The Anchoress has a post titled "To cover or Not to Cover the Head?" where she references a lively discussion about the subject led by Msgr. Charles Pope at the Archdiocese of Washington website.
The discussion is particularly relevant to me because although I've "covered" for several years because of a deeply interior feeling that I MUST, I stopped about 6 weeks ago. Quite frankly, I just felt no longer called to cover.
But since "feelings" mean diddly squat, generally speaking, I'm not sure it's the right decision. If anyone would like to weigh in with an opinion, please do so.
By the way, I'm not interested in whether or not the 1917 Code of Canon Law has been abrogated; I've already read the arguments from both sides. Also, I did NOT cover because of "modesty", nor would I be convinced to do so because of it. AND....I don't particularly care if someone is "distracted" by my head covering, which to me is a invalid rationale for not wearing one.
7 comments:
I've noticed you're not covering anymore, but wasn't sure why and it's awkward to just walk up to someone and say "Hey.. you're not covering anymore!"
I personally like it - for me, it's symbolic of humility - and in a sense, harkens to what I would picture when I think of being a "handmaid of the Lord." Because the practice seemingly went to the wayside with Vatican II which was before my time and before my mom's conversion, mantillas had not really been a part of my life until moving to Athens, believe it or not. When I went to Mass while in undergrad, some of the Vietnamese ladies seemed to wear them religiously, and I can remember stories from my Dad about my grandmother making sure she and my aunts were covered - even if it was just with Kleenex when they just happened by the church without the proper veil. That to me just embodies due reverence...
I don't know that with the current Novus Ordo I find it necessary to be covered. But increasingly as I've attended the TLM, I've wanted a mantilla, and am more than likely in the market for one in the near future.
How's that for a mini manifesto? ... I hope it makes sense!
The rule that I imposed upon myself was to cover myself whenever I was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. That means anytime I'm in a Catholic church (even if I just have to go through the body of the church to get to the basement) or at any outdoor Mass.
So I'm really not sure what to do. I agree with you about the "humility" factor, but what it all really came down to was an "obedience" factor. I felt that God wanted this, and by gosh I was going to do it, no matter how uncomfortable I was (physically and mentally).
So now I'm just not "feeling" it. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and do it anyway, even grudgingly.
Great commentary MCK.
Mary - I am certainly in no position to tell you what to do. Just some thoughts, however, which came to mind after reading your post...
I see the covering/mantilla as a kind of counterpoint to the undignified way women are portrayed in modern society (obviousness, total openness etc.), which goes against that extra and special amount of privacy that is the natural right of a woman.
The burka of Islam (a total covering) is an (the other) extreme - it completely "blots out" the value of a woman, as if nothing, a piece of property, to be "used" in absolute secrecy.
The mantilla or veil is a kind of "via media", and is consistent (IMO) with what it means to be a "Catholic woman", of the lack of a total disconnect, yet still retaining that mystery (cf. Our Lady).
Please excuse my philosophicalness n'stuff.
I am more than open to criticism on this one.
Oh - MCK, it's funny that you mention that you didn't want to ask why I stopped. When I started, NO ONE questioned me about it. It was like the proverbial elephant in the living room.
TH2 - please don't ever stop philosophizing; I rely on you! Your explanation of how the burka is different from the veil is very succinct. And thanks for responding to this post.
I'll probably put something on my head this Saturday, as if to demonstrate how indecisive I am. :-/
Re: "proverbial elephant in the living room"... If it's any consolation, know that yours truly has similarly felt like that elephant when I have said things, behaved in a way, that is in greater conformity (if that is the proper word) to Catholicism. The feeling of awkwardness is there, "everybody is looking at me", etc. But it is also an act of witness. We have no idea that there may be some other person who see this or that action, and how it may affect them, leading them closer to God, etc.
I agree with TH2 on that one, Mary! It's definitely a sign of witness to me. As I said before, I think the symbolism and message such a simple piece of clothing (err, headcovering) can convey is much more powerful than you'd think.
I can completely understand where you're coming from on perhaps "not feeling it" anymore, given the lighthearted nature that is embraced and unfortunately even encouraged in most churches today. When there's a focus on the needs of the people and what makes them happy over the importance and dignity of the importance of the sacrifice of the Mass itself, I think it becomes increasingly more difficult to be different, to be the elephant in the room wearing something so out of tune with the countercultural trend the Church has been facing over the past few decades.
I, for one, think that it is a true statement of your respect for and reverence to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Seeing the example you set by wearing it might perhaps rub off on others. It has on me.
(That's not to say that it matters what other people say and think about the practice - or to say that your feelings of not being called to cover are reflective of their opinions...)
Okay - back to the veil this weekend. Perhaps a report will be forthcoming.
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