Why veil

But as my understanding of the virtues continues to grow, I have come to see that humility and modesty are not at odds with sacred and awe-inspiring beauty. Instead, humility and modesty accentuate it. Beauty is a gift from God, and a sign of God. It is one of the inexplicable things in nature, the thing that serves no utilitarian purpose.

Their beauty serves no purpose, except the sacred purpose of drawing our hearts and minds to God, the creator of all things good, true, and beautiful. I suppose that is why I often veil myself for Mass. Perhaps I need the reminder that I am chosen and set apart as something meant to bring beauty to the world. Perhaps I need to remember that the Mass is not utilitarian or created by a democratic council. It is not meant to give me warm fuzzy feelings, but to lift my heart and my mind to a truth that is so utterly beyond me.

But it is only offered to those who are willing to approach the altar of God in modesty and humility. I would never make this a moral issue. But if you have ever felt a curiosity, like I did, or a desire to do something visible to more sacramentally connect with something invisible, maybe God is wanting to remind you of what you were made for. Pope Francis prepares for Canadian journey of reconciliation. Lewis, Tolkien, and Chesterton in a personally significant faith journey.

You Might Also Like. Father Deacon Andrew Bennett in his Oct. Francis de Sales had very good insights about the practice of virtues. Overnight November 3 into 4, all of Canada was basking in the light of one of the biggest auroral displays in decades.

What's it about? Since the practice of women covering their heads in Catholic worship spaces used to be the norm, but was largely abandoned by the '60s, Darrow was uncertain as to what women covering their heads might signify in the s.

But the fact that the veil-wearing peers in question were "normal girls you could have a glass of wine with, but also very faithful" gave Darrow pause. After researching more about the history and significance of veiling in the Catholic tradition, Darrow decided to try it herself. Though Darrow didn't start wearing a veil to mass every week, she did come to a new appreciation for the practice and now regularly brings a head covering on her visits to Rome, where she leads pilgrimages at least once a year.

Her travels as a Catholic speaker and book author have convinced Darrow that veils are experiencing a renaissance amongst Catholic women — especially young American ones.

This poses a striking contrast to Protestant mega-churches that are leveraging streetwear and celebrity connections to stay relevant. Samantha Skinner, a high school science teacher in North Dakota, is one Catholic millennial interested in a return to tradition.

Raised loosely Protestant but not a regular church attendee until she converted to Catholicism in college, Skinner began wearing a veil to mass every week before she'd even completed the classes necessary to formalize her conversion.

A conversation with a friend who worked in a "holy bookstore" convinced Skinner to try the practice for herself. For Skinner, the appeal of veiling was initially an emotional one: It made her feel humbled and reverent, like removing a hat during the national anthem or at a funeral might, and made her more able to focus on prayer.

Other young Catholics, like year-old Ohio resident Forest Hempen, have chosen to adopt the veil after digging into the theological ramifications of the tradition. An aspiring theological speaker who gives talks on chastity to teens and works for a Catholic nonprofit in Cincinnati, Hempen became enamored with the veil through studying the theology of the body as articulated by her "holy crush" Pope John Paul II.

The same applies to veiling. If we do it out of love for God, what people think shouldn't matter. The Rev. Annibale Bugnini, secretary of the New Congregation for Divine Worship, said the reports stemmed from a misunderstanding of a statement he made at a news conference in May.

It is a matter of general discipline. However , the Code of Canon Law, currently in force, does not contain a requirement that women cover their head in church. It is, however, the expectation that women who assist at the Mass according to the Extraordinary Form cover their heads, as was the practice at the time that the Missale Romanum was in force. It is not, however, a sin to participate in the Holy Mass according to the Extraordinary Form without a veil.

Just as the Church does not mandate that every person pray the Rosary, neither does she mandate that every woman wear a veil. This does not mean, however, that either is not a worthy devotion. On the contrary, these devotions are pleasing to God when done out of love for Him. Traditionally, married women would wear black or darker colors and unmarried women, white or lighter colors.

However, since chapel veils are just now coming back, there are really no hard and fast rules to follow. In some churches I've been to, some women wear veils to match their outfit, others wear colors they have simply decided they like, etc. In parishes where few women veil, it is common for women to want to wear something that blends in with their hair. Often, women will save the more special-looking veils for feasts of the church.

A more recent trend some women are starting is that of matching their veils to liturgical colors. Because covering one's head is a purely symbolic gesture in today's culture, it is not necessary that all the hair be covered or concealed.

Small veils like the Small Circle Mantillas , as well as sheer veils where the hair can be seen through the lace, are fine to wear. If you're worried about your veil falling off, consider using a hair pin at the top of your head, carefully inserted through one of the holes in the lace. We also offer sewn-in clips and combs , which are the most secure way of ensuring your veil stays put, especially if you have small children with you at Mass. We can sew them on your veil for you for a small fee, or you may request a free one with your order, which you may sew on once you have received your veil.

At whatever age you and she prefer. Some girls eagerly ask to wear a veil, while others don't and might choose to wear one after First Holy Communion. Some mothers veil their baby girls, while others encourage their older daughters to take the initiative if they have the desire to do so.

No matter what you do, remember that Holy Mother Church gives us freedom in this matter, and it is not a sin to go without a veil. The fact that a veil makes us look beautiful doesn't mean we are necessarily being vain.

In the same way that we would dress up to meet a king, we dress up to meet our God and King. If you do find yourself focusing on the veil as a way of seeking the admiration of others, rectify your intention by an interior act such as, "Lord, I am wearing this for you alone, and I don't wish to care about what other people think.

Read more: Vanity, Vanity If the wedding is in a Catholic Church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle, then yes!

That said, it may be best to avoid white so as not to match the bride. How should it be worn? Where did the tradition begin anyway? Read on to learn more about this storied tradition and for answers to every wedding veil question you can think of. Meet the Expert. And at that moment, the image of a bride was defined for centuries to come.

Today, the wedding veil is used as more of a simple accessory than a means of warding off evil spirits. Some brides choose to wear one over their face, but more often than not it's draped over the back of their hair and dress. There are quite a few. You can go minimal and stick with simple tulle or you can opt for lace, floral appliques, or even beaded detailing. It's a nice idea. You'll want something that works with your dress rather than overshadows it.

There are no hard-and-fast rules, but we do have some helpful tips and advice here. Some experts recommend choosing a length based on what vibe you're going for. Longer veils feel more dramatic and elegant while shorter veils are fresh and fun. Lengths can range from a birdcage veil inches to a cathedral veil inches. This comes down to what kind of veil you choose. Some are made for up-dos, others lay perfectly flat if you choose to wear your hair down, and some are great for a half-up, half-down style.

There's a veil for every and any hairstyle. Unless you have a particular veil you absolutely can't walk down the aisle without, it might be easier to choose your hairstyle first and go from there.