For 2,000 years, Catholic women have veiled themselves before entering
a church or any time they are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
(e.g., during sick calls).
It was written into the 1917 Code of Canon Law, Canon 1262, that women
must cover their heads -- "especially when they approach the holy
table" ("mulieres autem, capite cooperto et modeste vestitae, maxime
cum ad mensam Dominicam accedunt") -- but during the Second
Vatican Council, Bugnini (the same Freemason who designed the Novus
Ordo Mass) was asked by journalists if women would still have to cover
their heads. His reply, perhaps innocently enough, was that the issue
was not being discussed. The journalists (as journalists are wont to do
with Church teaching) took his answer as a "no," and printed their
misinformation in newspapers all over the world. 1 Since
then, many, if not most, Catholic women have lost the tradition.
After so many years of many women forgetting or positively repudiating the veil, clerics, not wanting to be confrontational or upset radical feminists, pretended the issue didn't exist. When the 1983 Code of Canon Law was produced, veiling was simply not mentioned (not abrogated, mind you, but simply not mentioned). However, Canons 20-21 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law make clear that later Canon Law abrogates earlier Canon Law only when this is made explicit and that, in cases of doubt, the revocation of earlier law is not to be presumed, quite the opposite
After so many years of many women forgetting or positively repudiating the veil, clerics, not wanting to be confrontational or upset radical feminists, pretended the issue didn't exist. When the 1983 Code of Canon Law was produced, veiling was simply not mentioned (not abrogated, mind you, but simply not mentioned). However, Canons 20-21 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law make clear that later Canon Law abrogates earlier Canon Law only when this is made explicit and that, in cases of doubt, the revocation of earlier law is not to be presumed, quite the opposite
T
Thank you for this article. I wear a mantilla for years now. It is beyond me the various things people think and say because I wear a veil and bow before the Almighty present in the church.
ReplyDeleteTo me it is natural and good.
Wearing a veil in the Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is such a beautiful expression of reverence and humble femininity. This article is so well written. It is important for people to understand that the code of canon law pertaining to women wearing veils in church was NOT EVER ABROGATED. It is heartening to know that so many women are returning to this dear and precious Catholic public expression of love for our Savior.
ReplyDeleteEn los corazones de Jesus y Maria/In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Lora,
http://www.caminolamancha.com/
I never wear anything on my head unless the alternative is migraine (in summer) or frostbite (in winter). If Pope Francis determines to return the ghastly nuisance of head-covering to required status, I will, of course, obey. I have a Mets ball cap someplace that I can wear at Mass. I propose to take it out on the pastor, however, by loudly demanding to know why talkative old women and people who insist on holding hands during the Paternoster aren't also being brought into line. If he's going to crack down on me, he'll jolly well crack down on everybody, or I'll know the reason why.
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