Should women wear

[Fool4Christ]

I have some friends who think that women should always wear a head covering (hat, veil, mantilla, etc.) at Mass (mostly Latin Mass-only-ers). Recently an old lady friend gave me a mantilla and wants me to wear it, but I won't wear it because it would feel really weird and I would feel like I was trying to look "holier than thou" or something. What are ya'lls thoughts on this? Why would it be disrespectful for men to wear hats, but not for women?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

We had a thread on this a while ago.

I am neutral on whether they should be required and I think they should be individual choice, but I do sort of like it when girls wear them because it makes them seem so pure and holy (and I think it reduces possible scandal to lust). If it makes you uncomfortable, though, don't wear it.

[Guest Aluigi]

it's certainly not "holier than thou"... it's a head covering that everyone from St. Paul to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen thought was proper and pious for women to wear at mass.

I would love if the Vatican re-instated this, because i've never seen a practical or real reason it was taken away other than "we don't want feminists mad at us so we'll give them a few small concessions like headcoverings and altar girls in the hopes they'll be happy and stop calling for women's ordination"

Edited December 8, 2004 by Aluigi

[crusader1234]

'Holier than thou' is in the intent, not the action. Why, if everybody were worried about that, we'd all be sinning in attempts to be modest!

[karin]

i dont wear one but i probably should i have very selfish reasons for not wearing one. i just dont want to look weird. it would probably teach me humility I think i will start.

[spathariossa]

Women should definitely wear headcoverings at mass. The church fathers are fairly explicit about that.

Hmmm....

[Balthazor]

Don't they still require head coverings in the Orthodox Church?

[Ash Wednesday]

It depends on the Mass.

Definitely if you're at a Latin Mass. Isn't it required as part of the Latin Mass? When I attended Latin Masses in Europe I was wearing a dark beret. If I school in London and attend Latin Mass there I will bring my hats, and I recently found a real treasure -- my mommy's old mantilla. :wub:

A mainstream parish Mass, wearing a head covering isn't necessary.

A nice way to cover your head if you want to stay inconspicuous would be to wear a dressy hat. A friend of mine attended the Novus Ordo, but she always would wear really nice hats because she felt strongly about the head covering.

[popestpiusx]

[quote name='Aluigi' date='Dec 8 2004, 12:44 AM'] it's certainly not "holier than thou"... it's a head covering that everyone from St. Paul to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen thought was proper and pious for women to wear at mass.

I would love if the Vatican re-instated this, because i've never seen a practical or real reason it was taken away other than "we don't want feminists mad at us so we'll give them a few small concessions like headcoverings and altar girls in the hopes they'll be happy and stop calling for women's ordination" [/quote]
You are correct. In fact, Fulton Sheen thought is was a matter of Divine command since it is demanded by St. Paul, whose writings are of Divine Inspiration.

[Balthazor]

I meant like Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox Church....
Not an orthodox Catholic Church.

[popestpiusx]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' date='Dec 8 2004, 02:08 AM'] It depends on the Mass.

[/quote]
My wife had the same opinion. But she quickly realized that if we believe that both are equally valid (meaning that Christ is truely present at both so long as all the conditions are met) then why not wear a veil at both? We attend the Novus Ordo only on veryt rare occassions now, but when we do she wears a veil just as she does otherwise. Why not wear one is the question.

[spathariossa]

[quote name='Balthazor' date='Dec 8 2004, 01:11 AM'] I meant like Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox Church....
Not an orthodox Catholic Church. [/quote]
Not necessarily. It depends on the parish. In many conservative Russian parishes they will hand you a long skirt and a head covering at the door on the way in if you aren't wearing them. Unless you're a guy.

My church doesnt require it at the moment but we're moving in that direction. The Greek Orthodox church doesnt either right now. It is hard in Southern California to really enforce it. (Though the Russians sure do) Nonetheless if you ask the priests they will tell you to do it.

[popestpiusx]

[quote name='Balthazor' date='Dec 8 2004, 02:04 AM'] Don't they still require head coverings in the Orthodox Church? [/quote]
Yes. The Eastern rites (those in Union with Rome) do as well.

[spathariossa]

[quote name='popestpiusx' date='Dec 8 2004, 01:17 AM'] Yes. The Eastern rites (those in Union with Rome) do as well. [/quote]
Depends on the church. Though technically they should probably be enforcing it.

[popestpiusx]

[quote name='spathariossa' date='Dec 8 2004, 02:16 AM'] Not necessarily. It depends on the parish. In many conservative Russian parishes they will hand you a long skirt and a head covering at the door on the way in if you aren't wearing them. Unless you're a guy.

My church doesnt require it at the moment but we're moving in that direction. The Greek Orthodox church doesnt either right now. It is hard in Southern California to really enforce it. (Though the Russians sure do) Nonetheless if you ask the priests they will tell you to do it. [/quote]
True. Much of it comes down to whether or not it is enforced.