During the Second Vatican Council, a mob
of reporters waited for news after a council meeting. One of them asked Msgr.
Annibale Bugnini, then secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship,
if women still had to wear a headcovering in church. He responded that the
bishops were considering other issues, and women's veils were not on the agenda.
The next day, the international press announced throughout the world that
women did not have to keep their heads covered in church anymore. A few days
later, Msgr. Bugnini told the press he was misquoted and women must still wear
the veil. But the press did not retract the error, and many women stopped
wearing the veil as out of confusion and because of pressure from feminist
groups.
From an article from The Atlanta Journal
(June 21, 1969) entitled, "Women Required to Cover Head, Vatican Insists", it
appears that Pope Paul VI instructed one of his officials to clarify the
Church's unchanged discipline regarding head coverings for women: "A Vatican
official says there has been no change, as reported, in the Roman Catholic
rule that women cover their head in church. The Rev. Annibale Bugnini,
secretary of the New Congregation for Divine Worship, said the reports stemmed
from a misunderstanding of a statement he made at a news conference in May.
'The rule has not been changed,' he said. 'It is a matter of general
discipline.'"
Before the revision in 1983, Canon Law had
stated that women must cover their heads. "... especially when they approach the
holy table" (can. 1262.2). But in order to reduce such a growing collection of
books, the new version of Canon Law was subjected to concise changes. In the
process, mention of head coverings was omitted.
In 1970, Pope Paul VI promulgated the new Roman Missal, ignoring mention of
women's veils. But at the time the missal was published, it didn't seem
necessary to keep mandatory such an obvious and universal practice.
And mention in Canon Law or the Roman Missal is not necessary to the
continuation of the tradition, for it is rooted in Scripture and has been
practiced ever since the early Church. Indeed, Pope John Paul II affirmed that
the real sources of canon law are the Sacred Tradition, especially as reflected
in the ecumenical councils, and Sacred Scripture (O.S.V. Catholic
Encyclopedia, p. 169).
SCRIPTURE
Sacred Scripture presents several reasons for wearing the veil. St. Paul tells
us in his first letter to the Corinthians (11:1-16) that women must cover their
heads because it is a Sacred Tradition commanded by Our Lord Himself and
entrusted to Paul: "The things I am writing to you are the Lord's commandments"
(1 Cor. 14:37).
DIVINE HIERARCHY
God has established a hierarchy, in both the natural and the religious
spheres, in which the female is subject to the male. St. Paul
writes in 1st Corinthians: "But I would have you know that the head of every man
is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God."
(1 Cor. 11:3)
And, in the institution of marriage, God gave the husband authority over
the wife, but responsibility to her as well. Not only is he the family's
decision maker, but he is also responsible for the material and the spiritual
welfare of his wife and children. Man is not in this position to enslave or
belittle the wife.
As the Bride (the Church) is subject to Jesus, women must wear the veil as
a sign that they are subjected to men. "Let wives be subject to their husbands
as to the Lord; because a husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of
the Church" (Eph. 5:22-23). The man represents Jesus. Therefore he should not
cover his head.
However, this subjection is not derogatory to women, because in God's
kingdom everyone is subjected to a higher authority: "For as the woman is from
the man, so also is the man through the woman, but all things are from God." (1
Cor. 11:12). Furthermore, the symbolism of the veil takes that which is
invisible, the order established by God, and makes it visible. In the history of
the Church, priestly vestments have played a similar symbolic role.
WOMEN'S HONOR
It is an honor to
wear the veil. But by publicly repudiating it, a woman dishonors her feminine
dignity, her sign of female subjection, just as the military officer is
dishonored when he is stripped of his decorations.
The Roman Pontifical contains the imposing ceremonial of the consecration
of the veils:
"Receive the sacred veil, that thou mayst be
known to have despised the world, and to be truly, humbly, and with all thy
heart subject to Christ as His bride; and may he defend thee from all evil, and
bring thee to life eternal" (Pontificale Romanum, de benedictione).
St. Paul says an unveiled woman is a
dishonor: "But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered
disgraces here head, for it is the same as if she were shaven." (1 Cor. 11:5)
"BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS"
"That is why women ought to have a veil on her head, because of the
angels," wrote St. Paul (1 Cor. 11:10). The invisible hierarchy should be
respected because the angels are present at Christian liturgical assemblies,
offering with us the Holy Sacrifice with the honor due to Almighty God.
