Sarah Mitchell
A Catholic head covering is called a chapel veil, or a mantilla. It is a traditional Spanish shawl, or a piece of liturgical lace or silk, worn over a woman's head and shoulders. The chapel veil is worn by Catholic women during church services and special occasions, such as weddings. The practice of wearing a chapel veil is said to be a symbol of a woman's modesty, humility, and reverence for God. Although no longer required, the Catholic Church still supports and encourages the use of chapel veils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mantilla, chapel veil, or lace veil |
| Description | A traditional female liturgical lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders |
| History | Brought to the Americas by Christian missionaries from Spain; mandated by Fray Nicolás García Jerez in the 19th century; encouraged by Queen Isabella II; practice diminished after her abdication in 1870 |
| Purpose | Symbol of modesty, humility, reverence, and submission to God; a way to emulate Mary, the mother of Jesus; to glorify the beauty of God |
| Colors | Black, white |
| Wearers | Married or widowed women (black), young girls or unmarried women (white) |
| Occasions | Church services, weddings, processions, dances, special occasions |
| Culture | Worn by Catholic women in Spain, Latin America, and around the world |
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What You'll Learn
The mantilla
The wearing of the mantilla as a Christian headcovering was brought to the Americas by Spanish Christian missionaries. In the 19th century, Fray Nicolás García Jerez, the Bishop of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, mandated that mantillas be opaque and not made of transparent lace. Women who continued to wear thin mantillas were excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Queen Isabella II also encouraged the use of the mantilla during this time.
The wearing of the mantilla has been interpreted as a symbol of a woman's subordination to God and her submission to her husband. It is also seen as a way to emulate the Virgin Mary, who is often depicted with her head covered. The veil is meant to conceal a woman's physical beauty so that the beauty of God may be glorified instead. In recent times, the mantilla has been readopted by millennial Catholic women, who wear it for various personal reasons.
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Chapel veils
The colour of the chapel veil also holds significance. Traditionally, black veils were worn by married or widowed women, while white veils were reserved for young girls and unmarried women. However, chapel veils today come in a variety of colours and designs, allowing women to express their personal style while adhering to the tradition.
The act of wearing a chapel veil carries symbolic meaning for Catholic women. It is seen as a way to veil a woman's physical beauty so that the glory of God may be magnified. Additionally, it represents a form of emulation of the Virgin Mary, who is revered as the archetype of purity and humility. The veil also signifies the unique role of women as life-bearing vessels, reflecting the sacredness of the chalice and tabernacle veiled during Mass.
While the wearing of chapel veils is no longer mandatory for Catholic women, it remains supported and encouraged by the Church as a sign of reverence, piety, and surrender to God's will. For many Catholic women, the veil serves as a tangible expression of their faith and a means to experience a deeper connection to their religious community.
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History of Catholic head coverings
For 2000 years, Catholic women have worn some form of head covering in church. The practice has its roots in St. Paul's epistles, which state that "any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head" but that a woman doing the same with her "head unveiled brings shame upon her head" (1 Cor. 11:4-16). The wearing of a veil was thus mandated to promote modesty during the liturgy, as a woman who did not cover her head in that cultural context was seen as improper.
This custom was enshrined in Canon 1262.2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which stated that "women shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord". However, the practice began to fade in the early 1960s, with some women disregarding the rule. This abandonment of tradition was done in the name of the "Spirit of Vatican II". The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in force, does not contain any reference to a requirement for women to cover their heads, and the custom has now generally been abandoned in most Western countries.
Nevertheless, the practice of wearing head coverings in church is still widely observed in some countries, especially in Asia. Women who choose to wear head coverings today may do so for various reasons, such as emulating the Virgin Mary or as a symbol of their Catholic identity. The veil is also seen by some as a sign of reverence and surrender to God's will, and a public proclamation of their love and obedience to Him.
The style of head coverings has also evolved over time. Traditionally, chapel veils would cover a substantial portion of the hair, sometimes extending to the mid-back or further. Today, the length of a chapel veil depends on personal style and preference, with some women opting for shorter veils for practicality or style. Head coverings come in various forms, including circular, semi-circular, and triangular veils, and are commonly made from lace.
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Reasons for wearing Catholic head coverings
Head coverings for Catholic women are known as chapel veils, mantillas, or just veils. They are typically circular or triangular pieces of black or white lace draped over the head and sometimes the shoulders.
Historically, Catholic women wore head coverings to show modesty and humility before God. This custom was considered normative and was enshrined in Canon 1262.2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. The practice was inspired by St. Paul, who, in his first letter to the Corinthians, underscored the importance of women covering their heads during the liturgical assembly. According to St. Paul, a woman with a covered head brings glory to God, while a woman with an uncovered head brings shame upon herself.
Today, the practice of wearing head coverings among Catholic women is no longer legally binding and has generally been abandoned in most Western countries. However, it is still widely practiced in some countries, especially in Asia, and is supported and encouraged by the Church as a sign of reverence and piety while in the presence of God.
Some Catholic women who choose to wear head coverings today do so for various personal reasons. For some, it is a way to feel more humble and reverent, while others see it as a means to experience "authentic femininity" as exemplified by the Virgin Mary, who is regarded as the archetype of purity and humility. Additionally, wearing a head covering can be a way for Catholic women to visibly express their Catholic identity and show their reverence for Christ.
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Styles and colours of Catholic head coverings
The Catholic head covering is called a chapel veil, or a mantilla. The mantilla is a traditional female liturgical lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high hair ornament called a peineta. The peineta is a large comb, usually in tortoiseshell colour, that adds the illusion of height to the wearer and holds the hair in place.
Chapel veils come in all forms, sizes, and colours, but most are made out of lace. The most common types are circular, semi-circular, and triangular veils. The circular veil is round and barely covers the head, the semi-circular veil is draped over the head and reaches the shoulders, and the triangular veil is designed in the same way but with a triangular shape. Traditionally, chapel veils cover a substantial portion of the hair and can extend to the mid-back or further. However, nowadays, the length of the veil depends on personal style and preference.
The colour of the veil also holds significance. Traditionally, black veils were worn by married or widowed women, while white veils were worn by young girls or unmarried women. A black mantilla is also worn by women when they have an audience with the Pope, and a white mantilla is appropriate for a church wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic head covering is called a chapel veil, or a mantilla.
Catholic head coverings are typically made from lace, but can also be made from silk.
Catholic women have worn head coverings for 2000 years, though the reasons for doing so have changed over time. Today, Catholic women wear head coverings as a sign of reverence and surrender to God.
Catholic women wear head coverings when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, usually during Mass.
