Catholic moms/ Christian moms...Do you cover?

[Mama2Many4]

In reading the rebuking thread, I read that a mom on here covers her head part time. I cover my head for religious reasons (Catholic) most of the time. I wear only skirts as well. I'd like to cover full time, but my head gets so hot in the summer. Anyways, I'm just wondering how many Catholic or Christian moms cover for religious reasons. Just curious. :bigear:

[zookeeperof3]

I'm Catholic and cover my head at mass. I am transitioning to skirt wearing. I discovered that my dh really appreciates it when I look more feminine.

Kim

[Ellie]

Most Catholic women only veil during Mass, not all the time. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the general "rule."

[LidiyaDawn]

I was..and then I wasn't… and then I was again…and now I'm not. How's that? :p

[Mama2Many4]

I'm Catholic and cover my head at mass. I am transitioning to skirt wearing. I discovered that my dh really appreciates it when I look more feminine.

Kim

 

Yes! I too noticed that my DH gave me much more attention when I switched to wearing all skirts. He also notices a lot more now when other women dress trampy. He comments on how unclassy they look.

[Mama2Many4]

I was..and then I wasn't… and then I was again…and now I'm not. How's that? :p

 

:lol::tongue_smilie:

[zookeeperof3]

Yes! I too noticed that my DH gave me much more attention when I switched to wearing all skirts. He also notices a lot more now when other women dress trampy. He comments on how unclassy they look.

Sounds just like my husband!

[twoforjoy]

Most Catholic women only veil during Mass, not all the time. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the general "rule."

 

Do you mean that most Catholic women who wear a headcovering at all only do so during Mass? I've personally never met a Catholic woman who covered her head during Mass or otherwise, regardless of how conservative they were in their religious beliefs. So I think it's only a small minority of Catholic women who cover their heads anywhere, at least, in the United States.

[twoforjoy]

Yes! I too noticed that my DH gave me much more attention when I switched to wearing all skirts. He also notices a lot more now when other women dress trampy. He comments on how unclassy they look.

 

Do you see that as a benefit? I don't know, I'm not sure I'd want my husband judging other women as "trampy" or "unclassy" based on how they were dressed.

[Parrothead]

I don't cover for mass or much of anything else.

[aggieamy]

Do you mean that most Catholic women who wear a headcovering at all only do so during Mass? I've personally never met a Catholic woman who covered her head during Mass or otherwise, regardless of how conservative they were in their religious beliefs. So I think it's only a small minority of Catholic women who cover their heads anywhere, at least, in the United States.

 

I'm a practicing cradle Catholic and have known some very conservative Catholic ladies. I've never met any that covered their heads during Mass or otherwise. Maybe it's a regional thing?

[cathmom]

I wear a veil for Mass and cover my head when in the church or chapel (there's a tabernacle in both).

[AnthemLights]

I haven't been on this board long, but I have been so curious about this as well. I wouldn't have wanted to ask though, because I didn't want to start something. :tongue_smilie:

 

I cover all the time (for religious purposes). Nondenominational church. I usually wear a bandana, maybe something "dressier" for church. I also wear skirts most of the time....jeans for horseback riding or something like that.

[Violet Crown]

I cover for Mass, just because I prefer to default to Tradition, and so far, at 1,930 years to 50 years, headcovering wins. OTOH my politics is quite a bit further to the left than is usually associated with headcovering, so I don't know about "conservative."

 

I have never met a Catholic woman who wears a headcovering outside of Mass for religious reasons, but variety is the spice of life so why not? (I do wear a headcovering outside of Mass quite a bit as the year gets hotter and my hair gets thinner, because I dislike scalp-burn.)

[Sputterduck]

Do you mean that most Catholic women who wear a headcovering at all only do so during Mass? I've personally never met a Catholic woman who covered her head during Mass or otherwise, regardless of how conservative they were in their religious beliefs. So I think it's only a small minority of Catholic women who cover their heads anywhere, at least, in the United States.

 

Maybe it's gone out of style. When my grandma was a little girl, she forgot her hat for Mass and she sat there shaking thinking that God was going to smite her right there. A lady behind her put her handkerchief on my grandma's head halfway through the service and my grandma was so thankful. It must have been a really big deal back then.

