rcn:
- No one in my parish comes to church dressed “immodestly”.
A very wise priest once taught me that we should define our terms when having an intelligent discussion. I found the dictionary definition to be relative, so in our culture, by the dictionary definition, one could walk around nude and not be considered “immodest”. I might suggest that “immodesty” means: low cut tops, short skirts, see-through clothing, midriff exposure, etc." Just off the top of my head. Please, anyone, add your own so that we may all be on the same page on this issue. I would suggest that immodesty alone be a topic for another thread as it really is OT here to go in depth.
rcn:
- The very very few women that wear veils (no, JCphoenix, it’s not a “common practice” and has not been for a long, long time - this is not debatable) stick out like a sore thumb, and are indeed very “distracting” to me personally, and
I beg to differ. Maybe in your parish/diocese, it is not a common practice, but historically it WAS, and in my area, it is a farily common practice. In my parish there are several women who are veiled, and that number includes women who never burned their veils with the rest of the rabid feminists after Vat II. Sad that they seem to be the only ones who are not condemned for wearing their veils when it is the younger generation who now follows suit…those aged apx 17-35 are now seeking to emulate our elders.
So given that, I’m sorry to say that you have decided that you can infallibly say that this is not a debatable topic. Sorry you are distracted. Have you read St. Therese of Lisieux? She was distracted by another sister’s rosary beads…so maybe your distraction calls forth the state of your soul to your attention and maybe you can look upon this as a way to grow in virtue. I leave that to you and God, and I hope that you will offer those of us who wear the veil the same courtesy. We are all hopefully seeking to grow in virtue.
rcn:
- It is my opinion that many of them, perhaps more so than not so, do it at least as much for “appearance’s sake” {sic}… I do wonder why so many seem to feel the need to tell the world about it on message boards like this.
Again, you have this opinion, yet you stated earlier that it is not common practice. So it seems to me that your opinion does not have a decent cross-section for analysis, and your judgments are likely coming from your own personal opinion rather than objective information.
From what authority do you make this judgment on their wearing the veil for appearance’s sake?
As far as “telling the world about it”, can we lay this to rest? You might as well place those with Charismatic Spirituality, Secualar Carmelites, those discerning a vocation, etc, into the same category. Aren’t they, too, “telling the world” about their experinces with God, maybe seeking advice? Are those who announce they are discerning vocations and have questions or are sharing their stories putting themselves out there as “holier than thou”? Are Charismatics in their discussion of their experiences in the Spirit “Pharisees”, too? What about those in secular orders and talk about it here…are they holier than the rest of us because they have taken those vows and live that lifestyle? Is that the same thing?
Or are you just selective in what you are willing to see discussed on Catholic boards?
It seems to me from what you have stated that it’s ok for other groups or people from other movements to talk about similar things, share experiences in prayer, etc., but apparently it’s not OK for someone to wear a veil and talk about it here in order to generate conversation.
It’s really too bad that so many have to pounce all over a women just trying to follow God’s will and is in all likliehood sincerely looking for advice, and yes, support from fellow Catholics. Why is that so hard?
Have you noticed that she hasn’t posted since?
I understand that you are not accusing anyone here, and I further agree that there ARE people out there who do things for the sake of appearance. I could cite people who are EHMC’s who do so out of appearance, not love of the Lord. How can I surmise to tell? In reality, I can’t. But I have seen their behavior before Mass, chatting, treating the Mass as a social event, etc. You’d think they are at a cocktail party. Maybe my judgment is unfair, and so it is. So you and I really aren’t that different, are we?
I guess we both have something to learn here.
Sorry to digress. Do you see the parallel in our thinking?
Sorry I called someone uncharitable. It seems that I suffer the same burden. Wow, I wear a veil, and look at that! I’m not very holy!
What a surprise.
