My First Veiled Mass

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Helen_HansenPye

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Over the past few months I have been feeling a definate call to have my head covered when I attend Mass. But, not being the most obedient woman in the world, I have put it off and put it off. Last Monday I went to Dove (a fellowship for women) and Fr Gerard was there. He offered Reconciliation during this meeting. Well, I went to him and told him what I had been feeling. He said “Do it! Make a commitment for 4 Sundays and see how it feels.”

I have been putting it off because I just didn’t want to appear pious. And of course the good old Kiwi culture is to not put yourself forward. Fr Gerard just laughed at me (as he should I suppose).

Anyway, today.s mass was the first time I wore a veil. I was the only one who was and I felt very visible! BUT, I felt totally present at the Mass. I felt the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before. I honestly thought that I knew what it was to BE at Mass, but it wasn’t like today.

I am looking forward to my journey over the next few weeks.👍
 
Props to you! You no longer bring shame to your head, as do the women whopray with it uncovered.

Same thing with myself and Eucharist on the tounge. It makes the whole Mass feel more- sacred.
 
Helen,

God bless you. This act of obedience will bring you closer to God. That should always be ones focus.

I thank you as a man for doing this because it makes me desire to be more humble. I know you are doing this not to teach but to become more holy, but it does help the devout men as well.

CDL
 
Helen HansenPye:
…Anyway, today.s mass was the first time I wore a veil. I was the only one who was and I felt very visible! BUT, I felt totally present at the Mass. ** I felt the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before**. I honestly thought that I knew what it was to BE at Mass, but it wasn’t like today.

I am looking forward to my journey over the next few weeks.👍
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It’s rather difficult to see people get so focused on things like veils that it takes their attention away from what should be the focus of the Mass – the sacrifice of Jesus to His Father for propitiation of our sins.

If you truly felt “the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before” because you wore a veil, something is amiss and/or there is a problem with priorities. Your veil shouldn’t even be coming to mind during Mass – if it does, wear it outside of Mass until you get used to it.

Absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a veil (although I don’t see it as an act of “obedience”) – just be sure to keep your focus on God and not yourself.
 
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Chalice:
If you truly felt “the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before” because you wore a veil, something is amiss and/or there is a problem with priorities.
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This was my reaction too. Although you said it much more succinctly that I was going to.
Absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a veil (although I don’t see it as an act of “obedience”) – just be sure to keep your focus on God and not yourself.
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If the focus truly was on God, why the urge to hop onto a message board and tell everyone about it? Consider Matthew ch. 6 (“Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see”, “do not … pray … in order to be noticed”) and similar passages.

I simply do not accept that anyone is “receiving calls” to do something that the Church does not require, and has not required for a long time. To me it simply seems to be yet another example of the erroneous “old things are more holy, as are we fortunate people that cling to bygone practices” line of thought that is common on so many message boards but NOT AT ALL in real life:
Servus Pio XII:
Props to you! You no longer bring shame to your head, as do the women whopray with it uncovered.
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A prime example.

“Bring shame to your head?” What kind of utter nonsense is that? Shame on you.
 
Excellent examples of shaming someone who seems to be doing a good thing. Why is it that we tend to insult and shame someone who has the guts to buck the tide by doing something that is considered by modernists to be wrong?

For a woman to stand up and wear a veil to mass is to me a very, very courageous thing to do. She is brave and more than worthy of my personal honor and respect. My hat’s off (pun intended) to her.

It’s a shame that there is such contempt for such a brave woman. This is precisely the reason my own dear wife will never wear a veil to Mass, even though she would really like to. She knows there would be scorn and ridicule. Too bad.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon9.gif
 
Helen HansenPye,
I think it is wonderful that you are willing to be obedient to something God has apparently laid on your heart. I think it’s that willingness that made you feel closer to God in the mass.

Who are we to judge? Being veiled at mass is not something God has asked of me, but if He did… I would hope that I would comply just like she did.