[TravelingChris]

I am a Christian (not a Catholic, not that Catholics aren't Christians) and in none of the churches I have ever attended was there any woman wearing a head covering-except in this church now but I don't think it counts- and let me give descriptions. One African lady sometimes wears a sort of turban but it is very colorful, matches her other clothing, and I don't think it has anything to do with head coverings in the Bible. Another recent attendee wears large summer hats. Again, I think this is her style, not a religious conviction. For the record, I have attended base chapels, PC(USA), Comberland PResbyterian, PCA, and UM churches in the last 25 years.

[Spy Car]

I've personally never met a Catholic woman who covered her head during Mass or otherwise, regardless of how conservative they were in their religious beliefs. So I think it's only a small minority of Catholic women who cover their heads anywhere, at least, in the United States.

 

If your area has a church that conducts a Tridentine Mass I'd hazard a guess that you would see many ladies who veil.

 

At Novus Ordo Masses here in Los Angeles it is rare (but not unheard of) to see women veiled. Some of those who do it seem like they are simply showing an affinity for tradition (small t). And with others it can be a sign of "protest" (Tradition with a Big T).

 

Bill

[calandalsmom]

In 36 yrs of catholicism in 6 states I have never seen a head covering catholic woman.

 

I wear skirts in the summer bc I feel comfortable in them.

 

There is no mandate from the church to do either thing, but if it suits you, by all means.

 

As long as you dont use it to prop yourself up as holier than the girl next to you in shorts and tank top.

 

Sadly I think most people do just that. Based on what I have read on catholic homeschooling boards, at least.

[twoforjoy]

I have never met a Catholic woman who wears a headcovering outside of Mass for religious reasons, but variety is the spice of life so why not? (I do wear a headcovering outside of Mass quite a bit as the year gets hotter and my hair gets thinner, because I dislike scalp-burn.)

 

I didn't mean to imply that it was a bad thing, just that I don't think it could be said that most Catholic women cover their heads at Mass, at least in the U.S.

[calandalsmom]

Maybe it's gone out of style. When my grandma was a little girl, she forgot her hat for Mass and she sat there shaking thinking that God was going to smite her right there. A lady behind her put her handkerchief on my grandma's head halfway through the service and my grandma was so thankful. It must have been a really big deal back then.

 

It was required til Vatican 2.

[Parrothead]

Maybe it's gone out of style. When my grandma was a little girl, she forgot her hat for Mass and she sat there shaking thinking that God was going to smite her right there. A lady behind her put her handkerchief on my grandma's head halfway through the service and my grandma was so thankful. It must have been a really big deal back then.

One of my earliest memories is of my mother and me going to church for some reason. Prior to going inside the church proper my mom put a kleenex on my head. I was maybe 3 so this was between 1968-69

[Parrothead]

It was required til Vatican 2.

Actually it was part of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that was abrogated in 1983 when the 1983 Code of Canon Law was promulgated. .

[dirty ethel rackham]

Do you mean that most Catholic women who wear a headcovering at all only do so during Mass? I've personally never met a Catholic woman who covered her head during Mass or otherwise, regardless of how conservative they were in their religious beliefs. So I think it's only a small minority of Catholic women who cover their heads anywhere, at least, in the United States.

 

Yeah. That. I never saw anyone wear a veil to Mass until I went to a Catholic homeschool group Mass (except in the movies.) My mom had some veils left over from pre-Vat II, but we used them for dress ups. I do remember my older sister talking about having a tissue pinned to her head at Mass. I don't know any Catholics IRL who cover. They would stand out at our church, for sure.

 

As far as skirts/dresses only - I have a fairly active lifestyle and wear pants. Skirts don't work for riding a bike, working out, rock climbing, etc. I tried skirts for a week (not out of a religious compulsion, but as an experiment.) Dh didn't notice me any more outside the bedroom, but he was a royal pain inside. I was miffed that my experiment didn't work so I certainly wasn't in the mood to reward his inattention :glare:.

