Today, however I will go into my journey of why I started veiling, and why I cannot see myself going back. I plan on doing a Q&A style post in the near future of frequently asked questions, but til then, here is my story.
As a Catholic woman, I choose to follow the tradition of wearing a veil to Mass, adoration and anytime our Lord is present. I suspect when people see my veil in church they have no idea why I am wearing one, and others assume I am " stuck in pre-Vatican " times.
Growing up in a family and in a parish where no one wore a veil, I never seemed drawn to it, I never knew it was a option. It was never on my mind. I do remember this beautiful statue in the church where we often went as a family growing up where the Blessed Mother is wrapped in this gorgeous light blue mantilla, and that image has always stuck in my mind.
Fast forward into my college years, I was pretty active in my schools Newman center, and once attended a "Koinania" which is a Catholic retreat for young Catholics. During the opening Mass, out of the corner of my eye I saw a beautiful young woman. She dressed modestly, and her hair was covered in a breath taking veil. I was immediately drawn to it, and memories of that statue in my home church flooded back.
After that powerful weekend I could not stop thinking about that veil. I went to google and started doing what I do best - researching. Why would she be wearing a veil, was she discerning religious life? Was she a nun? Is she from a different country? After weeks of reading, I went to my local Catholic store, and purchase a ordinary black veil and white veil.
I was so very excited to wear it to Mass. Sunday rolled around, and all of a sudden a overwhelming feeling of nervousness, and uneasiness came over me. What will people think? Will they assume I am "holier than thou". Will I look silly? I put the veil away, and went to Mass without it.
I didn't know it then, but I was not ready to wear it. I saw the veil as a accessory to stick on my head, and didn't understand why I was doing it. What it meant to me, and more importantly veiling my heart first, and then my head.
After about 6 months of praying about veiling, doing more research, and knowing that questions would come, I prepared myself as too what I would answer. I wanted to be well educated. I started going to adoration, and often I was alone, and that is where I started veiling. The veil no longer was a accessory to my outfit, but a shield of humility before our Lord, and symbol of obedience to Him.
It has been about 4 years since the day I saw that young woman wearing that veil. Since I have grown my veil collection to reflect different liturgical seasons, and have grown in my conviction. More often than not, I am the only woman veiling at Mass, and that is okay with me.
My husband and I try to attend the Traditional Latin Mass, when available to us, and that is usually the only time where I am not the minority. I pray that more women have the courage to veil for Mass, and discern if the conviction is right for them.
In my next post about veiling, I hope to answer some frequently asked questions, and go deeper into the history behind veiling. If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave them as a comment below, or email me privately.
Most of my current veils are custom made by a dear friend of mine. Her etsy shop is here. However, all of her veils are custom order.
Pax Et Bonum
