Wearing a hat at Mass

[luminoushope]

I hope this is not a silly question, but it’s something that’s been bothering me for a while … I’m a college-aged woman and a couple years ago I started wearing hats regularly when I go out of the house, mostly a particular beret, which I know is unusual for people my age. I honestly do not know why I started doing this. Anyway, when I started reading the Bible of course I found out about the headcovering rule that is not generally observed anymore and it resonated with me … I do see a few other women wearing hats at Mass.

My problem is this: I attend Mass but I have not even started RCIA yet (I’m going to) and of course I don’t receive Communion. I don’t want people to think I am trying to be ultra-pious or something when I haven’t even been received into the Church yet…

I keep worrying that someone will ask me to take off my hat or ask me why I’m wearing it, and I won’t know what to say or how to justify it. If I justify it from the Bible, it might look like I’m being holier-than-thou which is SO not what I feel; I’m just grateful to be allowed to go to Mass at all.

I’m right there with ya! And I’m a retirement-age woman, probably two to three times your age, just barely in the process of converting to Catholicism. I was a Protestant for 27 years and of course was vaguely familiar with women’s head coverings.

So imagine my surprise when I started attending the Catholic Church last December, and along came the thought, “I believe I’d like to cover my head for Mass.” For me, it represents the reverence for God that is so present in the Catholic Church. Only a few women in our church cover their heads. I started to do so in fear and trembling, not wanting to draw attention to myself, but even less wanting to avoid what I felt God was telling me. I feel this is a tender matter between me and my Lord. No one in the church has asked me anything or made any kind of a “deal” out of it. I think we sometimes tend to over-project people’s reactions to things. I’ve noticed lately, though, that there are a few more head coverings! Sometimes I wear a hat; sometimes a “chapel veil”, though I have difficulty keeping those on without a pin.

In general, I’ve never liked hats, but my husband has insisted that I wear them for protection from the sun in summer and for warmth in winter. Perhaps his dicta broke up the ground for my present experience.

I discussed this with the parish priest, who is also my teacher, who said this should not be a big deal, it is now optional rather than required, and that if I felt led to cover my head, I should do so.

So, fear not, and go joyfully where God is leading you!

Blessings,

Luminous Hope (this expresses how I feel about becoming Catholic)

 

[RedSoxWife]

i just wanted to comment on this. if you think a woman wears her mantilla to be prideful you are so wrong. it means the exact opposite. when God made man it was in His image. man was lonely so God made woman for man.
men do not cover their heads in mass because they are the image of God. God need not ever cover His head. since woman is made for man. by covering our heads, it is an outward sign and act of humility to God for all of mankind.
the head-covering, no matter what kind, in mass is an act of humility!!!

I’d seen that comment and been bothered too, so I’m glad someone responded to it! I also seriously doubt that many women wear veils as “signs of pride.” I think it’s just a total misunderstanding of what it means and why some women decide to do it. I also know that it’s something that I worried about when I started covering my head, and it seems to be something that a lot of other women worry about too, which I think is actually very sad. I guess, from the sound of that post, that there is a reason for the root of those worries because some people are apt to make assumptions about why women veil. I hope that sort of attitude doesn’t stop anyone from following their conscience.

 

[OraProNobisIHM]

I’d seen that comment and been bothered too, so I’m glad someone responded to it! I also seriously doubt that many women wear veils as “signs of pride.” I think it’s just a total misunderstanding of what it means and why some women decide to do it. I also know that it’s something that I worried about when I started covering my head, and it seems to be something that a lot of other women worry about too, which I think is actually very sad. I guess, from the sound of that post, that there is a reason for the root of those worries because some people are apt to make assumptions about why women veil. I hope that sort of attitude doesn’t stop anyone from following their conscience.

It’s like saying I wear a suit to Mass because I’m prideful.

More like, it’s called “wearing your Sunday best.”

