This post is about Chapel Veils

Note:
I wrote this a few days ago, and decided not to post it... it seemed a non sequitur, that is until I watched today's Vortex: Kneel Before God. The following is an unedited version of what I wrote prior to watching the Vortex video.

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Veil, kneeling, tongue - The Reverent Trifecta

This post is about Chapel Veils, Mantillas, prayer scarves, etc... I am a guy, which sort of places me in the, "Who are you to talk about this issue" category, but it for some reason it is something that is always on my heart. For full disclosure, my wife does not "cover" in Church. Which leads me I think to my ultimate conclusion.

You see, I had this witty post all written about how I kneel for the reception of Communion, and how this correlates to women and covering in Church. It was an argument I was trying to make against one of the biggest arguments women, who seemingly feel called or are at least open to the idea,of covering in Church and yet don't, make as to why they don't feel called 'yet' to cover. This reason? They don't want to be labeled, outcast, or looked at as if they are "holier than thou." I was going to use my story of how and why I began to kneel for Communion as an analogy as to why this argument fails on multiple levels. But I have decided that no bit of logic or reason will convince women against this. They are very communal creatures, and if they feel the least bit outcast in their group they won't do something. At least they won't do it until the St. Joan of Arc type of woman that they respect is willing to trailblaze and go against the norm. Then, they just might do something. Nope, this isn't about defeating that argument about how they let what they think others are going to think about them dictate what they do, even if it is in their heart and put there by God.

I am jealous. Don't read that as envy because it isn't envy. Envy, is sorrow at another's good or happiness. This isn't that, I am so happy when I see a woman cover. I wish that I could shout to the Lord in an external way such as that. I wish I could visibly submit to God in a public way. I wish others could look at me, and see exactly what I think of my entry into the House of God and into the Sacredness of prayer. I see priests, monks, sisters, nuns, and brothers and I think: "I wish laity could wear habits." I guess I am a very visual person, and I find beauty in the obedience of appearance. Sure I know that there must be a substance to the form, but as someone that played sports, there is something about the significance of pulling a jersey on over your head that states who you are and who you play for. As the famous line in the movie Miracle relates, Coach Brooks said, "The name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the name on the back." He is right... what we do for God is a lot more important than that which we do for ourselves.

So you see, I guess it is futile for me to have a discussion about Chapel Veils. I am not a woman and will never cover. Most women won't cover because of their community mindset - what others will think is paramount in their minds. My arguments about thinking about God first, about external symbols of your internal feelings, and the beauty of obedience will fall silent on their ears. All they will hear is: "can you imagine what the 'others' would think or say?" Not only that, but what answer would I have to the contrived arguments they think up to cover up the reality of why they won't consider it? I wouldn't have one, because ultimately those reasons aren't the reason.

Hopefully my wife won't kill me, but when discussing the fact that it shouldn't matter what 'others' think she said, "People at church just don't do it anymore. Well, 99% of the women at church don't. It just isn't something that is done, and it would make me stick out." I didn't say this in reply, but when considering what most Catholics think, I would hope that maybe you would want to stick out. Again though, I am just jealous, and I do take pleasure in seeing them.

Other thoughts on the subject:
Mindy @ The Devout Life

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