I opened the link up early so you could put your thoughts up now if ya wanna.
Did you do it? Did you try a mantilla at Mass? What did you think? Let’s talk about me first. Wink.
So, here are some pics of my outfit today, complete with veil.
Might I possibly be the only person who veils in leopard print?
The Experience?
Logistically, the infinity scarf was perfect. It never fell off during Mass, Ellen and Sam never bothered it for some reason, and it was really easy to slip on and off. I walked into the church wearing the scarf as normal, slipped it over my head for the duration of Mass, and when it was over, I pulled it back down like a normal scarf.
Physically, I will say that it made me a little warmer than usual. But, I mean, I had something on top of my head, so… Also, I did find it to be a good physical reminder that I was at Mass. I found myself paying better attention than I normally do.
But, veiling myself did nothing to better the behavior of my children, and by children I mean Ellen. She was a real bearcat today. So, I payed as much attention as I could, but I was still required to wrestle a toddler and give sidelong glances. Ellen looked at me after Mass and said, “Can I have a donut now?” I actually snorted.
Getting ready for Mass was another interesting aspect to this experiment. A veil is supposed to symbolize modesty (among other things), and it is supposed to guard you from vanity. But, I found myself spending more time on my outfit and planning more than I normally do so that everything would go with the veil. I think that kind of defeated its purpose.
As far as feeling self conscience or awkward, I didn’t. I just don’t get embarrassed super easily. I nurse in public without a cover, so veiling was no bigger of a deal than that. And, I didn’t feel like I got any weird looks, or maybe I just don’t notice stuff like that.
Mike said he noticed that I was veiling, but it didn’t strike him one way or the other. “If it is something that helps you at mass, that’s totally cool.” I asked him if he had other thoughts, and he said, “Not really. Is that good for you?”
Yeah. That’s fine, buddy.
Will I Continue to Veil?
I felt more present at Mass than usual, but the fact that I still had to deal with a toddler meant that I wasn’t completely focused anyway. I didn’t feel unwelcome by others, so that would not be a factor for me. I did notice that getting dressed became more tedious. I love clothes and fashion, so I don’t really need another reason to spend time on this.
Bottom Line: I am really glad I tried this out because it has been on my heart for a while, but I don’t think it will be a regular part of my church routine.
Now it’s your turn.
Tell me what you thought. Link it up. (Check here if you need the details of the link up.) Visit some other veilers and show the love. I will leave it open until the end of the day on 9.17. Good? Good.
And, don’t forget to show some love to FLAP.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57585174/dressing-down-a-culture-for-refusing-to-dress-up/
This is such an interesting article! Wouldn’t you love to have lived in a time where you dressed up all the time? But, perhaps back then it wouldn’t have seemed like such a fun novelty, and instead it would have felt like more of a chore. Either way, I love gettin’ fancy, and I wish I had more of an opportunity to do so. Darn 60s.
Also, I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and your family each and every single day – many times. Prayers and love from the mitten xoxo
Darn – I scheduled my post for next week so I’ll have to wait to link up until then!
Can I make a suggestion? Perhaps wearing a solid color/print veil may make it easier to find a coordinating outfit ;-) Just my two cents!
Hey that’s ok! I can’t wait to read it next week :) And, yes, the leopard print was a bit harder to match ;)
I recently tried the infinity scarf too and found it to be a good choice for headcovering at mass. It really did stay on nicely even with the kids, and it seemed more discreet and ‘current’ than the mantilla style veils. It did seem to scream “I AM COVERING MY HEAD” though, LOL! That could just be me being overly self-conscious, which I ought to work on anyway. I have to say my absolute favorite headcoverings are still the wide headband style from Garlands of Grace. I have a nice forest green one and a brown one so it’s pretty easy to match them, though I’ll be asking for a few more for Christmas to match more outfits :)
I enjoyed reading your experience and I’ll be checking back for the link-up too. I’ll try to post for the link-up too if I get a chance!
I am going to look up Garlands of Grace – sounds pretty :) I really hope you can link up with me too. I am loving hearing other stories.
And, for what it’s worth, sometimes I think we feel that others are judging us and staring at us, when in reality, they aren’t thinking about us at all!
Hi Jenna, Love your post! I haven’t veiled at Mass but I do veil at adoration…. just wanted to mention that while Garlands of Grace have beautiful head coverings, they did post an anti-Catholic comment last March,
“Garlands of Grace in NOT a Catholic run business. I am burdened for all who stand with the Catholic Church and would plead with you to come out and believe the Word of God.”
Many who do veil decided to purchase from Catholic etsy stores instead…
Thank you so much for that information. It’s so sad to hear when people are outwardly against our church. Sigh. Especially when we are all Christians. We need to stand together, you know?
I love the leopard print.
I thought you hated leopard print and too many accessories.
Rockin’ that leopard print!! Looks nice! Linkin’ up sometime this week or next :)
I can’t wait ;) You are an old vet!
Haha, I can *never* wear animal prints, mantilla or else! I just don’t have the—personality? gut? temper?—to wear them. But it seems that the leopard print works well for you! The scarf looks rather heavy-layered though, maybe that’s why you felt warmer.
You know, I never really wear them either, but my mom loves leopard print and wears it all the time. So the scarf is kind of an homage to my momma! And yes, I am sure the heavy scarf didn’t help the warm factor ;) I tend to get warm anyway though.
“Mike said he noticed that I was veiling, but it didn’t strike him one way or the other. ‘If it is something that helps you at mass, that’s totally cool.’ ”
It is great to see so many young mothers embracing this more traditional pious practice, I was very glad when my wife was called to take it up several years ago. My dilemma though is this. The quote above and much of the language I read and hear in this new movement is very ‘me’ oriented. This a fine example of why as a culture we don’t get it. Wearing a veil, is not about you, it’s about God and our proper relationship to Him. If you find that there are added benefits to wearing one, more attentive at Mass etc then that is gravy.In the same way that the Holy Mass is not about us, and how we feel or enjoy it etc. As Fr. Barron points out, ‘Life is not about us(me)’ and that’s a very good thing.
Excellent point, James! I (obviously) often forget that, so this is a good reminder.
I’m glad you tried it out. I’ve been mostly veiling for about 10 years now (I had a couple off years and my 1 year old tends to rip if off so often that some days I don’t even bother). I just go the standard lace veil route and don’t think anything of it. It isn’t a fashion statement to me so it doesn’t add to my getting ready time in any way. I keep it in my purse and whip it out whenever needed. (I wear a black one though and honestly, more than a few times I’ve been asked if I’m carrying around a pair of scandalous underthings… eek! Quite the opposite.) I’m all for it being part of fashion (like they ladies with their hats back in the day!) but to me the most important part of it is the reason for covering my head and the fashion part comes second. So I’m ok with a relatively drab little veil. Plus, I sort of think well-broken in veils have their charm. I won’t link up – but here’s a post with a picture of me in the veil for reference! http://bemerrykate.com/2013/04/easter-sunday/
“more than a few times I’ve been asked if I’m carrying around a pair of scandalous underthings… ” LOL!!!
Broke one out at mass today – I’ll be praying about whether it should be a more frequent occurrence – thanks for the link-up :)
I can’t wait to read your post! It is on my to-read-at-naptime list ;)
I’ve been meaning to write a post about it. Finally did it. Sharing my veiling journey :)
http://c2lovingj2.blogspot.com/2013/09/veiling.html
Just loved it! Thank you for linking up, darling!