Traditionally, women cover their heads in church. This practice follows a received custom practiced from very early in the Church. St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians (11:4-5), writes: "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." In other words, such a woman wounds her feminine dignity. However it seems that this practice of women covering their heads at Mass is one that has lapsed in the Novus Ordo since the Second Vatican Council.

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.

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 instoution 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 wiiie 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.

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)

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 assembles, 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." (Apoc. 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).

Many of today's people may be inclined to say "well that's just Saint Paul and he's being a bit to harsh" or " he need's to get in touch with the times". However such ideas are a serious offence against God as what was true for the early Christians is also true for us in regards to things that have a spiritual advantage. This is because God is eternal; thus the truth of any matter applies always no matter what age we live in. It can be said that the veil although seen to be by many of little importance is something that the apostles, saints and Church fathers held should be maintained.

St Paul reminds us, "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.

In order to further confirm this we note that the Holy Pope Linus used to insist on the Apostle's words on this matter be observed, which required every woman to wear a veil when she entered into the church. St. Charles Borromeo was accustomed to say, "women who were not thus veiled should be refused admittance into the church". We read that according to St Clement and others such as St Alphonsus that the reason of this is because, lest the beauty of the other sex, distract the attention of the men.

The practice of women wearing head covering in church is based on Scripture and included in the traditional Code of Canon Law (It is not included in the New Code). Thus, Catholics should continue this custom according to the teaching of St Paul (I Cor. 11:4-5).

Canon 1262.2 of the traditional Canon Law of the Church states:

"Men should be with head uncovered in church or outside of church, when they assist at the sacred rites, unless the approved customs of the people or additional particulars of the circumstances call for something else; women, however, should be with head covered and modestly dressed, particularly when they approach the Lord's table."

The Bl. Virgin Mary, always humble, should be the example of all women. She did not wish to attract attention to herself and we can be certain that she dressed in a modest manner.

Women would do well to not only have their hair covered in church, but to approach the altar with the same inward humility, which the veils signify.

Note: the veil is still worn at the Latin mass for locations see our (Global) Latin Mass Directory.