St. John the Apostle wrote:
"And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a
golden censer; and there was given to him much incense that he might offer it
with the prayers of all before the throne." (Rev. 8:3, see also Matt. 18:10).
They are offended by a lack of reverence at Mass, just as
they abhorred King Herod's acceptance of adoration from the people of Jerusalem:
"But immediately an angel of the Lord struck
[Herod] down, because he had not given honor to God, and he was eaten by worms,
and died." (Acts 12:23).
ANCIENT TRADITION
The custom of wearing the veil was maintained in the primitive churches of
God (1 Cor. 11:16). We see this in the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
The women of Corinth, beset by modern sensibilities, started coming to
church without their heads covered. When St. Paul heard of their neglect, he
wrote and urged them to keep the veil. According to St. Jerome's commentary
Bible, he finally settled the matter by saying head covering was a custom of the
primitive communities of Judea, "the churches of God" (1 Thess.
2:15, 3:6).
GOD'S COMMAND
Even today, some people erroneously believe that St. Paul based the
tradition on his personal opinion. They think he did not intend it to be
continued in the Universal Church, but only as a local custom.
This argument, however, does not conform to the Pauline spirit. After all, it
was Paul who stood before Peter to change Jewish traditions in Christian
churches (Gal. 2:11-21).
St. Paul reminds them, "for I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught
it; but I received it by revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:12), referring to
the authority of his ministry, and veracity of his words. Our Lord warns us to
obey His commandments:
"He therefore that shall break one of these
least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19).
CONCLUSION
In summary, the reasons St. Paul advises women to cover
their heads in church are:
1. Our Lord commanded it;
2. it is a visible sign of an invisible order established by
God;
3. The angels at Mass are offended if women don't use it;
4. it is a ceremonial vestment;
5. it is our heritage.
Christian women around the world have
other reasons to wear a hat, mantilla, rebozo, gele, scarf, shawl, or veil. Some
wear it out of respect to God; others, to obey the Pope's request, or continue
family traditions. But the most important reason of all is because Our Lord
said: "If you love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15).
We should always be ready with our bridal veils, waiting for him and the
promised wedding (Apoc. 22:17), following the example of our Blessed Mother
Mary, who never appeared before the eyes of men but properly veiled.
To those who still think that the veil is an obsolete custom, remember
that: "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today, yes, and forever." (Heb.
13:8).
(This article was derived from a book in
progress called, The Unveiled Woman.)
"Woman must cover her head. It is a mark of respect required in the House of
God. This, the angels demand." - Our Lady of the Roses,
March 18, 1975
Our Lady of the Roses
Bayside messages:
These prophecies came from Jesus, Mary, and the saints to Veronica
Lueken at Bayside, NY, from 1968 to 1995.
WOMEN MUST WEAR
"My child, tell all to act as
good example in My Son's House. Women must wear a head covering in the holy
places and in prayer. It is not because of custom; it is because the angels
demand proper deportment during the Holy Sacrifice." -
Our Lady, May 29, 1976
SIGN OF REVERENCE
"Observe: Women shall be meek
in the presence of their husbands. We hear the call of 'liberation'! Whom shall
woman be liberated to but satan!
"A man, as a figure of the Christ, my child, shall be the head of his
household. So it is from the Lord.
"A woman shall adorn herself not in pearls and braided hair, but in
goodness and piety and good example to her children. A woman will not expose her
body as a pagan. What manner of example has she given to her children? Woe to
the parent who brings scandal to her children!
"Woman, remove your arrogance! You are searching in darkness. As a sign of
reverence, you will cover your head. It is not that I call it custom, my
children; it is that the angels demand this in the presence of the Sacrifice,
Mass!" - St. Paul,
March 22, 1975
ST. THERESA
Veronica - St. Theresa is pointing to some who are approaching the altar
railing, and she is pointing to their hair. There are five girls. They look like
they haven't anything on their heads.. - Veronica,
February 1, 1972
1 CORINTHIANS 11
Veronica - Now also in relation to a woman's head being covered during the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass and proper deportment within the portals of Holy Church
where Jesus is residing. Now I am sure that our liberationists would not go
along with us in this respect. However, this would actually signify that much of
the liberation movement is being directed by satan, and not by God. Now the
headdress for women--this is Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 11:
Now I praise you,
brethren, because in all things you are mindful of me and hold fast my precepts
as I gave them to you. But I would have you know that the head of every man is
Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.
Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraces his head. But
every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered disgraces her head,
for it is the same as if she were shaven. A man indeed ought not to cover his
head because he is the image and glory of God. But woman is the glory of man.
For man is not from woman, but woman from man. (Made from man by God.) For man
was not created for woman, but woman for man. This is why the woman ought to
have a sign of authority over her head, because of the angels.
In other words,
Saint Paul is saying that it's not just custom. This is the excuse given by the
liberation movement to stop the head covering of women in the Church. Well, they
say that it is custom only in Saint Paul's time. But that is not true because
Saint Paul explains, and these are the words direct from God through Saint Paul,
that you must have your head covered. It is proper deportment in the eyes of the
angels. - Veronica,
April 1, 1978
ST. PAUL: YOU
DERIDE HIM
"You must read the Bible and
act upon it. Cast not aside the teachings of the founders of My Son's Church.
Saint Paul, you revile and deride him. You cast him aside, and why? So that you
can write and rewrite the words of your God to suit your own basic carnal human
nature." - Our Lady,
July 25, 1977
RESPECT
"You will make it known to the
world, My child, that the Father is much distressed by the manner in which His
Son, My Son, comes to you in the Eucharist. Many are bringing Him with
disrespect.
"Do not discount in your daily lives the little things, My children, for
they add up and make a multitude of offenses to the Father. The angels command
respect to My Son. You will cover your heads when you pray." - Our Lady,
November 23, 1974
NOT BECAUSE OF
FASHION
"My children, you must join
your hands in reverence at the Sacrifice of My Son. It is an expression of love,
gratitude, and respect. Reverence and respect and holiness must be returned to
My Son's houses, churches throughout the world-reverence, holiness, and respect
from the beginning to the end of the Sacred Service.
"Women must keep their heads covered, My child. It is not because of
fashion or modes; it is because the Eternal Father and the angels demand proper
deportment during the Holy Sacrifice. It offends the heart of My Son much to see
that satan has taken away so much piety and holiness in His churches throughout
the world." - Our Lady,
September 6, 1975
MARK OF RESPECT
"Women must adorn themselves in modesty. Pagan practices of diabolical music is
not condoned by the Eternal Father, nor shall We condone dancing and all manner
of worldly entrance within the holy houses of God.
"Woman must cover her head. It is a mark of respect required in the House
of God. This, the angels demand." - Our Lady,
March 18, 1975
IRREVERENCE
"The irreverence given to My Son in His houses upon earth cry out to Heaven for
vengeance! Women, you will not disport yourself in nakedness in My Son's House!
You will cover your heads--not because you come in vanity, thinking that your
hair is a beauty, or the crowning glory of your being! Look to your soul to be
your crowning glory. Your hair will be covered with the worms just as your body
will enter into the dust. Better that you spend your time shining your soul than
glorifying your body.
"Cover your body before My Son! Do not defame and disgust Him by your
presence and your acceptance of His divinity! Why, you are naked like pagans!
Cover your heads! You do not follow the modernism and modes of an evil
generation. No! The angels demand that all respect be given to the divinity of
the Son of God in the houses throughout the world.
"Do not discount in your daily lives the little things, My children, for
they add up and make a multitude of offenses to the Father. The angels command
respect to My Son. You will cover your heads when you pray." - Our Lady,
August 14, 1974
NOT A MERE CUSTOM
"My children, My Son, His
heart is pierced by the manner in which many come to His House with disrespect,
apathy, and using His House as a meeting place for all manner of abominations.
In due respect on this night of the feast of the high angels in the eternal
Kingdom, they demand--and Michael commands--that women must cover their heads
during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is not through custom that this is
asked of you. Do not be deluded by satan, My children. Women must cover their
heads in respect for the Sacrifice of My Son, in respect for all laws of your
God and not of man; for man now, My children, is setting up his own laws, his
own rules, and man shall destroy himself in this manner."
- Our Lady, September 28, 1976
COMMAND OF THE
ANGELS
"My heart is torn, My
children, at the manner in which you do honor to My Son in His House! The angels
demand proper deportment during the Holy Sacrifice of My Son. A woman must have
her head covered. It is the command of the angels who are present at the Holy
Sacrifice. All flesh and nakedness shall burn with the Ball of Redemption. Cover
your bodies! They are temples of the Holy Ghost!" - Our Lady,
November 19, 1977
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