put, since when i do where one, i’m continually fixing it. more distractions at mass i do NOT need

 

[lizaanne]

it was lace and in canada EVERYTHING is twice or three times higher than in USA. this was about 7 years ago, at the ONLY catholic store in town, so they charge big bucks for anything and everything. we did not have internet than to get things cheaper. i also think the lace would stay better on my head than a scarf would. in fact i KNOW a scarf would not stay put, since when i do where one, i’m continually fixing it. more distractions at mass i do NOT need

Well, glad you have a computer now! Check out eBay and look for a seller with a store called Catholic Traditions - she sells some very lovely chapel veils for reasonable prices - around $15-US.

~Liza

 

[surfinpure]

Why would it cost you $50 for a head covering. I can get scarves inthe 5&10 for less than $5. I do not wear a head covering, and I have no intention to, but back when I did in the 60’s, we wore hats, and regular scarves, not fancy mantillias. If it is to be a sign of humility, then a $5 scarf is a much better sign than an expensive lace mantillia or veil.

I take exception to the idea that those who choose to wear a mantilla made of lace do so out of pride. Some of the most humble women I know wear just such a thing, which belies the theory utterly. I understand that a scarf may be more simple in design than a mantilla, but it does not follow that what is more intricate is puffed up.

When I take a look at the many images of the apparitions of our Blessed Mother, I notice that she is always adorned both simply and elegantly. She is the epitome of the feminine, and she is the most humble woman that ever was. Therefore elegance and femininity do not go hand in hand with sinful pride.

It is the attitude of the heart that makes one proud.

Incidentally, I wear either a scarf or a mantilla interchangeably, depending on the colors in my clothing. For those who cannot buy a mantilla (at my parish they are between 5 and 20 dollars), a scarf works nicely.

 

[sneakers]

I take exception to the idea that those who choose to wear a mantilla made of lace do so out of pride. Some of the most humble women I know wear just such a thing, which belies the theory utterly. I understand that a scarf may be more simple in design than a mantilla, but it does not follow that what is more intricate is puffed up.

When I take a look at the many images of the apparitions of our Blessed Mother, I notice that she is always adorned both simply and elegantly. She is the epitome of the feminine, and she is the most humble woman that ever was. Therefore elegance and femininity do not go hand in hand with sinful pride.

It is the attitude of the heart that makes one proud.

Incidentally, I wear either a scarf or a mantilla interchangeably, depending on the colors in my clothing. For those who cannot buy a mantilla (at my parish they are between 5 and 20 dollars), a scarf works nicely.

A lot of women used to wear a babushka (can you tell I’m Polish descent?! (Also known as a scarf!) But, when I was young, - late 50’s early 60’s) most women did not wear a mantilla. They wore a proper hat. In fact, I don’t remember any women in my parish wearing mantillas - it was always hats. My mom had a nice collection of them. I understand the milliners lost a lot of business when Catholic women stopped buying hats to wear to mass, and then Protestant women followed suit. Maybe somebody here remembers when mantillas became popular?

 

[PatienceAndLove]

A lot of women used to wear a babushka (can you tell I’m Polish descent?! (Also known as a scarf!) But, when I was young, - late 50’s early 60’s) most women did not wear a mantilla. They wore a proper hat. In fact, I don’t remember any women in my parish wearing mantillas - it was always hats. My mom had a nice collection of them. I understand the milliners lost a lot of business when Catholic women stopped buying hats to wear to mass, and then Protestant women followed suit. Maybe somebody here remembers when mantillas became popular?

One word- Jackie O

 

[sneakers]

One word- Jackie O

You know - I think you may be right! It was during the early to mid 60’s when my mom bought my sisters and I mantillas! I also remember wearing berets to church. They always looked nice with a smart-looking coat. If I remember correctly, mantillas were never my head-covering of choice. It would be nice to see hat-makers back in business again!

 

[beckers]

One word- Jackie O

hmmm…I don’t know if i agree. I am in Texas and have never seen a picture of Jacie O. I’ve only seen the mantilla covering from those of mexican decent. Thats why i picked up a lace head cover…well plus i don’t like hats. I’ve worn a scarf a few times too. I go with whatever gets my head covered!

 

[surfinpure]

hmmm…I don’t know if i agree. I am in Texas and have never seen a picture of Jacie O. I’ve only seen the mantilla covering from those of mexican decent.

I’ve also been wondering if this wasn’t the case. I’m from Texas, too, and I’ve seen a strong association with the mantilla and Mexican heritage. I think it’s a beautiful tradition to preserve.

 

[lydiaesther]

Back or not, I’ve been wearing mine since coming into the Church in 2002 after being in the Pentecostal Church for several years. I do it out of respect and Love for Jesus. I’ve had women make favorable and unfavorable comments, but that hasnt stopped me because I do for HIM. I also stopped wearing pants but thats a whole other story waiting to be told on another thread. To boot, I attend Mass in Manhattan!

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Here is Jackie O:



And while it is not technically a mantilla, but an Italian mourning veil…

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1069027251268_2003/11/20/21a3_jkennedyonassis.jpg

 

[rpp]

I really like chapel veils. But I just do not see myself wearing one.

But then, I am a man.

 

[graceandglory]

If it is to be a sign of humility, then a $5 scarf is a much better sign than an expensive lace mantilla or veil.

Hi JoannM,
While I really like what you said about the $5 scarf being a better sign than a lacy mantilla, I have to disagree with the sign of the head covering. “For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head,” 1 Corinthians 11:10.

So, it seems to me that a head covering is a symbol of authority and not a sign of humility. Although both are good. I don’t think the style or cost of a head covering is what matters. What matters is that it is there. But I do think a lady wearing a baseball cap to Mass is cheating, IMNSHO.

 

[surfinpure]

Hi JoannM,
While I really like what you said about the $5 scarf being a better sign than a lacy mantilla, I have to disagree with the sign of the head covering. “For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head,” 1 Corinthians 11:10.

So, it seems to me that a head covering is a symbol of authority and not a sign of humility.

This verse is very interesting. The whole thing reads:

That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels.

My Navarre Study Bible (RSV) tells me the word “veil” is the Greek word “authority,” and that the veil is a symbol thereof. It also gives this commenary:

Angels are present in every human activity, especially in acts of worship (v. 10), in which the members of the Church on earth join with those in heaven to render due worship to God. The presence of the angels is an added incentive to the maintenance of due decorum by women.

I find this most intriguing. Does anyone know why the presence of angels in worship necessitates decorum on the part of the women? Am I missing something obvious here? I wonder why I never picked up on this little tidbit before.