Monday 21 November 2016

Beauty Behind a Veil





My journey towards veiling has only just started... I have read many articles, I have researched it as thoroughly as I could and come to the conclusion that it is something that can be really helpful. In my Parish I'd stick out like a sore thumb in a church where no one veils so I'm a bit 'shy' about veiling at Mass but I have recently started veiling before the Blessed Sacrament. 

Why did I feel the need to do so... especially because I was brought up with a very different way of expressing my faith?


Well, I am not sure, but it was something I felt very strongly when I started visiting the Chapel. In that context I was drawn to it!  I discovered within me a need for intimacy with Christ that I felt I hadn't fully experienced before. Consequently I needed to do something to show my total submission to Him. I entrusted my whole self to Him and with it my femininity. Veiling was the most natural answer to an inner desire. My mother had kept my Grandmother's veil from the 1960s and gave it to me when I expressed some interest. It meant a lot to me to be connected to the faith of my grandmother and those who went before us.


Please don't think I am implying everyone should or shouldn't wear a Mantilla in order to have deeper experience of Christ, or that if you are not wearing one you are being irreverent or you are not acknowledging the Real Presence. Not at all! I am only here to share with you a slice of our ( and this case mine.. Chiara) journey towards our Heavenly Home.


Where God wants me to go from here I don't yet know...I am waiting for Him to reveal it to me. In the meantime enjoy this post from a dear friend of mine who has preceded me in this journey.




The calling to veil.

If you had asked me 5 years ago if I thought that I would be championing mantillas, I would have thought you were mad. At that time, I was hardly practicing my faith and although, as a child, I had known of a couple of women who wore veils to Mass, I didn’t know what they were or what they meant. I even saw my own mother veil a couple of times when she took me to an Old Rite Mass as a teenager but I was so puzzled by the experience of the Latin Mass (due to not being taught what anything meant, unfortunately) that I never asked.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the women I knew who veiled (including my mother, of course) were extremely devout and gentle women and these memories came back to me years later when, in the summer of 2012, I first contemplated the idea of wearing a veil to Mass.

In the early weeks of that summer, I had (for some strange reason, still unknown to me) decided that I would attend the Old Rite only during the 6 weeks I was to be an intern at SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, where I now work as their Youth officer) in London. During this time, I was exposed to a large number of ladies who wore all manner of veils and none, so I had a lot of time to observe and to think about it.

I'm ashamed to say that at the very beginning of my time in London, I distinctly remember making a rude comment about veiling in the presence of a woman I knew who veiled. I thought they were fussy and unnecessary but she graciously explained to me that she found veils to be beautiful, reverent and very useful for prayer during Mass. Some 5 weeks later, it came as a surprise to me when I began to see what a lovely practice it was. I was seeing that women seemed so focused on the Mass when they veiled and that it was an act of love to cover oneself in this way. I also relished the sight of a sea of beautiful lace as I walked into Mass. These women were all stunning in their own way, but uniform before God at the same time.

On pilgrimage to Walsingham with the Latin Mass Society, one lady answered my questions about veiling and explained to me that a woman’s hair is her glory, which is why we humble ourselves when we cover it in the presence of God. Back in the day, all the men would have taken their hats off and all the women would have covered their heads, each acknowledging that they were in the presence of their Creator. It gave me joy knowing that this practice was being resurrected in churches across the world.

A couple of months later, a friend sent me this article, which is what finally convinced me: https://www.fisheaters.com/theveil.html . From then on, I wanted to start as soon as possible. As soon as I did, although I was petrified of being stared at and mocked as I hid at the back of the church, it helped me to differentiate between the outside world and God’s house and also helped me to concentrate during the Mass. The fact is that it changed my whole experience of Mass.

It has now been 4 years since I started veiling and I love it more and more. If I forget my veil, I feel miserable about it.


For a long time, I felt very self-concious about veiling but each time I did it, it got a little easier and I reminded myself that I veil for God, to honour Him, to humble myself in His presence. This still comforts me and now I wouldn’t give up veiling for anything or anyone.
                           



Whether you veil or are on this journey like I am, here is your chance to win a beautiful black and purple mantilla by Di Clara, perfect for Advent and Lent. To enter the draw, leave a comment, tell us your experience, share your thoughts with us . (Prize Draw on the 10th of December 2016)
Visit the website below to see Di Clara's full collection.















    



See the full collection here






CONGRATULATIONS

EMILY  DAVIS


29 comments:

  1. I veil too! I wrote up the reasons here: http://underthyroof.blogspot.com/2015/08/why-i-wear-that-lacy-thing-at-church.html
    I've never heard of Di Clara before. These are gorgeous!

