The Chapel Veil: Biblical, Traditional, and Lovely

The Chapel Veil: Biblical, Traditional, and Lovely

The chapel veil for women is taught in the New Testament but was largely abandoned in the '60s. You still see a few at Mass these days though. What happened and what does this mean for us today?
Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, the key figure behind the Novus Ordo Mass, was asked by the press in 1969 about the chapel veil and simply said it was not being discussed. That was enough for some newspapers to report that the veil was no longer required. Later clarifications from Archbishop Bugnini were apparently futile and the impact of the feminist movement on Catholic women became clear.

The chapel veil is firmly rooted in Scripture, particularly in St. Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16. St. Paul instructs that “every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head,” linking the practice to the created order and the relationship between Christ, man, and woman. The veil is a visible sign of reverence, humility, and acknowledgment of divine authority during worship. It is a sacred symbol, connecting the worshipper to the mystery of Christ and the Church.

Veiling is reserved for what is most sacred. The tabernacle, which houses the Blessed Sacrament, is veiled as a sign of reverence for the real presence of Christ. Similarly, the altar and chalice are veiled because they are set apart for holy use. This tradition extends to women, whose bodies are considered living tabernacles as vessels of life and grace. Just as the Church veils the tabernacle to honor the sacred presence within, so too does the woman veil herself as a sign of her own dignity and the sacredness of her vocation. The veil thus visually expresses that both the tabernacle and the woman are bearers of life and mystery, worthy of reverence and protection.

For nearly two millennia, the chapel veil was a universal custom among Christian women. From the earliest Church communities through the Middle Ages and up until the mid-20th century, women covered their heads in church, often wearing lace mantillas or simple veils. The 1917 Code of Canon Law codified this practice, requiring women to have their heads covered during liturgical celebrations. Photographs from pre-Vatican II churches show pews filled with veiled women and girls.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the chapel veil historically served a practical social function. The color of the veil functioned as a visible indicator of a woman’s marital status: white veils were worn by unmarried women and virgins, symbolizing purity and availability, while black or darker veils signaled that a woman was married.
While the chapel veil largely disappeared in many Western countries after the '60s, it remains vibrant in many Latin American nations and Spain. The mantilla—a beautiful and delicate lace or silk veil worn over the head and shoulders—continues to be a cherished tradition.

In recent years, a quiet revival of the chapel veil has emerged among some Catholic women. The veil is a joyful expression of faith, humility, and feminine dignity. Wearing the veil connects women with centuries of Catholic tradition, Biblical teaching, and serves as a visible sign of women's identity as “living tabernacles.”