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| Every day is a holiday when I live God’s good life He meant for me. |
I don’t remember exactly when I got my mantilla. It feels as if I’ve had it forever.
It’s
a beautiful white lace veil. When I put it on my head, it fell below my
shoulders. I wore it when I went to church. I was in church for mass
every weekday, Sunday and for the sacrament of confession, and choir
practice. I said the Stations of the Cross. I prayed and lit a candle. I
was baptized in church and made my 1st Communion among many other
times.
My mantilla is beautiful. I saved it to wear when my daddy
walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. Unfortunately for me, I
wasn’t able to have the church wedding I dreamed about. I still have my
mantilla, and it’s in prestine condition.
The Catholic mantilla could be referred to as a Chapel Veil worn by girls and women of deep faith. At least, that’s why I wore it.
Wearing a mantilla signifies the role of women as a life-bearing vessel. It’s also a way of emulating, Mary, our mother, who is the archetype of purity and humility.
Because of these reasons, and others, Catholic women, as all things holy and sacred, are treated with utmost respect.
Traditionally, black veils were worn by married or widowed women, while white veils were worn by young girls, or unmarried women.
Since the Second Vatican Council, women were no longer required to cover their heads in church. Sadly, women stopped wearing chapel veils, mantillas and beautiful hats.However, women can still choose to wear a fashionable hat. In fact, the Church encourages a head covering as a sign of reverence and piety while in the presence of God.
I would like to see mantillas as well as women’s hats in church again.