 

[roselily]

All the years I raised my children I worked in the very heart of the Church as a church secretary . . . and I had a profound and prayerful experience in and with our Lord . . . along with other members of our church . . . similar to that shared by RedSoxWife above . . . and am now also one who . . . always . . . wears a head covering whenever in church . . . or at prayer . . . ***this is a very holy and devout practice that has been honored within the Church . . . all over the world . . . for centuries . . . and is rapidly gaining a resurgence of practice among Catholic women . . . Many women wear head coverings in our Church . . . and consider also . . . have you ever seen a picture or a statue in church of the Holy Mother . . . ***the Blessed Virgin Mary *****. . . without a head covering . . . ? . . . In all her apparitions which have been approved by the Church . . . she always has worn a head covering . . . nuns following in the Holy Mother’s holy footsteps . . . for centuries have worn head coverings . . . and I’m very comfortable following the Holy Mother’s example . . . as are a multitude of women I know . . . Just a little FYI note: Catholic tradition is . . . if wearing a veil for a head covering . . . white is for the unmarried women . . . black for the married . . .
Many churches within our Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic Church . . . since the 1960’s . . . have . . . for some reason . . . discarded many holy things . . . including among them . . . nuns holy habits . . . head coverings for women . . . crucifixes in church . . . removing our Eucharistic Lord from the sanctuary . . . etc. . . . but many nuns have returned . . . and others are returning . . . in deepest humility . . . to the wearing of the holy habit of humility . . . Mother Angelica’s group of nuns in the Our Lady of the Angels Monestary in Hanceville, Alabama is a beautiful example *. . . all of which holy habits have head coverings as a part of same . . . Both Catholics and protestants wore head coverings for . . . centuries . . . and within the Protestant community . . . whom Pope John XXIII called the . . . "separated brethren" . . . like many nuns today. . . wear head coverings . . . For example: within the large German Baptist Congregation women all wear head coverings to this day, as do the Menonites, Hutterites, and Amish . . . just to mention a few relatively large groups . . . they are all obediently following the above referenced Sacred Scripture from the New Testament of the Holy :bible1: Bible . . . and have never stopped in their obedience to ***God’s Holy Word ***. . . even as many nuns over the centuries have never given up their holy habits . . . In my prayer group we always have worn head coverings . . . have for years . . . *and are very content to do so . . . *You can never go wrong honoring and following the Blessed St. Paul . . . who is one of the most revered Saints in our Holy Catholic Church . . .

*God’s sweetest blessings . . . *

. . . all for Jesus +
. . . thank You Holy Mother+
​

I believe so.

And yet I have read in 1 Corinthians 11: 15
“but if a woman has long hair , it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”
-1 Corinthians 11:15

I do not wear hat, not used to, but I have long hair. I mean that can think as a covering, and also every morning before I get up I cover all my head and all body and kneel to pray before get up,
I wonder why in this generation women do not wear hair covering always-like that I see in movies in old times, if it is a custom now, I would love to wear hair covering always.

O mother of God! O Most Holy Mother !

 

[RedSoxWife]

RedSoxWife;5333446:

Good response which reflects the idea of modesty.
When I go to the Middle East, I will be buying longer dresses (ankle length) and those Asian style outfits with the tunic over slacks.
In some cultures, more women wear head coverings than currently wear them in the United States.
A hat is nice. A scarf is also a possibility, and more common in other cultures.

Covering up when you’re in the Middle East makes travel much more pleasant. When we were in Israel I covered everything but my face and hands and had a.much easier time. I wore pants one day when we were there and had a man walk up and pick me up and put me on a camel (I was pregnant too!). That wouldn’t have happened if I was wearing one of my skirts. The difference in treatment on those days was dramatic!

 

[OhMalley]

I’d seen that comment and been bothered too, so I’m glad someone responded to it! I also seriously doubt that many women wear veils as “signs of pride.” I think it’s just a total misunderstanding of what it means and why some women decide to do it. I also know that it’s something that I worried about when I started covering my head, and it seems to be something that a lot of other women worry about too, which I think is actually very sad. I guess, from the sound of that post, that there is a reason for the root of those worries because some people are apt to make assumptions about why women veil. I hope that sort of attitude doesn’t stop anyone from following their conscience.

