Ethan Walker
The topic of whether Catholic women should wear head coverings is a complex and multifaceted one, with a rich historical and cultural context. Throughout history, it has been a common practice for women to cover their heads during religious services, with the tradition being a symbol of modesty, reverence, and submission to Christ. This custom was influenced by St. Paul's epistles and was once a requirement in the Latin Church and various Christian denominations. However, in the 20th century, the practice began to fall into disuse, and the current Code of Canon Law does not mandate head coverings for women. Despite this, some Catholic women still choose to wear veils or other head coverings during Mass, citing personal reasons, a sense of tradition, or a desire to emulate the Virgin Mary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious text | St. Paul's epistles (1 Cor. 11:2-16), 1 Cor. 11:7, 1 Cor. 11:10 |
| Reason | To show modesty, submission to the bridegroom, reverence, and surrender to God's will |
| History | Common in the Middle Ages, mandated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, dropped in the 1983 Code of Canon Law |
| Current practice | Not obligatory, but some women choose to wear them as a personal choice or to show reverence |
| Types | Chapel veils, lace mantillas, hats |
| Colours | Traditionally, married women wore black or dark colours, and unmarried women wore white or light colours |
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What You'll Learn
St. Paul's epistles and the 1917 Code of Canon Law
In St. Paul's epistles, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, it is mentioned that women should wear head coverings. In the passage, Paul affirms the cultural mandate that women should wear head coverings, stating that if a Christian woman refuses to cover her head, she might as well shave her hair off (verse 6). In the context of this passage, a woman with long hair is submitting to her husband's headship, and her hair is her "glory" (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). This practice was also a symbol of submission to Christ, as the Church is considered the "bride" of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:7,10).
The 1917 Code of Canon Law mandated that women should wear head coverings in church. Canon 1262 states:
> 1. It is desirable that, consistent with ancient discipline, women be separated from men in church.
> 2. Men, in a church or outside a church, while they are assisting at sacred rites, shall be bare-headed, unless the approved mores of the people or peculiar circumstances of things determine otherwise; women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord.
However, this canon was dropped from the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in effect. The 1983 Code does not contain a requirement for women to cover their heads in church, and the previous canon about head veils was not reissued. According to Canon 6 of the current code, all subsequent laws that are not reissued in the new code are abrogated. Therefore, the obligation for women to wear head coverings in church is no longer legally binding, although it is still widely practiced in some countries, especially in Asia.
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The custom's decline and its modern status
The customs decline and its modern status
The custom of Catholic women wearing head coverings has declined over time, with the practice falling into disuse from around the 1970s. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas supported the practice, stating that women should wear a covering to show that they are subject to God and, "besides God, she is naturally subject to another." This custom was later enshrined in Canon 1262.2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which mandated that women should have covered heads and be modestly dressed, especially when approaching the altar. However, the 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law did not include this requirement, effectively eliminating it.
The decline in the custom can be attributed to several factors. One reason is the changing standards of modesty in society, where a woman can still be considered respectable even if she does not wear a veil or head covering. Additionally, the general dropping of head coverings by both men and women may have influenced the disappearance of the religious custom. The new Code of Canon Law, which came into effect in 1983, abrogated the former law and did not specifically address veiling, leaving it as a matter of personal choice.
In the 21st century, there has been a growing revival of veiling among Catholic women, especially younger generations. Some women choose to wear veils as a way to show their Catholic identity, emulate the Virgin Mary, or experience a sense of "authentic femininity." The veil's purpose has also shifted from being a symbol of servility to a symbol of reverence and surrender to God's will. While some women still choose to wear veils, it is no longer a requirement and is generally considered a matter of personal preference and spiritual expression.
The practice of head coverings for Catholic women is still widely practiced in some countries, especially in Asia. However, it has been generally abandoned in most Western countries. In the end, the decision to wear a head covering or not is left to the individual woman's discretion, with some choosing to do so out of respect for long-standing custom or as a way to show reverence for Christ.
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Symbolism, femininity, and modesty
The Catholic chapel veil is a symbol of reverence and surrender to God's will. It is a visual statement and a public proclamation of one's devotion to God and their readiness to obey Him. The veil is also seen as a way to emulate the Virgin Mary and experience "authentic femininity".
The veil's purpose has shifted from being a symbol of servility to protecting something sacred. Catholics veil the altar, the tabernacle that houses the Lord, and the chalice that contains the Lord's blood. The veil is placed on top of the crown of the head, cascading down the back, and can be secured with bobby pins or a headband. While traditionally, chapel veils covered a substantial portion of the hair, in modern times, the length of the veil depends on personal style and preference.
