HAVE BEEN WEARING the chapel veil to Mass for about three years, ever since we began attending the Extraordinary Form Latin Mass. Many of the women who frequent the Latin Mass wear the veil, so it was easy for me to pick up on this tradition.
The more challenging aspect was to decide whether to wear it when attending the Ordinary Form of the Mass, since it is not as common. But after wearing the veil consistently to the Latin Mass I realized it had an important impact on my spiritual life. Our posture during Mass—such as kneeling, and the way we dress, wearing the mantilla, and so forth—are beautiful symbols of reverence and humility before God. Moreover, they give an outward reflection of what we believe as Catholics.
Now I can’t imagine going to Mass without wearing the veil. So even when I attend the Ordinary Form, I wear the veil because it is a sacred tradition for women in the Catholic Church—and I would encourage other Catholic women to do the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re the only one wearing the veil. It doesn’t matter what other people think. All that matters is what is between you and God…and if it helps to keep you in a mindset of prayer and reverence, it is most certainly a praiseworthy tradition to uphold, even in the twenty-first century.
We hope you enjoyed this guest article by Ms. Danielle Duet.
Ms. Danielle Duet, recently engaged to be married, is a young Catholic graphic artist. A beautiful wedding page has been launched, which includes an excellent explanation of the Traditional Latin Mass.