I personally know women who wear veils to Mass/Divine Liturgy as cloth tierras of pride. On the other hand I have NEVER seen anyone offended by women wearing head coverings.

I once watched a woman on know put on her little mantilla. She looked around as if she was expecting someone to notice/care. When no one did, she looked rather discouraged.

 

[RedSoxWife]

I personally know women who wear veils to Mass/Divine Liturgy as cloth tierras of pride. On the other hand I have NEVER seen anyone offended by women wearing head coverings.

I once watched a woman on know put on her little mantilla. She looked around as if she was expecting someone to notice/care. When no one did, she looked rather discouraged.

While it’s completely possible that you’re right on their motivation it’s also completely possible that you’re wrong. How can you know why they cover their heads?

I wonder how I looked when I started veiling because I was so incredibly nervous! I wonder if anyone took my nerves, because I was the only one in our parish who covers my head, the wrong way! It was something I felt like I should do for a year before I got up the courage to do it and all that time I felt like it was wrong, personally, for me to not have my head covered. Yet it took so long because I was afraid of being judged in exactly that way… That’s what makes me wonder how you know her motivation for veiling…

 

[OhMalley]

While it’s completely possible that you’re right on their motivation it’s also completely possible that you’re wrong. How can you know why they cover their heads?

Because I know the women personally and I have talked with them about this and many other things. The one thing I really dislike is the pressure applied to women who do not cover their heads by those that do.

Iwonder how I looked when I started veiling because I was so incredibly nervous! I wonder if anyone took my nerves, because I was the only one in our parish who covers my head, the wrong way! It was something I felt like I should do for a year before I got up the courage to do it and all that time I felt like it was wrong, personally, for me to not have my head covered. Yet it took so long because I was afraid of being judged in exactly that way… That’s what makes me wonder how you know her motivation for veiling…

Why would you be afraid of being judged? The Church allows it. Done. I’m curious though, while both are allowed have you considered wearing something like a simple beret or a plain/unaddorned cap instead of a mantilla? Here locally there seems to be a considerable amount of pride mixed-up with those mantillas/veils…

 

[DebChris]

The question has been asked. Why would you be afraid of being judged?
The reality is that each of us has at least a little ego problem. It isn’t easy to be the first person to try something new. I can use my own example of a person who hasn’t always been considered fashionable.
When hats were required, as already mentioned, there were women who had to have the latest style. They wore their hats to be noticed (ala Willis comic strip).
At least once a year, around Easter time, my mother and I would try to find a hat for me to wear to church. Nothing ever looked right. I would end up wearing a scarf tied under my neck…
Gradually men and women stopped wearing hats when they went out. Men had always removed theirs upon entering a building.
Consider how I felt, as a person accustomed to criticism, when a woman at JC Penny offered to buy me a hat. She picked out a blue-grey Fedora and showed me how to wear it. I always received compliments and asked the Lord to bless her every time I wore it.
After that, I learned that it wasn’t that I couldn’t wear hats, but rather that I need to pay attention to the height of the crown in choosing a hat to wear.

Have you ever been to a social event in which you were overdressed (wearing a nice dress with pearls or suit while everybody else was in shorts or jeans) or underdressed (wearing jeans or shorts while everybody else was wearing suits and pearls)?
While Mass is not a social event, most of us are aware of the other people in the church. One poster mentioned wearing a suit to Mass. We want to wear our Sunday best.
The focus of the Mass is not me. If I wear a hat and nobody else is, will I become the focus? Yes, the ego and not wanting to fit in does kick in.

 

[Jesus_123]

Jesus_123;5330554:

. . . and consider also . . .*** have you ever seen a picture or a statue in church of the Holy Mother . . . ***the Blessed Virgin Mary ******

. . . without a head covering . . . ? . . . In all her apparitions which have been approved by the Church . . .
Neither has she been seen wearing a skirt shorter than ankle length. Or trousers or jeans. So should women never wear those?

Your question is a marvelous one . . . and a logical progression . . . progressing from the head-to-toe . . . so-to-speak. . . and it was our next very logical question in our church also . . . after the Holy Spirit began guiding us re the wearing of head coverings . . .

