Ethan Walker
Head coverings worn by Catholics are known as chapel veils, and they are worn by women during religious services. The practice of wearing head coverings during prayer or worship is a tradition that has been observed by various Christian denominations, including Catholicism, for centuries. While it is no longer a requirement, some Catholic women continue to wear veils as a symbol of humility, reverence, and submission to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chapel veil, veil mantillas, head veil |
| Who wears it | Women |
| When to wear it | In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, during Mass, during prayer and worship, in public |
| History | The practice of wearing head coverings dates back to the 13th century BC in Assyria. It was mandated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law but was dropped from the 1983 Code of Canon Law. |
| Reason | Symbol of modesty, humility, reverence, surrender to God's will, submission to the bridegroom Christ, protection of something sacred |
| Length | Traditionally, chapel veils cover a substantial portion of the hair, extending to the shoulders, mid-back or further. However, modern veils vary in length depending on personal style and preference. |
| Materials | Lace |
| Colors | Varied |
| Styles | Circular head veil, semi-circular veil, triangular veil |
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What You'll Learn
Head coverings for Catholic women are called chapel veils
The wearing of chapel veils by Catholic women is a symbol of reverence and surrender to God's will. It is also a sign of humility and modesty, with the veil's purpose shifting from being a symbol of servility to protecting something sacred. The veil is meant to be an external sign of a woman's interior desire to humble herself before God. While the practice of wearing chapel veils is not as common today, some Catholic women still choose to wear them.
Chapel veils come in various forms, sizes, and colours, although they are most commonly made out of lace. The most common types of chapel veils include the circular head veil, the semi-circular veil, and the triangular veil. The length of a chapel veil can vary depending on personal style and preference, with some veils reaching beyond the shoulders and covering a substantial portion of the hair, while others may be shorter for practicality or style.
The decision to wear a chapel veil is a matter of personal choice for Catholic women today. While some women may choose to wear a veil to feel more humbled and reverent, others may see it as a way to emulate the Virgin Mary or to display their Catholic identity. The practice of wearing chapel veils is also seeing a revival among younger Catholic women, who are readopting the tradition for various personal reasons.
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They are worn during Mass
Head coverings worn by Catholics during Mass are commonly known as chapel veils, or mantillas when they are made of lace. They are worn by women during Mass and other religious services, and their use is derived from St. Paul's epistles, which state:
> "Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil." (1 Corinthians 11:4-16)
St. Paul's epistles also state that:
> "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church... [man is to Christ as woman is to the Church]. Since the Church is the 'bride' of Christ, it makes sense that the bride should cover her head 'as a sign of authority' (1 Cor 11:10) and submission to the bridegroom - Christ, whom men represent." (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 11:7, 11:10)
The practice of wearing chapel veils during Mass has evolved over time. While it was once considered a symbol of modesty and a woman's dignity, with St. Paul underscoring this custom during his time, it is no longer a requirement in the Catholic Church. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in force, does not mandate head coverings for women during Mass. However, some women still choose to wear them for various personal reasons, such as feeling more humbled and reverent, or as a symbol of their Catholic identity. The length and style of chapel veils can vary according to personal preference, ranging from traditional longer veils to shorter, more modern styles.
While the obligation to wear head coverings during Mass is no longer legally binding, the custom is still practised in some countries, especially in Asia and among certain congregations. The revival of veiling is particularly notable among younger Catholic women, who may view it as a symbol of their devotion and a way to emulate figures like the Virgin Mary. Ultimately, the decision to wear a chapel veil during Mass is a matter of personal choice and spiritual intention.
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They are not required for men
Head coverings in the Catholic Church, often referred to as chapel veils, have traditionally been worn by women. While the practice is not as common today, some Catholic women continue to wear head coverings during Mass for various reasons, such as experiencing a sense of humility and reverence or emulating the Virgin Mary.
The tradition of women covering their heads in the Catholic Church is rooted in St. Paul's epistles, specifically 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, where he states that a woman's long hair is her glory, while a man with long hair is considered a disgrace. However, the requirement for women to wear head coverings during Mass is no longer legally binding. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in force, does not mandate head coverings for women. This change occurred due to a shift in societal norms emphasizing the equality of men and women, causing the practice to gradually fall into disuse.