[KarenNC]

Maybe it's gone out of style. When my grandma was a little girl, she forgot her hat for Mass and she sat there shaking thinking that God was going to smite her right there. A lady behind her put her handkerchief on my grandma's head halfway through the service and my grandma was so thankful. It must have been a really big deal back then.

 

I remember my mother telling about going to visit a Catholic church with a friend and having a handkerchief put on her head to go inside. This would have been in the 50's most likely, in the South, in a town where Catholics were very much a rarity (I didn't meet anyone I knew was Catholic until at least high school)---definitely pre-Vatican II.

 

Seems to be a cultural expectation in many predominantly African-American churches in our area for women to wear hats, but I don't know if they cite a religious reason for it.

[calandalsmom]

Actually it was part of the 1917 Code of Canon Law that was abrogated in 1983 when the 1983 Code of Canon Law was promulgated. .

 

Yes I was reading catholic answers, too. LOL

 

People had stopped before 83 tho.

 

I was born in the 70s and I never saw it as a small child.

[nono]

In 36 yrs of catholicism in 6 states I have never seen a head covering catholic woman.

 

 

Ah, and being 10 years old than you, I remember it. We used "beanies" in first & second grade to attend mass, and then would have switched to veils after that. But, alas, after 2nd grade, the requirement was removed.

[Parrothead]

Yes I was reading catholic answers, too. LOL

 

People had stopped before 83 tho.

 

I was born in the 70s and I never saw it as a small child.

I can with all honesty say I did not come by that information from Catholic Answers. LOL :D

[LG Gone Wild]

I don't cover for mass or much of anything else.

 

Ditto. I am very modern in my dress.

[calandalsmom]

I can with all honesty say I did not come by that information from Catholic Answers. LOL :D

 

well let's trade sources then.:lol

 

I went to look and see if Vat 2 had actually said out right "no need to veil" or not.

 

Apparently not but I do believe that was the effect.

[Jane in NC]

Growing up Catholic, we carried a plastic pouch with a lace circlet and bobby pins in our bags. This served as a headcovering in pinch.

 

This thread reminds me of my mother (who has since passed away) wearing a lace triangle as her headcovering when we were on vacation or just popping into church. She looked really pretty in it. Thanks for the memory.

 

Jane

[mommaduck]

oh boy....I started something :( BBIAB to reply

[WishboneDawn]

Do you see that as a benefit? I don't know, I'm not sure I'd want my husband judging other women as "trampy" or "unclassy" based on how they were dressed.

 

:iagree: That sort of stood out to me as well.

[milovany]

I started wearing a head covering for church services when I was Protestant, in a congregation that didn't have any thought about the matter. Only one other gal wore one. After a year and a half or so, our family began looking into Eastern Orthodoxy, and it was refreshing to attend the parish we do (we converted last year) because there, 90% of the women wear head coverings for church services. This isn't true of all EO parishes, by the way. It's not a dogmatic thing.

 

Anyway, I only know one EO lady who covers all the time, not just at church (she doesn't attend our parish). I've thought about asking our priest about this, for me. But I doubt I'm ready for full time head covering. I still wear jeans half the time (even though I only wear skirts/dresses for church), and it seems like a head covering and a skirt go together. Jeans and a head covering? I don't know. Most of the people I know who cover full time (non-EO) wear skirts all the time, too.

Edited May 27, 2011 by milovaný

[Mama2Many4]

Do you see that as a benefit? I don't know, I'm not sure I'd want my husband judging other women as "trampy" or "unclassy" based on how they were dressed.

 

Well, I have no control over what my husband says or does. But it does make me feel good to know that he notices a difference. I'm not talking about short or a tank top or something. That's fine if worn modestly. I'm saying we were in Walmart one day and this woman came in with a black mini skirt so short that you could almost see her goods! :glare:

 

She was also wearing a tight tube top with her boobs spilling over the tops and some knee high black boots. My two boys were with us and that's not something I want them to see. My husband commented to me how trampy and unclassy that form of dress was, and how happy he is that I've *personally* changed to wearing skirts all the time. He loves seeing that sort of "motherly" look, like the old days.

