Is The Chapel Veil Coming Back?

[graceandglory]

Does anyone know why the presence of angels in worship necessitates decorum on the part of the women?

From the Haloworks website

BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS

“That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels” wrote St. Paul in 1 Cor 11,10. The invisible hierarchy should be respected because the Angels are present at Christian liturgical assemblies, offering with us the Holy Sacrifice with the honor due to God. St. John the Apostle wrote:

“And another Angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense that he might offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne.” ( Rev. 8:3, see also Matt. 18:10.)

They are offended by a lack of reverence at Mass, just as they abhorred King Herod’s acceptance of adoration from the people of Jerusalem:

“But immediately an angel of the Lord struck (Herod) down, because he had not given honor to God, and he was eaten by worms, and died.” (Acts, 12:23).

Also see St. John Chrysostom

 

[peregrinator_it]

Bottom line is, we all are of different spiritualities. Some are more contemplative, some are charismatic. Some of us are modeled after St. Terese, some after Bl. Mother Teresa. Whether you cover or don’t cover is a totally personal issue. I am called to it.

Amen, Amen. I totally agree. I don’t understand why there is such a temptation to mandate that everyone should partake of one’s personal devotional practices. It’s like claiming that since the Fransicans have produced so many great saints; all order should be mendicant…

I just wish some of the women here wouldn’t see it as a step backward. It is no such thing.

I don’t wear a veil (clothes are just not a priority for me in any area, other than keeping warm, so it’s not a devotion that appeals to me) but I don’t see wearing one as “taking a step backward.” (Now, making veils mandatory wouldn’t make much sense to me.)

I think it’s appalling that anyone would ask you not to wear a veil.

I’m originally from the (notoriously liberal) San Francisco Bay Area and yet I’ve never been in a Church where there wasn’t some lady with mantilla on (albeit they were usually ladies over a certain age or of Hispanic or Philippino decent) so I’m really surprised that anyone would consider offensive. Which it isn’t. It’s really no one’s business but yours.

 

[peregrinator_it]

Urgh. Since I no longer have an edit button, I meant:

…It’s like claiming that since the Fransicans have produced so many great saints; all order[bs should be mendicant…

I’m originally from the (notoriously liberal) San Francisco Bay Area, and yet I’ve never been in a Church where there wasn’t some lady with mantilla on, (albeit they were usually ladies over a certain age or of Hispanic or Philippino descent) so I’m really surprised that anyone would consider it offensive.

[/quote]

 

[amandamay83]

{snip}
Ask yourself what really led you to all of the sudden decide that you wanted to “veil”.? I think in most cases, you will find you were very subtly influenced in this direction. It certainly wasn’t a “call from God” who would not call you to to something the Church has not required.

I know this is an old thread, and I wasn’t going to respond, but after getting to this comment, I felt compelled to reply.

The Church doesn’t require us to say the Rosary, either, yet many feel a call from God to do that. The church doesn’t require the wearing of the scapular, yet many do that as well.

A year ago, my now-husband and I went to an Engaged Encounter retreat. At the end of the retreat, we had a mass for those of us attending. One girl, my age (early 20s), was wearing a small, black chapel cap. Yes, I was distracted, but in what I think was a good way. I was first surprised; I didn’t realize that anyone wore them anymore. The more I thought about it, the more beautiful I thought the practice was. I consider wearing one for a while, but ultimately decided it would be too embarrassing.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago. My husband and I moved and were attending a new parish. Again, I saw a younger gal, only slightly older than me, wearing a chapel veil (she was also wearing a ridiculously tight skirt, but let’s focus on the veil, instead). And again, I felt the “tug” to wear one myself. This time, I researched it to discover the true meaning behind it.

After reading the scripture, it seemed pretty clear to me. I also read several sites that argued it was only a cultural thing at the time, but those arguments made no sense to me. As far as I can tell, for me, God is calling me to cover my head in Mass.

I wore one to Mass for the first time today. After getting over the initial embarrassment, I was fine. I felt more reverent, more respectful.

I don’t care if you or anyone else wears one. As for me, yes, I do believe that God has called me to wear one.

 

[surfinpure]

I know this is an old thread, and I wasn’t going to respond, but after getting to this comment, I felt compelled to reply.

The Church doesn’t require us to say the Rosary, either, yet many feel a call from God to do that. The church doesn’t require the wearing of the scapular, yet many do that as well.

A year ago, my now-husband and I went to an Engaged Encounter retreat. At the end of the retreat, we had a mass for those of us attending. One girl, my age (early 20s), was wearing a small, black chapel cap. Yes, I was distracted, but in what I think was a good way. I was first surprised; I didn’t realize that anyone wore them anymore. The more I thought about it, the more beautiful I thought the practice was. I consider wearing one for a while, but ultimately decided it would be too embarrassing.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago. My husband and I moved and were attending a new parish. Again, I saw a younger gal, only slightly older than me, wearing a chapel veil (she was also wearing a ridiculously tight skirt, but let’s focus on the veil, instead). And again, I felt the “tug” to wear one myself. This time, I researched it to discover the true meaning behind it.

After reading the scripture, it seemed pretty clear to me. I also read several sites that argued it was only a cultural thing at the time, but those arguments made no sense to me. As far as I can tell, for me, God is calling me to cover my head in Mass.

I wore one to Mass for the first time today. After getting over the initial embarrassment, I was fine. I felt more reverent, more respectful.

I don’t care if you or anyone else wears one. As for me, yes, I do believe that God has called me to wear one.

Great post, amandamay!

 

[Philothea53]

In all this talk about women wearing veils, I’ve never seen anyone discuss Priests/Deacons being bareheaded or Bishops/Cardinals/our Holy Father wearing zucchettos and miters and having to remove one or both at certain times during the Mass. What is the reason for their wearing these head coverings yet the norm for women changed? Why are men to be bareheaded in the Church? I think there is a lot of beautiful reverent symbolism being overlooked here.

 

[johnnydigit]

if i was a girl, i’d wear a veil to Mass. they’re so pretty and reverent. white ones symbolize purity, and this culture of death needs to hear the message of chastity so dearly.

 

[Donna_Mc]

I have nice memories of wearing one when I was a child, I would
love it if this came back!