While head coverings for women were once a common practice in the Catholic Church, it is important to note that men were not expected to cover their heads during religious services. In St. Paul's writings, he specifically mentions that ""any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head." This indicates that men were expected to keep their heads uncovered during prayer or worship.
In the Catholic Church, the practice of wearing head coverings is now a matter of personal choice. While some women choose to wear chapel veils as a symbol of their Catholic identity and reverence for God, it is not a requirement. The decision to wear a head covering during Mass is left to the individual, and there is no sin in participating in the Holy Mass without a veil.
Although the requirement for women to wear head coverings in the Catholic Church has been eliminated, it is still a tradition for bishops and some canons to wear skullcaps during certain prayers and the mitre during preaching. However, they are expected to remove their head coverings for the Eucharistic Prayer and when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.
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They are worn to show reverence and surrender to God
Head coverings worn by Catholics are known as chapel veils, veil mantillas, or simply veils. They are worn by women during Mass or other religious services and are often made of lace. While the practice of wearing head coverings during religious services is no longer a requirement for Catholic women, some continue to do so as a sign of reverence and surrender to God.
The tradition of wearing head coverings in Christianity dates back to the 13th century BC and was practised in early Christian traditions. In the Catholic Church, the tradition of wearing chapel veils originated from the Bible, specifically St. Paul's epistles, which state that women should cover their heads as a sign of spiritual submission to God and their husbands. Over time, the meaning of wearing chapel veils has evolved. While it was once seen as a symbol of servility and subjection, today, it is viewed as a symbol of modesty, humility, and reverence towards God.
In the past, the wearing of chapel veils was mandated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which stated that women should have their heads covered and be modestly dressed, especially when approaching the altar. However, in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the requirement for women to wear head coverings was dropped, and it is no longer legally binding. Despite this, some Catholic women still choose to wear veils during religious services as a personal devotion and a way to show their Catholic identity.
The decision to wear a chapel veil is now a matter of personal choice and is no longer considered a requirement for Catholic women. While some women may choose to wear veils to show their reverence and surrender to God, others may have different reasons or interpretations. The practice of wearing head coverings during religious services is still common in certain parts of the world, especially in Asia and among specific Christian congregations.
Overall, the chapel veil in Catholicism has evolved from being a symbol of submission and servility to becoming a symbol of reverence, humility, and devotion towards God. While its practice has decreased in recent times, there has been a growing revival, especially among younger women who choose to wear veils for their personal and religious significance.
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They are becoming popular again, especially among younger women
Head coverings for religious purposes are an integral part of Christianity, and the practice dates back to the 13th century BC. In the Catholic Church, women were mandated to wear head coverings in the 1917 Code of Canon Law. However, this practice gradually fell into disuse from the 1970s onwards, and the canon was dropped from the new Code of Canon Law in 1983.
While the practice of wearing head coverings is no longer common in Western countries, there has been a revival of interest in this tradition among younger Catholic women. This revival is part of a broader trend in the 21st century, where the practice of head coverings is being revived in the Western world among women from various Christian congregations.
In the past, women wore head coverings to signify spiritual submission to God and their husbands. It was also seen as a sign of humility and modesty. While these interpretations still hold true for some, the tradition is now often viewed as a way to show reverence for Christ, rather than as a symbol of inferior status.
Younger Catholic women who choose to wear head coverings may be attracted to the sense of tradition and reverence that they represent. They may also appreciate the sense of community and connection to other women throughout history who have worn head coverings as a way to show their faith. Additionally, head coverings can be seen as a way to stand out from mainstream culture and make a statement about their religious beliefs.
While the practice is no longer legally binding, some Catholic women continue to wear head coverings during Mass or other liturgical periods of prayer. This revival of veiling among younger Catholic women demonstrates a renewed interest in traditional practices and a desire to incorporate them into modern religious expression.
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Frequently asked questions
Head coverings worn by Catholics are called chapel veils or mantillas.
Catholic women wear head coverings as a symbol of reverence and surrender to God. It is also a sign of modesty and humility.
Catholic women wear head coverings anytime they are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether during Mass or otherwise.
Chapel veils are commonly made of lace and come in various forms, sizes, and colours.
While wearing head coverings is not a requirement for Catholic women, it is still a widely practised custom in some countries, especially in Asia.