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    1. I look forward to reading it x. Good luck for the draw.

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  2. What a beautiful devotion, and description of why you are veiling!!!! I will hit my first year of veiling on 8 December, and am loving the devotion - even as hectic as life can get with 2 small ones in tow, the veil is such a wonderful centering tool in Mass or in the presence of the Lord! I am looking forward to possibly getting a Di Clara veil the next time I have an opportunity to purchase one - the veils are exquisite!

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  3. I do not veil, but I've felt drawn to it. I think the biggest thing holding me back is that others will presume I think myself better or holier than they are, because I'm not. Veiling is such an outward sign; it's a big commitment.

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    1. Yes I can relate...The 'I don't absolutely want people to think I am better or holier' was definitely holding me back too, but I reached a point when the calling was stronger than the fear. Good luck.

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  4. I would actually like to tell you about my daughter who will be 14 in January. She has been attending the Latin mass on a fortnightly basis when it is said at our local convent for over a year. She also goes early with her Grandma to practice as part of the choir . I don't get the opportunity to go as I have commitments at my own parish but I can see that my daughter is definitely on a very special journey in her faith. It has been a welcome surprise to see her love of mass and especially the Latin mass grow over this time. I do not know much about the practice of veiling, but some of the other women wear a veil at the Latin mass and my daughter asked me about it. She has expressed an interest to know more and said she would like to wear one. Perhaps seeing this article is a little nudge from God to help her fulfill this desire. God bless x

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    1. Thanks for sharing. This a beautiful testimony of how God speaks to us at any point even at such a young age. I will keep your daughter in my prayers. Good luck for the draw!

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  5. lovely post..thanks for sharing

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  6. I've been thinking about using a veil. There are only a few other women who do at my parish. I'm looking for the right one. Purple is my color! Thank you for hosting a giveaway.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck for the draw!

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  7. My husband bought me a veil back when we were dating. I found it to be a beautiful tradition and really helped me focus during mass. These days the babies just pull it off so I wear a hat instead, but I'm looking forward to wearing it again when the children are bigger.

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    1. I haven't had the 'joyful' experience of wearing a veil with young children yet... but I imagine it being very challenging 😄! Good luck for the draw!

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  8. A though provoking read.

    It's something that has been tugging at my heart for a while, but in my 30+ years as a Catholic, I have only ever once seen a woman veiling at Mass, and I worry so much about it making me stand out, rather than being the desired act of humility before God. It's also pretty alien in my expression of Catholicism - the Latin Mass is very much not my thing, and by the grace of God I'm most at home within the Charismatic Renewal!

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    1. I grew up in a very liturgically liberal Catholic movement where veiling would have been frowned upon but very slowly over about three years it's something that started to
      make sense especially for adoration which didn't feature very prominently. It's important to know that you are doing it for God not to stand out or draw attention to yourself.

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  9. I started veiling a couple of years ago. I am the only one at our parish. That didn't bother me until recently a few negative comments made their way back to me. I quit, but you post has given me a renewed resolve and courage to start it again. I love this veil. I was thinking about ordering a purple one for Advent. I am also sharing on my blog page. Thank you and God bless!

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  10. What are we there for if not to encourage one another 🙂! Thank you for sharing this post! Good luck for the draw!

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  11. I spent a good part of my childhood in Italy and loved seeingthe women in their veils, I wanted one, they were so lovely. I was young and did not know their full meaning. Now I see vry few women who wear a veil at mass. I would love to share this tradition with my daughters!

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  12. Beautiful! I have always been intrigued by mantillas, but get nervous about wearing them since I feel people would think it was attention seeking instead of being a sign of reverence. But hopefully with God's grace, He will give me the confidence to veil myself before Him.

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  13. This is gorgeous. Love it.
    I have been veiling for four years. I was NEVER going to... Mother Mary had different plans for me!

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    1. CONGRATULATIONS Emily you are the lucky winner. Get in touch with me through Catholic Motherson on Facebook and the mantilla will be on its way soon after! https://www.facebook.com/groups/758358550946884/?ref=bookmarks

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  14. Beautiful! I have been wanting to start using a veil but haven't found the time to go searching for one. This ones here are gorgeous!

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  15. What gorgeous veils you have made. It is like you brought the epitome of beauty to life in the form of lace veils. I hope that this takes off for you and you gain a following that will let you do this on a more full time basis. God bless you and all that you do.

    Carson Coronado @ Old St. Mary's Detroit

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