There is a marvelous little book which circulated through our church . . . which has been out for many years . . . containing writings from over three hundred years ago of a Catholic monk by the name of Brother Lawrence . . . the book’s title is Practice of the Presence of God . . . (for those interested . . . below is a link to a legal free internet copy) . . . in a capsule . . . his holy way of life was . . . *in all humility . . . *

“I walk before God simply,
in faith, with humility and with love;
and I apply myself diligently
to do nothing and think nothing
which may displease Him.”
- Brother Lawrence

God . . . *very much *. . . profoundly touched our hearts through this treasured little Catholic book . . . and . . . guided by the humility of the holiness of this dear monk . . . and though there isn’t any specific . . . detailed . . . information recorded in Sacred Scripture regarding the rest of the clothing for women . . . as there is for head coverings . . . for those souls truly trusting God and seeking His way and will for them in such matters . . . we sought God’s grace and guidance in this area . . . and there is . . . always . . . abundant guidance to be found . . . and we found the portions of God’s Holy :bible1: Word . . . the Holy Bible . . . below to be extremely helpful . . . the first has already been discussed in spirit on this thread . . .

:bible1: First Epistle Of Saint Paul To Timothy
(Douay Rheims Version, Revised by Bishop Richard Challoner)
Chapter 2

9 In like manner women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire.

And somewhere in Scripture . . . I seem to recall . . . there is a caution that women aren’t to wear men’s apparrel . . . but offhand I can’t remember where right now . . . we explored this . . . prayerfully . . . in relation to slacks for women . . . in both the Old and New Testament . . . men and women . . . all . . . wore robes . . . nowadays we all wear slacks/jeans/etc. . . . tailored specifically for men . . . or women . . .

The Holy Mother is our model . . . and the Blessed Virgin Mary having been the Holy Reverand Mother Emmanuel . . . available in the Holy Spirit . . . for countless centuries of the formations of innumerable holy :nun2: nuns . . . the holy convents and monasterys over the centuries . . . and their sacred traditions . . . are a great source of insight. . . when seeking guidance . . . re centuries old orders . . . where the professed wore/wear full habits for prayerful century after prayerful century . . .

Down through multitudes of past centuries . . .

• **novice and postulant habits include head coverings . . . however . . . **
• *their habits themselves were generally not down to the ankle . . . but shortened . . . *
• **first professed and final professed nuns habits include head coverings . . . **
• and there habits were full length

I trust the Holy Mother implicitly . . . and I do not believe she led centuries upon centuries of holy prayerful :nun1: nuns in anything but full truth re their formations . . . and . . . as I alluded in my other post . . . it’s only been the last 50 years or so that . . . many . . . many . . . many . . . treasures of sanctity within our Holy Church have been discarded . . . We are incredibly blessed within the Catholic Church to be able to trust in Holy Tradition . . .

:bible1: Second Epistle Of Saint Paul To The Thessalonians
(Douay Rheims Version, Revised by Bishop Richard Challoner)
Chapter 1

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Link to Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God . . .
practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/practicegodspresence09.html

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Blessed Holy Mother+​

 

[dominicandinah]

