Rachel Evans
The tradition of Christian head covering, also known as Christian veiling, is the practice of women covering their heads in a variety of Christian denominations. In the context of Catholicism, the tradition of women wearing head coverings has its roots in St. Paul's epistles, specifically 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, where it is stated that a woman's head covering is a sign of authority. This tradition was further codified 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 holy table. However, the 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law notably omitted this requirement, effectively eliminating the mandate for Catholic women to wear head coverings. While no longer legally binding, the custom of wearing head coverings during Mass or other religious services is still practiced by some Catholic women, especially in certain regions and cultural contexts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | Throughout history, including the Middle Ages, 20th century, and up to the 1970s |
| Reasoning | Modesty, reverence for Christ, submission to Christ and men, and a sign of authority |
| Denominations | Anabaptist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Plymouth Brethren, Quaker, Reformed, Oriental, Eastern Orthodox |
| Types of headwear | Hats, bonnets, veils, mantillas, chapel caps, beanies |
| Textual references | 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, 4-16, 7, 10, Didascalia Apostolorum; Pædagogus |
| People | St. Paul, Thomas Aquinas |
| Geographical prevalence | Western Christianity, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, Korea, United States |
| Current status | No longer a requirement but still practised in some churches and countries |
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What You'll Learn
St. Paul's influence on head coverings
Paul's instruction for women to wear head coverings was rooted in the cultural context of his time. In the Greco-Roman culture, a woman's head covering, such as a thin headscarf, indicated her marital status, modesty, and submission to her husband. It was considered a sign of impropriety for a woman to not cover her head, as it was believed that a woman's hair could be ""very sexually arousing and distracting to a man." By refusing to cover her head, a woman was essentially refusing to submit to God's order and established authority.
However, it is important to note that Paul's concern may not have been about hierarchy or who has authority, but rather about the unique relationships between men and women. In the passage, Paul also instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, emphasizing the relational aspect of his teachings.
The practice of women wearing head coverings in the Catholic Church has evolved over time. While it was once mandated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the requirement was not reissued in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in effect. Although no longer legally binding, the custom is still practiced in some countries, especially in Asia. In Western countries, the cultural context has shifted, and the practice has generally been abandoned, reflecting a greater emphasis on the equality of men and women.
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Head coverings in the 20th and 21st centuries
At the beginning of the 20th century, it was common for women in mainstream Christian denominations of Western Christianity to wear head coverings during church services. This included women from Anabaptist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Plymouth Brethren, Quaker, and Reformed denominations. Women from Anabaptist traditions were known for wearing head coverings throughout the day. Western women typically wore bonnets or hats as head coverings, with hats becoming more prevalent over time. Girls in Catholic schools wore blue cotton beanies as part of their uniform, while some older girls and women wore chapel veils.
In the mid-20th century, the rise of ready-made clothing allowed Shaker women and girls in the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing to purchase white caps as head coverings instead of sewing them themselves. In the 1950s and 1960s, large and decorated hats were fashionable, influenced by trends in Broadway shows like "My Fair Lady." However, the practice of wearing head coverings in the Western world began to decline in the 20th century, influenced by the rise of feminism and changing social norms regarding hats and veils. In 1968, the American feminist group, the National Organization for Women, issued a "Resolution on Head Coverings," calling for women to participate in a "national unveiling" to protest their second-class status in churches.
By the 1970s, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a judgment in the document "Inter Insigniores" that chapel veils were no longer mandatory. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in effect, does not include a requirement for women to cover their heads in church. While it is no longer an obligation, some Catholic women continue to wear head coverings during Mass, such as hats, veils, or mantillas, as a way to show reverence for Christ.
In the 21st century, there has been a growing revival of veiling among Catholic women, especially younger women. This revival is seen as a way to publicly proclaim their obedience and love for Christ and to emphasize the inherent dignity of women. While the practice of head coverings has declined in much of the Western world, it remains normative in certain regions, such as the Indian subcontinent, and among specific denominations like the Dunkard Brethren and Conservative Mennonites.
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The veil as a symbol of authority and submission
The veil has been a symbol of authority and submission in the Catholic Church for centuries. St. Paul's epistles, specifically 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, are often cited as the scriptural basis for this practice. In his letters, St. Paul instructs women to cover their heads during prayer or prophecy, while instructing men to be bareheaded. The veil, or head covering, was seen as a sign of modesty and respect during the liturgy. This custom was later enshrined in Canon 1262.2 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.
