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bunnykisses88
Guest
Last Sunday was my second time wearing a veil. I feel called to do so…I feel more connected and focused in mass now. More feminine… Showing my respect/reverence/devotion i guess. Can’t really explain it. I have only read a few and articles about veiling before I decided I really felt the tug to do so. I’m part of a fb group that supports women who cover their heads or are discerning. It is called Catholic Women Veiling Devotion. Any lady who is interested is welcome and there are vendors there that make and sell beautiful veils,scarves and other head coverings.
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HAnne
Guest
I prefer to use the word “cover” to veil personally but yes, I do cover my head when in prayer or in the presence of the Lord in His home.
I actually covered before I was a convert gasp! LOL I had read the passage in Corinthians and spoken with those of a wide variety of Christian backgrounds about the practice before making my decision. I felt like this was something I was supposed to be doing but I didn’t really know why. 2 months later I went to my first Mass.
My covers vary widely. I wear scarves, hats, veils, shawls, and headwraps. Most of them are handmade in my spare time and I have made some for others as well.
I have done a fair amount of research on this topic and I have to say in terms of covering one of my favorite quotes was this:
"The only women in the ancient world who went about talking to strange men, and I do mean strange, with their heads unveiled were priestesses and those of similar profession. So, when the Christians began to meet in private homes in ancient Corinth, the women, being at home with their brother’s and sisters in the Lord, would take off their veils and greet each other with a holy kiss, as is recommended in Scripture. The Corinthians, peeking through the blinds must have thought ‘Oh boy, just what Corinth needs! Another swell religion with friendly priestesses.’
“I suspect that St. Paul was simply saying, “Put your veils back on, girls. The neighbors are getting the wrong impression!” He bolstered his argument with some good rabbinical reasoning, about angels and shaved heads.”
…
"Now of course, many young women, and men for that matter come to church quite unveiled, and sporting interesting jewelry etc. in odd places. Perhaps the Holy Spirit dictated that we take a hiatus from the veiling of women at prayer so as to remember why it had been done in the first place.
"I suspect that we are close to that point. I see a lot more veils in church these days and when I contrast that with the amazing amount of unveiled flesh that makes its appearance on a hot day in summer, the veil is so much lovelier and more graceful. Unveiling certainly makes the flesh seems cheap, and the veiling really can remind one of the sacredness and power of women, the life givers.
“When I see someone come into church with very little clothing and even less sense I am brought back to ancient Corinth and remember what the Apostle said. ‘Put your veils back on, girls, the neighbors are getting the wrong impression.’”
Source
For some reason this really stuck with me despite reading it over a year ago now for the first time. The way it was put and the message behind it resonated in my heart.
I don’t cover for someone else or for any reason other than I feel called to this devotion the same way I feel called to pray my Rosary daily and try to make it to an hour of Adoration once a week if I am able. I certainly am not someone who “looks down on those who don’t veil.” In fact, I am one of two women in my parish who chooses to do so and I don’t even know the other lady’s name nor do we attend the same Mass.
To me the choice to cover is one that is personal and between the Lord and myself. If the devotion has appeal to you, please feel free to give it a try! If it does not, please don’t badger me for my choice.
I actually covered before I was a convert gasp! LOL I had read the passage in Corinthians and spoken with those of a wide variety of Christian backgrounds about the practice before making my decision. I felt like this was something I was supposed to be doing but I didn’t really know why. 2 months later I went to my first Mass.
My covers vary widely. I wear scarves, hats, veils, shawls, and headwraps. Most of them are handmade in my spare time and I have made some for others as well.
I have done a fair amount of research on this topic and I have to say in terms of covering one of my favorite quotes was this:
"The only women in the ancient world who went about talking to strange men, and I do mean strange, with their heads unveiled were priestesses and those of similar profession. So, when the Christians began to meet in private homes in ancient Corinth, the women, being at home with their brother’s and sisters in the Lord, would take off their veils and greet each other with a holy kiss, as is recommended in Scripture. The Corinthians, peeking through the blinds must have thought ‘Oh boy, just what Corinth needs! Another swell religion with friendly priestesses.’
“I suspect that St. Paul was simply saying, “Put your veils back on, girls. The neighbors are getting the wrong impression!” He bolstered his argument with some good rabbinical reasoning, about angels and shaved heads.”
…
"Now of course, many young women, and men for that matter come to church quite unveiled, and sporting interesting jewelry etc. in odd places. Perhaps the Holy Spirit dictated that we take a hiatus from the veiling of women at prayer so as to remember why it had been done in the first place.
"I suspect that we are close to that point. I see a lot more veils in church these days and when I contrast that with the amazing amount of unveiled flesh that makes its appearance on a hot day in summer, the veil is so much lovelier and more graceful. Unveiling certainly makes the flesh seems cheap, and the veiling really can remind one of the sacredness and power of women, the life givers.
“When I see someone come into church with very little clothing and even less sense I am brought back to ancient Corinth and remember what the Apostle said. ‘Put your veils back on, girls, the neighbors are getting the wrong impression.’”
Source
For some reason this really stuck with me despite reading it over a year ago now for the first time. The way it was put and the message behind it resonated in my heart.
