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Table of Contents
WHY THERE IS A TRADITION OF VEILING
There is a revival of the long-standing tradition of veiling and reverence in correlation to increased love, adoration and faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Many are unaware that until 1983, the Code of Canon Law required women to cover their heads in church.
Since the current Code does not require or mention this, veiling is optional. It is still a tradition of the Church and a personal devotion that inspires and builds reverence.
Sacred Scripture refers to this custom and it is part of our Jewish and Christian inheritance. (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
Mass and chapel veils are considered to be sacramentals because they help us lift our hearts and minds to God. As such, a veil can be blessed by a priest in the same way that a rosary or a holy image can be blessed.
Women of all ages enjoy the special feeling, sense of honour and devotion, and graces they experience when they wear a veil to adoration or Mass. Men appreciate and often gift veils.
Wearing a veil is a beautiful, voluntary, quiet witness to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is also a stylish and wonderful conversation starter.
Veils can be worn for daily Mass, Sunday Mass, and special occasions—including First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
They help to make us feel like we are wearing our “Sunday best” to Mass. By veiling for Mass and adoration we give silent witness that Jesus deserves being dressed up specially for. After all, are in the Presence of, and receiving in Holy Communion, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Women veil for Jesus and to pursue a life of holiness. Our Blessed Mother still has her head covered with a veil when she appears throughout the centuries.
CHOOSING VEILS
- “Glorify God in your body” (St. Paul). Select a beautiful veil because God created beauty. He deserves the best. It’s fine to look good and attractive in a veil – Mary does.
- If you need to mortify your vanity, choose a veil that you are indifferent to.
- Consider the materials, time, and labour involved which relate to the price.
- Your purchase supports those who labour with love to make these veils and our apostolate for the establishment of adoration.
- You can buy more than one veil.
STARTING TO WEAR A VEIL
- Wear it with love and the desire to bring souls to Jesus.
- Give it a try. Remember, holiness and modesty are attractive.
- Veiling points to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle, Monstrance and Holy Communion.
- Give them as gifts. Some last a lifetime.
- Men buy them for their girlfriends, wives and daughters.
THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF VEILS
The sermon in this video explains the theological significance of veiling. Here is a transcript of the section where the priest speaks specifically about women wearing veils:
We’ve talked about the meaning of the bridal veil before… the bridal veil signifies the submission of this particular woman to the loving care of her husband. It signifies her trust, her confidence in his Christ-like leadership. It signifies that she has chosen to follow him as a loving partner and companion. It also signifies that he has been specifically consecrated to handle that sacred vessel – to safely touch that ark – and that’s something mysterious and beautiful.
But that doesn’t explain why little girls would wear a veil, does it? It doesn’t explain why professed virgins, nuns, religious sisters would wear veils, does it? Obviously, the mystical symbolism of a veil goes far, far beyond the relationship of one particular woman and one particular man. What does it mean? What sort of a mystery is presented us when we see a woman veiled before the altar?
It’s a very great mystery. Like Our Lady, every Catholic woman, as a woman, is a living icon of the church. So when she veils herself here, in the presence of Our Lord, it’s a visible reminder for all of the spousal relationship – the bridal relationship – between the Church and Christ.
That relationship between the Church and Christ is a very deep mystery, indeed. So whenever we see a veiled woman here, before the altar, be she six or be she sixty, it’s a visible reminder for all of us of this spousal relationship, this bridal relationship between Christ and His Church.
And because the veil also signifies the submission of the bride to the loving care of her husband, it means that the veil of a Catholic woman is also a visible reminder of the perfect submission of the Church to the loving rule of Christ.
The veil is a visual sermon, it’s a visual statement, it’s a public proclamation before the Lord that He IS the Lord and that we love Him and that we are ready to obey him. It’s a totally counter-cultural statement proclaiming obedience in the midst of a culture that is totally permeated with this attitude of “I will not serve.”
That, in any age, but especially in ours, is a very great mystery indeed.
End of transcript.
https://lifeteen.com/blog/one-devotion-totally-changed-prayer-woman/
REVERENCE BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
“There can be no danger of excess in our care for this mystery, for ‘in this sacrament is recapitulated the whole mystery of our salvation’.” – Pope St. John Paul II
Veiling as well as receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, or kneeling for Holy Communion, or any other act of reverence for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist may silently boost others in their faith and hope and charity.
Veiling shows that He is really, truly, substantially present in the Most Blessed Sacrament – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity! We believe and that is why we adore Him and veil in His Real Presence!
Women are free to follow the Blessed Virgin Mary’s beautiful example by veiling for Mass and Eucharistic adoration. As Queen of Heaven and earth and His and Our Mother, Jesus adorns her as a model of feminine perfection in modesty, the safeguard of chastity.
VEILS IN OUR SHOP
Veils are available in our gift shop here.
We offer a selection of veils in various styles, shapes and colours.
How to attach a snap-clip without sewing it into your veil.
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