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Writer's pictureCaroline Thérèse

Behind the Veil

Updated: Jul 5, 2019

Written By: Caroline Thérèse, Olivia, and Julia


Although it is a beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church, veiling is often misunderstood today. However, it is gaining popularity as more young women learn about it and come to see its true beauty. There are countless reasons that women choose to wear a veil, and it is likely that if you were to ask them, five people would give you five slightly different reasons. Olivia from Catholic Girl Talk*, my friend Julia, and I have put together this post to shed some light on the purpose of veiling and what it actually is...





What do you mean by “veiling”?

Veiling simply refers to the practice of Catholic women to cover their heads during Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, etc. Many women choose to wear a veil anytime they are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.


So, why do women choose to veil?


- Olivia’s Story


I started wearing a veil when I was around ten. I was extremely attracted to the mysterious beauty of veiling, though I didn’t know all the reasons behind it. It was a decision I made on my own and have loved doing so ever since!


My favorite reason for wearing a veil is that as Catholics, we veil what is sacred. For example, we veil the Eucharist in the tabernacle. Just as Mary was the first tabernacle to hold Jesus in her womb, so too woman is a tabernacle of life. As women, we not only have the potential to hold life in our wombs, but we also bear Christ to the world in a way only women can.


So, veiling is an outward expression of our feminine identity as a tabernacle of life. (Of course, this is also a reason we choose to dress with modesty and dignity!)


Another reason I wear a veil is to imitate Mary’s humility (not a fashion of over two thousand years ago!). Since woman was made as the crowning beauty of all creation, veiling recognizes that God is the origin of that beauty. Every time I wear a veil in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, it is as if I am asking Mary to clothe myself in humility. And of course Mary is the perfect example of humility! In a very real way, when I step into a Church and don my veil, doing so reminds my heart to genuflect to Jesus.


- Caroline’s Story


When I was 13, my parish had just finished building our new church, and the girls’ group that I was a part of had been invited to join the procession for the Dedication Mass. A woman had sent beautiful veils that she’d handmade for each of us, even though none of us knew her, and we got to wear those for the Mass. I hadn’t really ever wore a veil before then, but - although I knew/ appreciated very little about the tradition - something about it resonated with me and I continued to wear my veil each Sunday.


The first things I think of in response to the “why veil” question are the words “Reverence” and “Humility”. Sitting in a church or chapel in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament it is surreal to realize that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and King of the Universe, is actually right in front of me, body, blood, soul, and divinity, only a few feet away. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us in the most vulnerable way: He comes under the appearance of a wafer of bread, paper-thin and only about an inch in diameter, and He does it simply because He loves us. In turn, out of my love for Him, I wear a veil to show reverence and respect, as well as to humble myself before Him and remind myself that everything is not about me, but about HIM.


I also love the aspect of tradition in veiling. Up until the last 50 years or so, every Catholic woman wore a veil - from the littlest toddler (which is so adorable) to the elderly grandmother. One of my favorite things about that is this includes all of those women who went on to become saints - St Thérèse, St Jacinta, St Elizabeth Ann Seton, St Cecilia, etc. For me, to really think about how each time these saints went to Mass or Adoration they put on a veil just like I do, means a personal and truly awesome connection to those holy women.


- Julia’s Story


I started veiling in middle school, mostly because one of my sisters had begun the practice, with a little idea that the Eucharist was related. Yet as I grew in my own Faith journey, left the world of homeschooling, and entered the world of private school where not every girl veiled, I wanted to know why I wore that lacey head-cover at Mass. I stuck out like a sore thumb at our all-school Masses, so a) I needed to convince myself such awkwardness was worth it, and b) I needed to explain to my classmates why I did what I did. (Clearly, my discoveries proved that yes, the awkwardness is worth it)


When people ask me why I veil, my first response always touches on the sacredness of the Real Presence of Christ, the Creator of the Universe, in the Eucharist and the human person, women in particular, and, if I manage to hold their attention, humility before God.


However, my personal favorite reason for veiling stems from the spousal relationship between Christ and the Church. St. Paul describes the Church as the Bride of Christ. As individual members of the Body and Bride of Christ, we all share in that spousal bond, and veiling simply creates a concrete reminder of this beautiful, intimate link, particularly for women. At her wedding, a bride wears a veil; at Mass, we veil as a reminder of the eternal wedding feast of heaven.


Moreover, an additional reason I love veiling remains a reason you most likely won't find in Church documents or theological treaties. As I mentioned before, the veil symbolizes the concrete reality of the Mass, a reality which too many Catholics either do not know or understand. When people ask me why I veil, simply out of wonder for the practice, I have the honor, joy, and privilege to explain the beauty of the Eucharist and the Mass, our taste of heaven on earth.


Final Thoughts


If you feel a tug at your heart to start veiling, don’t be afraid to go for it! If you truly feel called to wear a Chapel Veil, don’t let fear or excuses get in your way. The beauty of wearing a veil, and the way it can help you to pray are far more rewarding than the fear of standing out or being judged. And feel free to reach out to us with any further questions!


* * Check out Olivia’s video on this topic! Just click here.


More veiling resources:

A beautiful explanation of veiling and femininity:

A fantastic article on veiling:

More info and an online store:

Another personal story:

Online store:

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