God bless,
CM
 
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cargopilot:
Why is it that we tend to insult and shame someone who has the guts to buck the tide by doing something that is considered by modernists to be wrong? …
It’s a shame that there is such contempt for such a brave woman.
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Except that there were no insults, no shame, and no comtempt for the act itself. None. Which I think you full well knew.
 
I simply do not accept that anyone is “receiving calls” to do something that the Church does not require, and has not required for a long time.
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Someone growing in Faith may decide that it would be more reverent to wear a certain article of clothing that what they are currently wearing. For example, a woman currently wearing shirt skirts to Church may feel the need to wear something more modest as she grows spiritually. A male currently wearing a t-shirt and jeans may feel the need to wear a suit as he grows spiritually.

What do you find more distracting in Church? Women wearing veils and men wearing suits or women immodestly dressed and men wearing street clothes?
 
I agree that it’s shameful that the OP was condemned for sharing her spiritual experience.

It’s not like she’s standing on a street corner and proclaiming to the world that SHE is more holy because she is veiled when no one else is. Don’t be so ridiculous and so ready to condemn a person’s heart when you have not even walked in her shoes, worn her veil or asked her WHY her focus was more on the Mass.

Do not trivialize what the Spirit leads us to do…all of us. We are all called to different things, and, case in point, the very orthodox priest who heard my confession yesterday gave me advice on following the Spirit’s promptings.

While not required anymore, wearing a veil is considered to be a personal devotion. By the logic that it is not required, then maybe should we not say the rosary in public? The rosary is NOT a required devotion, however, it is practiced by most Catholics.

Again, don’t be ridiculous.

I also have begun wearing a veil, as so some others in my parish, and we have all been attacked and accused of being disobedient to the Magesterium or other such unfounded charges. Those attacks actually strenghten my feeling that I am being obedient to GOD, who also put this on my heart.

We are all on a spiritual journey. Being veiled does not make anyone who wears it more holy, but it does help me, for one, to remember that I am in a holy place and it helps me to keep my attention. Now, before you condemn that comment, remove the plank for your own eye…we ALL get distracted at Mass, and to deny this is an outright lie for anyone.

We are human. Our minds wander…and sometimes that wandering mind is a spiritual attack…sometimes it’s just lack of discipline.

I find that the veil disciplines me. Should I be condemned for my weakness? Should anyone be condemned for following, within the guidelines of the Church, and with the blessing of the priest, a call that God has put on our hearts.

We all have something different to experience and different ways to connect with God. I’m sorry some disagree, and I will pray that you open your hearts to be able to accept practices which differ from your own.
 
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rcn:
“Bring shame to your head?” What kind of utter nonsense is that? Shame on you.
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Utter nonsense???

Perhaps a nice Bible study is in order, my Friend before you dismiss something as nonsense.

**1 Corinthians 11:4 **
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/11-5.htm
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/12-1.htm
http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/1-1.htm

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head.

Every man praying or prophesying, having anything on his head, puts his head to shame.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head;

Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, doth dishonour his head,
Code: 
       "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."
 
Helen HansenPye:
Over the past few months I have been feeling a definate call to have my head covered when I attend Mass. But, not being the most obedient woman in the world, I have put it off and put it off. Last Monday I went to Dove (a fellowship for women) and Fr Gerard was there. He offered Reconciliation during this meeting. Well, I went to him and told him what I had been feeling. He said “Do it! Make a commitment for 4 Sundays and see how it feels.”

I have been putting it off because I just didn’t want to appear pious. And of course the good old Kiwi culture is to not put yourself forward. Fr Gerard just laughed at me (as he should I suppose).

Anyway, today.s mass was the first time I wore a veil. I was the only one who was and I felt very visible! BUT, I felt totally present at the Mass. I felt the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before. I honestly thought that I knew what it was to BE at Mass, but it wasn’t like today.

I am looking forward to my journey over the next few weeks.👍
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I have to tell you Helen, that I began wearing a chapel cap to “Honor my Head”, my husband. I have been praying for him to become a Catholic. I had let it slip for a while and was not using it.
I will go back to it!