I don’t cover for someone else or for any reason other than I feel called to this devotion the same way I feel called to pray my Rosary daily and try to make it to an hour of Adoration once a week if I am able. I certainly am not someone who “looks down on those who don’t veil.” In fact, I am one of two women in my parish who chooses to do so and I don’t even know the other lady’s name nor do we attend the same Mass.
To me the choice to cover is one that is personal and between the Lord and myself. If the devotion has appeal to you, please feel free to give it a try! If it does not, please don’t badger me for my choice.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
A reminder – that we as Catholics — rely on the Magisterium for how scripture is to be understood. As was already noted in a prior post – the Catholic teaching on covering – is the following:
M
Megan7
Guest
I cover my head, veil, and feel called to do so
Thanks for your post.
But, I was wondering something, as we know in England its normal for people to wear hats to different events, do people also wear their hats to Church as well? I know they wear hats to Church when it is a Royal event, but what about when it is not? Thanks.
S
Sarcelle
Guest
Great post.
Although I was raised atheist, my grandparents would sometimes take me to church with them. My grandmothers would wear a mantilla sometimes a scarf worn babushka style.
However I have met some Evangelicals say that head covering is a sign of a woman’s submission to her husband.
R
ringil
Guest
It is optional.
Folks answer this question in their own minds through prayer. It’s simple. THere is NO better or worse choice.
Folks answer this question in their own minds through prayer. It’s simple. THere is NO better or worse choice.
J
Jennifoo
Guest
While no one officially stated women couldn’t cover their heads, many Catholics in my area acted as if we couldn’t and that if we did, we were being spiritually prideful and not accepting of Vatican II- many had and still have the mistaken notion that Vatican II changed the rule about head covering. Sadly, some clergy have a negative view of head covering as well.Any woman has always been able to cover her head; no one ever said it was forbidden, even if no longer required. Again, veils were few and far between “back in the day”; hats, berets, scarves, etc., were the norm at least in the US.
Very interesting about Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. The painting is lovely; btw, in that painting, Mary’s lovely long hair is uncovered.
There is one disturbing thing I’ve noticed as a convert about when the Magisterium changes a discipline- cradle Catholics often act as if the discipline is no longer necessary or spiritually meaningful. Take, for instance, Friday penance. I can’t tell you how many Catholics years ago, upon finding out that I was observing abstinence, told me " we don’t have to do that anymore." They didn’t seem to know about substituting a different penance, either. When I would tell them that you could choose to do it anyway, they would look at me like I was nuts. It seems sometimes that if the Magisterium makes something optional many interpret it as being outdated and not important at all. I don’t think the Magisterium ever intended that.
In instances such as these, it’s often difficult to find credible answers. It also highlights the need for ongoing adult catechesis.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
In the case of head covering – we have Church authority/Magisterium that says – “covering” is**** not ****necessary/required.
Z
zab
Guest
While it is no longer required it can still be meaningful to the women who feels drawn to it. It is a personal matter and no-one else need be concerned about it.
D
dixieagle
Guest
Please let’s not even go there!
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RPRPsych
Guest
Or, in our country’s case, an overhanging portion of a saree. Necessity is the mother of invention.
True. And in contrast with the idea that “veil = Traditional Catholic”, a lot of women who veil in India are part of the Charismatic movement, and borrow the idea from our Pentecostal brethren. Inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.
Very well said!
M
Marysann
Guest
Mantillas can be lovely, but as the other older ladies on this thread have testified, they were not seen much before Vatican II. Granted we would never dream of entering a church without covering our heads, but we didn’t wear mantillas. Ladies wore hats and gloves when they went out. As young girls we might have a little chapel veil in our purses, or the little red beanie that we had worn for Confirmation, but in a pinch, a kleenex would do! On Sunday morning we wore hats, as did our mothers and even my Italian grandmother (born in 1881). The first time I ever saw a mantilla in church, (except for movies about Spain or Mexico, or widows at their husband’s funeral), was that famous Easter when Jackie Kennedy wore a mantilla that matched her dress. As you all can probably tell we older ladies look at you young women worrying about whether you should “veil” with some amusement, since it is a relatively new thing. Today I wear a mantilla when I attend the TLM, but not when I attend the new Mass, since no one in our parish wears one, and I don’t want to attract attention. The Church does not now require us to cover our heads, but it is a beautiful thing so if you would like to, do it, but I would get stressed out about it.
Z
zab
Guest
Oh, I forgot all about the beanie! It was decided at one point that our rural parochial school would require us to wear a uniform. Then the pastor left and we were no longer required to wear them but since most of the students already had them we could still wear them if we wanted too. The beanie was part of the girls uniform and worn when we went to Mass. Thanks for refreshing my memory
T
Guest
I believe God wants me the way we were created before society forces us to wear clothing: Naked all I am.
G
godisgood77
Guest
Well said Carolyn!
I would say if you want to wear a veil, go ahead. However, I am certain (to the extent possible for a subject like this) that our minor wardrobe choices will not be a topic of discussion on judgement day.
Now if you obsess or vainly put too much effort in to your appearance… that’s another story
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