Over time, the veil took on additional symbolic meanings. In the context of the spousal relationship between Christ and the Church, the veil came to represent the Church's submission to Christ. This symbolism extended to the relationship between men and women, with the veil signifying a woman's submission to her husband within the marriage. The veil was seen as a reminder of the sanctity and dignity of women and a way to protect and cherish what was considered sacred.
However, attitudes towards the veil began to change in the 1970s. The emphasis on equality between men and women led to a decrease in the practice of veiling. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, currently in force, does not include a requirement for women to cover their heads in church. While no longer legally binding, the custom of veiling is still practiced by some Catholic women, especially in certain countries and traditionalist groups.
Today, the decision to wear a veil is a personal one, and women are free to choose whether to cover their heads during Mass. Some women continue to wear veils as a sign of reverence, humility, and devotion to God. Others view the veil as a way to show respect and modesty before God, similar to dressing up to meet a king. The veil is seen as an external sign of a woman's interior desire to humble herself before God and demonstrate her love and obedience to Him.
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The disappearance of the custom
The custom of Catholic women wearing head coverings has gradually declined over time, with the practice falling into disuse from the 1970s onwards. While it is no longer a mandatory requirement, some women still choose to wear head coverings as a sign of devotion and reverence for Christ.
The decline of this custom can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, the emphasis on gender equality in modern times has downplayed elements that emphasised the differences between men and women. The removal of the veiling requirement is seen as a step towards equality, as it eliminates a practice that was once considered a sign of female submission and modesty. This shift in societal norms and values has influenced the disappearance of the religious custom.
Additionally, the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in effect, does not include any mention of women covering their heads in church. This omission implicitly approves of the egalitarian trend and further contributes to the decline of the custom. The canon about head veils was not reissued, and Canon 6 of the current code states that all subsequent laws not included in the new code are abrogated.
It is worth noting that the disappearance of the custom may also be influenced by the general trend of both men and women moving away from wearing head coverings in their daily lives. This societal shift may have played a role in the decline of religious head coverings as well.
While the custom has largely disappeared in Western countries, it is still widely practised in some regions, especially in Asia. The persistence of the tradition in certain cultural contexts highlights the influence of geographical and cultural factors on religious practices.
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Head coverings in different cultures
The practice of wearing head coverings and veils for religious purposes is an integral part of the three monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The first records of women wearing head coverings date back to 13th-century BC Assyria, where noble women wore them to distinguish themselves from those of lower social status.
Christianity
In Christianity, the practice of wearing head coverings is mentioned in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 11:4-16, where St. Paul advises women to cover their heads in the presence of God to show modesty and submission to their husbands. This tradition continued into the early Catholic Church, and although it is not as common today, some Catholic women still choose to wear veils or hats during Mass. The style of head covering varies, with some women opting for lace mantillas or veils that match their outfits. This custom is still widely practised in some countries, especially in Asia, but has been generally abandoned in most Western countries.
Judaism
In Judaism, head coverings are also a part of religious practice. Jewish law, or Halakhah, promotes modest dress for both men and women. Orthodox Jewish women often wear headscarves (mitpahat or tichel), snoods, turbans, or wigs to cover their hair. Additionally, Jewish men may wear a tallit, a prayer shawl, to cover their heads during certain blessings.
Islam
In Islamic societies, Muslim women wear a form of headscarf known as the hijab, which is born out of long-standing gendered modesty conventions within the faith. The style of hijab varies across cultures, including the burqa, chador, niqab, dupatta, and other types. While many Muslim women consider the hijab to be a religious ordinance, there are some Muslims who believe that the Quran does not mandate it in the context of head covering.
The practice of wearing head coverings during religious services or as a cultural tradition varies across different faiths and cultures. While some religions have specific guidelines, others leave it open to individual interpretation and spiritual sensibilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic women wore head coverings as a sign of authority and submission to their husbands and Christ. It was also a symbol of modesty and considered normative.
Catholic women wore head coverings during the Middle Ages and up until the 1970s.
No, it is not mandatory. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in force, does not require women to cover their heads in church.
Some Catholic women still wear head coverings, especially in Asian countries and in traditionalist parishes. There has also been a growing revival of veiling, especially among younger women.
Catholic women wore various types of head coverings, including veils, hats, and bonnets. Today, some women choose to wear lace mantillas or small circle mantillas.