All the years I raised my children I worked in the very heart of the Church as a church secretary . . . and I had a profound and prayerful experience in and with our Lord . . . along with other members of our church . . . similar to that shared by RedSoxWife above . . . and am now also one who . . . always . . . wears a head covering whenever in church . . . or at prayer . . . ***this is a very holy and devout practice that has been honored within the Church . . . all over the world . . . for centuries . . . and is rapidly gaining a resurgence of practice among Catholic women . . . Many women wear head coverings in our Church . . . and consider also . . . have you ever seen a picture or a statue in church of the Holy Mother . . . ***the Blessed Virgin Mary *****. . . without a head covering . . . ? . . . In all her apparitions which have been approved by the Church . . . she always has worn a head covering . . . nuns following in the Holy Mother’s holy footsteps . . . for centuries have worn head coverings . . . and I’m very comfortable following the Holy Mother’s example . . . as are a multitude of women I know . . . Just a little FYI note: Catholic tradition is . . . if wearing a veil for a head covering . . . white is for the unmarried women . . . black for the married . . .
Many churches within our Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic Church . . . since the 1960’s . . . have . . . for some reason . . . discarded many holy things . . . including among them . . . nuns holy habits . . . head coverings for women . . . crucifixes in church . . . removing our Eucharistic Lord from the sanctuary . . . etc. . . . but many nuns have returned . . . and others are returning . . . in deepest humility . . . to the wearing of the holy habit of humility . . . Mother Angelica’s group of nuns in the Our Lady of the Angels Monestary in Hanceville, Alabama is a beautiful example *. . . all of which holy habits have head coverings as a part of same . . . Both Catholics and protestants wore head coverings for . . . centuries . . . and within the Protestant community . . . whom Pope John XXIII called the . . . "separated brethren" . . . like many nuns today. . . wear head coverings . . . For example: within the large German Baptist Congregation women all wear head coverings to this day, as do the Menonites, Hutterites, and Amish . . . just to mention a few relatively large groups . . . they are all obediently following the above referenced Sacred Scripture from the New Testament of the Holy :bible1: Bible . . . and have never stopped in their obedience to ***God’s Holy Word ***. . . even as many nuns over the centuries have never given up their holy habits . . . In my prayer group we always have worn head coverings . . . have for years . . . *and are very content to do so . . . *You can never go wrong honoring and following the Blessed St. Paul . . . who is one of the most revered Saints in our Holy Catholic Church . . .

*God’s sweetest blessings . . . *

. . . all for Jesus +
. . . thank You Holy Mother+
​

I had a thought (yeah, it’s an odd one) in regards to the comment about the Blessed Mother wearing long dresses/robes and being veiled in apparitions. Aren’t all the apparitions or visions (approved) of Our Lord Jesus showing him in long flowing robes, too? Just like He wore during his time on earth? If we are to model our wardrobe after the Blessed Mother, then all Catholic men should be wearing long robes like Our Lord. Just a thought to put it into perspective…St. Gianna Beretta Molla wore modern, modest clothes and she was canonized…

 

[DebChris]

I had a thought (yeah, it’s an odd one) in regards to the comment about the Blessed Mother wearing long dresses/robes and being veiled in apparitions. Aren’t all the apparitions or visions (approved) of Our Lord Jesus showing him in long flowing robes, too? Just like He wore during his time on earth? If we are to model our wardrobe after the Blessed Mother, then all Catholic men should be wearing long robes like Our Lord. Just a thought to put it into perspective…St. Gianna Beretta Molla wore modern, modest clothes and she was canonized…

Our clothing style is dictated by the culture in which we live. We see from the news that there are still men in the Middle East who wear long flowing gowns and their heads are covered.
When I lived in Japan, we wore Happi coats over our swimsuits. That would not be modest enough for a grown woman. I am actually wondering if I need a burkini when I go to the Middle East.
Even when I was a child living in Japan, few women, let alone men, still wore kimonos. There were still Shinto processions with men wearing Happi Coats over their loin cloths.
St. Francis once preached naked.

Of course, the focus of the thread is wearing hats. If the hat is noticed at all, the comments will most likely be positive. Mantillas are more noticable because they are not typically worn as part of our culture. There have already been numerous threads about the pros and cons of wearing mantillas. While they are see as traditional head wear, it was much more common to see women wearing hats or simply a scarf tied under the chin until the mid-sixties.

 

[OhMalley]

“…Mantillas are more noticable because they are not typically worn as part of our culture. There have already been numerous threads about the pros and cons of wearing mantillas. While they are see as traditional head wear, it was much more common to see women wearing hats or simply a scarf tied under the chin until the mid-sixties.”

I think that’s my concern sometimes. At one of the churches I attend some of the women (and their husbands!) seem more focused on their wearing mantillas than on covering their heads.

 

[DebChris]

I think that’s my concern sometimes. At one of the churches I attend some of the women (and their husbands!) seem more focused on their wearing mantillas than on covering their heads.

