Why head covering?

[IrishAm]

Please know that I do not mean this as a challenge to anyone. In preparation for our first Tridentine Mass at the parish (the first in 40 years, anyway), Father held an instructional meeting. He noted that, while head coverings were not required for women, he would really encourage and appreciate it.

I was admittedly taken aback. Hadn’t even considered it. And, the more I do consider it, the less I understand it. I do realize, of course, that it was once done – heck, I once did it – but I don’t see where it makes me appear more modest or humble. In fact, a head covered with black or white lace is rather showy.

I also know that some of you feel called to follow this practice and I do not question that calling. I just don’t feel it. At all. Even a little.

So your sage advice and thoughtfull experience would be much appreciated. I tried to “search” your thoughts previously posted without any success . . .

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Please know that I do not mean this as a challenge to anyone. In preparation for our first Tridentine Mass at the parish (the first in 40 years, anyway), Father held an instructional meeting. He noted that, while head coverings were not required for women, he would really encourage and appreciate it.

I was admittedly taken aback. Hadn’t even considered it. And, the more I do consider it, the less I understand it. I do realize, of course, that it was once done – heck, I once did it – but I don’t see where it makes me appear more modest or humble. In fact, a head covered with black or white lace is rather showy.

I also know that some of you feel called to follow this practice and I do not question that calling. I just don’t feel it. At all. Even a little.

So your sage advice and thoughtfull experience would be much appreciated. I tried to “search” your thoughts previously posted without any success . . .

My suggestion - and you will be flooded with lots of other information - is to go with how you feel first since is it not required.

IF after reading all the information others will post here and after attending the TLM you can make a fully informed decision and see if you are called to this private practice.

Good Luck.

 

[SemperFidelis]

Q. Why head covering?

A. Because St. Paul said to is good enough for me. Well not for me, because I’m a man, but for reason’s sake. God Bless!

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

Before Vatican II, women were required to wear veils, mantillas, hats, etc. while at Mass. Today few women wear the veil, and many are asking why women should wear veils at all. First and foremost, the 1917 Code of Canon Law stated: “…women, however, should be with head covered and modestly dressed, …” The new Code of Canon Law from 1983 does not mention the requirement of women to wear veils in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. However, the absence of a direct reference to the subject does not automatically imply a change of Church teaching. As stated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, Can. 21: “In doubt, the revocation of a previous law is not presumed; rather, later laws are to be related to earlier ones, as far as possible, harmonized with them.”

Women should still wear veils while in the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. Why? Even if the Code of Canon Law does not apply, St. Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 11:4-6 do still apply:

Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.

 

[lizaanne]

This one has been beat to death here - but with good conversations most of the time.

Try doing a search again - look for the words: veil and mantilla and see what comes up. Use the Google style search - it’s better.

Here are some:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=206636

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=33922

~Liza

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I also know that some of you feel called to follow this practice and I do not question that calling. I just don’t feel it. At all. Even a little.

.

If you don’t feel it

Don’t fake it​

 

[Genesis315]

SM and SF, you guys gave the law, so to speak, but not the rationale for it. A woman I know gave a great explanation, but I can’t seem to remember it. Something about the angels and a woman’s hair being her crown of glory…

 

[Eilish_Maura]

SM and SF, you guys gave the law, so to speak, but not the rationale for it. A woman I know gave a great explanation, but I can’t seem to remember it. Something about the angels and a woman’s hair being her crown of glory…

Something like the angels would get mad (and implication is they would lash out) if a woman went without her head covering?

 

[Genesis315]

Even if the Code of Canon Law does not apply, St. Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 11:4-6 do still apply:

I think the Church has read that passage and passages like it in the culture it was given. The principles behind what St. Paul is saying are timeless, but how that is manifested in different cultures may not be. As the OP said, sometimes and in someplace a head covering is more vain and less modest than not.

 

[Genesis315]

Something like the angels would get mad (and implication is they would lash out) if a woman went without her head covering?

Not mad, just maybe a little distracted by the beauty–the glory of God being the sole thing exposed at Mass (even though a woman’s glory comes from God)

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I think the Church has read that passage and passages like it in the culture it was given. The principles behind what St. Paul is saying are timeless, but how that is manifested in different cultures may not be. As the OP said, sometimes and in someplace a head covering is more vain and less modest than not.

I would tend to go with the Church on this as she is far more skilled in applying what St Paul said than any of us.

I suspect that if the Church saw it as so timeless and important it would still be mandatory.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Not mad, just maybe a little distracted by the beauty–the glory of God being the sole thing exposed at Mass (even though a woman’s glory comes from God)

There was one explanation using the angels that was about them getting mad and possibly lashing out, and I have seen one with the ‘distracted’. Neither makes any sense to me.

 

[IrishAm]

Thank you for the links. I knew the topic had to have been discussed ad nauseum, but was having no luck.

As for St. Paul, who blesses us with his wisdom, you must admit he was speaking of shame and modesty, and not of fashion (bad word, I know; I do not mean that in a diminishing manner). And the cultural norms attached to his admonitions have changed. A shaved head on a woman, for example, is not a statement of shame – usually it is one of chemotherapy; an uncovered head in public is not shameful. Certainly it was in Paul’s time and place.

I will read the links with interest and an open mind – and have already taken to heart those that mention how some seem called to wear the veil and others do not, and we should respect both decisions.

