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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

What Happened To Chapel Veils At Mass?

Jeff Ostrowski · June 19, 2013

ATT FRADD has posted an interesting article called “What Happened to Headcoverings at Mass?” He speaks about Canon Law as it relates to women and girls covering their heads during Mass. In general, I have no issue with Chapel veils. As a matter of fact, I really like them, but I think it’s better when the entire congregation wears them, rather than only some. Women at the FSSP parishes usually wear veils, but only in America. This is not done in Europe, according to what I’ve been told and witnessed.

Years ago, at a “traditional” parish that shall remain nameless, I saw a parishioner rudely confronting a women not wearing a Chapel veil. Being rather young and brash, I inserted myself into the conversation. The man was showing this poor woman a document from the early 1900s insisting women cover their heads. I asked the gentleman, “What does it say right above?” Then he read the preceding sentence, which mandated that women and men sit on opposite (separated) sides of the church building. As you can see, I had done my homework in advance. “Do we do that here?” I asked. The conversation ended.

The reality is, the same document he quoted said in no uncertain terms that men and women must sit on opposite halves of the church. If you’re having difficulty picturing all the boys from a family sitting in a different pew from all the girls, you’re not alone. This practice was hardly ever done in America, from what I’m told.

Are you old enough to remember the old Latin Mass? Did they make girls sit on one side and boys sit on the other? We did this for school Masses, but adults were still free to sit on either side.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Chapel Veil Mantilla Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The chapter orders that only grandees (and their immediate relatives), counts, marquises, and provincial governors may in future enter the choir enclosure during divine service: such a restriction being imposed so that quiet can be the better maintained during cathedral solemnities.” [From “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

— Sevilla: Chapter Resolution (25 May 1558)

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