History Repeats: a Very Short Reflection
THE CHAPEL VEIL: Antiquated Practice or Holy Discipline?
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I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s…an interesting time in society and the Church. But coming from an Italian heritage, wearing a veil at Mass was a non-negotiable. In fact, in my younger years there was never an uncovered head. I can even remember times when one had forgotten their veil (gasp) and was compelled to take out even a handkerchief or a tissue in order to at least cover the top of the head. So to return to the Church in 2011 after 40 years away and find virtually no one with a veil struck me as quite odd. Being an inquisitive who believes in digging for truth, I set out on an investigation that quickly convinced me to veil, in spite of the current trend. What I discovered follows:
At the time of Vatican II, the 1950’s and 60’s had been brewing in the soup of what would become full-blown Women’s Liberation. Women were lead to believe their ‘role’ was constraining and that oppressive men conceived it. Unfortunately, that belief began to invade the Church. With that new ‘enlightenment,’ why, women asked, should we be forced to wear veils in submission to men? But the problem of that question is that veils were never meant to be a submission to man, but rather to God and His authority over all creatures, including women.
To understand the basis of veil 'theology', one first must consult St. Paul. He addressed veiling in his first letter to the Corinthians, and Church fathers that came after him defended the tradition (St. John Chrysostom Homilies on First Corinthians Homily XXVI, St. Ambrose Concerning Virgins Book III, St. Augustine On Holy Virginity, & various writings by St. Thomas Aquinas.) In I Cor. XI, 5, St. Paul is clear that for a woman to go without covering her head in prayer (i.e., The Mass) is akin to a woman disgracing herself by being shaven. Veiling was a custom that had been a part of both Jewish and Roman practice. Why? Because a woman’s hair is considered her ‘glory.’ It is attractive and attracting; praying without a covering is demanding the glory (attention) that only God deserves during the Mass. Paul adds that women should have this sign of authority because of the angels (v. 10.) One understanding of this verse in the NAB is that there is possibly a protection by the angels afforded to those women who are veiled.
Before the 20th Century, women wore veils more as a tradition and without understanding the reason behind it. Veiling is an act of modesty as part of God’s plan. It shows reverence and surrender to God. It also testifies to women as life-bearing vessels. How? The Tabernacle is veiled between Masses. Why? It holds life itself: The Holy Eucharist. In the same way, women hold a place in God’s plan as the ones who bear life, and with that honor comes the privilege of veiling. But even more telling is that a veiled woman is imitating the most perfect model of a Godly woman: Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Then what happened? Why did the practice disappear?
From the previous Code of Canon Law of 1917 until the Code of 1983, the practice of Veils should have continued from the Code of 1251. However, at the time of Vatican II (smack dab in the middle of cultural turmoil,) there was a terrible miscommunication. Anxious to discover news on veiling, a reporter posed a question outside the Vatican regarding the practice. Remember: it was the 60’s, and women were in a turmoil over identity, being lead to question their more traditional roles. The answer given by Annibale Bugnini (Bishop and prelate at the time) was that they were not discussing veils at Vatican II. In that era of rebellion, the Press ran with that comment as a story that women were no longer required to veil. Ah, the spin of the media…
Fast forward to the new Code of Canon Law in 1983. Lo and behold, the whole issue of veils was not included. BUT: what does that actually mean? Canon Law is a continual story on how the Faithful live out the Faith. From one Canon Code to the next, one may find areas change. However, the important thing to note is that if a law is not addressed and abrogated (removed), the issue remains in tact from the previous Code of Canon Law. In fact, Canon Law 28 from the 1983 Code reads:
“Can. 28 Without prejudice to the provisions of Can. 5, a custom, whether contrary to or apart from the law, is revoked by a contrary custom or law. But unless the law makes express mention of them, it does not revoke centennial or immemorial customs, nor does a universal law revoke particular customs.”
Thus, since veils were not mentioned and specifically abrogated, women are still instructed to veil as per the previous Code. But after 20 years of women applying a miscommunicated message from Bugnini, veils wasn’t a battle the Church would fight. Consequently, in the minds of women who delighted in shedding what they believed part of wrongful oppression, silence on the matter in the 1983 Code was confirmation.
All of this said, it is important to approach veiling wisely. Just as it ought to have been with women prior to 1983, the practice of veiling needs to be one of conviction, discipline, and love for God; it should never simply be one of ‘custom.’ Heartfelt searching, investigation and prayer should be the first step. But once truth about veiling is uncovered, there is only one logical conclusion: to veil.
We as women have the unique privilege to show our deep love and devotion for God, while imitating the most Blessed Mother of Jesus. Should you decide to follow her lovely example, do so without reservation. You may at times be the only woman at Mass who is veiled. But don’t worry about who is or is not. God loves you when you honor Him in obedience.
RESOURCES:
Black, Elizabeth and Sparks, Emily. The Chapel Veil: Symbol of the Spouse of Christ. Roman Catholic Books, 2005.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
http://www.fisheaters.com/theveil.html
http://www.aquinasandmore.com/fuseaction/store.displayarticle/article/245/suppresslayout/1/
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/220126.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34073.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1310.htm
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About the Author
I am a mother of seven and grandmother of twelve. I was blessed to homeschool the youngest from second grade through high school. I spent many years as a singer-songwriter. One of my songs was in the semi-finals at Music in the Rockies, and I was a semi-finalist in a Billboard contest. In 2017, I co-wrote with my husband my first book: 95 Questions for Protestants, which answered urban legends about the faith. A few years later, I published Confessions of a Catholic Homeschool Mom, which chronicles how I stumbled my way into homeschooling our youngest. I publish a blog (www.95-Questions.com) that addresses issues of faith, politics and current events. I am in the process of a children's book series, and developing a Catholic apologetics board game for families. As you can see, I have been writing in one form or another for most of my life. I truly hope you enjoy reading my pieces here.
