To Wear or Not To Wear? (Part I)

This question (controversy) concerning the use of chapel veils—to wear, or not to wear—has been a constant interior battle since I arrived at Franciscan University in the fall of 2011. This lead me to intermittently researching the practice throughout the next year, and this is where my amateur studies have taken me:
    First of all, where did the custom of wearing a chapel veil come from and why is it so controversial today? What are the objections and defenses of continuing such a custom?

    The tradition of the veil can be traced all the way back to Sacred Scripture itself. Any search regarding chapel veils is going to lead you to the writings of St. Paul, specifically 1 Corinthians 11:3-16. This passage speaks of the necessity of women to recognize their God-given place in the hierarchy of being. Namely, that they are to be subject to men as a reflection of the Incarnation, God made man. In response, men are to act as nobly as Jesus Christ did, showing women the same dignity, respect, and honor that Christ shows to the Church. This may harken the reader back to many other biblical passages that reflect similar sentiments (Colossians 3:18, Ephesians 5:22, and 1 Peter 3:1). When reflecting on these passages, one must keep a few things in mind. First, these passages are from Sacred Scripture, meaning they are divinely inspired by the Author and Creator of life, the Lord and thus carry the authority worthy of man's conformity to them. Second, these passages must be understood in their proper context and with the intention of the author in mind. And thirdly, do not let the modern secular culture (especially in this case the modern feminist fronts) convolute your perception of what these words command of both women and men. Men are called to imitate Christ, even unto death. Women are called to acknowledge this role and respond as Our Blessed Mother and the Church does to Christ's reign: with beautiful and dignified humility and reciprocity. In no way is this a denigration of women. After all, the most perfect and holy creature ever to exist was a woman: The woman (Mary).
    The practice of wearing the veil was required of all women according to the 1917 Code of Canon Law. It has since become voluntary and has thus decreased in practice, especially in the western world. This is clearly due to modern conventions (including the threat of modern secular feminism) and an evolving opinion that the practice is “ancient” and “out of touch with culture.”. And indeed, there's plenty of reasons to believe why—many things have changed in American culture within the last century. Regardless of these, we must ask ourselves as Catholics, what should influence the other, the culture or the Church? Throughout the many centuries since its institution by Christ, the Church has acted as a catalyst, bringing stunning art, architecture, and literature to the world as well as upholding the dignity and sanctity of every human life by expressing Moral Law. Why then should an age-old tradition of the Church be discontinued and forgotten by the faithful simply because it doesn't fit in with the newest fashion statements (and let us not even bring up the issue of immodesty)? In a post-Christian age where modern governments are attempting to push the Church and morality out of every aspect of life, should not Catholic women of this society stand with as much opposition as possible, representing rational and revealed Truths by the conviction to, “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 3:15)?

    I ask that you, the holy women of Franciscan University, to take this to heart and discuss it with the Lord in prayer. In my next post I will discuss how, after months of research and interior debating, the Blessed Mother finally convinced me to take up the veil for the greater honor and glory of her Son.

    And for more information or to buy a veil, feel free to visit the following link:
http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2008/01/chapel-veils.html


In Him,
Stephanie Alicia