What I did like about mantillas when they started to be worn at Masses was that they could be scrunched up and kept in a purse. They were convenient. I think I would wear one to Eucharist Adoration before Mass, although in reality I don’t think about it. Our First Friday Adoration begins after the noon Mass.
I have a regular scarf in the pocket of my London Fog coat that I wear when it gets a little nippy. I still take it off when I walk into the church, just as I take off my coat.
When I was commissioned as an EMCH and lector in WI, we were told no hats while on the altar, again that was because they could be distracting. That hasn’t kept me from keeping my beret or plaid newsboy cap on lately while reading at daily Mass. Of course, if I still had my Fedora, I would not think about wearing it on the altar, but only in the pew.
I’ve noticed that those wide scarves that were worn as headbands in the 1970’s are coming back, although I have not seen any in church. Of course I might not be observant.
We do have some African ladies who wear their traditional dresses with the head wrap.

 

[RedSoxWife]

Because I know the women personally and I have talked with them about this and many other things. The one thing I really dislike is the pressure applied to women who do not cover their heads by those that do.

Why would you be afraid of being judged? The Church allows it. Done. I’m curious though, while both are allowed have you considered wearing something like a simple beret or a plain/unaddorned cap instead of a mantilla? Here locally there seems to be a considerable amount of pride mixed-up with those mantillas/veils…

What I cover my head with does depend on the season. Lately I’ve been wearing summer hats most of the time and in winter I wear knit caps. However, veils are a beautiful part of Church history and I think it’s very sad that after years of women covering there heads a few decades has so erased the practice that women who do honor the tradition have to worry about being judged. And veils are more convenient when your lugging a toddler and a diaper bag (at least then summer hats that take up more space). I can tuck my folded veil into the pocket of the seat of the car and it’s always there. It’s quite simply more convenient.

As a young woman, and a new comer to the Church, you are absolutely right that I was worried about being judged. I’m rather shy and while it shouldn’t matter what other people think it was something that worried me. It’s hard to be the only one doing something, and I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t truly felt led to do it for a quite some time. While the Church doesn’t require it and I don’t believe it’s a sin not to cover one’s head, I also feel that St. Paul is rather clear on this issue (now the arguments start that he’s not… that it means having your hair long or braided or whatever). Maybe it’s my Baptist beginnings shining through with literal interpretations.

I don’t believe that women that don’t cover their heads feel some huge pressure to do so. It’s not the norm in the vast majority of parishes in our country. They have made their choice, are in the majority and don’t feel compelled to do it. I believe that by and large the pressure goes the other way.

 

[OhMalley]

What I cover my head with does depend on the season. Lately I’ve been wearing summer hats most of the time and in winter I wear knit caps. However, veils are a beautiful part of Church history and I think it’s very sad that after years of women covering there heads a few decades has so erased the practice that women who do honor the tradition have to worry about being judged. And veils are more convenient when your lugging a toddler and a diaper bag (at least then summer hats that take up more space). I can tuck my folded veil into the pocket of the seat of the car and it’s always there. It’s quite simply more convenient.

As a young woman, and a new comer to the Church, you are absolutely right that I was worried about being judged. I’m rather shy and while it shouldn’t matter what other people think it was something that worried me. It’s hard to be the only one doing something, and I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t truly felt led to do it for a quite some time. While the Church doesn’t require it and I don’t believe it’s a sin not to cover one’s head,** I also feel that St. Paul is rather clear on this issue **(now the arguments start that he’s not… that it means having your hair long or braided or whatever). Maybe it’s my Baptist beginnings shining through with literal interpretations.

I don’t believe that women that don’t cover their heads feel some huge pressure to do so. It’s not the norm in the vast majority of parishes in our country. They have made their choice, are in the majority and don’t feel compelled to do it. I believe that by and large the pressure goes the other way.

If Sacred Scripture is truly directing women to cover their heads at Mass (or in church) then the Church would be in error by lifting the requirement. The Church has indeed lifted the requirement so I really cannot see how it would be a requirement per Scripture. It has not only lifted the requirement it makes no mention of it as a praiseworthy tradition.