 

[jmdsc]

I have to admit that I have always been in a bit of a conundrum about this subject…Why shouldn’t men cover their heads - why is their hair any less glorious (especially my husband - his hair tops mine by far )? Why did this change from the Jewish (ie - it was the men who had to keep their heads covered at all times).

 

[lizaanne]

Thank you for the links. I knew the topic had to have been discussed ad nauseum, but was having no luck.

You are welcome.

You will find no end of opinion on this topic here, so be ready.

Personally, I cover my head because it just feels so right to me. It has drawn me deeper into prayer while at Mass or Adoration, it makes me pay attention to how I dress for Mass (if I have lace on my head, I’m not going to wear jeans or trousers), I find that my attention is much more focused on Jesus and why I’m there, not being distracted to everything and everyone around me. No one ever asked me to, I just decided to on my own after starting to attend a more traditional parish where other ladies cover their heads. I have always admired the practice, and when I was around other like minded women I really felt the pull to make this transition. Now I can’t imagine being in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist without my head covered.

I went to a funeral this week for the father of someone we know. It was a VERY modern/liberal parish. Let’s just say there was open Communion, and that’s just the start. I thought about it for one second - should I wear it or not - and decided I would be a total hypocrite if I didn’t when I do everywhere else. Well - I was a bit nervous, and even the Religious Sister there didn’t have her head covered, but I was so very glad that I did. Again - even in this environment - it felt right to me.

Yes - it is a very personal decision. There are many who think it should be a requirement - many who think it still is. I don’t go there because I really don’t know for sure. I only pay attention to my own head, and for me, that means having it covered.

I would only ask that you consider it - just consider it, especially since Father said it would please him. You are lucky - you have a priest who would welcome a covered head, not all women are so fortunate! You never know - it may just transform you.

~Liza

 

[belgianwaffles9]

SM and SF, you guys gave the law, so to speak, but not the rationale for it. A woman I know gave a great explanation, but I can’t seem to remember it. Something about the angels and a woman’s hair being her crown of glory…

The Holy Virgin Mary, the mother of all Christians, and the most perfect role model for all women, wore a veil at all times. Thus, it was deemed apropriate for women to wear a veil, as she did, during worship.

Sure, standards of normal behavior have changed a little bit since Paul’s time - but that was not the only reason. The primary reason is mary. If you don’t like wearing the veil (yet) then dont. But think of it as a way to mimic Mary, to become more like her. If you think of it like that, you may come to appreciate the symbolism of the veil a little bit more.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I’ve gone back and forth with veiling. When I first started going to the traditional mass, I didn’t have one, so I went without. I saw that some, but not all women did wear veils or the small lace that covers the top of their heads. So, the first Lent I was there, I got myself a veil and said as a positive act I would wear the veil. I have to honestly that it was a neutral experience. It didn’t change how my attentiveness or prayful attitude at Mass, except on the occasions where it would slide off. After that Easter, I still continued to wear it most times, but if I forgot to grab it I didn’t run out to the car to get it. It was more important to spend the time on my knees in front of the sacrament-because it’s the only time during the week I have that opportunity.
Father has indicated that it is NOT a mandatory Church rule, and whether a woman chooses to wear the veil or not is a spiritual decision that she should make for herself. He said: “Don’t wear it because other women here wear it. Don’t wear it because you think you are sinning if you don’t. Wear it as a gift to God, or don’t do it at all.”

 

[latinmass]

Wearing a head covering is just plain obedience. It does not matter how you feel, if you are “into it” or not, if you feel you pray better or worse, all these comments on how you feel, are just not the issue at all. Obedience to God is why any of us should do anything, but hopefully it will make sense to us, but it does not have to. If Paul in Holy Scripture, and our Tradition is not enough for women to wear a veil it is a shame. As in all of the teachings of God, there is also practicallity as well. Women are beautiful, and wearing a veil keeps there beauty hidden which helps men. Because it is not specifcally mentioned in canon law does not mean it should not be done. A good example of this is penance on Fridays, not specifically mentioned in canon law, but still should be done. Very few do penance on Fridays anymore now that giving up meat on Fridays is not specifically mentioned.

 

[Amata_Child]

I wear a veil (or bandana, or hat, depending on the appropriateness for the situation)…

I started wearing it because of Paul’s words in Corinthians…I didn’t understand his logic, but it was in the Bible so it was good enough for me. Over time I developed a more mature understanding of why I cover my head.

When a young woman becomes a Poor Clare novice, her hair is cut off. Hair is a woman’s glory, and the Poor Clare sacrifices her own glory so that from then on she could glory only in the Cross.

Wearing a veil is my way of showing reverence for Christ in the Eucharist and for the Mass. The Mass and the Eucharist aren’t about me and my glory, but about Christ and HIS glory…so I cover my glory (my hair). It isn’t about other people seeing it, it is about doing something on the exterior which represents something interior.

I cover my head out of reverence, to physically demonstrate my submission to God (we are not dualists…we believe persons are spirit AND body), and to remind myself that this life is about death to self (which is why I wear a black veil).

So that’s why I do it

 

[JMMK]

This is my understanding. A woman’s hair is a sign of beauty, and as such covering it in some manner is a form of modesty. However, in modern times the sense of hair covering being modest is lost and so the law lacks purpose. I might be wrong, but that’s how I have always understood it.