To Veil Or Not To Veil?

[Canonistwannabe]

I really want to start wearing a veil to mass but I'm nervous as to what the sisters and the priests will say at my parish (I'm really close to them). I know I'd need a good reason, one better than I prefer to be traditional.

[mortify ii]

Those who matter don't mind, those who mind don't matter

[Perigrina]

I always cover my head in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in order to honour Christ.  We live in a situation in which the theology of the Eucharist is widely misunderstood and consecrated Hosts are often a target of sacrilege.  It is therefore especially important to give signs of reverence and honour to the Blessed Sacrament to counteract these trends and perhaps make some sort of reparation for them.

 

I do like that it is a traditional practice that goes back to the beginnings of the Church and connects me with Catholic women throughout the centuries, but I also see it as an appropriate response to the problems of our times.

[Spem in alium]

It's ultimately your choice and something between you and God. It's easy to say, but I wouldn't worry too much about what people will think. If you know why you want to veil, and you feel it's something that will benefit you and your relationship with God, then I don't see why it would be a bad thing.

 

I veil when I am in Adoration, for a similar reason to Perigrina: to honour Christ, to connect me with women of the past (especially Mother Mary), and to give myself completely to Him. I accept that many women don't veil, and that's okay, but to me it's a meaningful practice.

[Basilisa Marie]

Personally, I don't veil, but if you want to do it, do it! What, are they going to say bad things about you veiling? Of course not. :)

Edited June 2, 2014 by Basilisa Marie

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

If I become a nun I'll wear one.

[truthfinder]

If anyone ever asked, I was wondering whether "Because I bloody well feel like it" would suffice their curiosity.

 

Despite the many theological implications (and arguments), personally, I wear more often than not wear a scarf because it helps to act as a blinker, to help me stay focused on the Mass itself rather than who's present, and who's doing what, etc.

[Dr_Asik]

Wearing or not wearing a hat or other head garment has lost much of its social significance today. If it's meaningful to you, then by all means do it, but expect some level of surprise and incomprehension from others.

[Credo in Deum]

In our Church I look around and notice the things which are sacred have veils over them.  The Tabernacle has a veil because the Bread of Life resides within, and the chalice on the altar is veiled because it will hold the Precious Blood of Our Lord -His very life force- within it.  

 

Woman have been given the ability to bring forth life and bear children, and the veil is a recognition of the sacred dignity they posses.

 

No woman should ever feel ashamed to put on a veil. 

 

 

[Luigi]

If you're concerned about how people will react, don't give them the opportunity. Tell them before you do it. Mention your interest once or twice, then tell them you're thinking about it once or twice, then tell them you've decided to do it, then do it. 

[maximillion]

For me there is a difference between head covering and a veil - which do you mean?

 

I got used to having something on my head all the time in the convent and since leaving many years ago have continued with that. I feel comfortable having a bandanna or something on my head, and as I wear it everywhere else I also wear it to church. But it's not a veil. Having been veiled as a religious, that has significance and I no longer meet the criteria that significance implies.

 

The veil for me and in my community was always a personal symbol of being set aside for God and for Him alone, it was our mini personal 'enclosure'. When I first entered the community still pulled their veils forward in all public services in chapel. It was then left up to personal choice and many of us continued to do this.

[Perigrina]

For me there is a difference between head covering and a veil - which do you mean?

I try to make this distinction too.  I normally refer to what I do as "covering my head" and leave the word "veiling" for religious.  In fact, I carry a mantilla (aka chapel veil) in my purse and that is my default head-covering, so technically I could call what I do veiling, but it has a difference significance so I try to reflect that in my language.

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

I apologize if I elicited any confusion. My answer was simply stating that currently I don't wear a head covering at church or any time (with it being purposely to cover my head). If I were to do so most likely it would be when, and not before I enter a monastery (if I do). In the world, however, I do not.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Mary+Immaculate<3

[mysisterisalittlesister]

Ok serious question: can my hair be my veil? 

[Perigrina]

Ok serious question: can my hair be my veil? 

 

That wouldn't work for me because the point of my head covering is doing something special to honour Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.  It is like the custom of crossing myself when I pass a Catholic church to honour Christ's presence in its Tabernacle.  If it were just my hair there wouldn't be anything special about it because I always have my hair.