In St. Paul's time, it was considered modest for a woman to cover her head, and he underscored this point for their presence in the liturgical assembly. The custom was considered normative and was enshrined in Canon 1262.2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. The canon stated that women should be separated from men in church and that men should be bareheaded, while women should have their heads covered and be modestly dressed, especially when approaching the Lord's table. However, this canon was dropped from the new Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983, and the practice gradually fell into disuse from the 1970s onwards.
While the custom of women covering their heads in church is no longer legally binding, it is still widely practiced in some countries, especially in Asia. In the West, women may still wear hats and veils to Mass if they choose, and some women are readopting the traditional chapel veil as a countercultural sign of their devotion to the church. The practice of wearing a veil can also be seen as a way to block out distractions during Mass and focus on one's private connection with God.
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The role of priests and their influence
The role of priests in the Catholic Church is to fulfil the biblical role of priest, prophet, and king. They instruct others about the faith, guide, unite, and encourage their parishioners, administer the sacraments, and encourage holiness. They also perform Mass, preach the Gospel, and lead a parish of Catholic Christians.
Priests are also involved in people's lives who are facing special needs or problems, such as marriages, drug abuse, parent-child issues, depression, or general life issues. They are considered leaders for their people in both social and spiritual concerns. They also help bring new members into the Church through Baptism, hear Confessions and provide spiritual direction, and perform other sacraments.
Priests are ordained by bishops through the sacrament of holy orders, and they derive their authority from the story of the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ distributed bread and wine in the presence of the Twelve Apostles. According to the Catholic tradition, the apostles then selected other men to succeed them as bishops, with whom were associated presbyters (elders) and deacons (servants).
In the context of women's head coverings, priests have played a role in influencing the practice and its interpretation over time. While St. Paul's epistles in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 are often cited as the scriptural basis for women covering their heads, priests have offered interpretations that consider the cultural context of the time. For example, one interpretation suggests that the primary reason for the head covering was to foster modesty during the liturgy, as a woman not covering her head conveyed a message of impropriety.
Additionally, while the 1917 Code of Canon Law mandated head coverings for women, this canon was dropped from the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The practice had already begun to fall into disuse from the 1970s, and priests may have influenced this shift by actively discouraging the use of hats and veils, arguing that they "cause distraction". However, some priests continue to accommodate the spiritual sensibilities of their flock, allowing women to wear head coverings if they choose, especially in certain countries and contexts where the custom is still widely practised.
Overall, while the requirement for women's head coverings in the Catholic Church has evolved over time, priests have played a role in interpreting the scriptural basis, influencing the practice, and accommodating the spiritual needs of their parishioners.
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The veil's style, colour, and length
While there are no strict rules regarding the style, colour, and length of Catholic veils, there are some traditions and guidelines that women may choose to follow.
Style
The style of the veil is generally a matter of personal preference. Some women may prefer a simple and modest style, while others may opt for something more ornate or decorative. Triangular mantillas, for example, are designed to be worn with the point of the triangle on the forehead and the base around the neck and shoulders, providing a secure and comfortable fit.
Colour
The colour of the veil is also a personal choice. While some traditional cultures, such as Spanish, Italian, and Latina, associate black veils with married or widowed women and white veils with unmarried women, there are no Biblical or Catechetical specifications. Women are free to choose any colour they desire as long as it is not deemed overly ostentatious or distracting, such as metallic shades or a kaleidoscope of bright colours.
Length
The length of the veil may vary depending on personal style and preference. Longer veils may be chosen for a more traditional or conservative look, while shorter veils may be preferred for practicality or a more modern style. The most important consideration is to ensure that the veil is securely placed on the crown of the head to avoid slipping.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not a requirement for Catholic women to wear head coverings. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in force, does not contain any such requirement.
St. Paul mandated that women cover their heads to foster modesty during the liturgy. In the cultural context of his time, a woman who did not cover her head was seen as improper.
Some women feel that wearing a head covering enables them to experience "authentic femininity", as exemplified by the Virgin Mary. Others feel more humbled and reverent when wearing a veil.
There are no hard and fast rules about the type of head covering Catholic women should wear. Traditionally, chapel veils were worn beyond the shoulders, but today, the length of the veil depends on personal style and preference.
The practice of wearing head coverings is observed in various Christian denominations, including Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches, Conservative Anabaptists, Dunkard Brethren, and Conservative Mennonites.