I don’t think that the people here understand the looks a woman gets while wearing one. We are dubbed “Overly Pious” and looked down upon.
God Bless you on your journey. Please know that there is a woman in America that joins you every Holy Mass.
 
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rcn:
Except that there were no insults, no shame, and no comtempt for the act itself. None. Which I think you full well knew.
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Oh, I’m sorry, I must’ve been mistaken.

I thought there were remarks made and agreed to by others, that questioned the OP’s ‘priorities’, questioned her urge to ‘hop on the boards’, essentially comparing her to the Pharasees and directly shaming another poster and sacred scripture for what appeared to be a reference to 1 Cor. 11:5-6.
 
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cargopilot:
Oh, I’m sorry, I must’ve been mistaken.

I thought there were remarks made and agreed to by others, that questioned the OP’s ‘priorities’, questioned her urge to ‘hop on the boards’, essentially comparing her to the Pharasees and directly shaming another poster and sacred scripture for what appeared to be a reference to 1 Cor. 11:5-6.
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And of course there is this…
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rcn:
Bring shame to your head?" What kind of utter nonsense is that? Shame on you"
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cargopilot:
Oh, I’m sorry, I must’ve been mistaken.

I thought there were remarks made and agreed to by others, that questioned the OP’s ‘priorities’, questioned her urge to ‘hop on the boards’, essentially comparing her to the Pharasees and directly shaming another poster and sacred scripture for what appeared to be a reference to 1 Cor. 11:5-6.
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:blessyou:
 
Helen HansenPye:
Over the past few months I have been feeling a definate call to have my head covered when I attend Mass. But, not being the most obedient woman in the world, I have put it off and put it off. Last Monday I went to Dove (a fellowship for women) and Fr Gerard was there. He offered Reconciliation during this meeting. Well, I went to him and told him what I had been feeling. He said “Do it! Make a commitment for 4 Sundays and see how it feels.”

I have been putting it off because I just didn’t want to appear pious. And of course the good old Kiwi culture is to not put yourself forward. Fr Gerard just laughed at me (as he should I suppose).

Anyway, today.s mass was the first time I wore a veil. I was the only one who was and I felt very visible! BUT, I felt totally present at the Mass. I felt the presense of God at the Mass so much more than before. I honestly thought that I knew what it was to BE at Mass, but it wasn’t like today.

I am looking forward to my journey over the next few weeks.👍
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How wonderful! I would love to wear a veil too. The only thing that’s stopping me is that I think that I should a dress or skirt too (which I never wear anymore…always pants).

😛
 
The charity level of this discussion appears to be deteriorating. Please self-edit for tone and content before clicking the “Submit” button.
 
Again, I have to say ‘BRAVO’ to the OP, and ANY woman who has the courage to veil. It is truly viewed with more public scorn and disdain than arriving for the Holy Sacrifice in low-rider jeans and a tube-top.

There is no doubt that they will be shunned and gossiped about, without mercy. I have seen it on this board and my own parish.

Once in a while, there are a very few females who will cover their heads in my parish, but they won’t for long. They are quickly smacked. I know what’s said and done to these poor women. My dear wife would be delighted to cover her head, but won’t because she knows what will happen. For anyone to deny this doesn’t happen is without a clue.

Dear friends, the scorn is only from the females. The males either don’t care or think it’s great. You wont see a man ripping any female to shreads for covering her head.
 
I think this is wonderful Helen!! I actually purchased a mantilla online a few months ago, received it, but have not worn it yet - I guess I just don’t have the guts to do it yet. I comend you!!
 
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CatQuilt:
How wonderful! I would love to wear a veil too. The only thing that’s stopping me is that I think that I should a dress or skirt too (which I never wear anymore…always pants).

😛
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Pants and a chapel cap are stylin’!!!
Remember it doesn’t have to be a veil. How about a nice felt hat? Small, nothing too overbearing. You could actually start a trend at your parish!
 
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