Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic custom of veiling, or Christian head covering, has a long history and has signified different things to different people. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas stated that women should wear a covering to show that they are subject to God and another person of authority. In 1917, the Code of Canon Law stated that women must wear a veil in church, but this was dropped in the 1983 revision. While it is no longer a requirement, some women continue to wear veils as a sign of reverence and devotion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year veils became not required for Catholics | 1983 |
| Previous requirement | Women "shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord" |
| Reason for change | The canon about head veils was not reissued in the 1983 Code of Canon Law |
| Current stance | Women are not required to wear veils, but it is not forbidden and some choose to do so as a sign of reverence |
| Other | There has been a recent resurgence in the practice of women wearing veils to Mass |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1983 Code of Canon Law removed the requirement for Catholic women to wear veils
- Veiling is still encouraged by some as a sign of reverence for Christ
- Veils are not required but are also not forbidden
- Veiling is still practised by some Catholics, especially younger women
- Veils are worn by women in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
The 1983 Code of Canon Law removed the requirement for Catholic women to wear veils
The Catholic Church has a long history of women wearing veils, with roots in both cultural practices and religious significance. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) stated that women should wear a covering to show that they are subject to God and another authority figure. In the 1st century AD through Late Antiquity, Christian writers described head coverings as substantial and opaque, and many scholars interpret these texts as norm-making rhetoric.
The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly required women to cover their heads in church, stating that they should be "modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord." However, in the 1983 revision of this Code, veiling was notably absent. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the current comprehensive codification of canonical legislation for the Latin Church of the Catholic Church. It was promulgated on January 25, 1983, by John Paul II and took legal effect on November 27, 1983.
This new Code effectively eliminated the requirement for Catholic women to wear head coverings by not repeating the norm from the previous Code. Canon 6 of the 1983 Code states that all laws from the previous Code that are not reissued in the new Code are abrogated. While the practice of veiling is not mandated, it is still considered a worthy devotion, and there has been a recent resurgence in millennial Catholic women choosing to wear veils to Mass as a symbol of their faith and prayer life.
It is important to note that the decision to wear a veil should be motivated by a desire to submit to God, and it should not be done to seek the admiration of others. The veil is meant to be a symbol of humility and a reminder of the submission of the Church to Christ's rule.
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Veiling is still encouraged by some as a sign of reverence for Christ
Veiling in the Catholic Church has a long history, and while it is no longer a requirement, many Catholic women still choose to wear veils as a sign of their devotion and reverence for Christ. This practice, known as "Christian veiling" or "chapel veiling", has deep roots in both cultural practices and religious significance. While the specific reasons for veiling have evolved over time, it continues to be a meaningful tradition for many Catholic women today.
In the past, Catholic women were required to veil their heads when attending Mass or receiving the Eucharist. This requirement was based on interpretations of certain Bible passages, such as 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul the Apostle instructed women to pray with their heads covered. Early Christian manuals, including the Didascalia Apostolorum and Paedagogus, also supported this practice, instructing women to wear head coverings during prayer, worship, and even when outside their homes.
However, in 1983, the Code of Canon Law came into effect, and it did not include a requirement for women to cover their heads in church. This change was influenced by the cultural shifts of the time, including the sexual revolution in the 1950s and 1960s, when radical feminists encouraged women to stop wearing veils, seeing them as a sign of female subjugation.
Despite veiling no longer being mandatory, many Catholic women still choose to wear veils as a voluntary expression of their faith and reverence for Christ. Some women report feeling more humbled and reverent when wearing a veil, seeing it as a way to visually demonstrate their submission to God's will and their desire to grow closer to Him. The veil is also seen as a symbol of the sanctity and dignity of women and a reminder of the spousal relationship between Christ and the Church.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the practice of veiling among younger Catholic women, including millennials, who are seeking a more traditional expression of their faith. This revival is often driven by personal testimonies and online communities dedicated to the practice. While veiling is not mandatory, it is still encouraged by some as a meaningful way to honour Christ and express one's devotion.
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Veils are not required but are also not forbidden
Veils have a long history in the Catholic Church, with roots in cultural practices and religious significance. While the practice of wearing veils has evolved over time, it is important to note that veils are not required for Catholic women in the modern era. However, this does not mean that they are forbidden. The decision to wear a veil is left to the individual's discretion and devotion.
Historically, veils were worn by Catholic women as a sign of reverence and respect for the Eucharist. The practice was influenced by cultural norms and interpretations of biblical texts. For instance, in the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas stated that women should wear coverings to signify their submission to God and their husbands. Similarly, the Councils of Autun and Angers, along with the Synod of Auxerre in 585, mandated that women veil their heads during Holy Mass.