[Mama2Many4]

As far as head covering full time outside of mass, as I want to do. It's kind of a humbling thing for me I suppose. To remind myself that I am the humble servant of God, not be forget that the reason I'm on this earth is to strive at getting my place in Heaven with Him. My covering reminds me to pray more, be more forgiving of others and try to work on my shortcomings. In church it's out of respect. The angels cover their beauty and glory with their wings in the presence of God. My glory is my hair, so I cover it in the presence of God.

 

I don't think myself to be holier than any other Christian or any religion for that matter. It's just a personal reminder to myself. I was just wondering if there were any others that may still do this. No women at my parish cover either. But they don't even bat an eyelash when I walk in now. :)

[Violet Crown]

At Novus Ordo Masses here in Los Angeles it is rare (but not unheard of) to see women veiled. Some of those who do it seem like they are simply showing an affinity for tradition (small t). And with others it can be a sign of "protest" (Tradition with a Big T).

 

Bill

I want me one of them Protest Veils!

 

I'm thinking, maybe a bright red kerchief, with "DOROTHY DAY COVERED AT MASS" stenciled on it. That would be awesome.

 

I think I'm only half kidding.

[Spy Car]

I want me one of them Protest Veils!

 

I'm thinking, maybe a bright red kerchief, with "DOROTHY DAY COVERED AT MASS" stenciled on it. That would be awesome.

 

I think I'm only half kidding.

 

If you could score us some Dorothy Day kerchiefs I think I might even wear one to mass :D

 

Love her!

 

Bill

[Ellie]

Well, I have no control over what my husband says or does. But it does make me feel good to know that he notices a difference. I'm not talking about short or a tank top or something. That's fine if worn modestly. I'm saying we were in Walmart one day and this woman came in with a black mini skirt so short that you could almost see her goods! :glare:

 

She was also wearing a tight tube top with her boobs spilling over the tops and some knee high black boots. My two boys were with us and that's not something I want them to see. My husband commented to me how trampy and unclassy that form of dress was, and how happy he is that I've *personally* changed to wearing skirts all the time. He loves seeing that sort of "motherly" look, like the old days.

Clearly that woman needs an intervention from Stacy and Clinton on What Not To Wear!

 

It is possible to dress modestly and flatteringly without wearing only dresses/skirts. I've seen some ugly-looking but modest dresses/skirts, KWIM?

[Tutor]

My girls and I cover our heads for formal worship but not all the time. I define formal worship as any gathering of a group of Christians that is begun with a call to worship. Because I came to a decision to cover outside of any denominational or congregational requirement or tradition to do so, I kinda had to go by own interpretation of I Cor. 11. :)

[chiguirre]

:lol:

 

But, how many people would know who Dorothy Day was? And how many would scream Socialist?

[Violet Crown]

... Socialist?

You say that like it's something bad.

 

Seriously, I figure if I can keep on the good sides of both Day and Solzhenitsyn, I'm in the right ballpark.

 

Which reminds me, DD15 is working her way through The Gulag Archipelago; I need to get The Long Loneliness from the library for her soon.

[Spy Car]

You say that like it's something bad.

 

Seriously, I figure if I can keep on the good sides of both Day and Solzhenitsyn, I'm in the right ballpark.

 

Which reminds me, DD15 is working her way through The Gulag Archipelago; I need to get The Long Loneliness from the library for her soon.

 

Would it surprise you to know I'm also on the good sides of both Day and Solzhenitsyn?

 

Bill (who worries the ghost of Aleksandr Isayevich would not like his red do-rag :tongue_smilie:)

[Parrothead]

well let's trade sources then.:lol

 

I went to look and see if Vat 2 had actually said out right "no need to veil" or not.

 

Apparently not but I do believe that was the effect.

I don't remember. I looked into it years ago out of curiosity.

 

But you are right, there was nothing specifically from the Vatican that said women no longer have to have their heads covered. It was simply something not addressed in the 1983 Code.

[*********]

I am a homechurching protestant Christian, and I headcover (that's a shot of the top of my head with a headcovering on in my avatar). I always cover when meeting with other believers for study/worship, and I frequently cover at other times as well; running errands, out with the family, etc. I don't always, but a lot of the time.

 

I do wear modest jeans sometimes with a headcovering, although I prefer skirts.

