Veils

For a few years now I have been wanting to wear a veil to Mass. I've done lots of research and concluded that it is a good tradition. Some interesting links if you are curious are Here, Here, Here, and Here. Many of these articles make the argument that a woman's hair is her crowning glory and a distraction therefore an occasion of sin?? Well, I don't think I agree with that today because NOW wearing a veil is out of place, a distraction, and occasion for sin. BUT I do enjoy the other arguments and the theology behind the veil.

Another little booklet I bought explains how the veil reminds us that we as the church are called to be the bride of Christ. So a traditional nun wears a veil all the time because she is already a professed bride of Christ on Earth, but I for example would wear a veil in the presence of the Eucharist to show my hope to be a bride of Christ someday in heaven. Of course the WHOLE Church, not just the women, are the "Bride of Christ", but our veils are an outward symbol of that theology. Many things in the church USED to be commonly veiled: The tabernacle, the chalice... the veil is a sign of honor.

Do you even know why Brides wear veils? Why we used to wear Easter Bonnets? Why the 1st communicants still wear veils? All for the same reasons! As the articles up top point out, the Vatican never took away the veils...we did. And grant it, it's only a small "t" tradition...and I think people went to the extreme placing tissues on their heads if they left their veils at home. But nevertheless, the absence of this tradition from the Code of Canon Law in 1983 was decades AFTER women stopped wearing them, and more of the church's submission to pressure and lay rebellion...like altar girls? like communion in the hand??

So this Lent I'm going to do it! Why? Well, there's all the reasons above, BUT it's for my own benefit...my own walk toward holiness. Think about this: After the veils went, so did the dressy clothing...so did the silence in church...so did ALOT of things. But a veil would look silly with jeans, so I MUST dress up (and I should dress up...the Mass is a Wedding and Christ is even more important than say visiting the President). Also, I have a bad habit of talking to people after Mass IN the sanctuary....well....if I can't remove my veil until I've left the sanctuary, I'll be sure not to talk! This sign of reverence will hopefully remind me, or anyone else who cares to look, of the Real Presence of God NOT my "self proclaimed piety".

So ANYWAYS at first I bought myself this long black one Here that I could wrap around thinking it would stay on better with kids to fidget with....but it just seems big and loud. Maybe something I could wear to Good Friday or perhaps a funeral.

Instead, I've ordered this dainty, stay put, but more subtle kerchief style Here.



I bought my daughter this one in white and pink (so cute) Here.

One thing that has helped me have courage, is that my desire has drawn the interest of my friends and some have chosen to do this with me, while others are seriously considering it. All of our daughters want to. From what I've experienced and read, there is a movement back to veiling (especially among young Catholic women).

What do you think?