As far as the mantillas go, I was thinking about the small parish I attend. No more than 100 parishioners. Say 50 or so are women and perhaps 40 of those 50 wear mantillas (most are disgruntled “traditionalists” who flock to this parish) at liturgy. *Not a single one *that I can think of wears a hat – ever. At least here locally there is a statement being made by at least some of those women and it has far more to do with perceived “traditionalism” then it does the Bible.

 

[OhMalley]

The Catholic Church (at least in the Latin Rite) used to require women to cover their heads in church. With the 1983 revision this requirement was no longer a requirement of Canon Law and thus no longer a requirement in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. The practice of a woman covering her head in church today is neither prohibited nor documented as an optional but praiseworthy practice by the Church to my knowledge.

Some who appreciate the practice defend it on biblical grounds – that Sacred Scripture requires a woman to cover her head in church. How could the Catholic Church lift the requirement if it’s based upon Sacred Scripture?

Further if we base our opinions and actions on our own personal interpretations of Sacred Scripture why (as just one example) aren’t Catholic men required to wear tefillin/phylacteries as directed in the Bible:

*Exodus 13:16 “It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes; for by a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Deu11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”*

How is this different than the Bible directing women to cover their heads? This does not seem to be an OT vs. NT issue or even an Old Covenant versus New Covenant issue.

This difference seems to be based on the Church explicitly requiring one practice (at least at one time in the Latin Rite) and not the other. It does not appear to be based on a requirement of the Bible. How could any Catholic suggest the covering of a woman’s head is a requirement based on the Bible when they Catholic Church has rescinded the requirement per Canon Law?

It seems to me that head covering at church today is driven largely by a desire to be “traditional” (which I really cannot define) and not a desire to please God per the Bible.

 

[dominicandinah]

I just love seeing hats on women at Mass. It goes back to a time when you dressed up for Church. I’m going to catch some flack on this, but I do not care for the lacy doilies. For some reason, it reminds me of the “maid” outfit my grandmother wore working for a Lake Forest family back in the 50’s…oh well.

 

[VanillaBean]

Yes…it “seems to you”. However, if you are able to read the hearts of thousands of women who veil…you should be the Pope. Until then, this is your opinion only, however uninformed it may be.

Some women feel they have a personal calling from God to wear it, in submission to His will (this is my reason). I think the fact that we don’t have to wear it anymore makes the choice to do so much more meaningful. Sort of how Catholics are only required to go to confession once a year, but many go once a month or more often…because they love God and wish to remain as close to him as possible. They wish to go above and beyond merely filling an obligation.

I realize not all women have this calling or desire to veil, and that does not make them more or less faithful or “traditional” than myself. It is a personal choice.

There are TONS of threads on this already if you would like answers…though I’m sure a lot of people will take the bait yet again.

 

[OhMalley]

**Yes…it “seems to you”. However, if you are able to read the hearts of thousands of women who veil…you should be the Pope. Until then, this is your opinion only, however uninformed it may be. **

Some women feel they have a personal calling from God to wear it, in submission to His will (this is my reason). I think the fact that we don’t have to wear it anymore makes the choice to do so much more meaningful. Sort of how Catholics are only required to go to confession once a year, but many go once a month or more often…because they love God and wish to remain as close to him as possible. They wish to go above and beyond merely filling an obligation.

I realize not all women have this calling or desire to veil, and that does not make them more or less faithful or “traditional” than myself. It is a personal choice.

There are TONS of threads on this already if you would like answers…though I’m sure a lot of people will take the bait yet again.

No need to be rude.

I just reject the notion that it is a requirement from Sacred Scripture. For if it were there is no way the Church would have done away with the requirement in Canon Law.

I also wonder why I have never seen the Church call the practice something like “no longer required but praiseworthy?” It does with other traditions.

As far as “a personal calling from God to wear it” – I still have to wonder why God dropped the requirement through His Catholic Church yet requires you (and perhaps others) to cover your heads through direct revelation?