[mommaduck]

Okay, I did not mean to start something. Yes, I wear skirts. My girls used to wear skirts all the time. Now we let them wear pants and even (gasp!) shorts (as long as their rears aren't hanging out). Shorts became necessary during summer tennis (doesn't work well with skirts and too hot for pants). We still look for modesty (aka, I don't want to see pants that are so tight they are crawling up my girl's rear end). I still wear skirts because my husband likes me in them and has requested (yes, I could choose to ignore him...I choose not to though) that I keep wearing them. However, I used to wear the "gunny sack" (aka cape dresses, denim jumpers...though my favorites were victorian blouses with a cute cotton jumper). DH has "updated" my wardrobe into the 21st century with some classy top and skirt combos from some nice stores. I had to relearn how to dress myself as my body has change a lot and I had covered it up so much during the years it was changing that I didn't know what looked right on it anymore. Thank heavens for sales ladies that know their stuff (and a seamstress, I was happy to know they even knew the appropriate undergarments).

 

I used to cover full time. I still cover EVERY TIME I'm in service. That is my die hard rule. But it's for me. Between myself and God. My husband is included, because I include him in everything and I also like to hear his opinion as well. I have covered for over ten years, had pastors that disagreed but left me alone, had pastors that pointed me out when giving different views, had other people disagree and harass our family for it, and we have a priest that has absolutely no problem with it. I wear a covering out when it suits me (part of my "style" as it's been part of who I am for so long and I like my variety of coverings and variety of styles in tying them up).

 

In Orthodoxy it's a NON-ISSUE. If you wear one, you wear one. If you don't, you don't. No one is judged as being less or more holy...it's YOUR business and YOUR business alone! The only time it becomes an issue is that it is required when the women visit the monastery, out of respect. I'm glad it's a non-issue. It prevents an "us vs them" situation. People accept me as I am and I accept them as they are. There is no "I'm better than you" in either direction. We are all on this journey and God has each of us where we are and will guide each of us wherever He wants us to be. Kinda like the Jewish thing of, "it may be my mitzvah, but not your mitzvah", kwim?

 

(btw, some EOC's cover more and some barely at all...I'm one of about five women that do in our Church)

Edited May 28, 2011 by mommaduck

[Aquinas Academy]

I cover for Mass, just because I prefer to default to Tradition, and so far, at 1,930 years to 50 years, headcovering wins. OTOH my politics is quite a bit further to the left than is usually associated with headcovering, so I don't know about "conservative."

 

This is me exactly.

I don't cover my head outside of Mass. I like skirts and wear them about 50% of the time, generally when at home or church. I'd wear skirts more often, but pants are much more practical for gardening, hiking, and chasing after toddlers. ;)

[FrogMom5]

No, I don't cover. I might if more people did in my church. I don't like to stand out or call attention to myself and that's what I would feel like. I know, I know, no one is there to look at me but, I still feel like I stand out.

 

For skirts/dresses, I almost always wear one to church. Once in while, I wear slacks. When not in church, I wear pants or shorts(longer shorts b/c I'm older). I don't have a problem w/my dd wearing shorts or shorter skirts - not mini's but above the knee. She's 4 and I think little girls look cute in shorter dresses/skirts.

 

As for my dh, he does not prefer me in dresses. He's indiferrent about the issue. He has said he doesn't want our dd in dowdy clothing or trampy clothing.

 

I have friends who cover only in Mass and one who covers all the time. The one who covers all the time also wears only skirts.

Denise

[elegantlion]

No headcoverings and I've worn a skirt once in the last three months, that's a good average for me. I am protestant, feel close to God, but not compelled to cover or wear skirts.

[Oops, duplicate account :/]

Nondenominational here, simply 'bible believing' and I used to when I prayed whether in public or not. After further bible study, my dh believes my hair is my God given covering, so I no longer cover. Although I was great with it, I love the freedom in Christ from legalism, in many other areas as well, and would never go back. Hope that doesnt offend anyone, just my honest experience.

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

No head covering here, and I don't even own a skirt nor a dress...

Hmm, that says a lot about me.

 

I've got to admit though, the idea of covering my head at church is appealing. I don't know why. I would have resisted that before, but tonight it sounds great! I've got some thinking to do.