The 1917 Code of Canon Law reinforced this requirement, stating that women should have covered heads and be modestly dressed, especially when approaching the altar. However, in 1976, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith indicated that this directive was no longer in force. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, currently in effect, does not include a mandate for women to cover their heads, effectively eliminating the former requirement.
Today, the choice to wear a veil is a personal one for Catholic women. While some may choose to wear veils as a symbol of their faith and reverence, others may opt not to. It is worth noting that, according to some sources, there has been a revival of veiling among younger Catholic women who desire a more traditional expression of their faith. This resurgence highlights the ongoing significance of veils as a devotional practice within the Catholic Church.
In conclusion, while veils are not required for Catholic women in modern times, they are also not forbidden. The decision to wear a veil is a personal and devotional choice, reflecting an individual's relationship with God and their interpretation of Catholic traditions.
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Veiling is still practised by some Catholics, especially younger women
Veiling has a long history in the Catholic Church, with roots in both cultural practice and religious significance. While it is no longer a requirement, some Catholic women continue to embrace the tradition of veiling during Mass, particularly younger women who were not raised with this custom. This revival is driven by a variety of reasons, including a desire for a more traditional expression of their faith, the aesthetic appeal of veils, and the sense of reverence and spiritual enhancement it brings to their religious experience.
The practice of veiling among Catholic women has its origins in interpretations of biblical texts and the teachings of early Christian writers. St. Paul, for example, is believed to have instructed women to cover their heads during prayer and worship. Clement of Alexandria, an early Christian theologian, urged women to be "entirely covered" during prayer and warned against using conspicuous veils that might draw attention. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas supported veiling, stating that it symbolised a woman's submission to God and her husband.
Over time, veiling became a widely accepted practice in the Catholic Church, with the 1917 Code of Canon Law requiring women to cover their heads in church. However, this requirement was effectively eliminated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which did not include a mandate for women's head coverings. Despite this change, some Catholic women continue to choose to veil as an outward expression of their devotion and reverence for the Eucharist.
Young Catholic women who have adopted veiling often describe it as a way to enhance their spiritual experience and focus during Mass. For some, it serves as a reminder of the sacredness of the occasion and helps them shut out distractions. Additionally, the veil is seen as a symbol of modesty and a woman's desire to humble herself before God, reflecting the belief that the veil is a sign of the Church's submission to Christ.
While some may perceive veiling as a sign of female subjugation, those who choose to veil emphasise that it is a personal decision driven by their faith and spiritual aspirations. The revival of veiling among younger Catholic women reflects their desire for a more traditional and solemn expression of their faith, and they view the veil as a beautiful symbol that enhances their connection to God during Mass.
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Veils are worn by women in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
Since the early days of Christianity, wearing chapel veils has been a common practice among faithful women. Chapel veils, also known as mantillas, are typically draped over a woman's head when attending Mass or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. While the practice is no longer required, it is still supported and encouraged by the Church as a sign of reverence and piety while in the presence of God.
The veil is seen as a public proclamation of a woman's desire to submit to the will of God and her commitment to answering the universal call to holiness and continual conversion. It is a reminder that she is in the presence of God and fosters a disposition that helps her pray and focus. The veil also serves as a symbol of modesty and humility before God and as an emulation of Mary, the archetype of purity and humility.
Historically, the requirement for women to cover their heads in church was unanimously held by the Latin Church until the 1983 Code of Canon Law came into effect, which effectively eliminated the former requirement by not addressing it. This change gave women the freedom to choose whether or not to wear a veil, and it is now considered a personal devotion. Some women choose to wear veils as a way to recognize their femininity and as a reminder of the blessing of being a woman, while others may choose not to veil and still maintain a posture appropriate for being in the presence of the Lord.
The decision to wear a veil or not is ultimately between a woman and God, and it should be done out of love for God rather than seeking the admiration of others. The important thing is to have the right intention and focus on improving one's relationship with Him.
While the wearing of veils is no longer required, there has been a growing revival of the practice, especially among younger women in the Catholic Church, who are seeking a more traditional take on their faith.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1983 Code of Canon Law removed the requirement for women to wear veils in church. Canon 6 of the current code states that all subsequent laws that are not reissued in the new code are abrogated.
The veil is meant to be an external sign of a woman's interior desire to humble herself before God. It is also a public proclamation of her desire to submit to the will of God and of her commitment to answering the universal call to holiness and continual conversion.
There has been a growing revival of veiling, especially among younger women. However, the practice is not regularly observed in all parishes.
No, it is not a sin to go without a veil. The Holy Mother Church gives freedom in this matter.
